Diverse compilation "WOWS" fans of Christian music

By Deborah Evans Price

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Christian music is the only genre defined by lyrical content, not musical style. Therefore, it's no surprise to see country, rock, hip-hop, pop and worship music all represented among the top titles on Billboard's year-end Christian music charts.

Country music is reflected in the top 10 by Alan Jackson's "Precious Memories" (ACR/Arista Nashville/Provident-Integrity), which comes in at No. 2 on Top Christian Albums. The project was the No. 1 title on the 2006 Top Christian Albums recap and kept selling briskly during 2007, having moved 1.5 million units to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Jackson was No. 1 on the 2006 Top Christian Artists chart. This year he's No. 2, behind Casting Crowns, which has the No. 4 Christian album with "The Altar and the Door."

Country music also makes a showing in the top 10 of the Top Christian Albums chart with the Word/Curb compilation "Three Wooden Crosses," which features such well-known country artists as Lee Ann Womack, Randy Travis and Vince Gill. Travis' award-winning hit provides the title track.

Christian music's edgier rock side is well represented in the top 10 of the Top Christian Albums recap, with Texas quintet Flyleaf coming in at No. 3 with its self-titled set (A&M/Octone/IGA) and Relient K's disc "Five Score and Seven Years Ago" (Gotee/Capitol/EMI CMG), which is No. 7 on the albums tally. Pop-rockers Mat Kearney and Jeremy Camp round out the top 10, coming in at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.

Released in February, tobyMac's "Portable Sounds" (ForeFront/EMI CMG) was one of 2007's most consistent sellers. Coming in at No. 5 on the Top Christian Albums tally, tobyMac brings his fusion of pop, rock and hip-hop to the top 10 while Chris Tomlin's "See the Morning" (Sixsteps/Sparrow/EMI CMG) places at No. 6 and shows the continuing popularity of worship music.

The year's best-selling Christian title, "WOW Hits 2007" (Word-Curb/Provident-Integrity/EMI CMG), reflects the diversity of sounds and styles that make up today's Christian music. The compilation features the genre's top acts, including Camp, Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant, Third Day, MercyMe, Building 429 and Jars of Clay.

"WOW Gospel 2007" (Verity/Word-Curb/EMI CMG/Zomba) tops the list of Top Gospel Albums this year. The project includes songs by Karen Clark Sheard, Kurt Carr, Mary Mary, Smokie Norful, Martha Munizzi, J Moss, Yolanda Adams and Nicole C. Mullen.

R&B legend Patti LaBelle comes in at No. 2 on Top Gospel Albums with "The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle" (Umbrella/Bungalo). Kirk Franklin fills the next two spots on the list, with his "Songs From the Storm, Volume 1" (Fo Yo Soul/Gospo Centric/Zomba) coming in at No. 3 and his "Hero" project sitting at No. 4.

On the Top Gospel Album Artists tally, Franklin takes the top slot for the second consecutive year, followed by Juanita Bynum at No. 2 and LaBelle at No. 3.

Reuters/Billboard