Is Bluegrass Christian?

I don’t believe there is anyone who would argue the fact that musical instruments are mentioned numerous times in the Bible nor would anyone deny the fact that David and others would dance on festive occasions. I come across many people who may not like a particular style of Christian music and make the comment, “that’s not Christian.” Whenever I hear this type of statement made the hairs on the back of my head begin to stand up and I must fight off the temptation to retort and even argue. Saying that a particular Christian music style is not Christian is like saying that only those preachers who preach the “hell fire and brimstone message are the only true preachers. I know that there are some people who would agree with that statement. In 1 Corinthians 12 says that there are many different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit, many different kinds of service but the same Lord, many different kind of workings but the same God works in all of them in all men. One part of the body to say that they just don’t belong to the body doesn’t mean it’s true, or to say that a particular part of the body doesn’t belong doesn’t make that true either. All work together for the glory of God.

With the above in mind, the focus of this article is to examine the most popular Christian music of the day taking a look at the origin, the history, the current status and those who make up the music.

Today’s focus will look at Christian Bluegrass. The earliest settlers of western North Carolina were of Scottish origin. They brought with them a wealth of musical tradition. The men would play and the women would sing the ballads that were handed down from their families. Most of the early ballads centered on either death or murder with the women singing in a high shrill vocal. The majority of these ballads originated in the British Isles. These ballads eventually became know as Bluegrass.

As the women delivered the vocals and the men played, the fiddle became a favorite instrument. The fiddle was an instrument brought to America by the Scot-Irish immigrants. Soon after the men began playing the banjo, an instrument brought to our country from West Africa. Shortly after the banjo, the guitar joined in along with the mandolin. Bluegrass was promoted throughout the region simply by family and friends gathering on the porches and in the living rooms of their homes. Bluegrass expanded to the schools, dances and other social gatherings. Radio came to the western North Carolina region in 1927 and featured much of the local talent.

Bluegrass music lingered in the mountains of western North Carolina for many years until the Monroe Brothers (Bill and Charlie) showed up. They came from Kentucky and brought with them there own style of Bluegrass. Bill’s voice was similar in style to the women who sang the ballads in the high shrill sound. In 1938 differences divided the Monroe Brothers and they went there separate way. In 1945 Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys (Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise, and Cedric Rainwater) appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and the rest is history. Bluegrass quickly caught on and people from all over the country, all walks of life have embraced the sound. The sound is now called Bluegrass Music. Bill Monroe is considered the founder and grandfather of modern Bluegrass Music.

The origin of Bluegrass music lies right in the middle of the Bible belt. The sound has evolved and today there are many great singers carrying on the sound. Ralph Stanley is one such musician that many Christian Bluegrass singers emulate. Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Lewis Family, the Chuck Wagon Gang are just a couple of the groups within the Bluegrass family. If you’ve never listened to Christian Bluegrass music before and would like to test the waters, may I suggest 16 Great Bluegrass Classics #1 for only $6.28. A sound bite of each song is available. This and a complete line of Christian Bluegrass are available at Emmaus Road Christian Store at very good prices.