Music has played a major part in world religion for centuries, from ancient Islamic songs to ninth-century Gregorian chants to the African-American spirituals and shape-note choirs prevalent in the U.S. during the 19th and 20th centuries. American gospel music derives mostly from blues, folk, and jazz traditions, and its influence had been wide and strong. Today's Christian music, however, has widened the stylistic boundaries even further, marrying sacred themes with contemporary sounds from acoustic folk to alternative rock, hip-hop to heavy metal.

Notable Artists: Mahalia Jackson, Chuck Wagon Gang, Amy Grant, Jars of Clay