Carman (singer)

American contemporary Christian music singer (1956–2021)

Carman

Carman in 2010

Background information
Birth name| Carmen Domenic Licciardello
Born| (1956-01-19)January 19, 1956
Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
Died| February 16, 2021(2021-02-16) (aged 65)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S
Genres|

* Contemporary Christian music
* praise and worship
* gospel
* Christian hip hop
* CCM rock

Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter
* television host
* evangelist
* actor
* life coach[1]

Instrument(s)| Vocals, guitar, drums[2]
Years active| 1976–2021
Labels|

* Klesis
* Priority
* Myrrh
* Word
* Benson
* Sparrow
* Tyscot
* Norway Avenue

Spouse| Dana Morrow (m. 2017)
Website| carman.org

Musical artist

Carmen Domenic Licciardello (January 19, 1956 – February 16, 2021), known professionally as Carman, was an American contemporary Christian music singer, rapper, songwriter, television host, and evangelist. He was nominated for four Grammys, and sold over 10 million records.

Carman's album Mission 3:16 (1998) peaked at number 94 on the Billboard 200 chart. His album No Plan B (2014) peaked at number 66 on the Billboard 200, and at number 3 on the Top Christian Albums charts.

In addition to music, Carman was a frequent host on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, most notably its flagship program Praise the Lord.

## Early life

[edit]

Carmen Domenic Licciardello was born on January 19, 1956, to an Italian American family in Trenton, New Jersey.[3] His mother was a skilled accordion player, and as a child, Carman performed in his mother's band. He learned to play the drums at the age of 5, the guitar at age of 15, and he started singing when he was 16.[4] As a teen, he found some success performing at casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey. At age 17, he dropped out of high school.[5]

Later moving to Las Vegas in an effort to pursue a career in music, he visited his sister and her husband in Orange County, California. While there, Carman attended an Andraé Crouch concert, where he became a born again Christian and later embraced evangelical Christianity.[5][6][7]

## Music and television career

[edit]

In 1980, Carman released his debut studio album, God's Not Finished with Me, which included earlier versions of the songs "Some-o-Dat" and "God Don’t Care (What the Circumstance)", which were re-recorded for his following releases. He caught the attention of Bill Gaither and he was invited by him to tour with the Bill Gaither Trio, serving as an opening act.[8]

After relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in October 1981, Carman signed with CBS Records' contemporary Christian music (CCM) label, Priority Records,[9][10] and released his second studio album (and his debut major-label release), Some-o-Dat (initially titled as Carman) in February 1982, which mostly contained novelty songs and was moderately successful;[3][11] he promoted the album on several Christian TV shows, including The PTL Club.

In July 1983, Carman released his third album (and first live release), Sunday's on the Way, which experienced a string of contemporary Christian music chart successes beginning with the title track, which reached number five on the CCM charts. The album was the first one to crack into the US Billboard Top Christian Albums, landing at number 13. However, two weeks after Sunday's on the Way was released, CBS Records shut down Priority,[12] and Carman eventually signed with Word subsidiary Myrrh Records, and continued his music career establishing the nonprofit organization Carman Ministries, which offered free concerts.[3][7]

His first album with Myrrh was Comin' on Strong, released in 1984,[13] which included the song "Lazarus Come Forth" (landing at number 13) and became Carman's first top-ten album on the US Christian Albums chart, peaking at number six. This was followed by The Champion, released in 1985 and its title track became Carman's first number-one song on the CCM charts, and the album itself reached number three on the US Christian Albums chart and became his first album to be certified Gold by the RIAA.

In 1986, Carman parted ways with Myrrh and signed with Power Discs (a subsidiary of Benson Records), and released his fifth studio album (and first Christmas release), A Long Time Ago...In a Land Called Bethlehem, which reached the top-twenty in the US Christian Albums chart.[14] Through Benson, Carman released his second live album, 'Live... Radically Saved', in 1987. The title track became his second number-one on the CCM charts, followed by "Lord of All" reaching number two; the album itself peaked at number two on the US Christian Albums chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA; its long-form video release also achieved Gold status.[15]

In 1989, his sixth studio album, Revival in the Land was released and became his first number-one album on the US Christian Albums chart, spent 33 weeks at the summit and became his third Gold record;[16] it included the songs "A Witch's Invitation", "Resurrection Rap" and the title track; its long-form video release was certified Platinum.[5]

In 1991, Carman released his third live album, in collaboration with Commissioned and the Christ Church Choir, Shakin' the House...Live, which reached number four on the US Christian Albums chart and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. That same year, Carman released his seventh studio album Addicted to Jesus, becoming his second number-one album on the US Christian Albums chart and his fourth Gold record, including the songs "Satan, Bite the Dust", "1955", "Come Into This House" (with Commissioned), "Our Turn Now" (with Petra) and the title track (with DC Talk), all of which music videos were commissioned, eventually its long-form video release would achieve Gold status as well; the album also earned another Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.[citation needed]

During that time, between 1987 and 1989, Carman was named Readers' Choice for Favorite Male Vocalist by Charisma magazine.[11] In 1990 and 1992, Billboard named him the Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year.[5]

In October 1992, Carman signed with Sparrow Records[17] and in March 1993 released his first compilation album, The Absolute Best,[18] which included a new song, "Serve the Lord", which was nominated for a Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Contemporary Christian Song of the Year.[19] That same year, his eighth studio album, The Standard was released, becoming Carman's third number-one album on the US Christian Albums chart and his first one to be certified Platinum, eventually becoming Carman's best-selling album. The Standard included the hit songs "Who's In The House" (nominated for a Dove Award for Rap Recorded Contemporary Christian Song of the Year),[19] "Sunday School Rock", "Great God", "Holdin' On" and "America Again", all of which were commissioned music videos for every song and included on its long-form video release, also achieving Platinum status. Prior to the release of the album, in August 1993, with more than 50,000 in attendance, Carman was the main act in Johannesburg, South Africa.[20] The following year, he embarked on The Standard World Tour, where he performed a free concert at Texas Stadium October 22, 1994, with 71,132 attendees.[3][11] Another concert had 80,000 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.[21] It is believed that Carman holds the world record for the largest single Christian concert in history.[5]

In 1995, he translated some of his songs, and released his first Spanish-language album, Lo Mejor. From mid-to-late 1990s, Carman achieved several number-one albums on the US Christian Albums chart, including 1995's R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of Truth) (which became his first album to chart on the Billboard 200, at number 45), 1997's I Surrender All: 30 Classic Hymns (#102 on the Billboard 200) and 2000's Heart of a Champion (#53 on the Billboard 200), a 30-song retrospective compilation.[11] Grammy-nominated album Mission 3:16 (1998) and its follow-up Passion for Praise: Volume One (1999) also made the top-ten on the US Christian Albums chart and charted at numbers 94 and 179 on the Billboard 200, respectively.

Carman was nominated for four Grammys, and sold over 10 million records.[5] On October 19, 1996, after his R.I.O.T. Tour stop at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell presented Carman with a plaque declaring October 19 "Carman Day".[22]

Beyond his music career, Carman participated in various television productions and interview duties as a host, for both the Trinity Broadcasting Network and its flagship program Praise the Lord.[23] In 2001, he starred in the film Carman: The Champion.[3][24]

In late March 2013, he announced a Kickstarter campaign for a new album and music video. A short time later, he announced an upcoming 60-city tour, noting that the online fundraising campaign had raised more than $230,000 within several weeks.[25]

In 2014, Carman released the album No Plan B, which peaked at number 66 on the Billboard 200, and at number three on the Top Christian Albums chart, being his highest-charting album on that chart since Heart of a Champion in 2000. Three years later, Carman released his final studio album Legacy (2017) and toured across the United States to promote the album starting in August 2018 and continued until his final concert, held in Splendora, Texas, on January 16, 2021.[citation needed]

## Style and themes

[edit]

In her book God Gave Rock and Roll to You, religion historian Leah Payne describes Carman's performances:

> Many CCM songs...showed keen interest in spiritual warfare, but [Frank] Peretti's vast, vivid, and rollicking Pentecostal universe came to life on stage with the most potency through Carman's shows. Part Liberace-esque Las Vegas showstopper, part Billy Graham revival preacher, part Rat Pack crooner, Carman's work might best be categorized as 'camp.' His theatrical, over-the-top, gaudy, and sometimes grotesque concerts were multimedia evangelistic extravaganzas meant to impress upon attendees their particular role in resisting and rebuking the devil's work.[7]

Similarly, Carman's musical style has been described by Relevant magazine as "operatic, story-driven songs that often centered around cosmic battles between God and Satan, similar to Frank Peretti by way of Meatloaf."[26] Referring to Carman as a "charismatic-lounge-singer-cum-rap artist", Jay R. Howard also notes the spiritual warfare themes in songs like "R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of Truth)" and "Satan Bite the Dust".[10]

Conservative evangelical culture war issues, such as "drugs, drinking (and driving), gangs, teen pregnancy, television violence, homosexuality, and AIDS" were also common themes in his music.[27]

In his song "America Again", Carman raps, "In the '40s and '50s student problems were chewing gum and talking. In the '90s, rape and murder are the trend. The only way this nation can even hope to last this decade is to put God in America again." In the mid-1990s, including on The Standard World Tour, Carman focused on the issue of school-sponsored prayer in American public schools; he met with legislators in Washington, D.C., and initiated a campaign known as "Putting God in America Again", which sought to collect the names of one million people who support school-sponsored prayer in American public schools.[28] He stated, "If you want to see a change in our schools, a change in our children and a change in this nation, we must change hearts, and that's what Christ can do. The only hope for America is Jesus."[28]

In 2017, Carman released the song "The President Trump Blues" dedicated to President Donald Trump, making him one of the first Trump supporters among CCM artists. The song's lyrics address Trump's aims and political opposition: "They even tried a recount / People went bezerk / Actors versus electors, man that didn't work / They blamed all the white folks in the USA / They blamed Russia, Putin, Mickey and Minnie and even the KKK / The students cried, the liberals tried, but America had its way / Now we all have to say to our commander and chief today / Mr. President Trump".[29][30][31]

## Personal life and death

[edit]

In November 2011, while on his way to perform, Carman was a passenger in a car hit by a truck in the oncoming traffic. The concert went on as scheduled, but Carman collapsed afterward. Taken to the hospital, he underwent surgery for internal injuries sustained in the wreck.[32]

Carman was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2013, and was given a prognosis of three to four years to live.[33][34] By early 2014, he said medical tests indicated his body was free of cancer and then continued preparing for his Live Across America album and tour.[35] When the cancer went into remission, Carman attributed his healing to the faith of his fans[5] and planned his "No Plan B Tour" to start after his health returned.[36]

In December 2017, at the age of 61, Carman married Dana Morrow.[37]

In January 2020, Carman announced his cancer had returned.[38] He resumed live concert church tours in June 2020.[39]

Carman died on February 16, 2021, aged 65, in a Las Vegas hospital as a result of complications following surgery to repair a hiatal hernia.[5][40]

## Discography and filmography

[edit]

Main article: Carman discography

Source(s):[41][42]

Selected list

* God's Not Finished with Me (1980)
* Some-o-Dat aka Carman (1982)
* Sunday's on the Way (1983)
* Comin' On Strong (1984)
* The Champion (1985)
* A Long Time Ago...in a Land Called Bethlehem (1986)
* Carman Live: Radically Saved (1988)
* Revival in the Land (1989)
* Shakin' the House Live (1991)
* Addicted to Jesus (1991)
* Yo Kidz! Heroes, Stories, and Songs from the Bible (1992)
* Yo Kidz! Lawrence the Kat and the B. Attitudes (1993)
* The Standard (1993)
* Yo Kidz! Vol. 2: The Armor of God (1994)
* Lo Mejor (1995)
* Christmas with Carman (1995)
* R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of Truth) (1995)
* Yo Kidz! Lawrence the Kat and the Bible (1996)
* I Surrender All: 30 Classic Hymns (1997)
* Mission 3:16 (1998)
* Passion for Praise Vol. 1 (1999)
* Heart of a Champion (2000)
* House of Praise (2002)
* Instrument of Praise (2007)
* Changing Hands (2010)
* No Plan B (2014)
* Legacy (2017)

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Grammy Awards

Year  | Category  | Nominated work  | Result  | Ref.
1987  | Best Gospel Performance – Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus  | "Our Blessed Saviour Has Come" (with CeCe Winans)  | Nominated  | [43]
1992  | Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album | Shakin' the House...Live (with Commissioned with the Christ Church Choir)  | Nominated  | [44]
1993  | Addicted to Jesus | Nominated  | [44]
1999  | Mission 3:16 | Nominated  | [44]
GMA Dove Awards

Year  | Category  | Nominated work  | Result  | Ref.
1989  | Long Form Music Video of the Year | Carman Live: Radically Saved | Won  | [45]
1991  | Long Form Video of the Year  | Revival in the Land | Won  | [45]
1991  | Short Form Video of the Year  | "Revival in the Land"  | Won  | [45]
1993  | Long Form Video of the Year  | Addicted To Jesus | Won  | [45]
1995  | Children's Music Album of the Year  | Yo! Kidz! 2: The Armor Of God | Won  | [45]
1996  | Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year | "R.I.O.T. (Righteous Invasion of Truth)"  | Won  | [45]
1999  | Long Form Music Video of the Year | Mission 3:16: The Video | Nominated  | [46]

Carman was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018.[47]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Law, Jeannie (April 14, 2017). "Carman Licciardello Cancer Update: Singer Fulfills Dream of Becoming Life Coach Before Upcoming Tumor Surgery". The Christian Post. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
2. ^ "COVID-19 Thoughts Part 102: In memory of Carman Licciardello". Intellectual Conservative. February 24, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
3. ^ a b c d e Alfonso, Barry (2002). The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music. New York: Billboard Books. p. 134\. ISBN 978-0-8230-7718-2.
4. ^ "How did Carman Licciardello die? Christian singer hailed as legend as fans mourn loss of childhood favorite". Meaww.com. February 16, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Silliman, Daniel (February 16, 2021). "Died: Carman, Christian Showman Who Believed in Celebrity and Spectacle for Jesus". Christianity Today. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
6. ^ Daniels, Lisa (October 30, 1992). "Carman Is Born (Again) to Boogie". Daily Press.
7. ^ a b c Payne, Leah (2024). "4". God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. New York: Oxford Academic. ISBN 9780197555248.
8. ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 141–43. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
9. ^ Morris, Ed (October 10, 1981). "Priority Names Its Gospel Artists: Signs Ben Moore, Bob Bennett, James Felix & Carman" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
10. ^ a b Howard, Jay R. (1999). Apostles of Rock: the Splintered World of Contemporary Christian Music. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky. pp. 66–68, 88. ISBN 9780813148052. Retrieved August 11, 2024 - via Internet Archive.
11. ^ a b c d Ankeny, Jason. "Carman – Biography". Allmusic (Macrovision Corporation). Retrieved December 9, 2009.
12. ^ Morris, Edward (July 16, 1983). "CBS Shuts Gospel Label, Citing Disappointing Sales" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
13. ^ Darden, Bob (June 9, 1984). "Carman Is 'Comin' On Strong'" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
14. ^ Lavelle, Amy (September 20, 1986). "Benson Co. Signs Carman" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
15. ^ Wix, Kimmy (July 7, 1990). "Carman Video Goes Gold" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
16. ^ Giufrida, Steve (November 16, 1991). "The Gospel Beat: Carman Goes Gold" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
17. ^ Cheshire, Cory (October 17, 1992). "Million-selling Recording Artist Carman Signs With Liberty" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
18. ^ Smith, Tim (March 6, 1993). "Cash Box Gospel Beat: Sparrow Launches "The Absolute Best Campaign"" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
19. ^ a b "25th Annual Dove Award Nominations" (PDF). Cash Box. February 26, 1994. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
20. ^ van Jaarsveld, Ingrid. "Christene laat dak lig vir vrede 50 000 op Wanderers vir grootste vredesbyeenkoms nog in SA" [Christians Raise the Roof for Peace: 50,000 at Wanderers] (in Afrikaans). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
21. ^ "Christian Music Pioneer Carman Dies Due to Complications from Surgery". February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
22. ^ Stagnitta, Judy (November 2, 1996). "Carman RIOTs In Atlanta" (PDF). Cash Box. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
23. ^ Dunn, Patrick (February 25, 2005). "Christian Artist Carman Keeps Up With the Times". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
24. ^ Cling, Carol (March 2, 2001). "Opening This week". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
25. ^ "Carman Announces 60-City Tour After Raising More Than $200K on Kickstarter". Christian Post. May 17, 2013.
26. ^ "CCM Icon Carman Has Passed Away at 65". RELEVANT. February 17, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
27. ^ Payne, Leah (2024). "5". God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. New York: Oxford Academic. ISBN 9780197555248.
28. ^ a b "Pursuing a Higher Standard". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. April 23, 1994. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
29. ^ Ellis, Iain (January 14, 2025). "Trumpism and Contemporary Christian Music's Civil War". PopMatters. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
30. ^ Ortega Law, Jeannie (January 20, 2017). "Legendary Singer Carman Licciardello Debuts New President Donald Trump Song". Christian Post. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
31. ^ Gray, Lisa (February 7, 2019). "'This be a Jesus thing': Carman, the glitziest Christian singer of the '90s, is back on tour". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
32. ^ "Carman in Car Accident". All Access Music Group. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
33. ^ "Carman Licciardello". Facebook.
34. ^ "Carman Cancer Update: Singer Enters Second Round of Chemo Treatments, 'I've Never Been as Optimistic in My Life'". BREATHEcast. January 10, 2014.
35. ^ "After Fears, Carman Tells Fans He's Cancer Free". cbn.com. September 8, 2014.
36. ^ "Concerts, events, concert, festival & conference tickets". itickets.com.
37. ^ Law, Jeannie (December 19, 2017). "'Proverbial Bachelor' and Christian Star Carman Licciardello Finally Gets Married at 61". The Christian Post. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
38. ^ "'I Still Trust God': Christian Singer Carman's Birthday Wish After Cancer Returns". CBN News. January 17, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
39. ^ "Carman Licciardello". www.facebook.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
40. ^ "GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Member, CARMAN, Iconic CCM Trailblazer, Dies at Las Vegas Hospital". Conduit Media Solutions. February 16, 2021.
41. ^ "Carman Discography". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
42. ^ "Carman". Allmusic.com. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
43. ^ "Grammy Award Nominees 1987 - Grammy Award Winners 1987". www.awardsandshows.com. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
44. ^ a b c "Carman". The Recording Academy. November 23, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
45. ^ a b c d e f "Past Winners". Gospel Music Association. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
46. ^ "1999 Dove Award Nominees and Winners". Archived from the original on November 4, 2009.
47. ^ "Carman". Gospel Music Hall of Fame. March 12, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
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