Christian Music Review and Today's Christian Entertainment Celebrate 20 Years of Online Ministry
Both websites celebrate a collective milestone anniversary
Posted: October 13, 2024, 5:00 PM | Category:General Artist Tags: Source: Today's Christian Entertainment
When Jay Heilman launched ChristianMusicReview.org (CMR) on September 25, 2004, the Christian music scene was abuzz with the likes of Mercyme, Third Day, and TobyMac. Emerging artists like Casting Crowns, Todd Agnew, and Jeremy Camp were just beginning to make their mark. Heilman, then a 23-year-old with a burgeoning Christian faith, was seeking a platform to combine his passion for music with his newfound Christian faith.
After leaving his local radio co-host position, Heilman embarked on a journey of prayer and discovery. The idea for CMR, a website dedicated to reviewing the latest Christian music releases, emerged as a natural fit for his experience, musical knowledge, and creative writing skills. For the next eleven years, CMR became a go-to destination for Christian music enthusiasts seeking insightful reviews.
In 2016, CMR evolved into Today's Christian Entertainment (TCE), offering a more comprehensive range of content. Both CMR and TCE have earned the respect and admiration of industry veterans and artists alike. Kevin McNeese of NewReleaseToday.com, publicist Jacquelyn Marushka of Marushka Media, and singer-songwriter John Waller have praised Heilman's dedication and passion for the Christian entertainment industry.
"Congrats to Jay and the entire team at Today's Christian Entertainment for two decades of connecting people to the life-changing messages in Christian music," McNeese said. "Your dedication to build God's Kingdom first has been felt through our friendship and collaboration over the years. You have always approached your reporting with passion and respect, and ultimately, with a desire to point people to Christ through Christian music. We're honored to share this passion with you! Here's to the next twenty years!"
Marushka commended Heilman and his team for their professionalism and commitment to "excellence, doing their research and showing up prepared. Every. Single. Time." Waller, a longtime friend, expressed his admiration for Heilman's genuine nature and unwavering support saying, "We've remained friends for over 15 years now. The reason is because Jay is the real deal." Many others have also praised Jay and team for their work, found here in the extended on-line press release.
Heilman humbly attributes the success of CMR/TCE to the collective efforts of a dedicated team of volunteers from around the world. He acknowledges the invaluable contributions of Laura Chambers, his lead reviewer for over 15 years, Kelly Meade, his right-hand team leader since 2015, and Sean Perry, whos support has been instrumental in the site's growth.
In closing, Heilman's journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment, dedication, and passion for Christian music. Through CMR/TCE, he has created a platform that has not only informed and entertained but has also fostered a community of like-minded individuals who share a love for uplifting and encouraging content.