Christian record labels sign teenagers

THE AMERICAN CCM industry has responded to the unprecedented popularity of secular teen acts such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and the Backstreet Boys. In the next six to 12 months a host of young pop and rock acts are being launched by the Christian music industry. These will include Forefront Records' Stacie Orrico (age 14); Word Records Rachel Lampa (15); Pamplin Music's Katy Hudson (15); Daywind Music Group's Kelly & Annie McRae (14 and 16 respectively); Benson Records' trio, tentatively named Braid (15, 15 and 16); and members of Bettie Rocket's new bands Sick Of Change, Watashi Wa and Face Value (ages ranging from 15 to 19).
Said industry magazine CCM Update, 'Admittedly, signing very young talent isn't an entirely new concept. Amy Grant was signed at 16 and Rebecca St James' demo was being shopped when she was just 13. More recent examples include brother/sister Reunion duo LaRue, who were just 15 and 17 when signed, and Absolute band Squirt, which ranged from 11 to 14 when they were signed three years ago. But a trend of signing the ultra-young artists - age 14 to 17 - seems to have moved from the general market to Christian music of late, leaving many to evaluate the impact the trend will have on the industry, the fans and the artists themselves."