7 Stars In Christian Music With Unique Backgrounds

The Christian music industry has exploded with new artists and older artists with new variations of music. Some artists, like Colton Dixon, have introduced styles from mainstream pop, while keeping the lyrics honoring to God. Every Christian artist has their own story with some quickly finding their way around with connections and others finding creative ways. Not all successful musicians realized their quitting their first career choice.

Here are seven stars in Christian music with unique backgrounds.

#7. Tim Timmons

Tim Timmons hasn’t been a main artist on the Christian music scene for long, but his inspirational songs have caught the attention of a huge audience. Cast My Cares was his first studio album and was released during the summer of 2013. The most inspiring part of Tim’s story is that he is a 12-year cancer survivor. When he was first diagnosed in 2001, doctors only estimated he had five years to live. You can hear how he draws strength from His relationship in God in his music.

#6. Jamie Grace

Jamie Grace is newer on the Christian music scene and she was discovered and signed by TobyMac. Jamie grew up performing in churches and decided to expand her reach by posting videos of her singing on YouTube in 2006. Her first song, Hold Me was released in early 2011. She is currently performing on the Revolve Tour by Women of Faith as a speaker and main artist performing. She won a Dove Award in 2012 for “New Artist of the Year”.

#5. Bluetree

If you have seen Bluetree perform live, you will understand how energizing they are! In 2014 at Big Ticket Festival the lead singer, Aaron Boyd, jumped out of a plane right before coming on stage. The band formed when Aaron became frustrated “With the idea that worship is only to do with your heart.” They have released six albums, including Great Things, God of This City, Kingdom, Live: Mission Edition, Live In Oklahoma and Worship & Justice.

#4. Mandisa

Mandisa has been one of the most successful Christian artists who started her career on American Idol. She placed ninth in 2006 and her struggles with weight loss and her self-image began coming out. Mandisa embraced her challenges and she drew inspiration from the struggles, especially Simon Cowell’s comments, on her first album, True Beauty, after American Idol. In 2013, Mandisa won two Grammys, including “Best Contemporary Christian Music Album” for Overcomer and “Best Contemporary Christian Music Song” for “Overcomer”.

#3. for King & Country

Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone released their first album Crave in 2012 and Billboard named them one of the “New Artists To Watch” in 2012. During the height of their career, Luke became life-threateningly ill. Luke’s first child, Jude Sames, was born in 2012 but his illness hindered how he could hold and care for Jude. In August of last year for King & Country released Hope Is What We Crave: Live and their newest album, Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. was released in September.

#2. Matthew West

Growing up Matthew West lived for baseball and his mind was set on getting a baseball scholarship in college. This didn’t happen, but being awarded a four-year scholarship in music from Millikin University set him on track for the career he began focusing on in 1997. He released three albums between 1997 and 2002 before Universal South Records signed him. Matthew won a GMA Dove Award in 2005 for “Recorded Music Packaging of the Year” for his album Happy.

#1. Stephen Curtis Chapman

Stephen Curtis Chapman’s first album released was First Hand. He has experienced many great moments throughout his career in music started in 1987. His father is a guitar teacher and taught him to play and sing growing up, but he wanted to be a doctor. Stephen started pre-med at Georgetown College in Kentucky, but then transferred to Indiana to attend Anderson College. Finally realizing his calling, Stephen Curtis Chapman dropped out of college to pursue music. There have been artists who have recorded Chapman’s songs, including Glen Campbell, Sandi Patty and Roger Whittaker. He has released 18 studio albums, two of which are certified Platinum albums and seven albums certified Gold.

These seven Christian artists continue to grow and more chapters are written to each of their stories. Some have also started acting while others have founded their own foundations to continue fulfilling God’s calling on their lives. Who is your favorite Christian artist with a unique background?