Freedom Live at the Tulsa County fairgrounds

Thousands of people came out to Freedom Live to listen to some of the biggest names in the industry. Freedom Live's ability to attract such big names shows how far the concert has come in four years.

Saturday, June 25th 2005, 6:37 pm

By: News On 6

Thousands of people came out to Freedom Live to listen to some of the biggest names in the industry. Freedom Live's ability to attract such big names shows how far the concert has come in four years. And how important Tulsa is to the Christian music scene. News on 6 Reporter Ashli Sims has more on that story.

It looks like any other mainstream concert. Artists playing to the crowd, cheering fans lining the stage and everyone singing along. It shows just how far Christian music has come.

Cherie Meislahn, Adair: "christian music is not what it used to be its good."

So good itâ€™s kicked sales up 80 percent over the last ten years. Christian music is now a 700 million-dollar industry. And Tulsa is helping fuel its success with concerts like Freedom Live.

Christy Van Cleave, Porter: "oh we come every year and we just love to come out here and listen to the music and spend time in praise and worship as a family."

David Stephens, KXOJ General Manager: "we've got people from as far away as Minnesota here this is a regional event that pulls people and that's just the growth of Christian music."

David Stephens runs KXOJ the local Christian music station. He says Tulsa's not the largest radio market but for Christian music its in the top five.

David Stephens, KXOJ General Manager: "Steven Curtis Chapman when he releases an album he will sell more records or cd's here than he will in Houston. So that gives you an idea about just how popular Christian music is here."

While rising stars like Krystal Meyers may look like Avril Lavigne and rock the stage like Gwen Stefani the message in the music is different.

Cherie Meislahn, Adair: â€œthey do listen to the words contrary to what everybody says they do listen to what the words say and these songs all have meaning its not just about loud music that you can't understand its about the message."

And for some families the concert is as much about fellowship and worship as good music.

I think its so important that they come and see that they're are other kids that love the lord like they do so we just come and spend the time as a family thats very important its a day for your family.