NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Contemporary Christian and gospel music records set a new record with album sales just shy of 50 million in 2001, according to the Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA). Christian and gospel album sales outpaced 2000 by 13.5 percent in a year that saw the overall music industry sales drop by nearly 3 percent, CMTA reports.
In the year's Top 10, diversity ruled with the top-selling albums representing several musical styles, including rock, modern worship, gospel and urban. The Top 10 includes:
1. "Christmas Extraordinaire" by Mannheim Steamroller
2. P.O.D.'s "Satellite"
3. "O Brother Where Art Thou"
4. "Songs 4 Worship"
5. "Live in London and More" by Donnie McClurkin
6. "Worship" by Michael W. Smith (best-selling album at Christian retail)
7. "WoW 2001"
8. "WoW Hits 2002"
9. "Declaration" by 2001 Dove Award Male Artist Steven Curtis Chapman
10. "Free to Fly" by Point of Grace
Adult contemporary and gospel styles of Christian music proved the most popular, representing 20 and 19 percent respectively of the total album units sold in 2001. Rock and Praise & Worship sold equally at 13 percent.
Video sales were down by 8 percent in 2001, CMTA reports. Total video sales were 5.8 million compared to 6.3 million in 2000. Leading the video charts were VeggieTales' videos "Lyle the Kindly Viking" and "Ultimate Silly Song Countdown."
