Music & Meaning

Charlie Peacock interviews iconoclastic recording artist, filmmaker, and educator Steve Taylor to discover how artists sustain a life of invention and reinvention. He wonders, is this path of discovery and creativity only for entrepreneurs and artists? Or, is something going on with this way of being that's applicable to all of life, from music to marriage? “Music and Meaning” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Matt Stevens Produced and Written by Charlie Peacock and Mike Cosper Associate Produced by McKenzie Hill Edited by Leslie Thompson Original Music by Charlie Peacock Mixed by TJ Hester Show theme, “Sound of the Room,” composed by Charlie Peacock, featuring bassist John Patitucci Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Uh oh. AI is giving music consumers the apps to make their own tunes—or at least make ABBA sing like chipmunks. In today's show, Charlie rides a rollercoaster of emotions. He loves to play with the new tech but has the blues over the effortless nature of modern music-making tools. With a few text prompts, anyone can create a hooky pop song in 60 seconds—easy as ordering a latte—you don't even have to spell Tayler Swift right, let alone know music theory. Contributing to today's episode are music educators Dr. Matthew White, Associate Professor and Chair of Jazz Studies at the University of South Carolina, and Thavius Beck, Assistant Professor in Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music. They reveal how musical academia has evolved to encompass classical/jazz proficiency and digital innovation. However, what constitutes essential music literacy is still being debated. Susan Stewart from the Recording Academy also tells us if AI-composed music gets to sit with the cool kids at the Grammys. Spoiler alert: there's a human dress code. Special musical guest, bassist, and singer/songwriter Scott Mulvahill exemplifies the merger of old and new schools, blending his mastery of upright bass and songwriting with cutting-edge technology. In summary, this episode challenges listeners to consider the implications of some mind-blowing technological advancements for both current and future musicians and music consumers who increasingly engage in creating music themselves. Charlie weaves engaging discussions with poignant "in-the-studio" examples and invites us to reassess the essence of musical talent, imagination, and creativity in the digital age. The big, meaningful question? Does easy access to making music enhance or undermine the true art of music and the culture that loves and supports it? Get comfortable, adjust your headphones, and let's decode whether music's new production tech leads to a satisfying crescendo or a cacophonous catastrophe. “Music and Meaning” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Matt Stevens Produced and Written by Charlie Peacock and Mike Cosper Associate Produced by Raed Gilliam Mixed by TJ Hester Original Music by Charlie Peacock Additional studio and remote engineering by Bridget Ashworth Show theme, “Sound of the Room,” composed by Charlie Peacock, featuring bassist John Patitucci Information on Charlie's latest books and music, including his own "drag and drop" producer sample pack, is available at charliepeacock.com Special guests on this episode: Dr. Matthew White, Associate Professor and Chair of Jazz Studies, the University of South Carolina; Thavius Beck, Assistant Professor in Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music; Susan Stewart, Sr. Managing Director of the Songwriters & Composers Wing for the Recording Academy; and musical guest, bassist and singer/songwriter, Scott Mulvahill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amy Grant's Heart In Motion soared to the top of the Billboard charts and into the hearts of millions. Host Charlie Peacock weaves a narrative that's part celebration and part surprise. He reminds us that this Album of the Year-nominated pop masterpiece is still as fun as it was transformational. It's a moment to reflect, with a touch of playfulness, on the choices that reshaped Amy's career and the dreams of many young artists. Could future artists love the Christian church and create the songs the whole world sings? Yes, indeed. They could and would. Heart In Motion blazed the trail. At the hallowed Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, we sit down with a trifecta of musical maestros, including Brown Bannister, Michael Omartian, and Keith Thomas, all Grammy Award-winning record producers. This trio didn't just produce an album, though. They created a cultural phenomenon—one applauded and denounced. Unphased by the criticism, Amy and this trio of producers created a love letter to pop that has been cherished across the generations. Who doesn't want to sing "Baby, Baby" in the shower or dance around the kitchen to "Every Heartbeat?" This episode is as "behind-the-scenes" as it gets. For example, did you know that "Baby, Baby" almost didn't make the album—that Aretha Franklin was going to record it instead? Yep, that sort of stuff. So, let's roll the tape of Heart In Motion, spin some tales, and untangle the chords of its legacy. Join us as we laugh, ponder, and maybe even sing along to the rhythm of an iconic album that continues to move and groove us thirty-plus years and countless heartbeats later. “Music and Meaning” is a production of Christianity Today 
Executive Production by Erik Petrik and Matt Stevens 
Produced and Written by Charlie Peacock and Mike Cosper
 Associate Production by Raed Gilliam and Leslie Thompson Interview Recorded at Sound Emporium Studios Mixed by Mark Owens
 Original Music by Charlie Peacock Show theme, “Sound of the Room,” composed by Charlie Peacock, featuring bassist John Patitucci Information on Charlie's latest books and music is available at charliepeacock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode, we highlight Women's History Month (March 2024) by featuring host Charlie Peacock in conversation with a panel of Nashville's best, up-and-coming women songwriters: Erika Daves (Daves Highway), Jasmine Mullen (The New Respects), and Abby Siler (songwriter, Integrity Music). All three singer-songwriters are committed to loving God and people through music, serving the Christian church, and creating the songs the whole world sings in country, pop, R&B/Soul, indie lo-fi pop, and more. In this lively, insightful episode, we learn how three young singer-songwriters harmonize their faith with their artistry, navigate the music industry's highs and lows, and stay committed to loving God and people—fueling their creativity. They delve into the challenges they've faced as women in a space too often controlled by men while revealing how female role models (including mothers), women in music history, and the power of mentorship keep them safe, sane, and hopeful for ever-expanding opportunities. Amid discussions on music, gender equality and diversity, our guests highlight the transformative shifts they've witnessed and the initiatives and people that spark hope for a bright future. As we celebrate Women's History Month, this episode is a melodious tribute to those at the forefront of blending Christian spiritual depth with musical innovation. From dream collaborations to the daily rhythms of creative inspiration, join us as we listen to the hearts of three women who are not just making music but making a difference. Explore more on our guest artists here: Erika Daves Jasmine Mullen Abby Siler “Music and Meaning” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Matt Stevens Produced and Written by Charlie Peacock and Mike Cosper Associate Produced by Raed Gilliam Recorded at Lasting Media Group, Nashville, TN Mixed by Mark Owens Original Music by Charlie Peacock Show theme, “Sound of the Room,” composed by Charlie Peacock, featuring bassist John Patitucci Information on Charlie's latest books and music is available at charliepeacock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, host Charlie Peacock, fields soul-stirring questions from our listeners with in-depth answers and music examples. He's joined by guest musicians, former Motown Records drummer Aaron Smith and the Grammy and Oscar-nominated songwriter Sam Ashworth. We take you on a seamless audio journey of insights and inventions, including the story of Charlie recording Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jackson Browne, the spiritual nature of goodness, Northern California punk rock ruminations, Nashville songwriting, pop music beat making, the 1960s San Francisco band The Beau Brummels, how a song about monkeys at the zoo remains an evergreen metaphor for the human condition, dreaming impossibleandpossible dreams, and the beautiful wisdom of following Jesus as a spiritual practice and blueprint for life and artistry. In this anecdote and music-rich episode, providence and interdependence are front and center, offering shalom, revealing meaning, and allowing for plenty of mystery. “Music and Meaning” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Matt Stevens Produced and Written by Charlie Peacock and Mike Cosper Associate Produced by Raed Gilliam Original Music and Editing by Charlie Peacock Mixed by Mark Owens Show theme, “Sound of the Room,” composed by Charlie Peacock, featuring bassist John Patitucci Special guests: Aaron Smith & Sam Ashworth Information about Charlie's Elements Producer Pack and book is available at charliepeacock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to a special episode of Music & Meaning, in which host Charlie Peacock welcomes not one, not two, but three music industry guests! Listeners get to hear from: Tracy Gershon, entertainment consultant, music publisher, and host of Sirius XM’s Y’all Together Now Rissi Palmer, recording artist and host of Apple Music’s Color Me Country Swagg R’Celious, Grammy-Award-winning producer, songwriter, executive, and professor Their conversation covers the 2024 Grammy Awards, including the performances by Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs, Joni Mitchell’s appearance, and Victoria Monáe winning Best Artist of the Year. They discuss Taylor Swift’s announcement of her new album during her acceptance speech, Jay-Z’s speech about Beyoncé, and how the Grammy’s handle gender and race. The group also talks about Black artists in country music, Universal Music Group pulling their songs off of TikTok, and Usher’s Super Bowl performance. The conversation also touches on artificial intelligence in the music industry, how artists make money (or don’t), and their favorite musicians. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we interview Leah Payne about her new book, God Gave Rock and Roll to You. First question: "Is this true? God is responsible for rock music?" Enter historian Leah Payne, Ph.D., to provide the church history lesson. With host Charlie Peacock, Dr. Payne guides us through a fascinating labyrinth of spiritual and sonic convergence. Our odyssey commences at the dawn of the 20th century amidst the fervor of Pentecostal Revivalism. The story and soundtrack show how predominantly white evangelical Christians, fueled by the holiness movement, patriotism, and sobriety, inadvertently set the stage for rock music and the Church to find mutually beneficial common ground. This unlikely fusion has a name in history: contemporary Christian music. God Gave Rock and Roll to You is a well-researched history lesson but also a cautionary word. The story forecasts the Church's continued pragmatic use of music, appropriation of fame and fashion, our present societal angst and division, and the binary, strongman politics that divide us even now. We are reminded that every movement has its architects, advocates, and dissenters. Love, empathy, wisdom, and learning from history help us decide which one we will be. Credits: “Music and Meaning” is a production of Christianity Today: Executive Produced by Erik Petrik and Matt Stevens Produced and Written by Charlie Peacock and Mike Cosper Associate Produced by Raed Gilliam Original Music and Editing by Charlie Peacock and David LaChance Mixed by Mark Owens Show theme, “Sound of the Room,” composed by Charlie Peacock, featuring bassist John Patitucci Special guest: Leah Payne https://www.drleahpayne.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode ofMusic & Meaningwe give props andrespect to Sister RosettaTharpe, a groundbreaking musician and Jesus follower who merged gospeland rock music.Ina time when thedeck was stacked against her, Sister Rosetta Tharpe stood talland deliveredgospelperformances that could turn a skeptic into a believer. Her profoundlegacy wasfinally acknowledged with a 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fameinduction. Sister Rosetta's role as an architect of rockguitar and thetrue pioneer of gospel rock is unassailable. Bearing witness is producer/songwriterTommy Sims(Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton) offering his take on Tharpe'sinfluence. And ifthat's not enough, we're taking a musical pilgrimage to a Nashvillerecordingstudio. Here, we'll meet session guitarist, Jerry McPherson, who willbreak thecode on Sister Rosetta's iconic guitar sound. Tune in, turn up, andlet's get schooled in the art of gospel rock by the source,Sister RosettaTharpe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Music & Meaning, we take you on a sonic sojourn. We're dialing back the clock to the dusty scrolls of St. Augustine—theoriginal bad boy rock star turned philosopher-saint, a proto-Kendrick Lamar with parchment and pen, not a playlist. Now, picture Augustine with a pair of Apple AirPods nodding totoday's Top 40. What does he hear? Beats that drop harder than Roman empires and lyrics that scratch at the eternal itch of the human heart. Augustine's own lyrics, his confessions, had it all:pride,sex, sin, and salvation—the same stuff fueling our hit parade today. Listen as Charlie and his co-host, St. Augustine, sample the charts and the lyrical stories we tell each other and the world. It's confession time. Bend a knee while we bend your ears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode ofMusic & Meaning, host Charlie Peacock offers anarrative trip through the many ways Jesus has been represented in popmusic:explicitly, implicitly, genuinely, and in mockery. He discussesJesus ChristSuperstar, the rock opera that brought a contemporary Jesus to a newgeneration. This leads to alook into the '70s perspective of Jesus as a symbolof authenticity and rebellion, covering tracks from Norman Greenbaum, JamesTaylor, The Velvet Underground, and BlackSabbath, to name a few. As he movesthrough the decades, Charlie reflects on the evolving depictions of Jesusin music, from controversial metal bands in the '80s to TupacShakur's '90srap, on to Kanye West's "Jesus Walks" in the 2000s, and much more, includingTaylor Swift, The Killers, U2, and Lauren Daigle.In his own words, "I'm just shining a light on thepersistent motif of Jesus in pop culture. Some musicians are simplynamechecking Jesus. Others have interwoven the Jesusnarrative into their musicwith curiosity and care." The episode wraps up with Charlie sharing hispersonal ethos regarding the mention of Jesus in music (and he might even becaught singing a little bit). Finally, he leaves us with a 50-song Spotifyplaylist that highlights a few of these diverse musical critiques of Jesus, the co-optingof his name, as well as tributes,praise, and true artistic reflection. Theplaylist offers listeners a second opportunity to soak up Jesus's significantimpact on pop music titles and lyrics. Contemporary interest in who people say Jesus is, throughmusic andentertainment, is alive and well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices