How does that compare with a mainstream release? What level of sales does it take to break the Billboard top 200? Who are the top selling adult christian contemporary artists? OK, that is 4 questions, but they are all related.
They sell a lot more if they don’t let on they’re christian. Understandably, christian records sell less than mainstream acts, and equally understandably, being identified as christian will diminish sales considerably.
Christian SoundScan (probably a dubious source, at best) claims that christian music ranked the 6th most popular category. Not very impressive.
An example is that, last year, only 3 christian albums sold more units in the year than Norah Jones’ 3rd album sold in a week. Only 1 christian album moved more than 1 million units in the USA. 667 million units moved in 2006, of which 46 million were designated christian (by christians), so less than 10% of sales.
December 31st, 2009 at 1:37 am
They sell a lot more if they don’t let on they’re christian. Understandably, christian records sell less than mainstream acts, and equally understandably, being identified as christian will diminish sales considerably.
Christian SoundScan (probably a dubious source, at best) claims that christian music ranked the 6th most popular category. Not very impressive.
An example is that, last year, only 3 christian albums sold more units in the year than Norah Jones’ 3rd album sold in a week. Only 1 christian album moved more than 1 million units in the USA. 667 million units moved in 2006, of which 46 million were designated christian (by christians), so less than 10% of sales.
References :
December 31st, 2009 at 1:45 am
2006 TOP-SELLING CHRISTIAN AND GOSPEL MUSIC ALBUMS
(Reflects sales for all titles in the Nielsen Christian SoundScan system sold at Christian and mainstream retail and through digital channels. It excludes Christmas catalog titles.)
Title/Record Company Artist Units Sold/2006
1. Precious Memories (Arista/Sony/Provident) Alan Jackson 1288595
2. Flyleaf (Octone) Flyleaf 488828
3. Hero (GospoCentric) Kirk Franklin 424269
4. Lifesong (Reunion) Casting Crowns 398160
5. WoW Hits 2007 (Sparrow) Various 363395
6. Define the Great Line (T&N) Underoath 316128
7. Coming Up to Breathe (INO) MercyMe 309423
8. WoW Gospel 2006 (Verity) Various 301534
9. Wherever You Are (Essential) Third Day 295721
10. Piece of My Passion (Flow) Juanita Bynum 287028
11. WoW Hits 2006 (Sparrow) Various 277663
12. Arriving (Sixsteprecords) Chris Tomlin 253757
13. Mary Mary (Columbia/Integrity) Mary Mary 252323
14. WoW Worship Aqua (Provident) Various 234557
15. Testify (Atlantic) P.O.D. 225850
16. All I Really Want for Christmas (Sparrow) Steven Curtis Chapman 220836
17. Restored (BEC Recordings) Jeremy Camp 216175
18. See The Morning (Sixsteprecords) Chris Tomlin 203095
19. Three Wooden Crosses (Word) Various 193867
20. Open the Eyes of My Heart (INO) Various 188483
21. Casting Crowns (Reunion) Casting Crowns 175240
22. Chronicles of Narnia (Disney/EMICMG) Various 162352
23. Day by Day (Atlantic) Yolanda Adams 156224
24. Hearts of the Innocent (BEC Recordings) Kutless 156052
25. MMHMM (Gotee) Relient K 155585
References :
http://www.cmcentral.com/rss/6016.html