Christian Music's U2

Secular music has U2- you know- the band that is so popular and powerful that they had the Screen in the Cowboy's stadium RAISED!

The band that seems to always be on top, that "mega-band." Christian music used to have that. And that band was dcTalk.

If you are unfamiliar with dcTalk, like my fiancee is/was- then there are several things you need to know.

1) dcTalk was/is the biggest Christian band of all time. Made up of Toby Mckeehan (known now as tobymac), Kevin Smith (known now as Kevin Max), and Michael Tait.

2) The popular tobymac was one of the frontmen of the band, going by his real name, Toby Mckeehan

3) Their song "Jesus Freak" was their biggest hit, coming out as a "rock" band mixing hiphop with rock, athough they were a rap group.

4) They were discovered while waiting in line at a concert.

I got to see dcTalk perform live once- at Hellen Keller auditorium, otherwise known as Furman University's Timmon's Arena. They were on their Supernatural tour. But before I could see my favorite band again, they broke up to pursue solo careers.

Toby went on to become a Christian hiphop legend as tobymac. Michael went to form a band, "Tait". Tait is now the new leadsinger of the Newsboys. Kevin pursued what many called the "secular" road. He has since risen back up in the "independent" music world, performing and befriending Derek Webb, of Caedmon's Call.

That is your background lesson for dcTalk. But what this post is about is that they were, at one time, the "Christian U2"- sold out arenas, uncomparable to other bands at that time.

But now that they have disbanded, who is there to take their place? Or are Christians finally realizing that they don't have to hide in Christian record stores, afraid of bands that don't explicitly say "Jesus is the only way!"

Christian music needs to decide and vote on a band that will become the next dcTalk/U2/Muse/ etc. It cannot be a singular individual, because the rules say so...

Some have said Hillsong is the new "megaband." While Hillsong United is extremely popular, I am not sure if they necessarily have what it takes to be the "mega-band."

But until we find someone, Christian music will continue to take a back seat to mainstream artists. There needs to be a band that will infiltrate pre-service playlists. Bands like Lifehouse, Paramore, Muse are good, but in the 90's/early 2000's- dcTalk was there on every playlist.

What are your thoughts? Who do you think should be the next Christian mega-band?