Christian bands Switchfoot, MercyMe and Casting Crowns were among the top-selling artists in a year that saw gospel music sales total 43.4 million units, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Billboard also crowned the bands as the top three Christian artists for 2004 in its year-end issue.

Switchfoot's The Beautiful Letdown (Sparrow Records) was the top selling album on the Christian SoundScan Overall Albums chart for 2004. The album has been on the Billboard charts for 87 weeks, including 31 weeks at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart.

The overall top-selling records on the Christian SoundScan Overall Albums chart for the year were Beautiful Letdown; Merry Christmas With Love (Clay Aiken); Casting Crowns (Casting Crowns); Almost There (MercyMe); The Passion of The Christ Soundtrack; Undone (MercyMe); Wow Hits 2005; O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack; Wire (Third Day); and Wow Gospel 2004.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, sales of Christian music CDs ended 2004 virtually flat over 2003 sales. Year-end sales for 2004 were 43.4 million units, compared to 43.7 million units for 2003.

In a report released this week, the Gospel Music Association said Christian retail stores accounted for 37.6% of gospel music sales, while mainstream retail outlets sold 59% of all gospel music sales. Christian retailers' sales grew from 2003 by nearly 1%, and mainstream sales were unchanged. Non-traditional sales (representing direct, venue and Web site sales) were down 18%.

A full story will appear in the Feb. 7 issue of Christian Retailing.