In our coverage of the career of David Smallbone, we suggested that there is some 'Australian touch' to it. Australia has a rich history in music. And that isn't just because of such bug icons like Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Minogue (who do or did no present themselves as Christians, and certainly not as great defenders of Christian faith).
Australian Christian music has been widely recognized for its high quality and authenticity. Many artists have come out of his country with a strong Christian message. Rebecca explained later on, talking about her album Live Worship: Blessed Be Your Name which was about to come out, that in Australia they'd "had a live worship revolution going on for nearly 20 years" which greatly influenced her. "I grew up around live worship, and my dad was involved in some of the early Hillsong live worship albums. This album fulfills a part of my ministry that I've hoped for a long time. There’s something special that happens through live worship projects - we’re able to join hands with other Christians around the world in the experience."
The early history of Australian music cannot be written here, but he first Australian recording nominated for a Grammy was from Sister Janet Mead's (whose single The Lord’s Prayer was also nominated for Best Inspirational Performance, in 1974). Other Grammies went to the Paul Colman Trio (2003) and The Newsboys (their albums of 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2004). The Newsboys also received major mainstream awards (Billboard Music Video Award, International Angel Award, Nashville Music Award). The singer/songwriter Peter Furler was named SESAC Christian Songwriter of the Year in 2000. In the GMA Dove Awards, beside Rebecca, again The Newsboys (1995 2x, 1997, 1999), the Paul Colman Trio (2003), and also Michelle Tumes (2000). International awards for Australian artists Steve Grace (1996) and Darlene Zschech (1999). Darlene also won the award for Best International Album at the Brazilian Dove Awards in 2004. There are many other excellent Australian Christian artists, it has even been said that they seemed overrepresented in America.
On the other hand: American rock music has had a big impact in Australia already very early on, with the first wave of (secular) big rock 'n' roll stars such as Bill Haley & the Comets, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard. But then followed by Christian America artists like Larry Norman, who visited Australia for concerts in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988. Finally, these and other efforts sort of 'back-fired' to the U.S. in the shape of passionate Christians using their talents to bring God to the people.
So it seems that there has been a very fruitful 'fusion' of Christian Music experience between America and Australia. Of course, Australia is politically-historically an extension of Great Britain - as was the United States of America in earlier days. It always seems like Great Britain has had a great role in writing some parts of Christian history. The country of C.S. Lewis and several other great Christian thinkers has also spurred the Message in other ways, and the arts are one such great way to set the creative mind at work in Christian lives.
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