CCM star Carman signs with Liberty Records.

AWARD winning CCM artist Carman has signed a multi-album deal with EMI-owned record company Liberty, ending his association with the Benson Music Group. Christian record company Sparrow, recently purchased by EMI, will now handle distribution to Christian outlets with Liberty handling marketing, promotion and distribution to the secular market. Carman has been a major force in contemporary Christian music since the early '80s. He has nine albums and four videos released with sales of over $3 million.

Carman's latest album 'Addicted To Jesus' has been on American trade paper Billboard's CCM chart for over 40 weeks.

"I believe Christian music will experience the largest growth of any music genre in the '90s," said Liberty president Jimmy Bowen, who was one of the people believed to have been interested in buying Word UK.

Carman's new album is expected to be available early summer.