In case you’ve spent any time on X (previously Twitter) up to now few days, you’ll have seen Christian music followers in an all-out frenzy. No, it’s not a brand new album drop or a shock tour announcement—it’s #CCMTournament2025, the fan-run, bracket-style battle to crown the last word Christian artist, hosted by Christian music superfan Eric McClanahan (@Ineverglow).
Impressed by the insanity of March, this grassroots event pits a few of the largest names in CCM in opposition to one another in head-to-head matchups, with you, the followers, deciding who advances. CCM Journal has no direct connection to this event, however we actually love following alongside the drama, the battles, and the crowning of a brand new champion.
The seeding? It’s all primarily based on chilly, exhausting information—Spotify’s Month-to-month Listeners stats. “The primary 12 months we simply used the data we had of CCM to seed the artists and choose the matchups,” McClanahan defined. “However it left me having to elucidate myself consistently, so I’ve taken to utilizing Spotify Month-to-month Listeners as my foremost technique of seeding.” Whereas a couple of tweaks have been made this 12 months to keep away from rematches and reward previous winners, the core rankings come straight from streaming numbers.
Spherical 1, Half 1 – The Insanity Begins
The primary wave of matchups is reside, and the polls shall be open for 3 days. Voting is easy: head to X, discover the ballot, and click on the identify of the artist you like finest. No algorithms, no business politics—only a pure fan-driven battle royale. Winners will advance to Spherical 2, inching nearer to the title of #CCMTournament2025 Champion.
With matchups already underway, followers are debating, rallying assist, and—after all—good-naturedly roasting one another’s decisions. (As a result of, let’s be actual, in case your favourite band will get knocked out early, you will have emotions about it.) However that’s the fantastic thing about the event—it’s a celebration of all Christian music, from the chart-toppers to the cult favorites.
How Did This All Begin?
“The event began as a result of one in every of my followers by the identify of Dave Berggren was actually having fun with my posts about CCM artists,” McClanahan shared. “So with March Insanity approaching, he prompt I do a event! I enlisted the assistance of CCM guru, Josh Balogh, and we put collectively what we thought was a wide selection of artists and seeded them as finest we might, and that’s how CCM Match was born!”
What started as a easy concept rapidly was a serious occasion. “The primary 12 months I did it (2023) REALLY took me without warning. I had no clue it might be as enormous because it was. However after seeing everybody rally round their favorites that 12 months, and the way a lot ardour individuals have for his or her favourite artists, it hasn’t been all that stunning to search out individuals persevering with to root for his or her favorites 12 months after 12 months.”
Artists Be part of the Enjoyable
The joy isn’t simply restricted to followers—many artists have joined in on the enjoyable, too. “Steven Curtis Chapman at all times tries to rally votes,” McClanahan mentioned. “Amy Grant (or whoever runs her social media) has additionally joined in earlier than. Over time, numerous artists have reposted their polls and requested for individuals to vote: PFR, 5 Iron Frenzy, Kutless, Demon Hunter, Disciple, Sanctus Actual, Derek Webb (Caedmon’s Name), Jars of Clay, DC Discuss. Final night time Miguel from Smalltown Poets commented asking if I matched them up in opposition to Sixpence None The Richer on goal!”
Who’s the Favourite?
Whereas the unpredictability of the event is a part of its attraction, McClanahan has his personal ideas on a possible winner. “I feel that is Switchfoot’s 12 months,” he speculated. “They completed third final 12 months, and 2nd the 12 months earlier than. It looks like they’re due. However you simply by no means know which artists or influential individuals will attempt to rally votes, and the unpredictability of that may be a large a part of the enjoyable.”
Who’s Your Choose?
With 1000’s of votes pouring in, #CCMTournament2025 is proving as soon as once more that Christian music followers are passionate. Whether or not your favourite artist is cruising to a simple win or locked in a nail-biting battle, each vote counts.
Discman Area
5 Iron Frenzy vs. 16. All Star United
DC Discuss vs. 9. Rebecca St. James
Steven Curtis Chapman vs. 12. Caedmon’s Name
Newsboys vs. 13. The O.C. Supertones
Delirious? vs. 11. Audio Adrenaline
Kirk Franklin vs. 14. Out of Eden
MxPx vs. 10. Jars of Clay
Sixpence None The Richer vs. 15. Smalltown Poets
Good Telephone Area
David Kushner vs. 16. Home of Heroes
Forrest Frank vs. 9. Chris Tomlin
Maverick Metropolis Music vs. 12. Lecrae
Lauren Daigle vs. 13. For King & Nation
Bethel Music vs. 11. Cory Asbury
Hillsong Worship vs. 14. Needtobreathe
Brandon Lake vs. 10. Tommee Profitt
Elevation Worship vs. 15. Crowder
Turntable/Walkman Area
Michael W. Smith vs. 16. Steve Taylor
Petra vs. 9. Carman
Andrae Crouch vs. 12. Larry Norman
Stryper vs. 13. Bryan Duncan
Wealthy Mullins vs. 11. Wayne Watson
BeBe & CeCe Winans vs. 14. 2nd Chapter of Acts
Keith Inexperienced vs. 10. Russ Taff
Amy Grant vs. 15. DeGarmo & Key
iPod Area
Skillet vs. 16. Haste The Day
Underoath vs. 9. Jeremy Camp
MercyMe vs. 12. Third Day
Casting Crowns vs. 13. Plumb
TobyMac vs. 11. Relient Ok
P.O.D. vs. 14. Demon Hunter
Switchfoot vs. 10. August Burns Pink
Thousand Foot Krutch vs. 15. mewithoutYou
