What does it mean to call something “Christian music”? Nick Barré has spent decades in the music industry—from working at EMI with early Switchfoot to managing major names like Casting Crowns, KB, Brandon Heath, and more. In this 200th episode of The Biblical Mind, he joins Dru Johnson to reflect on the Christian music label, the tension between calling and category, and how artists navigate faith and fame.
Nick argues that labeling music—or restaurants or plumbers—as “Christian” may do more harm than good. He shares why genre categories are a business necessity but spiritually unhelpful, and why the most important questions artists must answer are about calling, audience, and identity—not chart placement.
From spiritual burnout to public affirmation, from the temptations of platform to the dangers of envy, Nick shares pastoral, industry-hardened wisdom on how to guide artists into longevity and spiritual wholeness. He even offers advice for aspiring Christian musicians—and what it really means to “show, not tell” when pursuing a creative calling.
Nick Barre's Company "Proper Management" can be found here:
https://www.propermanagement.net
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Chapters: 00:00 Defining Christian Music 03:11 The Evolution of Music Genres 06:10 Navigating the Music Industry 08:57 The Dangers of Labeling 12:09 The Role of Artists in Ministry 15:16 The Impact of Fame on Identity 18:24 Identifying Unique Gifts in Artists 25:41 Exploring Diverse Artist Portfolios 28:29 Navigating Hard Conversations in the Music Industry 31:05 Defining Success in the Arts 33:15 The Challenge of Artistic Compromise 37:06 Understanding Market Dynamics in Music 40:22 Fragmentation of the Music Industry 46:39 Advice for Aspiring Christian Artists
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