Christian music artist Carman Licciardello, known to fans and the world simply as Carman, has passed away at the age of 65. Known for such hits as “The Champion,” “Great God,” and “Revival in the Land,” he was a pioneering singer-songwriter who won many awards. He is survived by his wife Dana Licciardello.
Carman’s music career began in 1980 with his first custom album God’s Not Finished with Me. It was in 1983 when he released the hit album Sunday’s on the Way that made him a household name. From 1980 to 2013, Carman released several albums, winning multiple awards, and would help other Christian artists such as dc Talk, newsboys, and Audio Adrenaline branch out.
His music inspired two generations of fans who listened to his songs. For me personally, his song “No Monsters” was the first I listened to. Sure, his music was a mix of corniness and catchy lyrics, but one of his songs was worth a week of Sunday School. His passion for Jesus Christ was clear and though he has gone on into Heaven, his memory will continue to inspire us.
According to his Facebook page,
GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Member, CARMAN, Iconic CCM Trailblazer, Dies at Las Vegas Hospital
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (February 16, 2021) – GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame member, CARMAN, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at a Las Vegas, Nevada hospital, after fighting a series of complications resulting from surgery to repair a hiatal hernia.
Carman Dominic Licciardello, known to fans worldwide as “Carman,” was 65.
Born January 19, 1956 in Trenton, New Jersey, Carman began his musical career playing drums in his mother’s band at the age of 15. Carman holds the world record for having the largest audience to see a single Christian artist. He set the record for the largest concert at Texas Stadium with more than 71,000 fans and led more than 80,000 fans in worship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Among his many awards, Carman received the House of Hope of Humanitarian Award for his positive influence in the lives of American youth in 2006, other noted recipients of this award include Ronald & Nancy Reagan and Billy Graham. The Gospel Music Association honored Carman with induction into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018. Billboard named Carman “Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year” in 1992 and 1995, and in 1993, his album, Addicted to Jesus, earned the distinction of Contemporary Christian Album of the Year. Carman was Grammy-nominated multiple times as the Best Pop Contemporary Gospel Artist. His recording, “A Long Time Ago in a Land Called Bethlehem” was nominated for “Album of the Year” by the Recording Academy in 1986.
In 1985, the release of his first #1 song, “The Champion,” solidified his place in music history and defined his soul-winning career as one of endurance, grit, dedication, and pure talent. Anyone who knew Carman knows that he counted only this as his greatest lifetime achievement – winning millions of souls to Christ.
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