The Reverse Crossover

By Jonathan Fosdick • May 16th, 2008 • Category: Artists in Residence

There was a death in music recently that received a little less attention in the Christian music world that I had hoped for. No, I’m not actually speaking of the tragic death of legendary Gospel singer/songwriting legend Dottie Rambo. I’m referencing the death a couple weeks ago of singer/songwriter Paul Davis.

Now, I live for all of the “Oh yeah!” moments that I can provide in life, so I am imagining in my mind that I am receiving such a reaction from at least a few people. For everyone else, I will elaborate. Yes, Paul Davis was best known for his songs “I Go Crazy,” “Sweet Life,” “Cool Night,” and “’65 Love Affair;” however, one of his minor mainstream hits was a major hit on, you guessed it, Christian radio. While it only tracked to #23 on the mainstream pop charts, “Do Right” was a #1 hit on Christian AC radio for 4 weeks (I always loved the opening line “I know that He gave His life for me, set all our spirits free, so I wanna do right, wanna do right, all of my life”). The song later went on to be covered by a new vocal quartet on their debut album 10 years later in 1990, a little group called 4Him.

In the process of thinking about Paul Davis and his contribution to Christian music, I began thinking of the wonderful irony of it all. As Christian artists (or artists who are Christians {sigh}) dive left and right trying to get away from the Christian music moniker, it’s difficult to believe that things were once quite different. When Amy Grant first hit the mainstream airways in 1985 with “Find a Way,” everyone began talking about the “crossover.” What is all too infrequently remembered to this day are the number of “reverse” crossovers that occurred previous to that event.

Paul Davis was a legitimate mainstream star who found his music being played and promoted on Christian radio, and he wasn’t the first. In fact, the number of mainstream artists that crossed over in*to* Christian music is rather notable. B.J. Thomas should need no introduction as a mainstream talent (I must mention that I’ve always preferred his version of “Hooked on a Feeling” over the more well-known “ooga chaga” version by Blue Swede). Not only did he record several Christian albums in the late 70’s and early 80’s, but he made an unapologetically Christian song in “Might Clouds of Joy” a mainstream hit 30 years before MercyMe was able to match him in equal veracity. Dan Peek is another who left mainstream success in folk/rock group America and 2 years later recorded what would be the first of three solo albums in the Christian market. I could go on: Barry McGuire, Al Green, Glen Campbell, Cliff Richard, Deniece Williams; but I think that will do for now.

So, what’s my point? Maybe just a little bit of perspective. I realize that Christian music is not what it used to be. Still, as much as is wrong with the industry, I must confess that I sometimes miss those times when established artists with nothing to gain recorded an album expressing their Christian faith simply because they felt led to. To a certain extent, it seems almost, well, the “reverse” of how it is today. Doesn’t it?

I’ve hinted at it a little bit, so let me mention that I’m working to put together my take on what’s right and wrong today about the Christian music industry. Meanwhile, call your local light pop/oldies station and request a “different” Paul Davis song than what normally plays in their rotation in “Do Right.” Oh and while you’re at it, add in a secondary request for the “real” best version of “Hooked on a Feeling.”

↓ 2 comments

#1 Mark W on May 20th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

I agree with you, and I think that where it started to go wrong was when the Christian Market decided to become a “market” and promote outwardly for the sake of a profit. Marking primarily “christian artists” as something different, (try a little more “hope” with your morning coffee- if you will)… that kind of thing, for the main idea of making a buck. While, that isn’t necessarily a bad idea, it spurned a whole lot of negativity in the Christian artistic market. And in a sense it created a division that might not have necessarily needed to be there.
For those of you who may not have heard of any of the names mentioned by Jonathan… consider Bob Dylan. Might be a name you’ve heard of… but did you know he is a christian and recorded many primarily “christian” albums?
And thus, the line is rightly blurred again. I understand the label of “Christian” on some artists, but I don’t feel its necessary. Not to start the whole “christian band vs band full of christians” debate again… but Jonathan made a great point, and we should recognize those artists who stick their neck out for their beliefs.

#2 WIlliam Mandrake on May 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 pm

Let’s not forget one of the greatest of all - Stevie Wonder! He had many Christian-themed songs, some of which became hits.

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