Christian & Gospel Music see strong sales over Thanksgiving

Contemporary Christian and gospel music sales continue to soar in 2001 thanks in part to huge sales reported over the Thanksgiving weekend.

According to SoundScan®, sales of Christian music for the week ending November 25 were 18% higher than sales during Thanksgiving week of 2000. The overall music industry reported a five-percent decline in Thanksgiving week sales versus the prior year.

Year-to-date, contemporary Christian and gospel music is tracking 11 percent above last year, at 38.6 million units. Mainstream music industry sales are down two percent year-to-date.

"Christian music sales have been up all year and then spiked after September 11. We wondered if that growth would continue, and indeed, our sales are rising steadily, keeping us on pace for a record year. This growth in the face of declining sales in other segments of music confirms that consumers are finding hope and inspiration in our music during these times of uncertainty and anxiety," said Frank Breeden, president of the CMTA.

The CMTA is the contemporary Christian and gospel music industry’s trade organization responsible for managing the Christian SoundScan® and creating opportunities for growth and penetration of the marketplace for music-related products, services and activities which communicate the gospel throughout the world. Founded in 1964, the 5,000-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to educating the public and the music industry concerning the mission and role of gospel music in today's world. The GMA produces the Dove Awards™, which recognizes achievement in all genres of Gospel music and is the premiere television awards show for the contemporary Christian and gospel music industry. The 2002 Dove Awards will be held on April 25, 2002.

And the crew from CMCentral.com & FreshReleases.com will be there in full force, at Gospel Music Week 2002 and the Dove Awards, bringing you complete coverage. -Editor