Building 429 Has Top Song of 2012

Building 429's breakout single "Where I Belong" is Christian Song of the Year, according to the Billboard 2012 year-end charts.  Earlier this year, "Where I Belong" set precedent as the first song to maintain No. 1 on the Billboard National Christian Audience chart for 15 consecutive weeks. "Where I Belong" surpassed singles by tobyMac as well as Phillips, Craig & Dean, who each held the top spot on the Billboard NCA chart for 11 straight weeks. Furthermore, the song also peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard CHR chart.

Complete Top 10 is as follows:

1. "Where I Belong" Building 429

2. "Overcome" Jeremy Camp

3. "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)" newsboys

4. "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)" Matt Redman

5. "The Hurt & The Healer" MercyMe

6. "Live Like That" Sidewalk Prophets

7. "Me Without You" TobyMac

8. "My Hope Is In You" Aaron Shust

9. "Losing" Tenth Avenue North

10. "When the Stars Burn Down" Phillips, Craig & Dean

Top Selling Christian Albums of 2012

Year-end Top 10 selling Christian albums, ranked by sales data as compiled by Nielsen SoundScan for Billboard:

1. "Come to the Well" Casting Crowns
2. "Wow Hits 2012" Various Artists
3. "How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection" Chris Tomlin
4. "God's Not Dead" newsboys
5. "Eye On It" TobyMac
6. "Blessings" Laura Story
7. "Gravity" Lecrae
8. "What If We Were Real" Mandisa
9. "One Song at a Time" Jamie Grace
10. "The Hurt & The Healer" MercyMe

Best Female Christian Vocalist of All Time

Half a decade ago, I shared my thoughts on who I thought were the best female Christian vocalists of all time.

Criteria include song quality, vocal prowess, ability to play an instrument and/or craft a song, and of course my personal bias...

An updated list:

10. Nichole Nordeman

9. Crystal Lewis

8. Margaret Becker

7. Natalie Grant

6. Mandisa

5. Ginny Owens

4. Britt Nicole

3. Jaci Velasquez

2. Joy Williams

1. Amy Grant

Honorable Mentions:

Francesca Battistelli

Lisa Bevill

Christine Dente (Out of the Grey)

Brooke Fraser

Rachael Lampa

Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer)

Rebecca St. James

Kathy Troccoli

Thoughts?

Switfchfoot Takes Verses to the Top

Switchfoot's newest release is currently in the Top 5 in both Amazon and iTunes charts.

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%)

Mary Mary tops Billboard charts

Mary Mary's The Sound released last week and claimed the #7 spot on the Billboard Top 200, the week's third highest debut, behind AC/DC and the High School Musical 3 soundtrack. This is their second Top 10 debut.

Chris Tomlin Says Hello to Top 10 Release

Chris Tomlin's Hello, Love debuts at Number 9 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart. It's the best charting and sales week yet for Tomlin.

Underoath finds itself at Number 8

Rock band Underoath lands at Number 8 with "Lost in the Sound of Separation." The sextet's last CD, 2006's "Define the Great Line," arrived at No. 2 on The Billboard 200.

Third Day's CD is a Revelation

Third Day's new CD Revelation is an impressive No. 6 on Billboard’s Top 200 making it this week’s top-selling debut album in the nation and their best charting and sales week ever.

This is their 4th Top 20 debut (Wherever You Are #8, Wire #12, Offerings II #18)

P.O.D.'s 4th Top 10 debut

When Angels & Serpents Dance marks P.O.D.'s fourth Top 10 release coming in at #9

Casting Crowns Debuts at #2

Casting Crowns' new CD, The Altar And The Door, debuts at an impressive #2 on the Billboard 200. This is their second Top 10 debut following Lifesong's debut at #9.

10 Best Female CCM Vocalists of all time

Criteria include song quality, vocal prowess, impact on industry, ability to play an instrument and/or craft a song, whim...

10. Nichole Nordeman
9. Crystal Lewis
8. Natalie Grant
7. Jennifer Knapp
6. Lisa Bevill
5. Rebecca St. James
4. Ginny Owens
3. Jaci Velasquez
2. Margaret Becker
1. Amy Grant

Updated list here.

Portable Sounds Debuts in Top 10

TobyMac's Portable Sounds debuts at #10 on Billboard’s Top 200.

Earlier this year, TobyMac celebrated the RIAA Gold certification of his first two solo projects, Momentum (2001) and Welcome to Diverse City (2004)