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
Thanks to Aaron Barnhart for the invitation to talk all things #ccm and #worshipindustry with his brilliant music majors!
November 7, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Thanks to Aaron Barnhart for the invitation to talk all things #ccm and #worshipindustry with his brilliant music majors!
THIS time I will remember to print my AAR Badge. 2025 is my year!
November 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM
THIS time I will remember to print my AAR Badge. 2025 is my year!
Reposted by Leah Payne
I'm so grateful to @andrewgill.biz & @drleahpayne.bsky.social for having me on their show I can hardly stand it. We talk Amy Grant & Switchfoot & Michael W. Smith & Brian Eno & Nashville. Also apocalypse. Also the Prayer Trade. Listen here. www.iheart.com/podcast/310-...
November 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I'm so grateful to @andrewgill.biz & @drleahpayne.bsky.social for having me on their show I can hardly stand it. We talk Amy Grant & Switchfoot & Michael W. Smith & Brian Eno & Nashville. Also apocalypse. Also the Prayer Trade. Listen here. www.iheart.com/podcast/310-...
I enjoyed speaking with @aprilclarewelsh.bsky.social who wrote about the ascent of Forrest Frank & Brandon Lake's brand of #CCM for Chartmetric:
hmc.chartmetric.com/christian-co...
hmc.chartmetric.com/christian-co...
Why Contemporary Christian Music Is Booming in 2025
Contemporary Christian music is rising again. Alex Warren, Forrest Frank, and Brandon Lake are redefining faith-driven pop through social media and genre fusion, showing CCM’s comeback is as cultural ...
hmc.chartmetric.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I enjoyed speaking with @aprilclarewelsh.bsky.social who wrote about the ascent of Forrest Frank & Brandon Lake's brand of #CCM for Chartmetric:
hmc.chartmetric.com/christian-co...
hmc.chartmetric.com/christian-co...
Happy Halloween from Cabot Cove 🎃
November 1, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Happy Halloween from Cabot Cove 🎃
Reposted by Leah Payne
Thanks to @jewlyheight, @wpln.bsky.social, and @thisisnashville.bsky.social for the chance to talk about the history of #CCM & the new Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in Nashville!
wpln.org/post/episode...
wpln.org/post/episode...
The rise and resurgence of Christian music
Gospel and Christian music call this city home.But until now, there hasn’t been an obvious physical location.
wpln.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Thanks to @jewlyheight, @wpln.bsky.social, and @thisisnashville.bsky.social for the chance to talk about the history of #CCM & the new Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in Nashville!
wpln.org/post/episode...
wpln.org/post/episode...
Thanks to @jewlyheight, @wpln.bsky.social, and @thisisnashville.bsky.social for the chance to talk about the history of #CCM & the new Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in Nashville!
wpln.org/post/episode...
wpln.org/post/episode...
The rise and resurgence of Christian music
Gospel and Christian music call this city home.But until now, there hasn’t been an obvious physical location.
wpln.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Thanks to @jewlyheight, @wpln.bsky.social, and @thisisnashville.bsky.social for the chance to talk about the history of #CCM & the new Museum of Christian & Gospel Music in Nashville!
wpln.org/post/episode...
wpln.org/post/episode...
What a joy to be with the postdoctoral fellows of the @louisvilleinstitute. Thanks to @ericabryandramirez and the Rev Dr Vanessa Lovelace for their warm hospitality (and the dance party!) in the beautiful city of San Antonio!
October 21, 2025 at 2:21 AM
What a joy to be with the postdoctoral fellows of the @louisvilleinstitute. Thanks to @ericabryandramirez and the Rev Dr Vanessa Lovelace for their warm hospitality (and the dance party!) in the beautiful city of San Antonio!
Reposted by Leah Payne
@drleahpayne.bsky.social I enjoyed your latest podcast. I might have chosen 1998 as a key year for CCM. That was, in my opinion, a year of crisis for the industry as popular artists made music that didn't mention Jesus and radio didn't know if they could/should play it or not. 1/2
September 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
@drleahpayne.bsky.social I enjoyed your latest podcast. I might have chosen 1998 as a key year for CCM. That was, in my opinion, a year of crisis for the industry as popular artists made music that didn't mention Jesus and radio didn't know if they could/should play it or not. 1/2
Reposted by Leah Payne
Excellent analysis here from a scholar who knows the big-money/influence world of CCM better then most, @drleahpayne.bsky.social.
OPINION: As contemporary Christian music grew as a business, the most successful political and social efforts were those aligned with the GOP platform.
religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
At Charlie Kirk's memorial, Christian artists play a role as GOP's political messengers
(RNS) — Political activists have recruited Christian musicians to sell policy, and Christian musicians have used their concerts to condemn abortion and support sexual abstinence campaigns.
religionnews.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Excellent analysis here from a scholar who knows the big-money/influence world of CCM better then most, @drleahpayne.bsky.social.
Reposted by Leah Payne
I mean, she did write the book on this stuff…(doesn’t make the subject matter any more pleasant). religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
At Charlie Kirk's memorial, Christian artists play a role as GOP's political messengers
(RNS) — Political activists have recruited Christian musicians to sell policy, and Christian musicians have used their concerts to condemn abortion and support sexual abstinence campaigns.
religionnews.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:42 AM
I mean, she did write the book on this stuff…(doesn’t make the subject matter any more pleasant). religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
Reposted by Leah Payne
@drleahpayne.bsky.social, meanwhile, has a helpful breakdown on yesterday's ceremony. I'm not sure how to characterize all the choices made by those involved. 2/x religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
At Charlie Kirk's memorial, Christian artists play a role as GOP's political messengers
(RNS) — Political activists have recruited Christian musicians to sell policy, and Christian musicians have used their concerts to condemn abortion and support sexual abstinence campaigns.
religionnews.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:02 AM
@drleahpayne.bsky.social, meanwhile, has a helpful breakdown on yesterday's ceremony. I'm not sure how to characterize all the choices made by those involved. 2/x religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
Reposted by Leah Payne
OPINION: Since its birth in the late 1970s, contemporary Christian music has encouraged conservative political activism, and it has thrived on marketing a religiously inspired American patriotism.
religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
At Charlie Kirk's memorial, Christian artists play a role as GOP's political messengers
(RNS) — Political activists have recruited Christian musicians to sell policy, and Christian musicians have used their concerts to condemn abortion and support sexual abstinence campaigns.
religionnews.com
September 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
OPINION: Since its birth in the late 1970s, contemporary Christian music has encouraged conservative political activism, and it has thrived on marketing a religiously inspired American patriotism.
religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
Thank you, @bleaktheology.bsky.social !! 🎸✝️
I saw this headline and thought, "I hope this is @drleahpayne.bsky.social writing this" AND IT IS.
Therefore, it's essential reading for all.
Therefore, it's essential reading for all.
OPINION: Since its birth in the late 1970s, contemporary Christian music has encouraged conservative political activism, and it has thrived on marketing a religiously inspired American patriotism.
religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
religionnews.com/2025/09/22/a...
September 23, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Thank you, @bleaktheology.bsky.social !! 🎸✝️
Reposted by Leah Payne
New on my Substack: I write about my appearance on @drleahpayne.bsky.social & @andrewgill.biz’s Rock That Doesn’t Roll podcast, my new talk with Marissa Nadler, & @wastoids.com’s new partnership with @spectrevision.bsky.social Radio.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/jasonpwo...
Read: open.substack.com/pub/jasonpwo...
September 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
New on my Substack: I write about my appearance on @drleahpayne.bsky.social & @andrewgill.biz’s Rock That Doesn’t Roll podcast, my new talk with Marissa Nadler, & @wastoids.com’s new partnership with @spectrevision.bsky.social Radio.
Read: open.substack.com/pub/jasonpwo...
Read: open.substack.com/pub/jasonpwo...
Did @OzzyOsbourne invent Christian metal? Hear @jasonpwoodbury.bsky.social make his case to @andrewgill and me on Rock that Doesn't Roll #RTDR! 🤘✝️
I've admired @drleahpayne.bsky.social & @andrewgill.biz's Rock That Doesn't Roll (@prx.org) podcast since it started, so it was a special pleasure to appear on it this week & argue my case that Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne invented Christian metal.
Tune in: pod.link/1703257857/e...
Tune in: pod.link/1703257857/e...
September 10, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Did @OzzyOsbourne invent Christian metal? Hear @jasonpwoodbury.bsky.social make his case to @andrewgill and me on Rock that Doesn't Roll #RTDR! 🤘✝️
Reposted by Leah Payne
I've admired @drleahpayne.bsky.social & @andrewgill.biz's Rock That Doesn't Roll (@prx.org) podcast since it started, so it was a special pleasure to appear on it this week & argue my case that Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne invented Christian metal.
Tune in: pod.link/1703257857/e...
Tune in: pod.link/1703257857/e...
September 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I've admired @drleahpayne.bsky.social & @andrewgill.biz's Rock That Doesn't Roll (@prx.org) podcast since it started, so it was a special pleasure to appear on it this week & argue my case that Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne invented Christian metal.
Tune in: pod.link/1703257857/e...
Tune in: pod.link/1703257857/e...
Reposted by Leah Payne
events.baylorisr.org
Still time to book for @baylor.bsky.social #Evangelical Studies Program online conference "Evangelicalism and the Holy Spirit', 1-3 October. Speakers inc @drleahpayne.bsky.social , Kerrie Handasyde, Bruce Hindmarsh, J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Priscilla Pope Levison & Thomas Kidd
Still time to book for @baylor.bsky.social #Evangelical Studies Program online conference "Evangelicalism and the Holy Spirit', 1-3 October. Speakers inc @drleahpayne.bsky.social , Kerrie Handasyde, Bruce Hindmarsh, J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Priscilla Pope Levison & Thomas Kidd
Events | Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion
events.baylorisr.org
August 26, 2025 at 9:18 AM
events.baylorisr.org
Still time to book for @baylor.bsky.social #Evangelical Studies Program online conference "Evangelicalism and the Holy Spirit', 1-3 October. Speakers inc @drleahpayne.bsky.social , Kerrie Handasyde, Bruce Hindmarsh, J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Priscilla Pope Levison & Thomas Kidd
Still time to book for @baylor.bsky.social #Evangelical Studies Program online conference "Evangelicalism and the Holy Spirit', 1-3 October. Speakers inc @drleahpayne.bsky.social , Kerrie Handasyde, Bruce Hindmarsh, J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Priscilla Pope Levison & Thomas Kidd
Reposted by Leah Payne
I missed this live but just watched this excellent webinar with @pauldjupe.bsky.social @daracolebydelgado.bsky.social @drleahpayne.bsky.social and @melissadeckman.bsky.social
💡 Happening today at 1:00 PM ET! You can still register and join this engaging conversation — don’t miss out.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
August 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I missed this live but just watched this excellent webinar with @pauldjupe.bsky.social @daracolebydelgado.bsky.social @drleahpayne.bsky.social and @melissadeckman.bsky.social
Reposted by Leah Payne
Review - Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life & Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson by Claire Hoffman, pub by @fsgbooks.bsky.social. The story of the #Pentecostal evangelist, warts & all. www.bobcornwall.com/2025/07/sist... #booksky #theosky @erbks.bsky.social @drleahpayne.bsky.social
Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson (Claire Hoffman) -- A Review
A blog about Christianity, theology, religion and public life.
www.bobcornwall.com
July 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Review - Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life & Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson by Claire Hoffman, pub by @fsgbooks.bsky.social. The story of the #Pentecostal evangelist, warts & all. www.bobcornwall.com/2025/07/sist... #booksky #theosky @erbks.bsky.social @drleahpayne.bsky.social
Reposted by Leah Payne
Finally listened to this episode where @andrewgill.biz and @drleahpayne.bsky.social interview journo Emma Madden about Xian music on the current pop charts. Madden is finishing a book on goth so I’m all for it.
pod.link/1703257857/e...
pod.link/1703257857/e...
Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music
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 a...
pod.link
July 29, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Finally listened to this episode where @andrewgill.biz and @drleahpayne.bsky.social interview journo Emma Madden about Xian music on the current pop charts. Madden is finishing a book on goth so I’m all for it.
pod.link/1703257857/e...
pod.link/1703257857/e...
Reposted by Leah Payne
Stoked to have @masonmennenga.bsky.social join @drleahpayne.bsky.social and I on Rock That Doesn't Roll. He is such a specific guy! pod.link/1703257857/e...
Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music
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 a...
pod.link
July 23, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Stoked to have @masonmennenga.bsky.social join @drleahpayne.bsky.social and I on Rock That Doesn't Roll. He is such a specific guy! pod.link/1703257857/e...
Looking forward to this conversation! 🔥🕊️
Join us Tuesday, August 5, at 1:00 PM ET for a conversation on charismatic Christians’ influence in American politics. We will be joined by experts @drleahpayne.bsky.social, @pauldjupe.bsky.social, Dara Delgado, Ph.D., and @melissadeckman.bsky.social.
Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
July 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Looking forward to this conversation! 🔥🕊️
Reposted by Leah Payne
Join us Tuesday, August 5, at 1:00 PM ET for a conversation on charismatic Christians’ influence in American politics. We will be joined by experts @drleahpayne.bsky.social, @pauldjupe.bsky.social, Dara Delgado, Ph.D., and @melissadeckman.bsky.social.
Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
July 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Join us Tuesday, August 5, at 1:00 PM ET for a conversation on charismatic Christians’ influence in American politics. We will be joined by experts @drleahpayne.bsky.social, @pauldjupe.bsky.social, Dara Delgado, Ph.D., and @melissadeckman.bsky.social.
Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Leah Payne
I enjoyed speaking with Andrew West of ABC Australia about Jimmy Swaggart's scandalous ministry and lasting legacy: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Charismatic preacher Jimmy Swaggart dies aged 90 - ABC listen
He was the charismatic preacher in the sharp suit and flashy car, who preached personal purity – until he came undone in a sex scandal.
Jimmy Swaggart was a global institution in the 1980s.
He die...
www.abc.net.au
July 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I enjoyed speaking with Andrew West of ABC Australia about Jimmy Swaggart's scandalous ministry and lasting legacy: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...