Leah Payne
@drleahpayne.bsky.social
Author, God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of CCM
@OUPReligion | Affil. Scholar @PRRI | Pods: @PRX #RTDR | #SpiritandPower | #WeirdReligion
@OUPReligion | Affil. Scholar @PRRI | Pods: @PRX #RTDR | #SpiritandPower | #WeirdReligion
Pinned
Leah Payne
@drleahpayne.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Leah Payne
www.drleahpayne.com
Hi, Bluesky! I'm a #historian writing about #religion, #politics, & #popculture. My book "God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music" (Oxford University Press) explores how the #CCM industry shaped #evangelicalism in the US & beyond.
www.drleahpayne.com
www.drleahpayne.com
Men occupied 85-90% of the top 40 positions on CCM charts for most of the 80s and 90s - Amy Grant and Sandi Patty made up a lot of the remaining 10-15%. open.substack.com/pub/drleahpa...
February 17, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Men occupied 85-90% of the top 40 positions on CCM charts for most of the 80s and 90s - Amy Grant and Sandi Patty made up a lot of the remaining 10-15%. open.substack.com/pub/drleahpa...
The least sporty mom you know just figured out how to participate in the youth sports industrial complex and it's... competitive reading. Let's go Team Genius!
February 17, 2026 at 3:46 PM
The least sporty mom you know just figured out how to participate in the youth sports industrial complex and it's... competitive reading. Let's go Team Genius!
Reposted by Leah Payne
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Just in for Presidents' Day: Sandi Patty, icon of late 20th century patriotism & Star-Spangled songstress of choice for many a POTUS, now rebukes 47, DJT: substack.com/home/post/p-...
February 16, 2026 at 4:12 PM
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Just in for Presidents' Day: Sandi Patty, icon of late 20th century patriotism & Star-Spangled songstress of choice for many a POTUS, now rebukes 47, DJT: substack.com/home/post/p-...
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Just in for Presidents' Day: Sandi Patty, icon of late 20th century patriotism & Star-Spangled songstress of choice for many a POTUS, now rebukes 47, DJT: substack.com/home/post/p-...
February 16, 2026 at 4:12 PM
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Just in for Presidents' Day: Sandi Patty, icon of late 20th century patriotism & Star-Spangled songstress of choice for many a POTUS, now rebukes 47, DJT: substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Leah Payne
"As young women, they were marketed as models of perfection. Now, in their sixties, they are speaking not as ideals but as elders." Amy Grant & Sandi Patty are challenging their audiences in 2026 & I'd love to hear them tell us more!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Two Queens of Contemporary Christian Music speak out 👑
Amy Grant and Sandi Patty are challenging their listeners - and the President of the United States - to do better in 2026
substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:09 PM
"As young women, they were marketed as models of perfection. Now, in their sixties, they are speaking not as ideals but as elders." Amy Grant & Sandi Patty are challenging their audiences in 2026 & I'd love to hear them tell us more!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
"As young women, they were marketed as models of perfection. Now, in their sixties, they are speaking not as ideals but as elders." Amy Grant & Sandi Patty are challenging their audiences in 2026 & I'd love to hear them tell us more!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Two Queens of Contemporary Christian Music speak out 👑
Amy Grant and Sandi Patty are challenging their listeners - and the President of the United States - to do better in 2026
substack.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:09 PM
"As young women, they were marketed as models of perfection. Now, in their sixties, they are speaking not as ideals but as elders." Amy Grant & Sandi Patty are challenging their audiences in 2026 & I'd love to hear them tell us more!
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Leah Payne
Our fresh religion news roundup features insights from @jackjenkins.me, @nuriamk.bsky.social, @brianmannadk.bsky.social, @faithfulpolitics.bsky.social, @ffrfaction.bsky.social, @chrispolansky.bsky.social, @zschonfeld.bsky.social, @drleahpayne.bsky.social, and more!
Weekly Roundup: Feb. 13
Here’s the weekly roundup from A Public Witness. In addition to a report on the latest government worship service that is free for anyone to read, paid subscribers to A Public Witness received a look ...
publicwitness.wordandway.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Our fresh religion news roundup features insights from @jackjenkins.me, @nuriamk.bsky.social, @brianmannadk.bsky.social, @faithfulpolitics.bsky.social, @ffrfaction.bsky.social, @chrispolansky.bsky.social, @zschonfeld.bsky.social, @drleahpayne.bsky.social, and more!
Reposted by Leah Payne
Thanks so much to Chris Lilley for this thoughtful review of God Gave Rock & Roll to You for CrossCurrents - it’s an honor to think with smart people about the power & meaning of #CCM!
www.jstor.org/stable/27372...
www.jstor.org/stable/27372...
February 13, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Thanks so much to Chris Lilley for this thoughtful review of God Gave Rock & Roll to You for CrossCurrents - it’s an honor to think with smart people about the power & meaning of #CCM!
www.jstor.org/stable/27372...
www.jstor.org/stable/27372...
Thanks so much to Chris Lilley for this thoughtful review of God Gave Rock & Roll to You for CrossCurrents - it’s an honor to think with smart people about the power & meaning of #CCM!
www.jstor.org/stable/27372...
www.jstor.org/stable/27372...
February 13, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Thanks so much to Chris Lilley for this thoughtful review of God Gave Rock & Roll to You for CrossCurrents - it’s an honor to think with smart people about the power & meaning of #CCM!
www.jstor.org/stable/27372...
www.jstor.org/stable/27372...
Reposted by Leah Payne
“Kid Rock is less an odd booking than a recognizable character in a familiar story. If anything, TBN’s involvement underscores how thoroughly charismatic media has become a conduit for contemporary conservative activism.”
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Opinion | Surprised this Christian channel will air Kid Rock? You shouldn't be.
Leah Payne: Those familiar with TBN and its history shouldn’t see it as a surprise
www.ms.now
February 8, 2026 at 6:34 PM
“Kid Rock is less an odd booking than a recognizable character in a familiar story. If anything, TBN’s involvement underscores how thoroughly charismatic media has become a conduit for contemporary conservative activism.”
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Reposted by Leah Payne
Come learn about this amazing program we are cooking up at Portland Seminary! slate.georgefox.edu/register/?id...
February 9, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Come learn about this amazing program we are cooking up at Portland Seminary! slate.georgefox.edu/register/?id...
About to do a little lite reading thanks to @ctrrelpol-washu.bsky.social & @ryanburge.bsky.social
February 10, 2026 at 5:58 PM
About to do a little lite reading thanks to @ctrrelpol-washu.bsky.social & @ryanburge.bsky.social
Come learn about this amazing program we are cooking up at Portland Seminary! slate.georgefox.edu/register/?id...
February 9, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Come learn about this amazing program we are cooking up at Portland Seminary! slate.georgefox.edu/register/?id...
Reposted by Leah Payne
And analysis from PRRI Affiliated Scholar @drleahpayne.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/drle...
“Kid Rock is less an odd booking than a recognizable character in a familiar story. If anything, TBN’s involvement underscores how thoroughly charismatic media has become a conduit for contemporary conservative activism.”
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Opinion | Surprised this Christian channel will air Kid Rock? You shouldn't be.
Leah Payne: Those familiar with TBN and its history shouldn’t see it as a surprise
www.ms.now
February 9, 2026 at 6:11 PM
And analysis from PRRI Affiliated Scholar @drleahpayne.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/drle...
Reposted by Leah Payne
Reposted by Leah Payne
Check out this great new op-ed by @drleahpayne.bsky.social on tonight's alternative Half Time show.
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Opinion | Surprised this Christian channel will air Kid Rock? You shouldn't be.
Leah Payne: Those familiar with TBN and its history shouldn’t see it as a surprise
www.ms.now
February 8, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Check out this great new op-ed by @drleahpayne.bsky.social on tonight's alternative Half Time show.
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
🙏🤘🎸
Excellent MS NOW piece by @drleahpayne.bsky.social on Kid Rock performing on TBN tonight & what it says about Pentecostal Christianity:
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Opinion | Surprised this Christian channel will air Kid Rock? You shouldn't be.
Leah Payne: Those familiar with TBN and its history shouldn’t see it as a surprise
www.ms.now
February 9, 2026 at 3:50 PM
🙏🤘🎸
Reposted by Leah Payne
Excellent MS NOW piece by @drleahpayne.bsky.social on Kid Rock performing on TBN tonight & what it says about Pentecostal Christianity:
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Opinion | Surprised this Christian channel will air Kid Rock? You shouldn't be.
Leah Payne: Those familiar with TBN and its history shouldn’t see it as a surprise
www.ms.now
February 8, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Excellent MS NOW piece by @drleahpayne.bsky.social on Kid Rock performing on TBN tonight & what it says about Pentecostal Christianity:
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
“Kid Rock is less an odd booking than a recognizable character in a familiar story. If anything, TBN’s involvement underscores how thoroughly charismatic media has become a conduit for contemporary conservative activism.”
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Opinion | Surprised this Christian channel will air Kid Rock? You shouldn't be.
Leah Payne: Those familiar with TBN and its history shouldn’t see it as a surprise
www.ms.now
February 8, 2026 at 6:34 PM
“Kid Rock is less an odd booking than a recognizable character in a familiar story. If anything, TBN’s involvement underscores how thoroughly charismatic media has become a conduit for contemporary conservative activism.”
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Yours truly on America’s Halftime Show & TBN
www.ms.now/opinion/kid-...
Reposted by Leah Payne
For the 2nd edition of In Defense of Ska, I interviewed Leah Payne, author of God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You to get some backstory on Christian rock music, because I wrote a section on the Christian Ska scene
This week, I'm dropping our interview to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
This week, I'm dropping our interview to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
September 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
For the 2nd edition of In Defense of Ska, I interviewed Leah Payne, author of God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You to get some backstory on Christian rock music, because I wrote a section on the Christian Ska scene
This week, I'm dropping our interview to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
This week, I'm dropping our interview to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
Reposted by Leah Payne
649. This week we chat with Leah Payne about her book, God Gave Rock and Roll To You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. We focus the family of Jimmy Swaggart, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Mickey Gilley in the history of Rock and Roll. louisianaanthology.blogspot.com/2025/10/649-...
October 25, 2025 at 5:41 AM
649. This week we chat with Leah Payne about her book, God Gave Rock and Roll To You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. We focus the family of Jimmy Swaggart, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Mickey Gilley in the history of Rock and Roll. louisianaanthology.blogspot.com/2025/10/649-...
Reposted by Leah Payne
The Journal of Praise & Worship (JPW) is launching in early 2026.
This new journal is an interdisciplinary, open-access (no article processing charges), peer-reviewed journal that will be published annually.
More info as description and subscription guidelines develop.
This new journal is an interdisciplinary, open-access (no article processing charges), peer-reviewed journal that will be published annually.
More info as description and subscription guidelines develop.
November 6, 2025 at 4:14 AM
The Journal of Praise & Worship (JPW) is launching in early 2026.
This new journal is an interdisciplinary, open-access (no article processing charges), peer-reviewed journal that will be published annually.
More info as description and subscription guidelines develop.
This new journal is an interdisciplinary, open-access (no article processing charges), peer-reviewed journal that will be published annually.
More info as description and subscription guidelines develop.
Reposted by Leah Payne
"Lizzie McAlpine but make it happy and about God"
#ContemporaryChristianMusic (aka #CCM) in one sentence!
#ContemporaryChristianMusic (aka #CCM) in one sentence!
February 2, 2026 at 6:36 AM
"Lizzie McAlpine but make it happy and about God"
#ContemporaryChristianMusic (aka #CCM) in one sentence!
#ContemporaryChristianMusic (aka #CCM) in one sentence!
"Lizzie McAlpine but make it happy and about God"
#ContemporaryChristianMusic (aka #CCM) in one sentence!
#ContemporaryChristianMusic (aka #CCM) in one sentence!
February 2, 2026 at 6:36 AM
"Lizzie McAlpine but make it happy and about God"
#ContemporaryChristianMusic (aka #CCM) in one sentence!
#ContemporaryChristianMusic (aka #CCM) in one sentence!
January, 2020 with @caitlincutt- absolutely no clue what was headed our way
January 30, 2026 at 7:36 PM
January, 2020 with @caitlincutt- absolutely no clue what was headed our way