Features

Michael W. Smith starts the conversation in much the same way he finishes it—with effusive praise for his favorite time of year. In fact, he can’t stop saying so. On six different occasions, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame member says “I love Christmas” in some form or another.

Traditionally, the Thanksgiving holiday marks the time of year when Christian radio stations start spinning and promoting a lot of Christmas music...or even nothing but Christmas music!

Holly Starr is having more fun than ever. The 27-year-old singer-songwriter has tested various sounds over the years, venturing between acoustic fare to pop/rock to songs with a more worshipful bent. But Starr’s most recent foray into writing with artist/producer Matthew Parker has thrown her a creative curve into the world of electronic dance music (EDM).

This year's Songwriter of the Year – Matthew West – gets personal about living life "all in" at home and on the road in this all-in episode of CCM Magazine's "Features on Film with Andrew Greer".

Few seasons connect through music like Christmas, with familiar holiday tunes drawing out memories of cheer-filled Christmas mornings, family gatherings, and thoughts of the perfect gift. Yet, all too often those songs turn stale as we hear them repeated over and over again, covered by different artists. Here are ten of our favorite CCM Christmas originals, written and performed by the artist, in no particular order.

If you want to not only get an early start on an artist to watch for 2019, we’ve got a special holiday surprise for you. Mallary Hope might be a new artists in Christian music circles, but she’s a seasoned country pro who now feels called to spread the gospel with her music.

JJ Weeks has a new single “Days Like These” that releases on all digital platforms Black Friday Nov. 23. CCMmagazine.com has the EXCLUSIVE premiere of the Story Behind the Song.

To the Sidewalk Prophets, fans aren’t just like family. They are family. On the verge of setting off on their headlining Christmas tour, joyfully titled The Great Big Family Christmas Tour, front man Dave Frey says the band simply wants to give back to their fans—er, family—who have given them so much in the past year.

Nathan Sheridan’s songs are shepherding songs, heartening messages for the faith journey from someone who has found God to be faithful despite some very difficult circumstances.

The second season of Dinner Conversations with Mark Lowry and Andrew Greer (https://youtu.be/IbFJtR1b8n8) kicks off in January, but in the meantime, catch some shots of the guys getting all geared up to bounce ideas off of one another and interview several fascinating guests.