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In 2014 I decided to create a blog on the 100 Greatest CCM Albums of the 1970s. I don't pretend to be a final authority on such matters, although my life experiences and professional involvement do make me an expert of sorts. The announcement of the blog via certain Jesus Music Facebook pages was met by some with cynicism and derision. "After all, you're not a professional music critic," they said. Seventy-two posts and more than 81,000 page views later, I'm not hearing nearly as much criticism. 

The 70s blog is a true labor of love, an in-depth look at some of the greatest music ever made...an attempt at celebrating what God did through albums...and an attempt at keeping the history alive. At the time of this writing, I'm working on album #43 in that countdown. The posts do not come quickly; they are heavily researched and go into great detail, so I take my time. Artists such as Pat Terry, Bill Maxwell, Bryan Duncan, Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus, and Nancy Honeytree have offered their memories.

SWEET COMFORT BAND

A while back, I started thinking about a similar blog for CCM albums of the 1980s. The 70s were the ground floor, the foundation. Seventies artists were the pioneers, the innovators. There was little money to be made, little fame to be had, almost no radio airplay. Motives, for the most part, were pure and ministry was a major objective. 

AMY GRANT

The 80s, however, was an explosive decade. So many artists, so many labels, so many music styles, so many album releases. CCM radio stations sprang up across the nation. The sonic bar was definitely raised, video became part of the deal, and opportunities abounded. Money also became a corrupting influence, as the Christian labels of the 70s were sold to large secular corporations in the 80s. But there were so many great albums made from 1980 to 1989. Those records should be honored, what God did through that music should be celebrated, and the history, again, should be preserved. 

PETRA

So I'm starting another blog.

This will also be a labor of love, albeit not nearly as all-consuming as the 70s blog. The list will grow from 100 to 300, but each post will be more concise. The opinions of professional music critics will be factored in, and my own personal tastes and opinions will come into play as well. This list, like all others, will be subjective. 

As with the 70s blog, what matters is not the number next to the album title...what matters is what God did through this music that I -- and so many of you -- love dearly.

Thanks for stopping by now and again.

-Scott Bachmann