Country Album Chart News January 30, 2017

Country Billboard Chart News January 30, 2017

In Brief: Billboard Country Charts (Chart issue week of February 11, 2017)

Country Album Chart ** No.1 (28 non-consecutive weeks) TRAVELLER Chris Stapleton

Hot Country Songs ** No.1 (1 week) ** “Better Man” Little Big Town

Country Airplay ** No.1 (3 weeks) ** “A Guy With a Girl” Blake Shelton

Country Digital Songs ** No.1 (2 weeks) ** “Better Man” Little Big Town

Billboard Top 200 / Country Album Chart News (Chart issue week of February 11, 2017)

The Billboard 200 chart measures multi-metric album consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

John Mayer notched his eighth top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart (BB200), as his new EP, The Search for Everything: Wave One, debuted at No.2. The set, which was released on Jan. 20 through Columbia Records, earned 49,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Jan. 26 (according to Nielsen Music. Of that sum, 38,000 were in traditional album sales (all downloads, as the EP was sold exclusively through digital retailers).

The four songs on the new EP will be featured on Mayer’s upcoming full-length album, The Search for Everything, which is due out later this year. He will release four songs from the album each month, via EPs.

Mayer previously visited the top 10 with his last full-length studio album, Paradise Valley (No. 2 in 2013); along with Born and Raised (No. 1, 2012); Battle Studies (No. 1, 2009); Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles (No. 5, 2008); Continuum (No. 2, 2006); Heavier Things (No. 1, 2003); and his debut full-length effort, Room for Squares (No. 8, 2003).

Meanwhile, at the top of the new Billboard 200, The Weeknd’s STARBOY collects a fifth non-consecutive week at No.1, earning 56,000 units (down 8%). The set’s popularity on streaming services continued to power its reign: 36,000 of its units were generated by streams.

Billboard Top Country Albums (Chart issue week of February 11, 2017)

Top Country Albums now ranks the most popular country albums of the week, as compiled by Nielsen Music, based on multi-metric consumption (blending traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA), and streaming equivalent albums (SEA)).

It’s all about Consumption & Streaming this week

Billboard, Nielsen Finally Add Streaming To 19 Genre Album Charts

Sales-based to consumption-based charts that blend album sales, track equivalent sales and streaming equivalent plays.

The change took effect with the tracking week ending Thursday, January 26th for the Billboard charts dated February 11th.

The new consumption-based genre album charts will include Catalog titles, said Billboard, which is a change from the current methodology. This finally aligns these charts with the Billboard 200 and provides a more accurate ranking of each genre’s albums consumption.

In a week of multiple updates to Billboard charts, several genre album rankings — including Top Country Albums — evolved into a consumption-based methodology (for surveys dated Feb. 11). The progression followed the Dec.13, 2014, conversion of the all-genre Billboard 200 to a multi-metric chart.

The formula of the amended album genre charts (also covered rock, R&B/hip-hop, Latin and more, with Americana/Folk albums, Top Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums converting to the new methodology as well)

10 digital track sales from an album = 1 track equivalent album (TEA) “sale”

1,500 on demand song streams from an album to one streaming equivalent album (SEA) “sale”.

Nielsen Music compiles the sales and streaming data. Billboard will continue to publish pure album sales charts for genres featuring the new methodology, exclusively comprising Nielsen’s sales data.

** However, this chart is only available on subscription to billboard biz to continue reading this chart and thousands more.

For country, Country Album Sales will now be the chart that ranks the genre’s top current-based titles by pure sales. This

“We’ve been thrilled with the reception to the Billboard 200 album consumption methodology and how it reflects album popularity today, when music is accessible on so many platforms,” says Silvio Pietroluongo, Billboard vp charts and data development. “The conversion of genre album charts reinforces how this approach has become the accepted measure of album success.”

“Nielsen Music is committed to setting the industry standard for music measurement and reporting,” says Erin Crawford, senior vp entertainment and GM music at Nielsen.

“Music Connect recently introduced genre album consumption charts, and we’re excited to work with Billboard as they further adopt this methodology. As the leading music measurement service on the market, Music Connect will continue to present all of Billboard’s consumption, streaming, sales and airplay charts.”

“I think it’s a fantastic change,” Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN) chairman/CEO Mike Dungan told Billboard. “For a long time now, I have not allowed anyone to walk into my office and quote only sales numbers, and we’ve actually been coming up with consumption numbers by hand. The change just gives a more accurate picture all around.”

“In the ever-changing music marketplace, it is refreshing to see there is now one chart destination where we have access to all of the data we need regarding the music consumption habits of our consumers,” says Peter Strickland, Warner Music Nashville chief marketing officer. “This chart will be an integral part of our future.”

Adds Kelly Rich Kautz, Big Machine Label Group senior vp sales, marketing and interactive, “For the longest time, we have only been able to see a segment of paid consumption. This is a great start [in the country genre] that we can use as an indicator of engagement.”

Chris Stapleton with TRAVELLER (MERCURY/ UMGN) led the first re-modelled Billboard Top Country Albums Chart (dated Feb. 11) holding at #1 (16-21 Billboard 200) for a 28th (non-consecutive) week. 

He logged 16,000 equivalent album units earned in the week ending Jan. 26. Pure album sales account for 55% of that total (8,730 copies sold).

Yes, that’s less than 9,000 sales to land a No.1 Country album in the USA with a population 324,420,000 (15–64 years 66.2% | 65 and over 14.4%) There were about 125.9 million adult women in the United States in 2014. The number of men was 119.4 million. 0.027% bought the Traveller album this chart week.

Overall 284,000 Country albums were purchased (93,000 of that figure were Digital) this chart frame down 21% on the same week in 2016.

Keith Urban with RIPCORD (Hit Red/Capitol Nashville) held at #2 (34-37 BB200) selling 5,759 copies (down 5%; 38-week total 438,000)

Thomas Rhett with TANGLED UP (Valory) rose 8-3 (44-54 BB200) selling 2,151 copies (up 21%; 70-week total 533,900). Thomas’ equivalent album units total was boosted as “Die A Happy Man” and “Star Of The Show” was #2 & #9 on Country Streaming Songs.

Florida Georgia Line with DIG YOUR ROOTS (BMLG) was up 7-4 (50-56 BB200) selling 2,956 copies (down 1.5%; 22-week total 337,800). FGL’s H.O.L.Y was #3 & “May Me All” was #8 on Country Streaming Songs.

Jason Aldean with THEY DON'T KNOW (Macon/Broken Bow) held at #5 (68-69 BB200) selling 3,662 copies (down 6%; 20-week total 322,700)

Blake Shelton with IF I'M HONEST (Warner Bros.) moved 9-6 (85-75 BB200) selling 3,018 2,509 copies (up 20%; 36-week total 554,200).

This where it gets interesting with the new consumption-based methodology being applied.

Sam Hunt with MONTEVALLO was a chart re-entry at #7 (75-76 Billboard 200; #138 Top Selling Albums) selling 1,659 copies in his 102^nd chart week. Additionally he posted 4 songs on the top 25 Country Streaming Songs chart: “Break Up In A Small Town” (#12), “Make You Miss Me” (#18), “Take Your Time” (#19) and “House Party” (#21).

Sam Hunt was one of 24 Chart re-entries on the Top 50 on Top Country albums chart, six of which made the top 25.

If the 2 country albums that debuted at #26 & #31 last week from The Infamous Stringdusters and Natalie Hemby would have been subject to the new methodology then it is highly unlikely that either would have appeared on the Top 50.

Looking at the album release dates of the 24 Re-entries it seems somewhat baffling as they were mostly Catalog Albums which had previously migrated from Top Country Albums, now they have come back!

Billboard worked on defining a catalog title as one that is more than 18-months old and that has fallen below position 100 on the Billboard 200 and do not have an active single on radio.

Top Country Albums ranks the most popular country albums of the week, as compiled by Nielsen Music, based on multi-metric consumption (blending traditional album sales, track equivalent albums, and streaming equivalent albums).

Even if Billboard now want to include Streaming data & TEA shouldn’t the Catalog ruling have been maintained?

Once it’s a Catalog album that's where it should stay regardless of "consumption"?

Just look at the release dates on numerous chart re-entries with Johnny Cash’s The Essential (February 2002) a 15 year old album now back on Top Country albums.

Top Country Albums
7 Re-Entry 102 Montevallo - Sam Hunt (October 27, 2014)
18 Re-Entry 79 The Ultimate Hits - Garth Brooks (November 6, 2007)
26 Re-Entry 111 Crash My Party - Luke Bryan (August 13, 2013)
29 Re-Entry 5 Girl Problems - Chris Lane
30 Re-Entry 105 The Legend Of Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash (October 25, 2005)
31 Re-Entry 17 Brett Young EP - Brett Young
33 Re-Entry 113 Chief - Eric Church (July 26, 2011)
34 Re-Entry 79 Number One Hits - Tim McGraw (November 30, 2010)
35 Re-Entry 86 Anything Goes - Florida Georgia Line (October 14, 2014)
36 Re-Entry 94 The Outsiders - Eric Church
39 Re-Entry 35 Icon 2: George Strait - George Strait (November 8, 2011)
40 Re-Entry 103 Just As I Am - Brantley Gilbert (May 19, 2014)
42 Re-Entry 78 JEKYLL + HYDE - Zac Brown Band (April 28, 2015)
43 Re-Entry 79 Greatest Hits Volume 1 - Rascal Flatts (October 28, 2008)
44 Re-Entry 63 The Essential Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash (February 2002)
45 Re-Entry 13 Michael Ray - Michael Ray
46 Re-Entry 79 Hits Alive - Brad Paisley (November 2, 2010)
47 Re-Entry 79 Red - Taylor Swift (October 22, 2012)
49 Re-Entry 79 Old Boots, New Dirt - Jason Aldean (October 7, 2014)
50 Re-Entry 120 Tailgates & Tanlines - Luke Bryan (August 9, 2011)

Jon Pardi with CALIFORNIA SUNRISE (Capitol Nashville) rose 14-8 (88-87 BB200) selling 2,195 copies (up 9%; 32-week total 106,500) and “Dirt On My Boots” was #5 Country Streaming Songs.

Luke Bryan with KILL THE LIGHTS was up 16-9 in his 77th week.

Eric Church with MR. MISUNDERSTOOD (EMI Nashville) rose 12-10 (110-93 BB200) selling 2,249 copies (up 6.5%; 65-week total 495,700)

Outside The Top 10

Miranda Lambert with WEIGHT OF THESE WINGS (Vanner/RCA Nashville) took a 4-11 dive (69-81 BB200) in its 9th chart frame selling 3,783 copies (down 16%; 10-week total 262,000). She was absent on Country Streaming Songs but sold more than 2,000 copies than Sam Hunt at #7.

Kane Brown with his self- titled debut KANE BROWN (Zone 4/RCA Nashville) fell 6-14 (112-120 BB200) selling 3,197 copies (down 17%; 8-week total 96,600).

Carrie Underwood with STORYTELLER (19/Arista Nashville) held at #15 (116-124 BB200) selling 1,729 copies (down 9%; 66-week total 731,100).

Maren Morris with HERO (Columbia Nashville) fell 13-16 (131-130 BB200) selling 1,893 copies (down 8%; 34-week total 168,200).

Kenny Chesney with COSMIC HALLEUJAH (Blue Chair/Columbia Nashville) took at 10-25 fall (173-183 BB200) selling 2,117 copies (down 12%; 13-week total 185,800)

Outside on Top Country albums

2 country albums failed to make the new Top Country Chart formula with their debuts.

Muscadine Bloodline with their 5 track self-titled album (CN Records; Amazon UK ) sold 1,942 copies (more pure sales than Sam Hunt at #7). It debuted at #14 Country Album Sales (pure sales) and overall in America it was the weeks 111th best seller and logged #87 Top Current Albums and made a #15 debut on Inde Albums.

Blurb: Unapologetically Alabama | Country Duo, based out of Nashville, TN. from Mobile, AL.  There's a new force making major waves in country music. Natives of Mobile Alabama, Gary Stanton and Charlie Muncaster came together to form Muscadine Bloodline in early 2016.  With three single releases under their belt and a schedule full of shows spanning from coast to coast, they’ve hit the ground running from day 1.

The Curb Records 21 track compilation Various Artists - Make America Great Again/Greatest Songs Of The USA (Amazon UK) made a debut at #40 on Country Album Sales

The album contains tracks from Lee Greenwood, LeAnn Rimes, Tim McGraw, Lee Brice, Ray Stevens, Hank Williams, Jr., Wynonna and The Bellamy Brothers.

Year-To-Date Albums

1,244,000 (Physical sales 825,000 (down -12.1%) + Digital sales 419,000 (down -31.2%)) which is 19.6% down at the same point in 2016 (1,548,000 sales) 

Year-To-Date Digital Tracks

5,392,000 down 24.2% at the same point in 2016 (7,109,000)

Billboard Hot Country Songs (Chart issue week of February 11, 2017)

On Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart - which blends:

a) All-format airplay, as monitored by BDS

b) Sales, as tracked by Nielsen SoundScan and

c) Streaming, (tracked by Nielsen BDS from such services as Pandora, Spotify, Muve, Slacker, Rhapsody, Rdio and Xbox Music, among others) according to BDS it results in:

WELCOME, PANDORA

Concurrently, Billboard and Pandora have announced an exclusive agreement that will add influential Pandora streaming data to the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs charts (effective with the lists dated Feb. 11). Pandora will also now feed Billboard’s streaming-based charts (including Country Streaming Songs) and other Hot 100 formula-based genre rankings (covering rock, R&B/hip-hop, Latin and other genres).

“Over the last few years, Pandora has shared more and more data with the music industry,” said Pandora founder/CEO Tim Westergren. “We started with artists and managers, then direct-deal label partners, and now Billboard for inclusion in the iconic Hot 100. Pandora is now the No.1 radio station in 87 U.S. markets and represents roughly 10% of all radio listening. With the inclusion of Pandora data, the Billboard charts that have guided listeners and been so central to the music industry for decades now reflect a truer measure of songs’ popularity.”

Additionally, Billboard has applied a formula adjustment that is regularly administered to the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and other genre charts that blend airplay, sales and streaming data to rebalance the ratio among sales, airplay and streaming. The modification accounts for changes in music consumption patterns; e.g., continued increases in streaming and further decreases in sales.

Little Big Town notched its third No.1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart (dated Feb. 11), as the Taylor Swift-penned "Better Man" climbed 2-1. The act inks its first No.1 since "Girl Crush" ruled for 13 weeks beginning May 9, 2015. LBT first led with "Pontoon" for two weeks in 2012.

"Man" topped Country Digital Song Sales for a second week (26,000 downloads sold, according to Nielsen Music) and rose 6-4 on Country Airplay (35.2 million impressions) and 7-6 on Country Streaming Songs (4.2 million U.S. streams).

The track is the first Hot Country Songs leader penned by only one person since Tim McGraw's "Humble and Kind," written by singer-songwriter Lori McKenna (April 23, 2016). Before "Humble," Swift had scored the last single-author No.1: her own "Ours" (March 31, 2012). 

"Man" is additionally the first Hot Country Songs No.1 by a group penned by just one author since The Band Perry's "If I Die Young," written by the act's Kimberly Perry, topped the Dec. 11, 2010, chart.

"Man" marked Swift's eighth Hot Country Songs No.1 as a writer, and her first for another act. (It follows another chart-topper that Swift crafted for an act other than herself: Calvin Harris' "This is What You Came For," written, as "Nils Sjoberg," with Harris and featuring Rihanna, ruled Hot Dance/Electronic Songs for three weeks in July-August.)

Two tracks entered the top 10 on Hot Country Songs. Michael Ray's "Think a Little Less" sprinted 12-8 to become his second top 10, following his debut No.10-peaking "Kiss You in the Morning" (in August 2015). On Country Airplay, "Think" pushed 10-8 (27.8 million, up 12 percent).

Chris Young's "Sober Saturday Night," featuring Vince Gill, romped 11-9 on Hot Country Songs. On Country Airplay, it gained 11% to 32.7 million, bumping 7-5. Young earns his 11th Hot Country Songs top 10, while Gill scores his 28th. He'd last the region more than 10 years ago as featured (with Sheryl Crow) on Brooks & Dunn's "Building Bridges," which rose to No.4 in September 2006. Gill first hit the top 10 in 1985 with the No.10-peaking "If It Weren't for Him." Of his 28 top 10s, five have hit No.1, beginning with "I Still Believe in You" in 1992.

Country icon Reba McEntire with "Back to God" made a debut at No.49. It marks the proper first single from her first spiritual album, SING IT NOW: SONGS OF FAITH & HOPE, due Friday Feb 3rd. Additionally it debuted on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart (dated Feb. 11) at No. 17. It was fueled by its No.3 arrival on Christian Digital Song Sales, selling 4,000 downloads in its first week (ending Jan. 26), according to Nielsen Music. The song's official video debuted Jan. 24 (2.7 million Youtube views).

"God," was penned by Randy Houser, and Dallas Davidson. The track was first released on Houser's 2008 debut album Anything Goes (which hit No. 21 on Top Country Albums).

Another track from Sing it Now, "Softly and Tenderly," featuring Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood, spent a week on Hot Christian Songs at No.43 on the chart dated Jan.7, marking McEntire's first Billboard chart appearance in the Christian genre.

Hot County Songs

** No.1 (1 week) ** “Better Man” Little Big Town

** Airplay Gainer ** No.5 “Star Of The Show” Thomas Rhett

** Streaming Gainer ** No. 22 “You Look Good” Lady Antebellum

** Digital Gainer ** No.23 “For Her” Chris Lane

** Hot Shot Debut ** No.46 “Do I Make You Wanna” Billy Currington

Debut No.47 “It Ain't My Fault” Brothers Osborne

Debut No.48 “The Way I Talk” Morgan Wallen

Debut No.49 “Back To God” Reba McEntire

Debut No.50 “You Could Be That Girl” Brantley Gilbert

Billboard Country Airplay (Chart issue week of February 11, 2017)

Blake Shelton with “A Guy With a Girl” (Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville) led Country Airplay for a third week, down 4% to 45.5 million audience impressions.

Country Airplay welcomed two new top 10s, led by Brad Paisley with “Today” (Arista Nashville), which hopped 11-9 (26 million, up 9%) in his 16th frame. Paisley adds his 34th top 10, tying Garth Brooks for ninth place among acts with the most top 10s in the chart’s 27-year history. George Strait leads with 61.

'BOOTS' FIT IN TOP 10: Country Airplay welcomed two new top 10s, led by the second single from Jon Pardi's LP California Sunrise, "Dirt on My Boots," which strutted 12-9 (26.4 million in audience, up 12%). Pardi's second Country Airplay top 10 follows "Head Over Boots," which topped the chart dated Aug. 27, 2016.

Eric Church with "Kill a Word," featuring Rhiannon Giddens, also entered the top tier (11-10), increasing 5% to 25.5 million. The track is his 12th top 10 on the list and follows his seventh No. 1, "Record Year," which topped the chart dated Aug. 13, 2016. Giddens reaches the top 10 in her first Country Airplay appearance.

Country Airplay

*** No. 1 (3 weeks) *** "A Guy With A Girl” Blake Shelton 45.451 million audience (-1.737 million) / 8,208 radio plays (-339)

** Most Increased Audience No.2 ** “Star Of The Show” Thomas Rhett

** Most Added ** No.31 “You Look Good” Lady Antebellum (# ADDS)

** Hot Shot Debut ** No.56 “A Girl Like You” Easton Corbin

Debut No.58 “Getting Over You” Jackie Lee

Debut No.59 “Kiss Me” Casey Donahew

Debut No.60 “Drinkin’ Problem Midland

Billboard Country Digital Singles Chart 

(Chart issue week of February 11, 2017)

UMG Nashville held onto the Top 3 slots this chart frame with Little Big Town with “Better Man” from forthcoming album THE BREAKER enjoying a second week at #1 (#20-18 Digital Songs; 15 week total 388,000) atop the Billboard Country Song Sales Chart selling 26,000 downloads.

Keith Urban with “Blue Ain’t Your Color” held at #2 (#21-26 Digital Songs)

Jon Pardi with “Dirt On My Boots” was a non-mover at #3 (#37-34 Digital Songs)

Chris Lane with “For Her” made a debut at #4 (#39 Digital Songs)

Lady Antebellum with “You Look Good” made a debut at #5 (#42 Digital Songs)

Michael Ray with “Think A Little Less” slipped 5-6 in his 6th frame.

Chris Stapleton with “Tennessee Whiskey” fell 4-7 in his 59th week.

Brett Young with “In Case You Didn’t Know” rose 15-8 in his 17th^h frame

Florida Georgia Line featuring Tim McGraw with “May We All” fell 6-9 in their 28th week.

Blake Shelton with “A Guy With A Girl” dropped back 9-10 in his 15th frame.

Outside the Top 10

Dierks Bentley with “Black” retreated 7-11 in his 5th frame

Thomas Rhett with “Star Of The Show” lifted fell 8-12 in his 17th week.

Chris Janson with “Holdin’ Her” made a debut at #15

Carrie Underwood with “Dirty Laundry” climbed 13-10 (11,000 sales; 20-week total 238,000)

Dustin Lynch with “Seein' Red” climbed 20-11 (10,000 sales; 16-week total 165,000)

Country Aircheck MEDIABASE Chart

30 January 2017

Congrats to Blake Shelton, Kristen Williams, Chris Palmer, Katie Bright and the WMN team on landing a second consecutive week at No.1 with “A Guy With A Girl.”

The song logged 8,877 radio spins (-334) and 62.689 million audience impressions with 27410 Total Points from 158 tracking stations for the tracking week January 22 to January 28, 2017 and published chart January 30th 2017.

Kudos to Bobby Young and the Capitol gang on securing 36 adds for Lady Antebellum’s “You Look Good”. The song topped the "Most Added" board for the second consecutive week.

For a detailed report check out Country Aircheck Weekly Issue 535 - Jan 30, 2017 [PDF File]

For the very latest up to the minute Mediabase Chart (Past 7 Days) go here - www.mediabase.com

Billboard Boxscores (Selective Country concerts)

Rank Artist: #26

Event Venue City/State: Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Buchanan ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney, Australila

Dates: Dec. 14, 2016 Gross Sales: $700,273 Attend: 7,575/ 7,588

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/0 | 13 tickets unsold Prices: $119, $67.37 Promoters: TEG Live

Rank Artist: #30

Event Venue City/State: Tim McGraw, Chris Janson MGM Grand Garden Las Vegas, Nev.

Dates: Dec. 10, 2016 Gross Sales: $620,252 Attend: 6,372/ 8,773

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/0 | 2401 tickets unsold Prices: $130, $79.50 Promoters: in-house

Rank Artist: #31

Event Venue City/State: Dolly Parton Amalie Arena Tampa, Fla.

Dates: Nov. 26, 2016 Gross Sales: $612,289 Attend: 6,699 / 6,699

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/1 ** SOLD OUT ** Prices: $129.50, $49.50 Promoters: AEG Live/REH Presents

                       

Rank Artist: #83

Event Venue City/State: Martina McBride Casino Rama, Rama, Ontario

Dates: Dec. 3, 2016 Gross Sales: $181,269 Attend: 3,901/ 4,974

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/0 | 1073 unsold tickets Prices: $59.46, $38.23

Promoters: C3 Presents

Rank Artist: #73

Event Venue City/State: Kenny Rogers Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, Conn.

Dates: Dec. 16, 2016 Gross Sales: $207,410 Attend: 5,926/ 6,940

Shows/ Sellouts 1/0 | 1014 unsold tickets Prices: $35 Promoters: in-house