Christian Music You May Not Have Heard

Hello everyone. I've heard several comments from people who either don't like "Contemporary Christian Music" stylistically, or who take exception with the lack of potent and deeper lyrics. I would like to introduce to you a musician you may not have heard, as he is an independent artist from College Station, TX. His name is Ross King, and if you've never heard his music, I highly recommend it. Ross is an artist, although he would never say that. He marries deep and thoughtful lyrics about the Christian life and the worship of Christ with good music. Those of you who don't like Contemporary music in general might not like his style of choice, but I feel it is necessary to maybe present someone who's lyrical material is above reproach. For example, some of his worship music:


IN NEED by Ross King (C) 1996 Ross King

In need of grace, in need of love,
In need of mercy raining down from high above.
In need of strength, in need of peace,
In need of things that only You can give to me.

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb,
My refuge strong, the great I AM!
This is my song, my humble plea,
I am Your child, I am in need.


MEET WITH ME by Ross King (C) 1999 Ross King

I will run to the cleft of the mountain and wait for You.
Will You come and meet with me?
I will wait in the cleft of the mountain for You to pass by,
Will You come and meet with me?

Oh, what a joy it would be,
Just for a moment to lay at the feet of the Lord,
O more than anything, that’s what I long for.
Oh, what a change it would bring,
Just to look deep in the face of the King who gave all,
You gave everything so You could meet with me,
Will You meet with me?


TO LIVE IS CHRIST by Jeff Berry and Ross King (C) 1998 Reliance Music

To live is Christ, to walk in truth,
To finally find myself in You,
Surrendering my everything…
To live is Christ, to know Your grace,
A perfect, holy resting place,
Surrendering my everything unto You, Lord.

And I count it all as loss to know You is my only gain,
To live is Christ, for all my life I bear Your name.


And for example... some of the following songs about the Christian life and his observations of the world in general, are taken from his concert material and other CDs:


VENICE IS SINKING by Ross King (C) 2001 Reliance Music

Papa got the business back in 1953,
He took it on when my grandfather drowned.
Thirty-five years later it was passed along to me, now I make the rounds.
Wealthy and American is mostly who I take,
I smile and tell the story for a price.
You might be surprised how much a gondolier can make giving tourist rides.

They float the waters, hear the history;
They never have to fear what lies beneath.
But as for me, I’m wondering quietly…

If Venice is sinking, why do we believe we’ll all be fine?
If Venice is sinking, how can we believe we’ll all stay dry?
‘Cause I have been thinking this water’s not worth drinking,
‘Cause if Venice is sinking, then trouble’s on the rise.

Centuries of living like the kings we should have been
And never having slaves to clean our mess,
Still the water rises so we raise the ground again in our ignorance.
Sometimes people ask about the garbage and the smell,
‘Cause they don’t understand the way it works.
Sometimes it’s been so long that I can never tell if it’s getting worse.
We’re rich in romance and in poetry; we have a sewer running in our streets,
I wonder which will be our greater legacy?

A city built on dreams and a million giant beams;
Reality it seems is getting closer, and riding higher, and I still wonder…

If Venice is sinking... then trouble's on the rise.


CLEAR THE STAGE by Ross King (C) 2001 Reliance Music

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze if that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols.
Jerk the pews and all the decorations too until the congregation’s few then have revival.
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends until you’re broken for your sins, you can’t be social.
Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store and know that great is your reward so just be hopeful.

And sing all you want to, but don’t get me wrong: worship is more than a song.

Take a break from all the plans that you have made and sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper.
Beg Him please to open up His mouth and speak and pray for real upon your knees until they blister.
Shine the light on every corner of your life until the pride and lust and lies are in the open.
Read the Word and put to test the things you’ve heard until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken.

And sing all you want to, but don’t get me wrong: worship is more than a song.

Anything I put before my God is an idol.
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol.
Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol.
Anything that I give all my love is an idol.
We must not worship something that ain’t even worth it.
Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it.

I can sing all I want to and still get it wrong: ‘cause worship is more than a song.


OPEN LETTER TO THE CHRISTIAN SUBCULTURE by Ross King (C) 1995 Ross King

(Ross King's comment: "How do I explain this song? Well, let me hasten to say I am not trying to offend anybody, but I am concerned about the trend-riding, trinket-selling, convention-dependent, mega-church, coffee house-hippie culture that we have created for ourselves here in the world of American Christianity. Its time for us to start reading our bibles more then we read ABOUT the bible, and learn to worship at all times, not just when there's a really hip band around playing the latest really exciting song about rivers and fire and mountains and dancing things that have more to do with FEELING spiritual then they do with adoring and loving Jesus. I don't know if any of this will make sense, or if it will just sound cynical, but I just wonder what those who are outside looking in would ask if we ever talked to them this song is just a guess....")

If I tap your shell will I find it hollow?
If I look to close will I see right through?
And if I break your spell what then will I follow?
Are you willing to show me how to get there without you?

Is there something more that what you've been telling?
Or maybe you've been telling more than what you know?
And I've been buying all this stuff that you've been selling
Now I'm wondering where all that money goes.

I want something real, and I don't think that you can give it to me
You don't know how I feel; you're too addicted to your life
I'm making my appeal can you take the time to listen to me?
Or are you blinded by the light you never shine?

I really like the music and the songs your singing
But it sounds like something that I've heard before
And you're saying so much so fast and your not explaining
Don't you realize that some of us have been ignored?

There's some guy quoting answers from a book of guesses
He's a pseudo-student of a brand new art
But he's the expert here among the wide eyed masses
He has unchecked power over every little heart

If I were a death row inmate praying for a pardon
And you had the only saving proof
Would you come down from your party just to stop my execution?
Or would you just keep dancing on my roof?

If your Jesus really is the only answer
Why do you find answers in the people your around?
You've got the latest CD, you read the hottest authors
But you cannot tell me where the scripture verse is found.

Are you blinded by tht elight you never shine?
Won't you please just shine the light that I can't find?
Please don't move so fast that I am left behind.


Lyrics and music of an artist I respect highly. If you like what you've read and want to know more about Ross, his website is http://www.rosskingmusic.com and you can buy his music at http://www.independentbands.com Love you guys!

 

His music defies alot of categorization... although I guess he sounds like Chris Rice in the Christian market and John Mayer in the Mainstream... does that help.

Independent bands does have a junky sound clip archive. If I could send you clips, I would. He's awesome, and I'd love to let the whole world know how much I love his music and how much it speaks to me. Many times it's a step on the toes, but since when is that a bad thing? Just my humble opinion.

 

Ha Ha Ha Scott!

I used to say it's a small world, but then I got convicted. Now I say He's a Big God! Isn't that awesome? I had no idea he was there with you guys... I'm hoping to have him here at my church in the fall. Did he by chance sing "Everybody Medicates?" I heard him sing that back in the spring and he said it might release on an album coming up.

 

Yes... They're all on a CD called Too Much Free Time. Absolutely Hilarious!