Chris Tomlin Ties Hot Christian Songs Chart Record With Latest Top 10

8/12/2015 by Jim Asker

Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

Chris Tomlin performs during the "Love Ran Red" tour at Target Center on March 28, 2015 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Chris Tomlin ties for the most top 10s in the history of Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart (which began in 2003), as "At the Cross (Love Ran Red)" becomes his 21st top 10, rising 11-10. The veteran artist and worship leader matches the top 10 totals of two other Christian music mainstays, Casting Crowns and MercyMe, the latter of whom moves 5-4 with its 21st top 10, "Flawless"; Casting Crowns collected their 21st top 10 with "Broken Together," which peaked at No. 8 in April.

With the majority of its Hot Christian Songs points from radio play, "Cross" climbs 9-4 as the Greatest Gainer on Christian Airplay (7.8 million audience impressions, up 14 percent, according to Nielsen Music). Parent set Love Ran Red tallies a 41st week on the Top Christian Albums chart, ranking at No. 12 with a 4 percent gain to 2,000 sold. It became Tomlin's fifth No. 1 on the list upon its debut in November 2014.

Atop Hot Christian Songs for a 13th week, Needtobreathe's "Brother" (featuring Gavin DeGraw) becomes the act's longest-running entry on the chart: 34 weeks. It passes the total of the band's sole other No. 1, "Washed by the Water" (33 weeks, 2008).

Meanwhile, three acts debut in the Top Christian Albums top 10. Bethel Music tallies its eighth top 10 in as many appearances with Without Words: Synesthesia (No. 2, 5,000 units); Josh Wilson arrives at a career-high No. 4 with That Was Then, This is Now (4,000), passing the No. 5 peak of his last entry, 2013's Carry Me; and Kristene DiMarco makes her first visit with Mighty at No. 7 (4,000).