U2
While far too many Christian acts cross the country and play the part of preachers with guitars, Bono has chosen to practice what he preaches instead. He's spoken to everyone from The Pope to the President about eradicating third world debt. All the while, his little combo continues to make some of the best music of its career.

Victoria Williams
Don't be fooled by that little girl voice; Victoria Williams is a smart and savvy artist. She writes wonderfully literate story songs, and never fails to breathe new life into the standard torch songs she so often covers. And like Bono, she lives a Christian life instead of just blabbing about it. You also may recall, she was instrumental in the creation of The Sweet Relief, which is an organization that helps musicians with their healthcare costs.

Buddy & Julie Miller
If you like Victoria Williams's singing voice -- admittedly an acquired taste -- then you'll likely also dig Julie Miller's teeny-voiced crooning. Williams and Miller sound like sisters from different mothers, or something like that. Buddy Miller, on the other hand, is one of the greatest country singers you've likely never heard. Together, the two Millers write and sing some of the best songs in all of alt-country (whatever that is). Their songs are always spiritual, but never preachy.

Lost Dogs
We're now entering obscure-ville. The Lost Dogs originated as a sort of Christian version of The Traveling Wilburys. Each member was already established in his own band, yet Lost Dogs offered these men a chance to briefly break away from making rock music in order to concentrate on more Americana-inspired work. Terry Taylor writes memorable songs, and Derri Daugherty and Mike Roe add their unique voices to the mix. And let's not forget the late Gene Eugene, who brought his gritty artistic approach to the whole before leaving this mortal doghouse for good.

Mike Knott
My wife likes to refer to Knott as The Scary Guy, as he has always dressed a little on the Gothic side. But beginning with the punk-pop of Lifesavers back in the '80s, Mike Knott has consistently created edgy, faith-filled music.

Mike Roe and The 77s
While he often plays second fiddle to Terry Taylor in the Lost Dogs, Mike Roe has certainly made a great name for himself with The 77s. This band's music ranges from jangly Byrdsian rock ("Do It For Love") to hardcore metal-blues (see its cover of "Nobody's Fault But Mine"). Why this guy never became a huge rock star is one of the great mysteries of the universe.

The Choir
The Choir features Derri Daugherty (there are those Dogs again -- see a pattern?), but drummer/songwriter Steve Hindalong is the true jewel in this crown. His ultra-personalized songs (especially on the Circle Slide album) take the where-the-rubber-meets-the-road concept to a whole new level.

The "City on a Hill" Series
While we're on the subject of Steve Hindalong, we should also mention his City on a Hill worship series. At a time when many "Christian" artists are recycling the same tired worship songs over and over again, Hindalong and friends have created a series packed with consistently high quality worship material.

Daniel Amos
Terry Taylor is not only the primary figure in Lost Dogs -- he also helped found Christian music's greatest rock band, Daniel Amos. Although it began as a country outfit (of all things!), it morphed into a New Wave band in the '80s and continues to stretch its creative muscles to this day. Darn Floor, Big Bite is arguably the best rock album made under the Christian banner.

T-Bone Burnett
Everybody knows who T-Bone Burnett is these days thanks to his surprising success as producer of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. But prior to this breakthrough hit, Burnett recorded a number of amazing spiritually-fueled albums. He also transformed his wife, Sam Phillips, from the next Amy Grant into the sexy little number she is today.

King's X
These guys not only help to give Christian music a good name -- they even make heavy metal sound a little hip, which might be a more difficult task. Ty Tabor is a vastly underrated guitarist, and bassist/singer Doug Pinnick is much more soulful than any hard rock vocalist has a right to be. He's also openly gay; how many other Christian bands can brag about that?