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Christian Music Sales at an All-Time High
compiled and written by Russ Breimeier
The Christian music industry got a late Christmas present on January 3 when the Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA) announced that year-end albums sales were just under 50 million units — a new sales record for the contemporary Christian and gospel music markets. This news is especially positive in light of the small dip in Christian music sales for 2000. That year saw the total album units sold fall from 46,852,000 in 1999 to 44,031,000. With album sales at 49,965,000 for 2001, up 13.5 percent from last year, Christian music has bounced back in the midst of a mainstream music market that continues to see declining sales (reportedly down 3 percent).
The good news is not exclusive to the record labels. Mainstream retail chains (such as Wal-mart and Target) saw an increase in Christian music sales of 15 percent. Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) retailers such as Family Christian Stores and Lemstone bounced back from last year's sales decline and charted an 8 percent gain over last year. The majority of Christian album sales for 2001 were comprised of adult contemporary/pop and gospel, which represent 20 percent and 19 percent of the sales respectively. Both rock and praise/worship sell at 13 percent.
Much of the renewed growth in Christian music sales is attributed to the troubled state of the nation as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the sluggish economy. As CMTA president Frank Breeden points out, "The substantial growth of contemporary Christian and gospel music sales in the face of declining sales in the overall music industry confirms to me that consumers see the unique role our music plays in encouraging and inspiring hope through entertainment." It would seem that Christian music's ability to minister to the hurting and hopeless is more vital and well received than ever before.
The next statistic the Christian music industry looks forward to is the annual consumer profile report from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Back in 1998, "religious" music comprised 6.3 percent of the total music market, outselling classical, jazz, and new age combined. Christian music is one of the few musical genres that has demonstrated growth over the last five years (though pop and rap/hip-hop have both seen sizable increases in the last two years). After two years of declining market share, it's not unlikely for Christian music to regain and perhaps surpass its record-high market share. With 2002 promising more high-profile releases from artists such as Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant, and the Newsboys (not to mention continual success for the WoW and Songs 4 Worship series), the future of Christian music looks bright again.
Below are the top ten charts for overall Christian music sales and CBA retail music sales. Click on any of them to listen to sound clips and purchase the album at Musicforce.com.
Statistical information courtesy of the Christian Music Trade Association and the Recording Industry Association of America.
Copyright © Christian Music Today. Click for reprint information.
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