The album sold nearly 200,000 copies over the Internet, according to SoundScan figures just released. SoundScan tracks digital download sales from more than two dozen providers in the United States, including every major digital retailer, and covers more than 95 percent of the digital music sales market.
According to SoundScan, the band surpassed the digital sales of Coldplay’s X&Y, a group to which The Fray has often been compared. The album also was the most downloaded on iTunes in 2006 and recently went double platinum, with more than two million total sales.
Drummer Ben Wysocki and guitarist David Welsh both played in the worship band at Christ Community Covenant Church in Arvada, Colorado, while they were teenagers and before joining the band. Their families still are members of the congregation.
News of the record sales follows the group’s nomination for two Grammy Awards, one in the category Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for their song “Over My Head” (Cable Car), and one for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the group’s current hit, “How to Save a Life.”
The band already collected three trophies at the Billboard Awards. The Fray won three awards: Digital Songs Artist of the Year, Digital Album Artist of the Year, and Digital Album of the Year for How to Save a Life. The awards were given because of the band’s success in marketing its music through download services such as iTunes.
Despite the headiness of the band’s success, the national media has continued to note the members’ humility and integrity.
