CCM Professor with Greg Rice

Tag: 1980s Christian Music

Michael W. Smith - The Big Picture | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#21: Michael W. Smith — The Big Picture (1986)

Synth-driven pop with prophetic punch—’80s sheen carrying songs about culture, compromise, and courageous faith.

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Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, The Big Picture (1986) captures an

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Bruce Cockburn - Humans | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#28: Bruce Cockburn — Humans (1980)

A turning point of honesty—urban folk textures carrying lament, longing, and hard-won spiritual clarity.

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Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Humans (1980) stands as a defining statement for its

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Amy Grant - A Christmas Album | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The Greatest CCM Christmas Albums — CR1: Amy Grant, A Christmas Album (1983)

A genre-defining Christmas release that blended pop warmth, orchestral sparkle, and heartfelt faith—and helped introduce CCM holiday music to the mainstream.

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Crowning the list at CR1

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Russ Taff - Medals | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

#36: Russ Taff — Medals (1985)

Gritty CCM rock forged with vocal fire—bold declarations of faith wrapped in radio-ready intensity.

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Appearing in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, Medals (1985) represents a pivotal moment in the evolution

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Bebe & Cece Winans - Heaven | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #37: BeBe & CeCe Winans, Heaven (1988)

Sophisticated gospel-pop—silky harmonies, crossover-ready grooves, and songs that brought sanctuary hope to mainstream ears.

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Landing at #37 in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian

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Amy Grant - A Christmas Album | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #40: Amy Grant, A Christmas Album (1983)

A modern Christmas classic—warm vocals, orchestral glow, and a blend of carols and originals that helped redefine holiday music in CCM.

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Arriving at #40

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U2 - October | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #41: U2, October (1981)

Post-punk devotion in real time—anguished prayers, chiming guitars, and a band still learning how to carry faith into the spotlight.

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Arriving at #41 in The 100 Greatest

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Margaret Becker - Immigrant's Daughter | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #46: Margaret Becker, Immigrant’s Daughter (1989)

Arena‑ready conviction with singer‑songwriter heart—electric bite, anthemic hooks, and a story you can hear.

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Appearing at #46 in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

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The Winans - Tomorrow | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #48: The Winans, Tomorrow (1984)

Sanctified soul modernized—quartet DNA meeting sleek ’80s production, turning testimony into radio gold.

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Appearing at #48 in The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music, The

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Keith Green - So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt | The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music

The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music — #49: Keith Green, So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt (1980)

Prophetic piano pop—holy zeal, sharp wit, and melodies that still call the church to wakefulness.

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Appearing at #49 in The

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