In this episode of Music & Meaning we give props and respect to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a groundbreaking musician and Jesus follower who merged gospel and rock music. In a time when the deck was stacked against her, Sister Rosetta Tharpe stood tall and delivered gospel performances that could turn a skeptic into a believer. Her profound legacy was finally acknowledged with a 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. Sister Rosetta's role as an architect of rock guitar and the true pioneer of gospel rock is unassailable. Bearing witness is producer/songwriter Tommy Sims (Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton) offering his take on Tharpe's influence. And if that's not enough, we're taking a musical pilgrimage to a Nashville recording studio. Here, we'll meet session guitarist, Jerry McPherson, who will break the code on Sister Rosetta's iconic guitar sound. Tune in, turn up, and let's get schooled in the art of gospel rock by the source, Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Music & Meaning, we take you on a sonic sojourn. We're dialing back the clock to the dusty scrolls of St. Augustine—the original bad boy rock star turned philosopher-saint, a proto-Kendrick Lamar with parchment and pen, not a playlist. Now, picture Augustine with a pair of Apple AirPods nodding to today's Top 40. What does he hear? Beats that drop harder than Roman empires and lyrics that scratch at the eternal itch of the human heart. Augustine's own lyrics, his confessions, had it all: pride, sex, sin, and salvation—the same stuff fueling our hit parade today. Listen as Charlie and his co-host, St. Augustine, sample the charts and the lyrical stories we tell each other and the world. It's confession time. Bend a knee while we bend your ears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Exploring the evolution of Jesus in pop music, from Jesus Christ Superstar to Kanye West's 'Jesus Walks'. Reflecting on Jesus as a symbol of rebellion in the '70s and controversy in the '80s metal scene. Charlie Peacock shares his ethos on mentioning Jesus in music and offers a Spotify playlist of diverse musical critiques.

The podcast delves into the impact of AI on music, drawing parallels to biblical narratives. It explores the evolution of music technology and the integration of AI in music creation. Highlighting the role of human imagination in creativity, the episode calls for wise AI governance for a humanity-first approach in technology.

In this episode of "Music and Meaning" with Charlie Peacock, we dive into the story of his signing of the Grammy Award-winning band Switchfoot, a pivotal moment in Christian and mainstream rock music. Charlie recounts his inspiration from 1996, challenging the conventional 'crossover' approach in Christian music. He shares his vision of creating music for all, leading to the discovery of Switchfoot's demo tape. The episode navigates the challenges of introducing Switchfoot to Christian audiences, focusing on the song "Chem 6A" and its broader implications on faith and art. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Switchfoot's pop chart-topping influential album, "The Beautiful Letdown," Charlie reflects on community, trust, risk, and the transformative power of music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Music and Meaning is a captivating, cinematic podcast written and hosted by Grammy Award-winning music producer Charlie Peacock. Charlie shares evocative, in-depth stories of his intricate dance of serving both the church and crafting the popular songs the whole world sings. By analyzing the soundtrack of our lives, Charlie, skillfully and artistically teases out its profound social and theological meaning. Reflective and whimsical, Charlie shows how music transcends mere sound, becoming a mirror to our times, a testimony to our shared humanity, and a sign and symbol of our deepest joys and needs.Music and Meaning is a production of Christianity TodayExecutive Produced by Erik Petrik and Matt StevensProduced and Written by Charlie Peacock and Mike CosperOriginal Music and Editing by David LaChance and Charlie PeacockMix Engineer: David LaChance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices