Mark Farner's Disappointment With the Christian Music Scene

[@jvv4901]

We are blessed to have Mark Farner still walking among us spreading love, forgiveness, patriotism, honor, and the word of God.

[@donneumann6546]

May the good Lord continue to bless you Mark and this program as well.

[@bemoguy]

It saddens me to say that what he says about the "Christian" music industry is true to a large extent. I love a lot of Christian and Gospel music, and there are a lot of sincere, good hearted souls in in, but there are some bad apples! B.J. Thomas (God rest his soul! 💕) was disillusioned with the Christian music industry as well.

[@john564holloway]

Looking forward to more interviews with Mark! Heard Mark's Christian music for the 1st time with his song 'Isn't it Amazing' (1988) back in '97. It touched my heart. Thanks Mark & John!

[@RNFORLAW]

God bless Mark Farner. He's a national treasure ~

[@mickcostello3668]

Mark is the nicest person you can ask for...I talked with him for almost an hour. Grand Funk was playing at Westbury Music Fair 🎶 on Long Island ..Great Voice, super guitar 🎸 player.....

[@wolftracks9010]

There are many outstanding Christian bands out there right now. The problem is that the majority of these bands do not get exposure to the public with the exception of those that have already made a name for themselves. These bands already have a following. Here is a list of many Christian artists that were or are involved in the music scene today: The Waymaker, Pastor Brad, Orphan Project, Siloam, Eternal Ryte, Watchmen, AdrianGale, The Brave, Fear Not, Guardian, Stryper, Titanic, Mastedon, Dubiel, Ransom, Rez Band, Glenn Kaiser, Crystavox, All for the King, Eden, King James, Fierce Heart, The Rex Carroll Band, Holy Soldier, Ashes Remain, Fireflight, Sacred Warrior, Narnia, Dark Sky, Disciple, Scarlet Red, Novella,Theocracy, Worldview, X Sinner, GX Project, Affector, A.N.D., The Letter Black, Liason, Teramaze, Seventh Wonder, Legend, Legend Seven, 7 Days, 3 Days Grace, Day of Fire, Skillet, David Zaffiro, Bill Menchen, Joshua, Rob Rock, Magdallan, Shout, Ken Tamplin, Darrel Mansfield, Daniel Band, Idle Cure, Jerusalem, Seventh Day Slumber, In 3D, John Elefante, Phil Keaggy ..... just to name a few.

[@impalaman9707]

You forgot about my man, Kerry Livgren

[@boomer3150]

@@impalaman9707 Indeed...and Bloodgood, Barren Cross, Randy Stonehill...

[@dimitrstoianov1507]

God bless Mark Farner

[@Rezcat-y6r]

Brother John! Just finished ✅ listening. It’s Veterans Day down here across the border. A shout out to all who served in the Armed Forces. I definitely support Marks view regarding “Christian Music “. Wolves 🐺 in sheep’s clothing. That’s too bad. Lovin his reference to Lester Bangs and the Boy Howdy cup. Thank you again for sharing this interview. As Mark would say: “Love Hard! Forgive Harder!! Have a great Monday evening, my brother. God bless. Say hello to Shannon, Danica, and Chase from Utah.

[@scottmcfadyen293]

I love Christian Rock. i know about the corruption as there was a great article published in HM magazine called The Ugly Truth About Christian Rock that showed what a very un-christian world it is. Thanks for the good content !

[@mariaday712]

I love how he talks. I can't wait to see more from Mark. Thanks John for interviewing him.

[@brendaproffitt1011]

Great band and awesome talk Happy Memorial day to all thank you so much

[@vbhman]

Thanks for asking him my question. I do enjoy these videos. You mentioned on a previous video that you were doing an episode of Artists who are of faith. I would love to see that 1.

[@johnarnold3696]

I hope Mark can read this. I Know he means right, but just a very important point to mention. We don't receive God's Love in return as a result of us giving love. He says; we love God because He first loved us. And the greatest love is to lay one's life down for another, and Jesus did just that. Please don't miss the fact that salvation is a free gift, and we receive Jesus or reject Jesus. It has little or nothing to do with our works or attempts. It is surrender and faith. Jesus is the whole of everything and is not willing that any should perish and died in our place.

[@shawnuel]

I met Mark at the 1992 Gospel Music Association conference in Nash Vegas. Enjoyed talking to him, but, at 5”7’, I was a little bit surprised to be towering over him when we were speaking.

[@donmcc6573]

The worst thing to happen to Christian music was when it became an industry. In the early days of what was called Jesus Music, the bands were truly about ministry.

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Love his vocals on "Bad Time" and "Mean Mistreater."

[@billyhensley592]

Praise God right on Mr Farner

[@Whitevaliantwarrior]

Thanks Mark and GOD bless you, family & friends .

[@crucifiddle]

Great interview! Mark is a amazing performer. I agree totally with his analysis of christian music. Once it became apparent that there was money to be made in the genre it lost it's soul and has become just another commodity. I guess you could say that about mainstream evangelicalism as well.🙄

[@philbrown1474]

I’d like to know from Mark: Is there any recorded footage of the Bosnia Concert that he’s aware of? IMO one of the greatest albums is Rock History. Half straight ahead Rock in the traditional GFRR way, half with a symphony orchestra. Just awesome.

[@randyschiffer3265]

The wolf is always at the door. Sometimes they come disguised as good people.

[@JC-sj2pd]

I always get confused when celebrities say they’re Christians snd then spout off all this psycho babble that’s kinda out in left field. The gospel is simple. God came to earth in the form of man ( Jesus). Lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary death. rose from the dead after 3 days for those who will repent and believe and trust him for their salvation. They will be granted eternal life in heaven with him forever. I didn’t hear him mention Jesus once.

[@jeffsullivan251]

I loved GFR and Bloodwyn Pig! Never knew Mark had a near death experience!

[@michaelkemper6334]

Love to see Mr Farner cover some Larry Norman Songs

[@impalaman9707]

I think the great musical philosopher Kerry Livgren said it best: "Just because I'm a carpenter who's a Christian now, doesn't mean I have to only build temples". But seriously--ask Kerry Livgren how it is! It's why he went back to playing secular music after AD broke up. There's only so many churches you can play, because arenas don't want to book you. You play bars and nightclubs and everyone thinks you're a hypocrite. Bu the biggest hypocrites of all are the Christian music labels, who have no interest in "artistic freedom" and are as much in the game for the "almighty dollar" as the secular labels---probably more so, because they want to show the kids they are just as hip as the secular music they listen to, and imitate them to the fullest, and all they can ever do is be a "Diet Coke" alternative to "Coke"---just a cheap imitation, but not "the REAL thing".

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Totally agree...never liked " Christian rock"...too sterile or too preachy...the only Christian rock artist I liked was Kerry/AD...( although some Proto-Kaw songs explore Christian themes, as does Kansas) much of Christian rock lacked good production/ engineering too...AD sounded " professional "... many Christian rock acts didn't

[@ChasBeauregarde]

I saw Lester Bangs in a band he fronted called " Birdland" open up for The Patti Smith Group about 1979 at NY Palladium. He came out on stage dressed in bib overalls. He was so anti-trend, his band and stage presence were so cool being uncool!

[@FireStart2023]

Would love to hear More about March.Take on "wolves and sheeps clothing!"

[@michaelhalstead7532]

Mark is a musical genius

[@GIGMUSIC-o6z]

Great advice from a legend. Mark Farner .

[@MaryJohnson777]

Heard he recorded a song called “You” as a Christian song. Would love to know how I can hear/buy it.

[@jamesbeshears6717]

Well spoken on forgiveness 🕊🕉🍏

[@paulj.ingram2839]

Didn’t really what exactly he is disappointed with.

[@leonardlloyd1089]

ROCK ROYALTY! NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT! CLASSY DUDE!

[@deanguando1335]

Mark Farner is the real deal.

[@lilmelvin11]

Thanks to Farner for mentioning Boy Howdy and Lester Bangs... wow wow wow!. Yep!

[@jamesbeshears6717]

Happy Weekend 🎈 I hope you and your family are having a great day 🌞

[@sherreerichardson623]

Wow! Mark looks great. I loved Cream magazine.

[@ghostownaproach]

Where do we go to hear more about Mark's NDE?

[@jrpipik]

That was pretty vague.

[@guymerritt4860]

I never met Mark but I grew up in Flint, was a musician, and I know many people who know the guy - everyone tells me he is very, very good guy all the way around. It's no charade. He's a wonderful soul. He was also the heart and soul of Grand Funk and got screwed because he believed that people operated as he does...in good faith. Bless ya'. Mark. He also has a wild UFO story which is really interesting!! I've seen two - I wish I could meet the guy and shoot the bull.

[@limeyf633]

Help me out people, what does he mean?? To me it does not tell me anything! I would like to understand.

[@shawnuel]

I started reading Creem when I was 13 in 1976. I didn’t understand that gonzo style of writing at the time, but I knew about The Runaways, Television, Adney Shernoff and The Dictators, New York Dolls, Ramones, Angel and Punky Meadows and others well before any of my friends. And Lester Bangs was great.

[@impalaman9707]

Exactly! Bands that I would have otherwise never known about because Album Oriented Radio wouldn't play their stuff. Before MTV, it was my only window into the alternative universe of music that I never knew existed!

[@HigherPowerWorldWide]

unfortunately it is likely that Mark Farner was not properly treated by people claiming to be Born Again. He is a great song writer, I pray that He still is inspired by the Holy Spirit to continue to write and release his music. Unfortunately we live in a world too often inspired by Money. I am on the Mission fields of Southeast Asia. we must pay bills too, but Born Again Believers must do business with Holy Intergrity. Because our God has integrity and we as Believers must remember to have intgrity so transparent that people can see more of Jesus and less of ourselves. I hope I am allowed to brush into Mark Farner as we walk into the future together.

[@lawrencealberts898]

Has anyone considered that perhaps Mark going the Christian music route, is a possible reason why there’s a division between he and Don/Mel?

[@HughCorbyCruick]

What the hell was that answer?

[@Kenny-v4n]

A lot of the professors of Christianity that I have met were some of the biggest hypocrites that I 've ever met. That is probably the thing that Mark Farner is disillusioned with. I've been disillusioned with it as well, I know that none of us are perfect, but I believe that Christians should be at the very least honest people and they should Love their brothers and sisters in Christ.

[@pablocruise9514]

Great story!

[@gxulien]

I saw a concert on Netflix circa 2003 and thought it didn't have the magic. It didn't seem to be the new rhythm section. Maybe the Jesus thing watered down the energy.

[@JoeyKO757]

Strange he ask God for the lyrics to my captain ❤

[@randyschiffer3265]

Speaking of keeping memorabilia there's an awesome documentary on KZbin (free with commercials) on The Beatles fan club secretary Freda. In the doc. she shows some of her memorabilia, it's amazing. Her stories are behind the scenes to be seen and heard. Here's the trailer kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqKyZHd_lrCHjq8

[@timstubbs6900]

Grand Funk is not Grand with out Mark !

[@impalaman9707]

It's not "Funk", either, because Mark brought the "Funk", and it doesn't chug down the tracks like a "Railroad" because Mark is not the engineer conducting the train!

[@lionheartmerrill1069]

The story of their breakup is sickening. Don & Mel are axxholes.

[@FirebrandVOCALS]

Tell him that that Bible also says:- “That it is appointed unto man once to die and after death the judgement” so when people say they died and came back .... they are talking through their ass. Just sayin 🙄

[@donmcc6573]

Maybe we should ask some doctors if anyone has ever died on the table, and then been revived. I'm guessing the answer is yes.

[@sidekickster8917]

Don't really like your title of this since he talks VERY MUCH about "Its ALL ABOUT FORGIVENESS"

[@pamr4040]

♥

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

I bet even God is tired of Christian and Praise music and has the PA system in Heavan blast out a little AC/DC now and then...

[@OrdoSanctiBenedictus]

Mark knows

[@c.a.t.732]

Disappointing to see the show's host nodding along to Farner's deranged ramblings about his trip to heaven and how it gave him the ability to know all things. Ugh.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Never liked " Christian rock" because it lacked something...seemed too sterile( or preachy)...save one artist...Kerry Livgren( formerly of the prog rock band Kansas)...his solo work, the bands AD and Proto-Kaw....explored Christian themes without being too preachy, yet with passion

[@impalaman9707]

I agree with you on the sterility of it all. I feel like the artistic quality of the music gets compromised for the sake of the message to where it sounds almost like an "advertising jingle" selling Christianity, instead of soda. It took someone like Kerry Livgren with enough sophistication and intelligence to say, "No, I'm going to do my Christian music a different way". And he did. He made the message more subtle and nuanced but delivered an uncompromising message nonetheless without sacrificing quality. I wished more would have been like him

[@donmcc6573]

Christian rock has had many great bands and artists.

[@kimharpe6074]

Mark is so ❤️❤️❤️

[@tammierose3753]

❤️🦔

[@PeterMayer]

Wow, no kidding....... Who cares?

[@westcoast1371]

A Christian music scene is the worst crap I've ever heard in my life it's not even music it's just regurgitated barf

[@in2livinit]

Christian music is there to encourage and uplift, not to make stars. But in today's world they are also competing to match the energy, technology, style, production, and there is a higher expectation by the younger generations to have stories, and be entertained. Even "neighborhood" churches essentially have rock bands & solo singers. The days of hymn books are long gone. There are parasites and predators everywhere. They key is not to swim with them. The majority of individual churches and ministries, charities, and the People who with their hearts and hands make them possible, do enormous good. Unfortunately it's the loud or corrupt few that tarnish the image. The best thing anyone curious can do, is in the comfort of their own home, read the Gospels at their Leisure. Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They're narratives, stories, and they quote Jesus vs what "somebody said". In there is the foundation of what it means to be Christian. Not some guy in a fancy robe or a pointy hat or a particular "brand" or building. It's about Love & Forgiveness, but especially loving strangers because they are our earthly brothers and sisters. Ultimately, somehow, we are all related and we all come from and return to the dust of the earth. Today's Christian Music isn't Grandma & Grandpa's. Try K - LOVE for 30 min or an hour. You might be surprised. Same with the Local Community Church. Much different today. And it's about navigating our stressful world & lives today, not fire & brimstone. If you're curious, Google one in your area and try it. No one will tackle, handcuff or kidnap you LOL. If it wasn't quite your thing, try another one, or ask around. Just remember, no one there is perfect. And 100% you will find someone or a couple who seem too glossy or just not your cup of tea. Once again, same everywhere you go. If something makes you uncomfortable, it's OK to just quietly leave. But try another one. They are not all the same. The right one for you will feel comfortable, and Good. "Faith, Hope, and Love. And the Greatest of these is Love." Have A Rockin Blessed Day 🙏💚 P.S. There are many other churches, Synagogue's, Temples, Beliefs. If they Love & Appreciate "God" as God loves them, and if they love everyone, no matter what race, color, creed, then that, and where you feel comfortable matters the most. Namaste 💙

[@ginohernandez3770]

Mark is great, but remember nobody likes Christian rock. The Devil always had better music...

[@darinjames3313]

Hopefully ONE day I can know everything like you guys....Until then I ll hold onto my FAITH/TRUTH in a loving Creator that Loves ALL....and remember what the WORD Christian means........CHRIST LIKE........i want you know that God is in ALL.....this way you wont want to slaughter other beautiful PEOPLE.........The modern day Christian should probably learn to love themselves first, as opposed to the phony love they portray for others....seems more like a bid ass club to me!!....and when u aint it.....yer OUT!!.....its good to know ONE day soon we ll all know....soon is now or 1000yrs down the path.....capeesh??...LOVE thy neighbor.....even if they live over there...Names mean 0 when the Heart is absent.....Adios n thanks for the video....UNITY is gona help US a lil more...for the brief moment in time we re visiting OUR PLANET......UNITY....UNITY......UNITY......UNITY.........see what I mean......UNITY.....UNITY.....and the even more UNITY.....lmao