Yesterday I received an email from a reader named Mary.
Here’s what it said:
You obviously love music and I do too, I just haven’t really listened to Christian music since Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Carman were practically my only choices. I’m a huge fan of country music and that’s pretty much all I own. I would really love to find some good Christian music to listen to though, I’ve been very convicted lately about what enters my heart through my ears and eyes, and I’m hoping you can help.
Here is the question:
If you had to choose 10 cd’s to take on a cross country road trip (no more than 10!) what would you choose?
Thanks so much!
Oh, Mary – you’re exactly right. I’m slightly obsessed with the music. And about five years ago I really got convicted that I needed to pay more attention to what I was listening to. I still listen to a wide variety of stuff – I like all sorts of music and find it difficult to listen to any one genre exclusively – but I have to say that listening to Christian music on a regular basis has had a huge – HUGE – impact on my thought life.
Also: thanks for the reminder about Carman. Took me right back to youth group circa 1987. Good times.
Anyway, here are the first ten CDs that I thought of when I read your email:
Pages
Alive Forever
The Best of Passion (So Far)
God Speaking
Glory Revealed
A Grateful People
The Twenty-First Time
Tell Me What You Know
Recollection: The Best of Nichole Nordeman
So Far: The Acoustic Sessions
So those are my ten. Until I think of the next ten. And since I’m a huge believer that we shouldn’t let the old hymns fall by the wayside, I’d also suggest having a couple of CDs that feature hymns. Here are two of my favorites:
Greatest Hymns
Hymned No. 1
Not to mention that there is one more CD we should all own because IT IS A CLASSIC, PEOPLE and never goes out of style:
Amy Grant: The Collection
Which brings us to thirteen CDs. There you have it. I did the best I could, Mary.
Finally.
I will also tell you that I’ve been listening to the latest Third Day CD for the last few days, and it is EXCELLENT. It’s called Revelation, and I actually have ten (TEN!) of them to share with you, the internets.
So if you’d like to win one of the new Third Day CDs, leave a comment that tells me your favorite road-trip CD. Doesn’t have to be Christian music – any kind of music will do.
Happy 4th, y’all!
This giveaway is now closed.
My girls, 3 and almost 2 years old, crack me up b/c to them a road trip isn’t a road trip with out Willie Nelson’s On the Road Again! ha, ha
Just about any CD says roadtrip to me, because that’s about the only time we listen to them. I guess my first pick is Pat Green, with WOW Worship, Yellow next.
MercyMe All That Is Within Me
It’d probably be either a CD of various 80’s songs or something by Steven Curtis Chapman.
We listen to lots of the Jayhawks on road trips. Mmmhmmm.
de-lurking for chance to win!
Some of our faves…
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
The Refreshments (Roger’s first band)
U2
Jewel
Alison Krauss
Amy Grant
Jimmy Buffet (the hubbies’)
Daughtry
Bo Bice
Pretty much most anything country…
Oh gosh! How hard this is to name just one…but probably my all time favorite is The Martin’s- Glorify, Edify, Testify.
Mama says to add Alan Jackson’s hymn cd to your list- really wonderful!
I don’t think that I could name just one road trip cd- lately it’s been old school rap, well, at least when the kids aren’t in the car!
I like U2’s “Joshua Tree” album for road trips. Yes I believe that does date me somewhat, but I don’t care.
My girlfriends and I have a tradition: We must listen to “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid” on every road trip. It started in high school on a road trip to Cannon Beach, OR.
Other than that, I tend to choose a variety and listen to it to death. But the next trip could be a completely different variety.
(Okay, the first time I submitted my comment, it told me there was an error. So, I’m pretty sure the first one was deleted. But if for some reason you get both, I’m REALLY sorry… please delete one for me. I’m not trying to double-enter into the contest! I promise!)
I’m a big fan of Waterdeep, an unbelievably amazing Indie Christian group (or duo, depending on which CD you’re listening to). Don and Lori Chaffer are the major songwriters, and their work is so real and so inventive.
I love them so much that the 6-disc changer in my car is half full of Waterdeep CDs and their songs consume a good portion of my MP3 player. You should seriously check out some of their stuff. I think you’d like it.
Was Petra around back then??? :) They are still one of my fav road trip albums. Unfortunately I lost the one I had. That or my brother stole it! And so at this point I can’t remember which album it was… although one of the newer ones since I was introduced to them late!
In Christ Alone by Keith and Kristyn Getty. If you haven’t heard them, run now and buy it! There is a Higher Throne and the Power of the Cross are the absolute best. My entire family is word perfect!
Right now in the car is : Anthony Evans, Carrie Underwood, Chris Tomlin, Passion, Glory Revealed
I used to listen to Jars of Clay’s self-titled album and Counting Crows’s August and Everything After when I would road-trip from chicago to minneapolis every month.
Can you tell that was a long time ago?
Oh a trip two years ago to Tennessee we had a 9 month old along with our other two older children. Well let’s just say that that 9 month old screamed and cried the whole way up and back. Not a fun trip. So I decided that we needed supreme intervention because we would be making a trip to MAINE in a few more months. We live in Florida by the way. So I started observing my son and what he like to “listen” to. He did not like Christian music (I know I know)he didn’t like country (who is this kid?) he didn’t like blue grass (now we’re worried) but what I noticed was that he liked the songs in certain movies. He liked the song from the movie Cars that plays at the beginning, so this started a movie marathon. If he did his little happy dance I was on the computer downloading it for our next trip. By the time I was done I had anywhere from Brian Adams to High School Musical songs on this CD lol. So off to Maine we went with no screaming or fussing the whole way. Yippee! We heard the same 9 songs over and over and over again ha ha! My husband would say “oh look it’s my favorite song AGAIN!” Well that’s my road trip music story. Sorry so long. Had to share.
Blessings,
Kim
My favorite road trip CD is Part II by Brad Paisley.
I really hope I win the Third Day CD. :)
Only one??? That is tough. I would have to go with Monk and Neagle’s Twenty-First Time.
Car trips remind me of going home in college and my best friend Holly and I *always* listened to Steve Miller band greatest hits. what memories…
Jars of Clay for me. Anything they sing I love!
Right now it would be Addison Road’s self-titled album. Good lyrics, God focused, great mix of energetic and thoughtful music.
Well thannk goodness for Itunes so I can mix my own CD ;)
My mixed CD would include Phillips Craig and Dean, Jeremy Camp, Todd Agnew, Third Day,Matthew West, Building 429, Mercy Me, Toby Mac, Selah, Nicole Nordeman, and then a little bit of Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney!
Tiffintexas
Our road trip CD used to be a compilation of stuff my husband burned to a CD (non-Christian). I listen to Chris Tomlin almost ever morning on my commute to work. Now on the longer trips, we plug in my teen’s iPod and go with whatever he has loaded.
Garth Brooks
Nichole Nordeman, Sara Groves, the David Crowder Band, Watermark, Selah, Monk and Neagle, Natalie Grant, Caedmon’s Call, Shane and Shane, Casting Crowns, Todd Agnew and too many more to name.
OH, oh and Chris Tomlin, Superchick and Mandisa.
We all sing along with JT. (And, people, that is NOT JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE.)
E A S I L Y… Third Day’s Live Worship album… over and over on the road. and, be careful listening to the last song “Love Song” while you’re driving! It’s a love song from Jesus to us, and it’s very hard to see the road through your tears.
a compilation CD of the hits I listened to in high school (actually — my high school music years existed during the one-hit wonders, so let’s go with the Husband’s high school year, which were a tad earlier).
Thanks for the chance to win!
Kids Sing Along
Oh my … so much to choose from! I’m with Missy on the road trips to the beach …. Has to be Jimmy Buffett as we cruise in our rag top. The newest Eagles “Long Road Out of Eden” seems to play a lot lately on road trips though. I mix up a lot of my own cds with various artist that I just simply like so it’s hard to pick just ONE artist!
If I had to choose one, I would have to go with Jars of Clay – my favorite!
We love the WOW Worship CDs too. They cover about 20 different artists per cd, Top notch.
I just went on a road trip from MN to WY and my favorite of the trip was In the Name of Love — it’s covers of U2 songs by Christian artists. SO GOOD.
ONLY on road trips, classic rock all the way!
Steve Miller Band
Eagles
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Guns N Roses
Oh and I MUST hear “Girls just wanna have fun” by Cindy Lauper at LEAST once! With 4 females in the car, it’s a rule at our house!
And any selection where more cowbell is featured.
I gotta have more cowbell!
I would take Jewel and no, I can’t choose just one of her CDs that’s why I have an ipod.
By myself…quietness or a book on CD. With the family…my husbands iPod.
I would have to say anything by Caedmon’s Call would be my favorite. :)
I love the Crabb Family’s DRIVEN CD…because there is always a little room for some SUPER-FANTASTIC southern gospel “pickin’ and grinnin'”!
I would say Kenny Chesney…his music always makes me feel like I’m on vacation! :)
Portable Sounds by Toby Mac! Even my kids LOVE this album! :) ‘Course they think that Boomin’ is “Movin’ out the Stero SISTER” LOL!
Traci
Currently listening to SheDaisy in the car; it never gets boring. I love your list though, I’ll have to update my ccm collection…
ANYTHING by Dave Crowder band and same goes for John Mayer – ANYTHING! P.S. For the record – I also love Third Day, just haven’t made it to the store to get this one!
33Miles is my fav but I am a little partial!!! I agree, new Third Day is great!
I don’t care if I win or not, I just have to tell EVERYONE about Rita Springer’s CD, it’s called, “I Have to Believe”. If you want RAW, PASSIONATE, worship music, this is it!
I just found your blog today! I’m so happy that I did! Your list is fabulous! Third Day is one of my favorite bands. I would love their new CD!! I love their song “Call My Name”
Three favorites, very different.
Good Shepherd Band… Sweet Rivers
Israel Kamakawiwo`ole…. Most of his music.
Hapa…. Hapa
Okay, the last two are both Hawaiian. But they are different in style. The first? It’s our worship band, and their first CD is great… Hoping for more. They are getting better and better and writing more.
Blessings, Kim
Since we had kids various Veggie Tales CDs never leave our CD player. They’re pretty good too. ;)
My favorite cd’s are ones I bought from Time Life thru the TV 5 years ago. They are Oldies love songs from the 50’s and 60’s and I listen to them over and over. They never get old to me. Plus I have Josh Groban (all of his), old country and The Twenty First Time. My newest favorite Christian group is Selah, when I found the story of Audrey Caroline. That family is amazing and his singing is awe-inspiring. You can hear some of their songs on their website, Bring the Rain. (I hope I have that right).
Happy 4th of July !!!!
Hugs,
Marie
I love listening to Casting Crowns; I want to get the CD by Leona Lewis; and I love a good mix of country too (Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood)… okay a bit more than you asked for, but there you go. Julie
jewels0330@gmail.com
OK..my favorite cd’s are my own mix cd’s of music from the 70’s and 80’s…lol
Love all your suggestions!!! Love contemporary Christian music! However, a road trip must include the soundtrack to “Grease” and Air Supply’s Greatest Hits.
More Than Life by Hillsong United!
I can’t pick just one, I take my ipod and take them all. Top 3: Travis Cottrell any of them, Toby Mac, Selah. Happy 4th Boo Mama!
I love Little Big Town and if I want something to sing along with, Selah’s Duets is my fav.
Okay, favorite road trip cd?? Like you I LOVE music….but on the road it’s fun to sing along so Avalon, The Creed CD or Carrie Underwood (both her CD’s) would be my top choices!
I dont really do full cd’s.. all singles on my mp3.. Third Day, of course *grin*. hhhmmm..Newsboys..David Crowder..Natalie Grant..Jeremy Camp…Newsong..Stephen Curtis Chapman…Amy Grant..sorry for not playin by the rules…cant pick just one.
yikes put the wrong email in my comment..here is the right one
A road trip CD? Implying singular? Can it be a “Mix Tape” a la Michael Scott?
Okay, I’ll play by El Rules…
The Eagles. Greatest Hits. Volume One.
‘Cause I’ve got a peaceful, easy feeling…
oh my…Third Day…yippee! oh random integer generator, please be my friend this time. i’ll bake you randomly generated brownies. oops, anyway, if i’m on a road trip i love me some toby mac to keep me awake and some andrew peterson to sing my little heart out (he has the best harmonies).
I am a christiam music fan! I like it all, a mix of everything including praise and worship. David Crowder and Monk and Neagle are two of my favorites along with Mercy Me
Just returned from MS yesterday. In my CD player were Outrigger Island so that I can be ready for Bible school in a few weeks; and Switchfoot bcs. we have a new vehicle and my son is the one who knows how to work the radio system. Boys, they are born technology savy!!!! If my fav’s would have been playing it would have been anything Third Day or Mercy Me!!!!
Cademon’s Call — 40 Acres. Love it!
jack johnson sleep through static
Wicked the Musical CD makes a road trip go by fast! I’d love to win the Third Day CD! Happy 4th!
If Mary likes country music, she should pick up the new Point of Grace CD. Country-ish AND Christian! (and a good road trip CD, although I’m having a problem picking my fav. That’s why I bring my iPod!)
Patty Griffin’s 1000 Kisses
I like something called the Valley of Vision put out by Sovereign Grace Ministries…..talk about guiding your Thoughts!!! And Boomama, you didn’t mention Dave Barnes???? My kids love him! and I’m a fan of all the ones you mentioned. We have GREAT christian radio, so that’s mostly what I listen to locally, and I get a variety of all the good ones!
I’d love to win a giveaway!!! ;)
Our family classic road trip CD for the trip from Vancouver to L.A. through the night is “Songs from the Loft” from Amy Grant. Thanks for asking!! Leanne
Michael Buble gets me through a lot of road trips.
Road trip: Brad Paisley, Monk & Neagle, PFR – Great Lengths, Barlowgirl
I also listen to lots of comedy CDs while driving. Laughing and trying not to wet my pants moves me on down the road.
A new hymn CD I just downloaded: Jadon Lavik. Very enjoyable. Mellow, but upbeat.
Christian – Third Day, Jars of Clay, David Crowder Band, Alli Rogers, Derek Webb, Toby Mac, Sarah Kelly, Delirious! (a bunch & a wide assortment!)
Country – Josh Turner (gotta love that deep voice–especially when singing about our Lord!)
Anything Manheim Steamroller
My favorite road trip CD is one that I complied of all my favorite worship songs, songs by Third Day (of course!!), Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp, Fernando Ortega, just to name a few. All songs I can sing along to!
No way to pick just one… gotta have Nichole Nordeman for the mellow time… and Third Day, MercyMe, or Big Daddy Weave for a little more rockin’ down the road.
And, so, I could use a new Third Day CD for my road trip coming up!!
We actually like to listen to Adventures in Odyssey (the radio program).
Great! Now could you make me a mix tape? : )
Nicole C Mullen is my road trip and moving to Connecticut CD!
My favorite road trip CD is “Undone” by MercyMe. But I could use a new one, so I would love to win the new Third Day CD.
Anything I can sing to… David Crowder, Third Day, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift… the list could go on! Oh, and don’t forget the Mamma Mia! soundtrack from the Broadway musical.
Fernando Ortega, Mandisa, Travis (of course!) – I LOVE Alive Forever, but Found is pretty awesome too! Mercy Me, Fee, James Taylor “New Moon Shine” and the Veggies b/c the girlies get sick of Mama’s music sometimes!
You mean other than my cd mix tape? Either Elton John’s Greatest Hits or Aerosmith.
Great list…
On a recent solo road trip…I listened to The Best of Passion and also Jars of Clay’s Good Monster…I don’t know what it is with that CD…it is just so unusual and good…also David Crowder and Band…Illuminate…plus you can’t go wrong with Supertramp’s Breakfast in America, The Boys on the Side Movie Soundtrack and The Corr’s Forgiven not Forgotten.
Michael W. Smith Worship CD – my all time favorite
I love love love Travis’ Alive Forever cd! I also like Bon Jovi’s Lost Highway! How’s that for variety??
My best road trip CD’s are movie/theater soundtracks… I sing at the top of my lungs and it totally keeps me awake. My top picks are Wicked, Rent, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, and Enchanted.
And have your heard the Passion Hymns Ancient and Modern CD? It’s my FAVORITE hymns CD.
My favorite road trip CD right now is a Disney Channel hits one, since it keeps my tween happy and not gabbing my ear off the whole trip. I seriously NEED a new CD to save me from the likes of Hannah Montana and her cronies! Thanks for the chance at getting this one, I love Third Day!!
How wonderful! We’re leaving on Thursday for a major road trip. Thank you for the list. :)
A few years ago, for our annual road trip to San Diego, I bought a Beach Boys collection. It was so much fun.
Oh, fun another giveaway! I’m so out of it on new Christian music & really need to listent to some of those you listed. Now me…I grew up on Andre Crouch and The Archers..those were the days! I have a newly burned Andre CD that I went walking to this a.m. & they still rock, even if it was from probably 1978! Totally…
anyway, I love the Christ Church choir out of Nashville…that’s GREAT music to my ears.
xo,
Rhoda
I’d pick anything by Chris Rice. Love him! His newest one “Amusing” would be fun for a road trip!
80s all the way, baby! Gimme a little Air Supply, Chicago, REO Speedwagon, Bon Jovi. My friend has a great CD she made and it has ALL the good songs and whenever we have a girls’ weekend we always listen to that. Takes me right back to JR/SR high youth group. (Of course it only takes her back to Elem school, but I love her anyway!)
I love Third Day! I would take Jeremy Camp’s Unplugged CD! My fav!
Hymns are my favorite. They point me right to Jesus and remind me of the faithfulness of God for generations.
Casting Crowns is my favorite.
I LOVE music.
Kelly S.
I love my N’Sync cd but also my Motown #1’s with all the classic oldies!
Either of Third Day’s Offering CD’s.
I like something different everyday—right now I am really liking Natasha Bedingfield…and I heard she goes to Hillsong London–so maybe that meks it sorta Christian music?
Lately I’m loving a Casting Crowns CD that a friend gave me. Don’t even know which one it is — but I love it! Hmmm, also the Beach Boys is always good, or any other beach music (Drifters, Temptations), especially when it’s summer-time!
Wow, such a great question to ask the internets!! I’d probably have to go with any of the Hillsong United CD’s…the last one is amazing “All of the Above!”
The absolutely necessary CD for road trips here is Matthew West: History. The kids will even make sure that it is in the car before we head out!
In the road trip CD case we have Matthew West (all of them), Toby Mac: Portable Sounds, Josh Turner, a few children’s cds (including Veggie Tales and Signing Times), and of course, Third Day – all of them – except of course for Revelations which isn’t out yet. I hope I win – my CD case needs this CD!
I love Third Day…but one of my favorite CD’s to listen to on a road trip is anything by Casting Crowns or MercyMe!
Earth Wind & Fire’s Greatest Hits. My kids (11 & 13) LOVE it. What can I say, they have great musical taste :)