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Artwork for Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music

Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music

Andrew Gill and Leah Payne
Contemporary Christian Music
Christian Music
DC Talk
Teen Dance Ordinance
Mars Hill Church
Kurt Cobain
Purity Culture
Seattle
Nirvana
Evangelical Christianity
Tooth and Nail Records
Politics
Culture
Evangelicalism
Christian Bookstores
Christmas
Christian Hip Hop
John J. Thompson
Switchfoot
Carmen

Rock That Doesn’t Roll looks at how Christian music shaped the world we're living in now by telling individual stories from the peak era of the contemporary Christian music industry. In the 80s, 90s and early 2000s CCM grew into a billion dollar business that affected millions of evangelical young people. Through interviews with artists, industry players and average fans Dr. Leah Payne and Andrew ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes60Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music HistoryMusic

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Artwork for Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music

Latest Episodes

In the late 1990's Andrew Osenga's high school band caught the ear of a member of Whiteheart. That led Osenga to Nashville and his band, The Normals, releasing three albums on ForeFront Records. In the decades since The Normals disbanded, Osenga has ... more

YouTube

Jeremy Alder is a comedian who mines his life as a homeschooled youth group kid growing up in Texas for jokes that will probably be very relatable for our audience. We talk with Jeremy about his special, Purity Pants, his album, Almost A Grown Man, a... more

YouTube

Sam Sanders is the host of The Sam Sanders Show from KCRW. He was a founding host of The NPR Politics Podcast and It's Been A Minute from NPR. Sam grew up in the Black Pentecostal church in Texas, where he played saxophone in the church band. Eventua... more

Rock That Doesn't Roll is coming back with Season 4 launching on March 4th. We'll be publishing every other week after that. 

Do you have a Christian rock story to tell? Want to respond to this episode? Leave us a message at ‪(629) 204-4264‬.

If Ro... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Sam Sanders
Journalist and independent podcast host
The Sam Sanders Show / NPR alumni
Episode: Sneaking D'Angelo Riffs Into Worship (ft. Sam Sanders)
Jason Martin
Frontman of the band Starflyer 59
Episode: Jason Martin of Starflyer 59 (From Transmissions with Jason Woodbury)
Big Freedia
Queen of Bounce Music and gospel artist
Episode: Big Freedia: Is Twerking Next to Godliness? (From The Sam Sanders Show)
Daniel Gill
Andrew's brother and returning guest on the show
Episode: The Christmas Special 2025 (ft. Kelsey McGinnis and Daniel Gill)
Kelsey McGinnis
one of the most popular repeat guests
Episode: The Christmas Special 2025 (ft. Kelsey McGinnis and Daniel Gill)
John Darnielle
Lead singer of The Mountain Goats, author and musician.
The Mountain Goats
Episode: John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats on Sound Opinions
Charles Norman
Brother of Larry Norman, known for his work in Christian rock music
Episode: Solid Rock's Great Lost Album (ft. Steve Scott and Charles Norman)
Steve Scott
Avant-garde artist and musician
Solid Rock Records
Episode: Solid Rock's Great Lost Album (ft. Steve Scott and Charles Norman)
Todd Fadel
Musician and owner of the All Ages Venue Meow Meow
Episode: The Art of Not Having an Endgame (ft. Todd Fadel)

Hosts

Andrew Gill
Co-host of Rock That Doesn't Roll, music journalist with deep background in Christian music culture
Leah Payne
Co-host of Rock That Doesn't Roll; author and commentator on Christian music history

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 255 ratings
  • Good lord david dark

    For a guy who whines so much about capitalism you sure are desperate to sell your book

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Chaychay3939
    Canada4 months ago
  • Edit: 5 stars

    Great podcast, great people. Enjoy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    boxofoddities2
    United States5 months ago
  • Compassionate and cathartic

    I cannot say enough good things about this podcast. I also grew up in the Christian rock sub culture, and was deeply affected by it in many negative and positive ways. I really appreciate that the hosts of this podcast are simultaneously critical and affectionate toward the subculture they are exploring. The interviews are fantastic, and I feel like I get to make friends with the artists that formed me. If I’d known how many Christian artists were grappling with the same questions I was, I might... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kristofer_D
    United States6 months ago
  • Such a great listen

    I love this podcast! It’s very niche, for those of us who grew up in the ccm community (cult?) of the 90s and 2000s, but it’s both nostalgic and healing in many ways.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BotharMe
    United States8 months ago
  • Subversive

    I started listening to an episode about the Christian punk rock and ska era. I was so excited. It was very interesting and reminiscent. Then halfway through we started sneaking in gender ideology within the church. There’s a lot of subversive messaging in these podcasts. I was disappointed. You could almost tell by the NPR style editing that this was a potential outcome. Highly disappointed. Could’ve been great otherwise. Always sneaking sexual deviancy into Christianity. it should’ve been no sh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Coinymccoinface
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for more balanced representation of perspectives within evangelical culture.
A thoughtful, well-produced history of CCM that blends nostalgia with critique.
Interviews are deep and emotionally resonant, often sparking personal connections to the era.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sneaking D'Angelo Riffs Into Worship (ft. Sam Sanders)
Q: How did you come to know Sam Sanders, Andrew?
Andrew explains how he knew Sam through past work and connections, emphasizing Sam's role as a journalist and the value of his interview style.
Big Freedia: Is Twerking Next to Godliness? (From The Sam Sanders Show)
Q: What do you look for in a person you bring on stage at your concerts?
Big Freedia looks for people who are already enthusiastic and dancing during the concert, as they bring energy to the stage.
Big Freedia: Is Twerking Next to Godliness? (From The Sam Sanders Show)
Q: How did you navigate the tragic loss of your partner while finishing the album?
Despite the grief, Big Freedia found strength in prayer and the memory of her partner, who had been involved in her music making.
Big Freedia: Is Twerking Next to Godliness? (From The Sam Sanders Show)
Q: What was the reaction of your team when you told them you wanted to make a gospel album?
They were excited and supportive of the idea, reflecting her community's enthusiasm for the project.
Big Freedia: Is Twerking Next to Godliness? (From The Sam Sanders Show)
Q: What influenced your decision to create a gospel album?
Big Freedia felt compelled to spread a message of happiness and hope, believing that her music could help connect people back to God.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep, archival look at contemporary Christian music through personal stories and industry perspectives from the 80s to the early 2000s. Episodes weave interviews with artists, critics, and fans to trace how CCM shaped culture, politics, and identity within evangelical communities, often mixing nostalgia with critical insight. Expect candid anecdotes, robust music history, and thoughtful discussions about purity culture, conservatism, and the evolving relationship between faith and mainstream culture. A strong fit for listeners who want both context and storytelling, with occasional humor and nuanced critique of a subculture that remains influential today.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Sound Opinions
2. Religion on the Mind
3. Good Christian Fun
4. Homebrewed Christianity
5. The New Evangelicals Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 60 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Sam Sanders
2. Jason Martin
3. Big Freedia
4. Daniel Gill
5. Kelsey McGinnis
6. John Darnielle
7. Charles Norman
8. Steve Scott

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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