All articles by Tony Cummings
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Interviews‘We never saw sacred and secular as separate’ After the Fire’s Peter Banks looks back on a remarkable career
They toured with rock legends, scored a US Top 10 hit after disbanding, and never compromised their Christian faith. Tony Cummings speaks with founder Peter Banks about After The Fire’s extraordinary career navigating the mainstream music industry, and why their new ‘Bright Lights’ box set proves they were one of Britain’s finest bands of their time
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OpinionJohn Lodge (1943-2025): The Moody Blues rocker was committed to family and faith
Progressive rock pioneer John Lodge has died aged 82. As bassist for the Moody Blues, he reached the peak of rock stardom, selling 70 million albums worldwide and touring the globe, all while remaining grounded in the evangelical faith of his Birmingham childhood, says Tony Cummings
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ReviewsThe rock & roll philosopher Dion tells all about love, music and God
Spanning doo-wop fame, personal struggle, enduring love and a deepening Christian faith, Dion: The Rock & Roll Philosopher is more than a glossy fan keepsake – it’s a surprisingly wise and rewarding read, says our reviewer
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ReviewsIn Quietness and Trust is a powerful devotional
In Quietness and Trust offers a fresh, reflective journey through the Beatitudes, says our reviewer. With scripture, prayer, and a curated Spotify playlist, it moves beyond clichés, guiding readers through confession, forgiveness, and faith with honesty and grace
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InterviewsLucian Mustata: The Romanian evangelist reaching thousands for Christ
Abandoned as a baby and raised in an orphanage, Lucian Mustata is now a successful entrepreneur and founder of Eastern Europe’s largest Christian music festival. Lucian is carrying a vision to see 1 million lives transformed. Tony Cummings met him
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ReviewsHow to Tell the Truth - Preston Perry
Only a writer of consummate skill could deliver a book like this: in part a biographic account of Preston Perry’s early life and in part a teaching book that winsomely shares biblical principles on how to speak the truth. Perry’s childhood was blighted by drugs and ...
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Magazine FeaturesHow Adrian Snell’s ‘The Passion’ became a Christian classic
As the best-selling Christian album of the 1980s is remixed and re-released, Tony Cummings shares the inside story of how Adrian Snell worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to deliver a “symphonic rock classic”
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ReviewsWhen Jesus Met Hippies - Andrew Whitman
Interested in revival, the birth of Christian rock music or charismatic renewal? Don’t miss this book, says our reviewer
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InterviewsWayne Drain: ‘God has given me a song! And it sends people to sleep…’
Christian musician Wayne Drain says his ‘Lullaby for Adults’ has helped tens of thousands find untroubled sleep.
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Magazine FeaturesThe little known story of Bob Marley's conversion to Christianity
The reggae superstar and populariser of Rastafarianism became a Christian shortly before his death in 1981. Tony Cummings reports
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InterviewsEddie Holman: The undisputed king of Northern soul is still putting God first
Eddie Holman is a veteran soul singer whose ’Hey There Lonely Girl’ million-seller is still heard on radio and TV today. He is also an ordained minister with a newly re-issued gospel album. But it’s Holman’s phenomenal popularity on the North of England’s Northern soul scene which recently brought the singer to Blackpool, as it did journalist Tony Cummings
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Magazine FeaturesMike Rimmer (1961-2022): The pioneering Christian music broadcaster asked the hard questions
Mike Rimmer was a distinguished reporter and interviewer, especially during Christian music’s golden years. On top of interviewing the biggest artists, Rimmer was a passionate advocate for up and coming artists. His equally prolific Cross Rhythms colleague Tony Cummings remembers him
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ReviewsAvoid this banal re-write of the Bible's greatest stories. It contains as much truth as Buffy the Vampire Slayer
In one way, the writings of Robin Bennett and Eugene Peterson are similar: both have rewritten the Bible into everyday speech. But there the similarity ends. Bennett has taken twelve texts of the Bible – including creation, the Fall, the Flood, the Nativity, Gethsemane and the crucifixion ...
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ReviewsAnother In the Fire: The meaning behind the worship song that's getting Chris Pratt through
Actor Chris Pratt recently took to Instagram to thank God for helping him through tough times, saying the Hillsong United anthem had deeply impacted him. But what was the inspiration behind the song? Music journalist Tony Cummings explores
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ReviewsTony Cummings: My top 8 songs
The man with an encyclopedic knowledge of Christian music shares his favourite tunes right now
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ReviewsThe Jesus Music: How Christian music became a multi-billion-dollar industry
The Jesus Music is a rollicking good ride through the best of CCM, says Tony Cummings
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Real Life‘It’s not “religious” its real’ - The open air Prayer Station changing Crewe’s estates
A series of ‘delightfully informal’ Christian gatherings are having a profound effect in Crewe
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ReviewsThe 10 greatest Christian lyrics of all time
From deep biblical truths to sharp social commentary, the world of Christian music has produced some heart-stopping, soul-rendering, conscience-pricking lines. Veteran music journalist Tony Cummings shares his ten favourites
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ReviewsCeltish Home - Nigel Cameron and Julie Cameron-Hall
Back in the noughties, West Sussex based singer and fiddle player Julie Hall was making folk-styled music and recording critically acclaimed albums. Meanwhile a Belfast singer, flute and whistle player, Nigel Cameron, was finding his musical niche – recording everything from Celtic-styled rock to children’s music. After ...
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OpinionCarman (1956-2021): The high-drama musical evangelist who led thousands to faith
The American Christian music star Carmelo Domenic Licciardello died last week. Tony Cummings remembers his colourful life and career
