Nashville, TN--Platinum-selling ForeFront recording artist dc Talk debuts at #16 on Billboard Top 200 Album Charts with more than 85,814 units of their new album, Jesus Freak, sold during the first week of release, making Jesus Freak the biggest selling Christian album in its first week of sales. They debut at #1 on SoundScan's Contemporary Christian chart, published in CCM Update.

"This is the most any Christian artist has sold in its debut week," says Christian Music Trade Association marketing director Loren Hall. "Jesus Freak is the highest debut in terms of sales for a Christian artist according to SoundScan and our research."

"We've exceeded our expectations of sales in the first week," says ForeFront president/CEO Dan R. Brock. "We set our goal at 75,000, which is pretty ambitious for an independent label, and based our initial marketing campaign around that goal. This is a momentous day in music history with new releases from the Beatles and Garth Brooks, among others, and it's great to be playing a part in the record-breaking success of last week's sales."

"dc Talk has always been a bold, pioneering group ever since their debut on ForeFront," continues Brock. "They are continuously expanding their artistry and redefining the boundaries of contemporary Christian music with each new release. Jesus Freak is the quintessential dc Talk release."

In comparison, although Michael W. Smith debuted in the same position on the Top 200 in August, his sales the first week were 51,000+, and Amy Grant debuted House of Love with 55,000+ sales. dc Talk, at #16, is the 5th highest Billboard debut, behind the Beatles (#1), Garth Brooks (#2), Bruce Springsteen (#11), and Vince Gill (#13) -- ahead of debuts by L.L. Cool J (#23) and Don Henley (#48).

"With 17,583 units sold within Family Bookstores, Jesus Freak is the best-selling single title in a debut week in Family Bookstores' history," says Bob Elder, senior music buyer for Family, the largest Christian bookstore chain. Jesus Freak also broke their record for sales of a single title in one day on its release date (November 21) with more than 6700 units sold.

"Sales of all music increased dramatically for Family Bookstores last week," adds Elder, noting that sales jumped 75% over the previous week and 42% over the same week last year. "This type of sales volume happens when you have a blockbuster release like dc Talk's Jesus Freak."

"The sales are great," says Rick Anderson, product buyer, Berean Christian Stores. "But more importantly, the style and content are current, relevant, and cutting edge. This is the type of album we need in order for the world to realize how seriously it should take Christian music. Honest, transparent, vulnerable, and introspective ... words that should describe all believers and projects ... do describe this release and dc Talk."

Extensive pre-promotion built on an already significant profile developed with Free At Last. Radio, retail, print and broadcast media, and On-Line services combined to present a formidable dc Talk presence in the marketplace. The dc Talk Jesus Freak single was an early indicator of the potential at hand, peaking on the Billboard "Hot 100 Singles/Bubbling Under" chart at # 14. Multiple magazine covers and 2 #1 singles on Christian radio ("Jesus Freak"/rock, "Mind's Eye"/CHR), and extensive pre-release point-of-purchase elements in retail outlets created a significant presence in the marketplace. Interviews on SW Networks, Westwood One, CNN Showbiz Today, and America's Talking After Hours served to extend the visibility of dc Talk. Also, another historic moment was dc Talk's simultaneous On-Line chat on three sites: America On-Line/Christianity On-Line, CCM On-Line/CompuServe, and the dc Talk web site on the Internet (http://www.dctalk.com).

Jesus Freak has become one of the most anticipated releases because of the continual marketing efforts of its predecessor, the platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning Free At Last. Since its release in November 1992, ForeFront has worked consistently to keep dc Talk in the limelight. Their ongoing marketing efforts continued until the launch of Jesus Freak. Their media push spanned three years, from appearances on Arsenio, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Entertainment Tonight to a career total of more than 30 cover stories on virtually all Christian music and youth-oriented publications, as well as features in mainstream publications like Newsweek, Pollstar, Gavin Report, Billboard, and People. A CBS Evening News profile, taped in Dallas and Nashville, is targeted for airing before Christmas.

There has also been a continual effort in keeping sales active on Free At Last, which has maintained a firm hold on Billboard's Christian sales charts, including 37 consecutive weeks at #1.

Touring has also been an important aspect of keeping dc Talk on the forefront of Christian music scene. Their highly-acclaimed Free At Last Tour entered Pollstar charts at #19 and the band consistently broke attendance records for Christian music concerts throughout the international tour. A 60+ city tour is currently planned to support Jesus Freak commencing in February, partnering once again with labelmate Audio Adrenaline, their opening act on the Free At Last Tour.

The dc Talk connection with Youth Leaders across the country has also played a major role in the band's explosion. Participation at major youth leader events, promotion directly to these leaders, and one-on-one communications at concerts has endeared dc Talk to a nationwide network of thousands of gatekeepers who touch hundreds of thousands of youth. Appearances on Billy Graham Crusades have galvanized this relationship.