July 29, 2002

Christian music still growing strong
___NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) --Contemporary Christian and gospel music sales grew by 18 percent in the first six months of 2002, an outcome that far exceeded the overall music industry, which reported a decline.
___SoundScan reported that Christian music album unit sales from Jan. 1 to June 30 totaled 23.5 million, compared to 19.8 million for the same period last year, the Christian Music Trade Association announced. SoundScan is the computerized network that collects sales data from retailers and compiles the results for industry reports.
___The overall music industry reported a decline of 9 percent in the same period.
___"The Christian and gospel music industry's success so far this year is extraordinary in light of a soft economy and disappointing results in the overall music industry," said Frank Breeden, president of the association. "It is especially gratifying to see our sales spread among a wide diversity of albums and styles of music. Both established and new artists are benefiting from the current growth."
___General market retailers increased their sales of Christian and gospel music, accounting for 55 percent of the total sales. Christian retailers sold 44 percent of the genre's albums in the first half of 2002.
___The Christian Music Trade Association credited marketing initiatives by retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart for contributing to the growth of sales in mainstream stores.
___Each of the top 10 albums of Christian music has sold more than 200,000 units during 2002, compared to last year's top 10 list, in which only half sold that much.
___The top albums are:
___ "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" by various artists.
___ "Satellite" by P.O.D.
___ "Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" by Kirk Franklin.
___ "Worship" by Michael W. Smith.
___ "Almost There" by MercyMe.
___ "Believe" by Yolanda Adams.
___ "Songs 4 Worship: Shout to the Lord" by various artists.
___ "WoW Gospel 2002" by various artists.
___ "WoW Hits 2002" by various artists.
___ "Come Together" by Third Day.

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