CCM Flashback: Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart
In high school and college, I was really into contemporary Christian music. One of my favorite bands was Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart. Maybe it was my early love for southern rock that drew me to him, but I loved his music.
Mylon is from Mississippi, and grew up singing with his family, which had been famous Gospel singers for years. He grew up singing music for Jesus, but he had no idea what it meant to have a personal relationship with Christ. He wrote a song called "Without Him," and in 1963, a guy named Elvis Presley recorded it. Found today in most hymn books, this song solidified Mylon's position as a songwriter.
After he got out of the army, Mylon started a band called The Atlanta Rhythm Section. During his career, he toured and played with some of the biggest names in rock and roll. Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Elvis, and many others. He was a music sensation in the 60s and 70s.
By the time the 70s were coming to a close, Mylon realized that he was going to a lot of funerals. Not old people, but his friends, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the boys from Lynyrd Skynyrd. He took stock of his own life, and in time, he returned to his family's roots, and committed his life to Christ.
With his album "Brand New Start," Mylon marked his return to recording Christian music. He would record several contemporary Christian albums, before transitioning into a ministry of teaching and preaching.
I had the chance to meet Mylon and get to know him twenty years ago. I was doing radio at the time, and had met a girl, leading her to faith in Christ. She was a drug addict, and had grown up listening to Mylon's music. I made a couple of phone calls, and soon Mylon was on the phone to her, encouraging her to follow through to discipleship. He prayed for her regularly, and many times called Julie to make sure she was doing well. When he would pass through Tulsa on tour, he always made a point of getting with us. Pretty impressive.
"Stranger to Danger" was one of my favorite songs. His "More" album was probably my favorite, and the song "My Heart Belongs to Him" was maybe the best song on the record.
Mylon today, a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame
What is your favorite Mylon song?
What a flashback! I love Mylon! I saw him in concert in Greenville, SC about 15 years ago and in Atlanta.
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Yeah I really was into Mylon's music back in the day. Now I listen to it and it seems kind of shallow, but it really was great back then.
This is going to be a regular series on my site: CCM Flashback. If I could, I'd turn it into a radio show :>)
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Many stories behind these songs... Its great to hear that they are still touching peoples' hearts.
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Steve Taylor, Daniel Amos, DeGarmo & Key, Petra, Glad, Whiteheart, Sweet Comfort Band, Allies, Bryan Duncan, and more!
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Jason,
Remeber whe you told the youth that they would know they were getting older when their favorite music starting showing up on an oldies station?
You could start a CCM golden oldies radio broadcast.
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Kevin,
I think SCB is next on my list. Also D&K. Thanks for the suggestions.
Tim,
I do remember that! I actually heard a one hour radio show on once that was classic CCM, but it isn't really on very often. Maybe a podcast. Hmmm...
BTW, thanks for the Messenger! Got my first one this week. I really enjoyed your article.
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My dad was a huge Mylon fan. I remember being a little kid and listening to Stranger to Danger while we cleaned the house! Those were the days...
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Mylon's album, "We Believe" was my 2nd "Christian" album. Before there was CCM, I made all music into Christian music...I just changed the words or meaning around in my head. Kind of like what Apologetix does. I do like their Godly Zeppelin songs better than "Christian" Eminem. Mylon and Larry Norman were pushing the same envelope that I thought I was as well. I still get Jesus bumps when I hear "Contemplation" from Mylon and "I Am A Servant" from Larry Norman.
God bless Mylon and RIP Larry.
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