Carman, Christian Music Icon, Passes away at 65

In life, there are GOATS in every category. For football, it’s Tom Brady. For basketball, Michael Jordan. In music? There are many greats, but Carman Licciardello dominated when it came to Christian music.

Sadly, the legend passed yesterday due to complications after surgery. The singer was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. After much prayer and treatment, he was cancer-free for some time, but the cancer returned last year. He passed away at 65.

Carman was a trailblazer who didn’t play by any rules but his own. Rock, hip-hop, country, pop; Carman did any genre. He sang, rapped, and simply told stories on his albums. He produced music videos at a time when it wasn’t the norm for Christian artists. He’s sold over ten million records and was Billboard’s first “Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year.”

Carman was also an actor and evangelist, leading hundreds of thousands—perhaps more—to Christ. One TV event alone on Halloween led to an altar call of 70,000 people.

Carman often had free concerts, only asking for a love offering in return. His concerts were lively, spiritual, and downright fun. He never took himself too seriously, but he was serious about the gospel.

Not many artists today would dare be as bold as Carman. Even some pastors wouldn’t be brave enough to preach what “America Again” or “Revival in the Land” dealt with: abortion, homosexuality, fornication, pornography, etc. The boldness of Carman should be missed and is sorely needed in today’s church. The depth of his topics is also a lost art in the age of fluffy worship. I love a simple worship song as much as the next person, but we need to return to a standard of holiness.

I have many memories of listening to Carman songs, and I still often do. I remember the sweet baby voice of my youngest sister, requesting to hear “Jesus is the Way” on the radio. I remember my younger sister being comforted by “No Monsters” after the niglets from Tales in the Hood terrified her. I remember jumping in excitement with my older siblings at a Carman concert when “Who’s in the House” came on. I’m not sure there is a Christian artist who was more a part of my life than Carman.

Sometimes, I scroll through the comment sections of videos like “The Courtroom” on Youtube, reading testimonies about how his songs touched their lives. I begin to cry and pray to God, so I can be like Carman and lead millions to Christ.

If his music touched your life, helped you on your walk, or even guided you into the arms of Christ, praise God! You’re apart of his testimony and his legacy. But don’t let it end with a testimony of Carman’s good works. Go out and do your own. Pray until there is revival in the land because we absolutely do need God in America again.