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Chart Roundup – Week of June 1st, 2013

It’s been another good week for Florida Georgia Line as their mega-hit ‘Cruise’ (helped by the recent remix featuring Nelly), is at #1 on Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs for yet another week. However, ‘Get Your Shine On’, last week’s #1 on Country Airplay, has dropped to #4, following Darius Rucker’s ‘Wagon Wheel’ reaching the top. ‘Wagon Wheel’ is doing well across the charts, at #3 on both Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs. Also receiving a boost (possibly from turning 60), George Strait’s ‘Give It All We Got Tonight’ is up to #2 on Country Airplay, while his latest album ‘Love Is Everything’ has debuted at #1 on Top Country Albums. The song is also #7 on Hot Country Songs, and #8 on Country Digital Songs, showing George’s star power even as he enters ‘old age’. It just goes to show that no matter how old you are, great country music is universally loved.

Blake Shelton is continuing on his successful run of singles, with ‘Boys Round Here’ (featuring Pistol Annies and friends) now at #2 on Hot Country Songs. It’s also now up to #5 on Country Airplay and still rising, and remains at #2 on Country Digital Songs, while his latest album ‘Based On A True Story…’ stays at #4. Also hot this week is Tim McGraw’s ‘Highway Don’t Care’ featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. It sticks at #4 on Hot Country Songs, climbs to #3 on Country Airplay, and is at #4 on Country Digital Songs. Tim’s most recent album ‘Two Lanes of Freedom’ is up to #10 this week. Miranda Lambert is also holding onto her place with ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’, at #6 on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay but down to #9 on Country Digital Songs.

Luke Bryan wants us to crash his party this summer and it looks like we are, as the lead single from his upcoming album ‘Crash My Party’ is at #8 on Hot Country Songs, #12 on Country Airplay and #5 on Country Digital Songs. Close behind is Hunter Hayes, who proclaims ‘I Want Crazy’, and has reached #6 on Country Digital Songs, #10 on Hot Country Songs and #16 on Country Airplay, both slowly rising across all charts. I have a feeling in a month or so when Summer really hits, these two tunes will dominate the charts for some time.

As for new releases, Trace Adkins’ new album ‘Love Will…’ comes in at #6, while Keith Urban’s new single ‘Little Bit of Everything’ debuts at #12 on Country Digital Songs, #30 on Country Airplay and #24 on Hot Country Songs. The Swon Brothers are at #16 on the same chart with ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’, and Thomas Rhett is just below them with new single ‘It Goes Like This’ at #18. American Idol runner-up Kree Harrison’s single ‘All Cried Out’ is at #22, and Danielle Bradbery’s ‘Wasted’ comes in at #23. At #25 on Top Country Albums is Jason Boland And The Stragglers singing ‘Dark & Dirty Mile’.

Honorary mentions this week go to Lady Antebellum (whose new album ‘Golden’ is still at #2), Pistol Annies, Kenny Chesney, The Band Perry, Brad Paisley, Eric Church and Jake Owen.

Come back next Thursday for your weekly chart roundup!

Posted by Vickye.
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.

Chart Roundup – Week of May 25th, 2013

Not a lot has changed at the top since last week, as Florida Georgia Line seem to have a pretty stable monopoly at #1 across Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay and Country Digital Songs, with their hit singles ‘Cruise’ (plus the remix featuring Nelly) and ‘Get Your Shine On’. They’re also occupying #5 on Hot Country Songs, #7 on Country Digital Songs and #6 on Top Country Albums, making them virtually impossible to avoid in country music these days. Also remaining static on the charts is Darius Rucker with ‘Wagon Wheel’, close behind at #2 on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay and #3 on Country Digital Songs. To add to this little rivalry at the top, Blake Shelton (featuring Pistol Annies and friends) is at #3 on Hot Country Songs with ‘Boys Round Here’, and #2 on Country Digital Songs, while he has yet to climb past #7 on Country Airplay. Blake’s 2013 album ‘Based On A True Story…’ drops to #4.

Tim McGraw is also enjoying the rising popularity of his collaboration single with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, ‘Highway Don’t Care’. It’s at #4 on Hot Country Songs, #5 on Country Airplay, and #4 on Country Digital Songs. As you can probably tell, each chart reflects a fairly similar story this week. Good news for Lady Antebellum fans, as their fourth album ‘Golden’ has debuted in at #1 this week, with their lead single ‘Downtown’ still performing well across the charts, #8 on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay and #10 on Country Digital Songs. Kenny Chesney is also enjoying success with ‘Pirate Flag’, reaching #3 on Country Airplay, #11 on Country Digital Songs and #7 on Hot Country Songs. His brand new album, ‘Life On A Rock’, drops to #3 this week.

In addition, Miranda Lambert is retaining her presence with ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’, at #4 on Country Airplay and #6 on Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs, although there are signs things are starting to drop off. This is not the case for Luke Bryan, whose lead single from his upcoming fourth record ‘Crash My Party’ is gaining momentum, reaching #5 on Country Digital Songs, #9 on Hot Country Songs and #14 on Country Airplay.

As for new releases, well there are plenty. The Pistol Annies’ ‘Annie Up’ came in at #2 on Top Country Albums, and its release date partner ABC’s ‘Nashville Soundtrack Volume 2’ came in at #5. This aided the gaining of 5 places for Volume 1. Another compilation makes it at #10, ‘Now That’s What I Call A Country Party’, and Craig Campbell’s ‘Never Forget’ debuted at #27, while Lenny Cooper is at #34 with ‘Mud Dynasty’. Dailey & Vincent just make the chart with ‘Brothers of The Highway’ at #40. But it’s not just about albums. Other new releases include Danielle Bradbery’s ‘Maybe It Was Memphis’ (#9 on Country Digital Songs and #25 on Hot Country Songs) and Lauren Alaina’s ‘Barefoot And Buckwild’ (#25 on Country Digital Songs).

Honorable mentions this week go to George Strait, Eric Church, Brad Paisley, Hunter Hayes, The Band Perry, Jason Aldean and Jake Owen.

Check back next Thursday for another chart roundup!

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.

Kenny Chesney Establishes Boston Fund

Kenny Chesney has established Spread The Love: A Fund For Boston through Boston Medical Center to pay for prosthetics and post-acute care needed by Boston Marathon bombing victims. Launched with an undisclosed "sizable" donation from Chesney, the fund will also receive proceeds from sales of the song "Spread The Love" from his new album, as well as direct donations. "Music can be healing," Chesney says. "When you’re at your lowest, it can inspire – the way these athletes, their friends, family and the city of Boston inspire me. I want to give back to the ones who need it, but also to heal all of us a little bit. So, spread the love."

"BMC cared for many of the patients most seriously injured in the Boston Marathon bombings, patients who have a long journey of recovery ahead," says Kate Walsh, BMC President/CEO. "Over time, the spotlight will fade, but their needs will go on. We thank Mr. Chesney for stepping forward to make sure these and all the Marathon patients have all the support they need over the long haul."

The song can be purchased here and direct donations can be made here.

An exclusive interview with Kristi Hansen's fiancé Ben Shepherd

Last week, I told you about Kristi Hansen, a fixture in St. John who Kenny Chesney's "Happy on the Hey Now (A Song for Kristi)" from his new "Life On a Rock" album was written for.

I tracked down her fiancé, Ben Shepherd, and he agreed to an interview.  What I got was something I NEVER expected: the most epic love story, ever.  This story makes "The Notebook" look like "Animal House."

Ben was also nice enough to share with me the video tribute that Kenny Chesney put together in Kristi's honor.

Here's the link to all the info and media on my website.

Kenny Chesney’ Life On A Rock Streaming In Its Entirety Exclusively on iTunes Starting Today (from the mailbag)

(iTunes/Amazon)

Kenny Chesney’s highly anticipated new album Life On A Rock is now available to stream in its entirety exclusively on the iTunes Store (iTunes.com/KennyChesney). The album stream, which is already being called “the most personal and invested album of his career” will remain available until release day on April 30. Fans who pre-order the new album will instantly receive a download of “Lindy,” the first song written for the project.

“When I wrote these songs, it was to capture a time and a place, friends, memories and the way it all felt,” Chesney says of the collection that features guest appearances from Willie Nelson and the Wailers Band. “But the more you live, the more you realize how precious those things are… and now, iTunes is helping me share these stories, these people, these songs with music lovers everywhere.”

Who Is Kristi Hansen?

Track 10 on Kenny Chesney's new album "Life On a Rock" (out 4/30 - iTunes/Amazon) is titled, "Happy on the Hey Now (A Song for Kristi)".

So just who is Kristi?

She was an icon in St.John, who worked at Woody's and La Tapa restaraunts, and died before her time at 35.

"The 'Hey Now' is a boat. We had a lot of fun on it. This song is grounded in ways I didn’t see coming. Kristi was part of a circle of friends that defined my life. She didn’t care who I was or what I did. Kristi was good at life. She died before her time. I wasn’t going to put this song on the album, because it’s so personal. This song made me rethink everything" Kenny explained.

Kristi died giving birth to her daughter, and the baby died also. Her boyfriend is Kenny's boat captain, Captain Ben.

To read more and hear a clip from the song, click here.

UPDATE: Here's the second part of this post, which was posted yesterday, April 29th, as a followup. Broadway was able to chat with Kristi's fiance and find out a little bit more about Kristi ... 

Last week, I told you about Kristi Hansen, a fixture in St. John who Kenny Chesney's "Happy on the Hey Now (A Song for Kristi)" from his new "Life On a Rock" album was written for.

I tracked down her fiancé, Ben Shepherd, and he agreed to an interview.  What I got was something I NEVER expected: the most epic love story, ever.  This story makes "The Notebook" look like "Animal House."

Ben was also nice enough to share with me the video tribute that Kenny Chesney put together in Kristi's honor.

Here's the link to all the info and media on my website.

Chart Roundup – Week of April 13th, 2013

It’s been a great week for Darius Rucker, who has topped both the Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs charts with his hit ‘Wagon Wheel’. The recent release of an accompanying music video may well have aided this rise. Blake Shelton is also riding high, his new album ‘Based On A True Story’ coming in at #1. The lead single, ‘Sure Be Cool If You Did’ is at #2 on both Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs, but falls to #4 this week on Country Airplay. Lady Antebellum’s ‘Downtown’ remains near the top too, at #5 on Country Digital Songs, #3 on Country Airplay, and #3 on Hot Country Songs.

Then there’s Miranda Lambert’s ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’, which holds onto #4 on Hot Country Songs and #3 on Country Digital Songs, but rises to #7 on Country Airplay. Her album ‘Four The Record’ drops to #16. Hunter Hayes is still going fairly strong, hitting #1 on Country Airplay with ‘Somebody’s Heartbreak’, but falling to #10 on Hot Country Songs, a resurgence seeing it climb two places to #19 on Country Digital Songs. His smash hit of 2012, ‘Wanted’, enjoys a place at #13 on this chart, while his self-titled debut album stays at #9. Florida Georgia Line and Lee Brice remain comfortably inside the top 10 across the charts (#5, #9 and #4 for ‘Get Your Shine On’, #8 for ‘Cruise’, and #6, #2, and #12 for ‘I Drive Your Truck’).

There are plenty of new releases on the chart this week. Alan Jackson’s ‘Precious Memories: Volume II’ comes in at #2 on Top Country Albums, while ‘Just Feels Good’ by Thompson Square is just below it at #4. The ‘ACMs Official 2013 Zinepak’ debuts at #11 in light of the upcoming awards show, while Blake Shelton’s new single ‘Boys Round Here’ (featuring Pistol Annies and friends) enters at #7 on Country Digital Songs and #19 on Country Airplay. It also leaps from #44 to #15 on Hot Country Songs. Maggie Rose’s debut, ‘Cut To Impress’ is at #36 on Top Country Albums in its first week.

Another track making waves is Thompson Square’s ‘If I Didn’t Have You’. It’s taken many weeks, but the husband-and-wife duo are finally seeing their song hit #5 on Country Airplay, #7 on Hot Country Songs, and #10 on Country Digital Songs. Kenny Chesney finds himself around this area on the charts with ‘Pirate Flag’, at #9 on Country Digital Songs, #8 on Country Airplay, and #9 on Hot Country Songs.

Honorable mentions go to Chris Young, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Eric Church and The Band Perry.

Check out my chart roundup next week to see where The Band Perry’s sophomore album ‘Pioneer’ debuts and how this will affect their singles ‘Better Dig Two’ and ‘DONE.’.

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.

Kenny Chesney shows Newtown victims some love

My radio buddy (and sometimes NashvilleGab helper), Broadway, sent me this story yesterday that tells of a nice deed Kenny Chesney recently did after learning about one little girl who died during the Sandy Hook shootings back in December. 

Kenny Chesney got a call one night from pal Anderson Cooper telling him about one of the Newtown shooting victims, a little girl who LOVED Kenny and his music. Anderson had just interviewed her parents and they told him that before they lowered her white casket into the ground, they took a black Sharpie marker and wrote on it, “Kenny Chesney, No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems”. 

Anderson asked Kenny if he could call the parents and talk to them. Kenny did one better. He called and talked to them but also invited them, along with several other families, to his Mohegan Sun shows.  He met privately with them, heard their stories, and came away with this token:

Chart Roundup – Week of March 30th, 2013

Country pop is sneaking up on the charts this week as Blake Shelton reigns with ‘Sure Be Cool If You Did’, at #1 on Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay and Country Digital Songs. Alongside him are Lady Antebellum with ‘Downtown’ at #2 on Hot Country Songs, #4 on Country Digital Songs, and up at #6 on Country Airplay. Miranda Lambert is also clinging on to her place near the top of the charts with ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’, at #3 on Country Digital Songs and Hot Country Songs, although she’s still trailing at #11 on Country Airplay. Miranda’s 2011 album ‘Four The Record’ is up two places this week to #12 for its 72^nd week on the chart.

Darius Rucker’s ‘Wagon Wheel’ is still rising, at #2 on Country Digital Songs, while at #5 on Hot Country Songs and #16 on Country Airplay. Meanwhile Carrie Underwood’s ‘Two Black Cadillacs’ is holding onto its peak at #4 on Hot Country Songs, #2 on Country Airplay but is down to #12 on Country Digital Songs. The album ‘Blown Away’ is at #9. A new entry on the chart is ‘DONE.’ by The Band Perry, which debuts at #11 on Country Digital Songs, while their ‘Better Dig Two’ is at #10. ‘DONE.’ is at #26 in its third week on Country Airplay, with ‘Better Dig Two’ residing at #12 on Hot Country Songs.

Slowly climbing are Brad Paisley’s ‘Beat This Summer’ (#21 on Country Airplay) and Jason Aldean’s ‘1994’ (#23 on Country Digital Songs). Lee Brice (#6 on Hot Country Songs with ‘I Drive Your Truck’), Florida Georgia Line (#7 with ‘Get Your Shine On’ and ‘Cruise’ at #11), and Hunter Hayes (#8 with ‘Somebody’s Heartbreak’ and #9 with ‘Wanted’) are all hanging around the top 10 across the charts. They have a challenger from Kenny Chesney in ‘Pirate Flag’, at #10 on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, and #7 on Country Digital Songs.

Shooter Jennings impacts Top Country Albums with ‘The Other Life’ at #19, while Ashley Monroe’s new one ‘Like A Rose’ drops 8 places to #18. The true king of this chart however is Luke Bryan, whose recent compilation release ‘Spring Break… Here To Party’ is at #1 for its second consecutive week. His previous full-length album from 2011, ‘Tailgates and Tanlines’ jumps up to #7. However his latest not-really-a-single-it’s-just-sort-of-promotional-and-we-needed-a-song-out ‘Buzzkill’ drops 11 places this week to #16 on Country Digital Songs.

Others tearing up the charts and honourable mentions this week are Little Big Town for ‘Tornado’ (both single and album); Tim McGraw for ‘One of Those Nights’, his new single ‘Highway Don’t Care’, and the album ‘Two Lanes of Freedom’; Taylor Swift for the album ‘Red’; Eric Church for ‘Like Jesus Does’ and his album ‘Chief’ (86^th week and counting); Thompson Square for ‘If I Didn’t Have You’; Chris Young for ‘I Can Take It From There’; and Kacey Musgraves for ‘Merry Go Round’. Stayer of the week has to be Brantley Gilbert’s album ‘Halfway To Heaven’, which celebrates its 150^th week on the chart this week, rising back up to #17!

Check out my chart roundup next week to see where Kacey Musgraves’ hugely anticipated new album will sit, plus other chart gossip.

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.