Christian music defies dropping sales trend
CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL music sales rose sharply in the USA in the first
quarter of 2001, even while overall music sales dipped. According to
SoundScan, Christian album sales totaled approximately 10.2 million
units in the first three months of this year, compared with 8.6
million during the first quarter of 2000 - a rise of 17% during a
period when total music sales have slumped by 1%. Said Gospel Music
Association president Frank Breeden, "I thought we'd see more growth
later on in the year. So I'm really excited about what the next nine
months hold."