“2006 was a good year for Christian/Gospel music. Album sales were up, albeit slightly; digital sales continue to rise and most importantly, the impact of the Gospel through music reached beyond even what our sales reveal. Everywhere you look, in books, games, TV and movies, music that is inspired by faith seems more prevalent than ever before,” said John W. Styll, president and CEO of the GMA. “There may be many reasons why this is true, but I think chief among them is that people seem to be drawn to the inspiring and compassionate message of Gospel music amid uncertain times.”
“Alan Jackson represents the significant impact that various country artists are having in our culture with faith-inspired recordings,” said Styll, who noted that the Christian/Gospel music industry shares Nashville/Music City as its “home” with country music. In addition to Jackson’s record, Three Wooden Crosses, a compilation CD featuring Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Amy Grant and others was among the top-selling Christian/Gospel music albums sold in 2006. Also notable, Alabama released Songs of Inspiration, claiming the top spot on Billboard's "Top Country Albums" and “Top Christian Albums" chart, marking the first time the legendary country group entered any album chart in the top position.
Country was not the only story in 2006, Styll added, noting that the breakout success of artists like Flyleaf, Underoath, Juanita Bynum, Kutless and Mat Kearney and the continued popularity of Kirk Franklin, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns and others contribute to a positive outlook for the long-term health of Christian/Gospel music.
2006 TOP-SELLING CHRISTIAN AND GOSPEL MUSIC ALBUMS
Title/Record Company Artist
1. Precious Memories (Arista/Sony/Provident) Alan Jackson
2. Flyleaf (Octone) Flyleaf
3. Hero (GospoCentric) Kirk Franklin
4. Lifesong (Reunion) Casting Crowns
5. WoW Hits 2007 (Sparrow) Various
6. Define the Great Line (T&N) Underoath
7. Coming Up to Breathe (INO) MercyMe
8. WoW Gospel 2006 (Verity) Various
9. Wherever You Are (Essential) Third Day
10. Piece of My Passion (Flow) Juanita Bynum
11. WoW Hits 2006 (Sparrow) Various
12. Arriving (Sixsteprecords) Chris Tomlin
13. Mary Mary (Columbia/Integrity) Mary Mary
14. WoW Worship Aqua (Provident) Various
15. Testify (Atlantic) P.O.D.
16. All I Really Want for Christmas (Sparrow) Steven Curtis Chapman
17. Restored (BEC Recordings) Jeremy Camp
18. See The Morning (Sixsteprecords) Chris Tomlin
19. Three Wooden Crosses (Word) Various
20. Open the Eyes of My Heart (INO) Various
21. Casting Crowns (Reunion) Casting Crowns
22. Chronicles of Narnia (Disney/EMICMG) Various
23. Day by Day (Atlantic) Yolanda Adams
24. Hearts of the Innocent (BEC Recordings) Kutless
25. MMHMM (Gotee) Relient K
“Alan Jackson represents the significant impact that various country artists are having in our culture with faith-inspired recordings,” said Styll, who noted that the Christian/Gospel music industry shares Nashville/Music City as its “home” with country music.
Country was not the only story in 2006, Styll added, noting that the breakout success of artists like Flyleaf, Underoath, Juanita Bynum, Kutless and Mat Kearney and the continued popularity of Kirk Franklin, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns and others contribute to a positive outlook for the long-term health of Christian/Gospel music.
Kevan Breitinger - My journey to this opportunity has been an interesting one. I've always been a rabid music-lover, tending to experience all things through ...
