Nation's Largest Christian Retailer is Shutting Down: Family Christian Stores Announces Closure

“Despite improvements in product assortment and the store experience, sales continued to decline," said Chuck Bengochea, the company's president.  "We have prayerfully looked at all possible options, trusting God’s plan for our organization, and the difficult decision to liquidate is our only recourse.”

At its height, Family Christian Stores represented over 30% of physical sales for many Christian music releases. The retail chain's dominance in the Christian book and music market began to steadily decline with major retailers like Wal-Mart adding key Christian releases to their shelves, along with the launch of iTunes in 2001 and the growing presence of online retail led by Amazon.

NewReleaseToday's roots are closely tied with Family Christian Stores. Its founder, Kevin McNeese, started the site in 2002 while managing music marketing at FamilyChristian.com. "It was such an incredible time," recalls Kevin. "But I could certainly see the beginnings of the shift. Between Napster's quick rise and fall, Apple launching the iPod and iTunes and major retailers beginning to latch onto our biggest products, the writing was on the wall."

The nation's largest Christian retailer, Family Christian, is closing after 85 years.

The non-profit company, employing more than 3,000 people in 240 stores in 36 states, said in a brief statement that the retailer had been facing declining sales since filing for bankruptcy protection in 2015 and had no choice but to shut down.

Michael W. Smith's Worship Goes Double Platinum

Michael W. Smith celebrates his first Double-Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his 2001 Worship album and Platinum certification for his 2002 Worship Again album. The Double-Platinum status signifies the distribution of more than 2 million copies and Platinum more than 1 million copies. Smith’s career sales approach 15 million with a new album set to release in September.

Smith has inspired millions with his music, and the RIAA certifications further testify to his popularity and impact as an artist. Throughout his distinguished career, the RIAA has certified 16 of Smith’s projects as Gold with sales of more than 500,000. Out of this list, six were later certified Platinum and one Double-Platinum.

Anatomy Of A Hit Song

Steve Ford over at Centricity Records asked several decision makers in Christian radio what makes a song a “hit.”

Shaun Groves expands upon Ford's thoughts and effectively argues that Christian hit songs often come from artists who are protagonists in a compelling life story that elicits empathy or admiration. Read here.

Winter Jam Ranks as #2 Tour

The Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular is #2 on Pollstar’s 2010 Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales “Top 100 Tours” chart, it was recently announced. Second to AC/DC, Winter Jam surpassed sales in excess of 400,000 tickets this year, landing the multi-artist spectacular ahead of tours by such artists as John Mayer, Bon Jovi, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift for the first quarter of 2010.

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, created by GRAMMY®-nominated NewSong, concluded its 15th year in March with record-breaking attendance. The 44-city tour was hosted by NewSong and featured multi-platinum artist Third Day; internationally-renowned Newsboys; Tenth Avenue North; Fireflight; and guest speaker Tony Nolan.

In addition, Premier Productions, promoter of the Winter Jam Tour, ranks as one of the top 10 promoters on Pollstar’s 2010 Worldwide First Quarter Ticket Sales “Top 50 Promoters” chart. Premier is among the top three US-based promoters on the chart.

How Much Do Music Artists Earn Online?

There is an interesting and sobering analysis of how little artists make through digital sales and plays on informationisbeautiful.net.

Dove Awards Signal Christian Music's Move to the Mainstream

"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks belts out the show's opening number.

Midway through the evening, former heavy metal band Korn's lead guitarist, Brian"Head" Welch, brings down the house with his instrumental technique and athleticism.

Toward the end of the night, bluegrass icon Ricky Skaggs sings his new single.

The lineup suggests the Grammys. But the music signals a more heavenly intent.

This is the 41st Annual Dove Awards, which air Sunday night on the Gospel Music Channel. It is Christian music's big-night equivalent to the Grammy Awards.

According to Ed Leonard, president of the Gospel Music Association, there were nine Christian singles on Billboard's top 200 that debuted in the top 25 in 2008. Last year that number increased to 13.

Generating about a half a billion dollars, Christian music sales as a percentage of all music receipts rose to 7.2 percent last year from 6.8 percent in 2008. At the same time sales of other music saw losses.

Rest of article here.

Billboard names decade's top Christian artists, albums and songs

Billboard magazine has released its "Best of the 2000s" lists, revealing its selection of the top artists, songs and albums from 2000 to 2009.

The following are US chart Billboard’s "Top 10" Christian and Gospel artists, songs, and albums lists for the decade, based on sales, streaming and radio play.

Best of the 2000s: Christian Song Artists
1. MercyMe
2. Casting Crowns
3. Jeremy Camp
4. Chris Tomlin
5. Third Day
6. Matthew West
7. Newsboys
8. Big Daddy Weave
9. Brandon Heath
10. TobyMac

Best of the 2000s: Christian Songs
1. “Word of God Speak” - MercyMe
2. “My Savior, My God” – Aaron Shust
3. “By Your Side” – Tenth Avenue North
4. “The Motions” – Matthew West
5. “Give Me Your Eyes” – Brandon Heath
6. “East to West” – Casting Crowns
7. “Blessed Be Your Name” – tree63
8. “There Will Be A Day” – Jeremy Camp
9. “You Are My King (Amazing Love…) - Newsboys
10. “Voice of Truth” – Casting Crowns

Best of the 2000s: Christian Album Artists
1. P.O.D.
2. Michael W. Smith
3. Third Day
4. MercyMe
5. Casting Crowns
6. Switchfoot
7. Kirk Franklin
8. Yolanda Adams
9. Mary Mary
10. Steven Curtis Chapman

Best of the 2000s: Christian Albums
1. Satellite – P.O.D.
2. The Beautiful Letdown – Switchfoot
3. Precious Memories – Alan Jackson
4. Almost There – MercyMe
5. Songs 4 Worship: Shout to The Lord - Various Artists
6. Christmas Extraordinaire – Mannheim Steamroller
7. Worship – Michael W. Smith
8. Mountain High… Valley Low – Yolanda Adams
9. Flyleaf – Flyleaf
10. Live in London and More… - Donnie McClurkin

Large Market CCM Station airing mainstream music

CMDish is reporting that to the dismay of some listeners, The River 102.3 (KPEZ-FM), an Austin TX based Christian AC radio station, recently introduced mainstream titles into their lineup.

Yes.com, which tracks radio station airplay in many markets across the country, revealed that one particular hour of programming on The River was only about 40% Christian.

In an interview with CMDish.com, The River Program Director, Gary Walsh said that the decision to add mainstream music to the station’s playlist was a mutual and local decision and that Clear Channel didn’t shove the idea down their throat.

Over the years, Christian radio stations have begun playing crossover mainstream acts like The Fray and Lifehouse, but to play secular acts like Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani is very rare with large market Christian stations.

According to Walsh, The River has amazingly already captured nearly 80% of the Christian audience in the Austin market. However, their mission is to reach all families in Austin, not just those who consider themselves to be Christians.

Christian Music Conspiracy?

Relevant Magazine dispels 5 Myths about the Christian Music Industry, including Christian artists can’t “cut it” in the secular world.

Focus on the Family's James Dobson steps down

James Dobson, the influential evangelical leader of the Christian ministry Focus on the Family, has stepped down as board chairman, he announced Friday.

During a meeting with employees, Dobson, 72, said the move means he will no longer be involved with the administrative side of the organization, according to spokesman Gary Schneeberger.

But Dobson's public role isn't expected to change. He'll still appear on his daily radio broadcast and as an advocate for socially conservative issues, Schneeberger said.

"There won't be a whole lot of difference," the spokesman said. "You'll still hear him on the radio. You'll still see him on the networks like CNN with Larry King."

Focus on the Family says its broadcasts reach more than 220 million people in 155 countries. Its newsletter, in which Dobson will continue to write, goes to 1.6 million people.

Christian Music Sales Down Overall For 2008

According to the Gospel Music Association, while sales of digital albums were up 38% and digital singles 37%, overall, sales in 2008 of both digital and physical units were down 9.7% from 2007. In comparison, mainstream album sales were down 8.5% and Country music was down 24.2%.

The top 10 best selling albums in 2008 were:

1. Noel, Josh Grobin
2. I Can Only Imagine, various artists compilation
3. Thirsty, Marvin Sapp
4. Joy To The World, Faith Hill
5. Flyleaf, Flyleaf
6. The Altar and the Door, Casting Crowns
7. Peace On Earth, Casting Crowns
8. Revelation, Third Day
9. Fight of My Life, Kirk Franklin
10. WOW Hits 2009, various artists compilation

It's interesting to note that half of the Top 10 were either Christmas CDs or compilations. Christian music fans appear to gravitate to established and cross-over artists. Compilation CDs are popular just as they are with mainstream product, most likely because they aggregate hits and make sampling other artists easier.

As Gospel Soundcheck notes, both Flyleaf's self-titled debut and Casting Crowns The Altar and the Door were top selling Christian albums in 2007, and Flyleaf was also on the top selling list in 2006. Kirk Franklin was a top seller in 2006 with a different album, as was Casting Crowns. Compilation CDs were also top sellers.

The most popular styles of Christian/Gospel music were:
* Pop/Adult Contemporary (28%)
* Black Gospel (18%)
* Rock (17%)
* Praise & Worship (9%)
* Country (6%)

Jars of Clay Reunites With Essential

In 2007 Jars of Clay broke ties with longtime label Essential Records to form its own Gray Matters imprint. But the modern rockers just announced a renewal of their relationship with Essential for their new release The Long Fall Back to Earth.

The new CD appears to be a stylistic continuation of 2006's Good Monsters, which found the band using heavier guitars.

Fireproof DVD Premieres at #2

Fireproof has translated its stunning box office success (over $33 million) into record DVD sales. It's in the second position in DVD sales behind Open Season 2 which outperformed it by only 4,000 units.

Salem Employees Take Pay Cut

Salem Communications says every full and part-time employee will take a 5% reduction in pay beginning next week and some executives are even taking a 10% reduction.

Salem owns Salem Radio Network, which syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliates; Salem Web Network (e.g., Crosswalk.com); and Salem Publishing, a leading publisher of Christian-themed magazines (e.g., CCM). The company owns and operates approximately 100 radio stations, including stations in 23 of the top 25 markets.

MercyMe Most Played Artist on Christian Radio in 2008

Here are the most played artists on Christian radio in 2008 according to Radio & Records. MercyMe is the most played artist and the rest of the top 10 contain no real surprises except for Robbie Seay Band.

Top 10 Christian AC artists:
1. MercyMe
2. Matthew West
3. Chris Tomlin
4. Casting Crowns
5. Jeremy Camp
6. Third Day
7. Natalie Grant
8. Brandon Heath
9. Steven Curtis Chapman
10. Robbie Seay Band

No surprises in the CHR list except for Skillet at #1.

Top 10 Christian CHR artists:
1. Skillet
2. Addison Road
3. The Afters
4. Needtobreathe
5. Sanctus Real
6. Hawk Nelson
7. Jeremy Camp
8. TobyMac
9. Relient K
10. Brandon Heath

No real surprises in the Top 10 except for The Wedding and Ivoryline.

Top 10 Christian Rock artists:
1. Pillar
2. The Wedding
3. Skillet
4. Family Force 5
5. Fireflight
6. Relient K
7. Wavorly
8. Ivoryline
9. Project 86
10. The Almost

"You Are Everything" was Most Played Song on Christian Radio

Here are the most played songs on Christian radio in 2008 according to Radio & Records.

Top 5 Christian AC songs:
1) You Are Everything, Matthew West
2) Let It Fade, Jeremy Camp
3) Call My Name, Third Day
4) God With us, MercyMe
5) You Reign, Mercy Me

Top 5 Christian CHR songs:
1) Never Going Back To OK, The Afters
2) Give Me Your Eyes, Brandon Heath
3) Those Nights, Skillet
4) No Matter What It Takes, Jeremy Camp
5) Call My Name, Third Day

Top 5 Christian Rock songs:
1) Whispers In The Dark, Skillet
2) Hello Alone, Anberlin
3) Crash, Decyfer Down
4) Devastation And Reform, Relient K
5) The Flame In All Of Us, Thousand Foot Krutch

Top 5 Soft AC/Inspirational songs:
1) Jesus Messiah, Chris Tomlin
2) You Reign, MercyMe
3) You're Not Along, Meredith Andrews
4) What Life Would Be Like, Big Daddy Weave
5) Mighty To Save, Laura Story

To put some of this into perspective, Matthew West's "You Are Everything" had 47,006 plays in 2008. In contrast, Skillet's "Whispers In The Dark" had 4,505 plays.

All of the Radio & Records year end charts are here.

Grits Leaves Gotee

Grits has left Gotee and GMC has an interview on the freedom that comes from forming their own label.

'Twas Meant To Be

Christianity Today has a nice interview with Sixpence None The Richer on reuniting and producing new music.

Matt has a nice quote and insight on Christian music:

I recently read a book called Rapture Ready. The author breaks down Christian music into three categories. One is a ministry focus, two is more of an entertainment focus, and three he calls "a transformational artist"—artists in the Christian marketplace who are doing really good music that can reach the culture at large. I think we are comfortable with doing that [from within the CCM industry], as opposed to grumbling about it and wishing we were on the other side. We have had a lot of doors open to us over the years, so I hope it reaches people on both sides of the fence.

Focus on the Family ceases publication of teen magazines

Focus on the Family ceases publication of teen magazines Brio, Brio and Beyond, and Breakaway. According to the Gospel Soundcheck blog, the last issues will be February 09.

Apparently, the Focus on the Family Board approved a massive budget cut and the magazines were among the casualties. Focus is hoping that another ministry will pick up the magazines and keep them alive, either in print or online.

Fireproof Proves to be a $30 Million Winner

Fireproof remains in the Top 20 at the Box Office (currently #13) and has passed $30 million in ticket sales. Not too shabby for a movie with an approximate budget of $500K.

Hopefully the box office receipts are indicative of this film's impact on our culture and that positive influence will be magnified over time. It's also great to see a movie that effectively uses Christian music so well embraced.