US industry reports rise in Christian music sales
THE CONTINUING rise of Christian music sales has been recently
commented on in several publications. The Financial Times reported
that while total record sales dropped by three per cent in 2001,
Christian record sales were up more than 10 per cent. Said EMI
Christian Music Group president/CEO Bill Hearn in Billboard magazine,
"It appears we're.. .at an all time high in the history of Christian
music, surpassing 50 million units sold and up over 12 per cent (from
2000). That's the biggest story-the continuing greater awareness and
greater acceptance of Christian music. A lot of that has to do with
the growing need our culture has for positive family values in
entertainment, the Bush administration and September 11."