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Chart Roundup – Week of May 18th, 2013

Hey guys, my chart roundup is back after a month out! I hope you missed me.

Hot Country Songs remains oddly static at the top, with Florida Georgia Line continuing their successful run at #1 with ‘Cruise’, which also holds onto #1 on Country Digital Songs. What’s more, their most recent single ‘Get Your Shine On’, has the top spot on Country Airplay, #7 on Country Digital Songs and #5 on Hot Country Songs. Is there any chart this duo can’t dominate? Turns out that chart is Top Country Albums, as Kenny Chesney’s ‘Life On A Rock’ debuts at #1, while ‘Here’s To The Good Times’ trails at #5. The lead single from Kenny’s new record, ‘Pirate Flag’, is at #8 on Hot Country Songs and #4 on Country Airplay, nearing the top ten with #12 on Country Digital Songs.

Darius Rucker is also doing well, his hit ‘Wagon Wheel’ remaining at #2 on Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs, and #3 on Country Airplay. The same goes for Blake Shelton, hot on his heels with ‘Boys Round Here’ (featuring Pistol Annies and friends) at #3 on both Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs. He moves up to #9 on Country Airplay at a steady rise, while his album ‘Based On A True Story…’ drops to #2 this week. His wife, Miranda Lambert, sees ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ retain its position at #4 on Hot Country Songs, #5 on Country Digital Songs, and move up to the anticipation-filled #2 spot on Country Airplay. Will she top the chart next week?

Tim McGraw is also a key player on the charts, as his collaboration with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, ‘Highway Don’t Care’, holds onto #6 on Hot Country Songs, while it sits at #4 on Country Digital Songs and #6 on Country Airplay. ‘Two Lanes of Freedom’, Tim’s latest album, is at #14. Luke Bryan is also rising up the charts with ‘Crash My Party’, at #6 on Country Digital Songs, moving up to #9 on Hot Country Songs, and #17 on Country Airplay. In addition, Hunter Hayes’ ‘I Want Crazy’ is right behind him, reaching #10 on Hot Country Songs, #8 on Country Digital Songs and #21 on Country Airplay. Also of note, Lady Antebellum’s ‘Downtown’ is hanging on in there in the top ten, at #7 on Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs, and dropping down to #10 on Country Digital Songs. Their fourth album, ‘Golden’, has just been released this week and will impact the chart from next week. Also to impact next week include the Pistol Annies with ‘Annie Up’, and ABC’s ‘Nashville’ soundtrack, volume 2.

New releases include ‘Hey Girl’ from Billy Currington, at #9 on Country Digital Songs, as well as ‘Trouble’ the new album from Randy Rogers Band at #3, and ‘Rose Queen’ by William Clark Green, #34 on Top Country Albums. After George Jones’ passing, his album ‘The Great LOST Hits’ jumps 16 places to #35. There is a re-entry from Carrie Underwood’s new single ‘See You Again’, which being so new is struggling to match the chart power of her previous singles.

Honorable mentions go to Thompson Square, George Strait, Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Eric Church, Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift.

Come by next Thursday for another instalment of my Billboard chart roundup.

Posted by Vickye (Guest Writer).
If you want to check out my own blog it's For The Country Record, and you can follow me on twitter @planmymistake. You can email me at vickye.countrymusic@gmail.com.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood being sued over their #1 hit "Remind Me"

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley are the latest victims of a bogus songwriting suit.

This time around, Dallas-based Amy Bowen is claiming Carrie and Brad's 2011 No. 1 hit "Remind Me" is actually hers.The singer-songwriter, who once lived in Nashville and performed under the name Lizza Connor, says she wrote the song in 2007, according to The Nashville City Paper.

Brad and Carrie's version was penned by Brad, Kelley Lovelace and Chris Dubois.

Westboro Baptist Church pickets Carrie Underwood concert and George Jones' funeral

Typically, I wouldn't give Westboro Baptist Church the time of day. However, considering the world we live in now (and in light of the recent bombing in Boston), it's a necessary conversation to keep having. We all need to understand what's going on in our own backyards.

It's all about love, people.

Carrie Underwood performed a show tonight (May 1) at the Spring Center in Kansas City, Mo. All was set to go off without a hitch...until the poster-carrying extremists took the streets outside of the arena to promote their hate-filled speech. This time around they carried signs emblazoned with such words as "Gods H8s Whores" and "Christians Caused Fag Marriage." Honestly, it can't get much worse, especially for someone like Carrie who believes in love and treating your fellow man with unconditional kindness.

I suppose this was bound to happen, considering Carrie's remarks last summer during an interview in the UK.

Border patrol agent loses his sh*t after Carrie Underwood concert

Let's face it, concerts are stressful as hell. All those sweaty, sometimes smelly people squished shoulder to shoulder into seats that aren't meant for comfort, expensive beer, cameras and cell phones blocking your view of the show, bathroom lines that rival the lines at Disneyland. 

We all suffer for our love of country music, but thankfully most of us stay composed enough not to start throwing objects at passing cars once the concert is over. Unfortunately, that's not true for everyone.

Carrie Underwood viciously attacked (again) by TN State Representative Andy Holt: 'She's absolutely out in left field'

Oh, boy. The water is boiling over.

Earlier this week, we reported that Carrie Underwood was getting the Dixie Chicks treatment in regards to her support of animal rights and her outspoken outrage of the Ag-Gag bill, which has now passed both chambers of Tennessee legislature. It sits on the desk of Governor Bill Haslam to be signed into law.

To recap: When the bill passed late last week, Underwood tweeted her disgust, "Shame on TN lawmakers for passing the Ag Gag bill. If Gov. Bill Haslam signs this, he needs to expect me at his front door. Who's with me?"

Immediately, this sparked an even more heated debate. TN State Representative Andy Holt caught wind of her tweet, sending a little message of his own, "Carrie Underwood, have you read the bill? I assume not.  You are only going off your HSUS talking points. Use logic, not emotion."

Later, in an interview with WSMV Nashville, Holt blasted Carrie, telling her to "stick to singing."

To which Underwood replied, "I should stick to singing? Wow...sorry, I'm just a tax paying citizen concerned for the safety of my family."

Well, in a brand new interview with The Weakley County Press, Holt declares his stance (again) on the issues and vows not to back down. He even takes his vicious shots at Carrie even further.

Artist Spotlight: Two Story Road

Two Story Road might not be a household name yet, but it will be soon enough.

Comprised of Brandon and Jamelle Fraley (husband and wife), TSR combines the pop-sheen of Thompson Square with the folk sensibilities of The Band Perry. On songs like "Pull That Trigger" and "Better When You're Home," this rising duo further channels Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Martina McBride and Rascal Flatts in a refreshing, new twist. The conviction with which they sing can't be taught. They are heartfelt, honest and sharp in their lyricism.

With a more polished edge, Brandon and Jamie possess an ethereal charm and potential for massive crossover appeal. With the Country duo category rather sparse (save for Thompson Square and Florida Georgia Line), TSR could fill an ever-present void. Sure, there are also Sugarland, Big & Rich and Love & Theft, but these latter pairings have failed to make a lasting impression over the past year.

In case you don't know, Jamelle is Carrie's former backup singer. She toured with the superstar from 2008 till the fall of 2012 on all three of Carrie's headlining tours. Likewise, Brandon has an impressive resume, too. He's served as Danny Gokey's bandleader and has toured with Gretchen Wilson. I recently caught up with the budding duo about their ambitions, upcoming studio album and working with Carrie.

Carrie Underwood is Getting the Dixie Chicks Treatment: Shut Up and Sing

Well, sort of.

Country superstar Carrie Underwood has never been an outspoken political activist. In fact, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that she even whispered a word about any of her own affiliations. However, as fans know, animal rights is a cause near and dear to  her heart. Over the years, Carrie has showed her undying support for such causes as the Humane Society of the United States. In 2009, her gorgeous cover of Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” was  featured on American Idol as that year’s exit song, and the single’s proceeds were donated to specific organization causes. Of course, the US Sportsmen’s Alliance tried to spin this act of kindness into an attack on hunting. Later, this issue resurfaced in 2011 when “rodeo interests (including PBR bullrider Austin Meier) tried to start a boycott of Carrie’s music based on the false claim that Carrie’s donation was meant to end rodeos,” according to Mjsbigblog.

Carrie Underwood heads to American Idol to debut new single (from the mailbag)

Superstar Carrie Underwood, who recently celebrated her 17th No. 1 song, will perform her brand new single "See You Again" on American Idol, Thursday, April 4. "See You Again," as described by Billboard as "truly a taste of heaven," was written by Carrie, Hillary Lindsey, and David Hodges, and is the fourth single off her platinum-selling album, Blown Away. American Idol will air LIVE on FOX from 8:00pm to 9:00pm EST.

Since winning American Idol, Carrie has released four highly-successful albums with sales reaching over 15 million worldwide making her the best-selling American Idol winner in the US. She is also the only country music artist and American Idol winner to ever achieve 10 No. 1 singles from their first two albums. Carrie has produced three major concert tours, 2008's "Carnival Ride Tour," 2010's "Play On Tour" and 2012's "Blown Away Tour," each resulting in her being named the top-ranked country female touring artist of those years. Carrie's "Blown Away Tour" continues in 2013 through May 23. She is a six-time Grammy winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Follow Carrie on Twitter @carrieunderwood, www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com, www.carrieunderwood.fm

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Carrie Underwood excitedly reveals next single

Photo via Soul 11 Music

Carrie Underwood's so excited that Two Black Cadillacs has hit #1 that today she decided to reveal her next single on Twitter. 

First she tweeted: Who wants to know what my next single will be?!?!

Then: I'm so happy about "Two Black Cadillacs" being #1 that I want to tell you...

And finally she revealed that See You Again will be her next single: Ok...I am so excited to announce that, hopefully, your radios will soon be blasting "See You Again!" I hope you are as happy as I am!

Take a listen to Carrie's new single below. 

 
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Chart Roundup – Week of March 16th, 2013

This week Hot Country Songs has remained pretty static at the top, with Blake Shelton’s ‘Sure Be Cool If You Did’ holding onto the top spot, both there and on Country Digital Songs. It rises two places to #5 on Country Airplay. The same is true for Hunter Hayes with ‘Wanted’, which stays at #2 on Hot Country Songs for its 54^th week on the chart. However, it is down to #5 on Country Digital Songs, with Hunter’s latest single ‘Somebody’s Heartbreak’ sticking to #19 on the same chart. This song is at #6 on Country Airplay however, and #12 on Hot Country Songs, the self-titled album dropping to #7.

The Band Perry are also continuing to do well, with ‘Better Dig Two’ still at #3 on Hot Country Songs, #4 on Country Airplay and #6 on Country Digital Songs. ‘Done’, their new single, has not yet entered the chart. Tim McGraw is also riding high, #4 on Hot Country Songs with ‘One Of Those Nights’, #1 again on Country Airplay but down to #10 on Country Digital Songs. ‘Two Lanes Of Freedom’, the accompanying album, is at #3. Miranda Lambert is finally leaping up the charts after the release of the music video for ‘Mama’s Broken Heart. The single has climbed up to #7 on Hot Country Songs and #2 on Country Digital Songs, while still trailing at #14 on Country Airplay. The album, ‘Four The Record’ drops to #14 for its 70^th week on the chart.

It’s a mixed bag for Carrie Underwood, whose ‘Two Black Cadillacs’ remains at #5 on Hot Country Songs, falling to #8 on Country Digital Songs yet leaping three places to find #3 on Country Airplay. ‘Blown Away’, her previous single, is still proving moderately popular despite being out for months, at #22 on Hot Country Songs and #21 on Country Digital Songs, although it takes a massive fall from last week where it was #12. The album of the same name is at #10 on Top Country Albums. Another act climbing up are Lady Antebellum. ‘Downtown’ is now at #6 on Hot Country Songs, #4 on Country Digital Songs, and #9 on Country Airplay.

There are several new entries on the chart this week, including albums from Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell (‘Old Yellow Moon’ - #4) and The Mavericks (‘In Time’ - #8). As for singles, Connie Britton (playing Rayna James in ABC’s ‘Nashville’) just enters Country Digital Songs at #25 with ‘Stronger Than Me’. In addition, Blake Shelton’s ‘Ten Times Crazier’ comes in on the same chart at #20.

Other big charters include Little Big Town with ‘Tornado’ (#2 on Country Airplay), Florida Georgia Line with ‘Get Your Shine On’ (a recent music video has seen it shoot up to #3 on Country Digital Songs), Lee Brice with ‘I Drive Your Truck’ (#7 on Country Airplay) and Taylor Swift, more specifically with the album ‘Red’ (#1 on Top Country Albums). Honorable mentions go to Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Kacey Musgraves, Jason Aldean, Gary Allan, Kenny Chesney, Thompson Sqaure and George Strait. Eric Church’s huge stayer ‘Chief’ falls slightly to #12 for its 84^th week, while his current single ‘Like Jesus Does’ remains at #24 on Country Digital Songs and #26 on Hot Country Songs, hopping five places to #17 on Country Airplay.

Tune in next week for another edition of my Billboard Chart Roundup.

Posted by Vickye (Guest Writer).
If you want to check out my own blog it's For The Country Record, and you can follow me on twitter @planmymistake. You can email me at vickye.countrymusic@gmail.com.