Country Billboard Chart News August 20, 2018

Country Billboard Chart News August 20, 2018

In Brief: Billboard Country Charts (Chart issue week of August 25, 2018)

Country Album Chart ** No.1 (10 non-consecutive weeks) ** THIS ONE’S FOR YOU Luke Combs

Hot Country Songs ** No.1 (38 weeks) ** “Meant To Be” Bebe Rexha feat. Florida Georgia Line

Country Airplay ** No.1 (1 week) ** “Drowns The Whiskey” Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert

Country Digital Songs ** No.1 (1 week) “On My Way to You” Cody Johnson

Billboard Top 200 / Country Album Chart News (Chart issue week of August 25, 2018)

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

Travis Scott's 'Astroworld' Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart

Aretha Franklin re-enters at No. 7.

Travis Scott’s Astroworld notched a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart (BB200), as the set earned 205,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Aug. 16 (down 62 percent), according to Nielsen Music. Of that sum, 78,442 were from traditional album sales (down 71 percent).

Aretha Franklin’s 30 GREATEST HITS jumped back onto the chart, as it re-entered at No.7 with 35,000 units (with 13,000 of that sum in album sales) following Franklin’s death on Aug. 16. The Hits package was up 13,048 percent in units earned, while the album’s sales soared 12,693 percent. The album’s surge came largely from one day of reaction to Franklin’s passing, as she died on the final day of the tracking week. Expect further gains in the next week with a first full chart tracking frame after her death.

30 Greatest Hits is Franklin’s highest charting album since 1972, when her landmark gospel release AMAZING GRACE peaked at No.7 on the July 22, 1972-dated tally. All told, 30 Greatest Hits is Franklin’s seventh top 10 effort on the Billboard 200, and first since AMAZING. Franklin has gone as high as No. 2, twice, with I NEVER LOVED A MAN THE WAY I LOVE YOU (1967) and ARETHA: LADY SOUL (1968).

30 Greatest Hits was released in 1985, but didn’t chart until 2012, when it spent two weeks on the list (then-peaking at No. 117).

Billboard Top Country Albums (Chart issue week of August 25, 2018)

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)).

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 continues to publish pure album sales charts (subscription to billboard biz ), exclusively comprising Nielsen’s sales data.

Luke Combs with THIS ONE’S FOR YOU (River House/ Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville) held at No.1 (#12-11 Billboard 200) to lead Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart for a 10th non-consecutive week.

Former 6-week non-consecutive week No.1 Jason Aldean with REARVIEW TOWN (Macon/Broken Bow Records) rose 3-2 (22-25 BB200).

Former No.1 Kenny Chesney with SONGS FOR THE SAINTS (Blue Chair/Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville) fell 2-3 (13-27 Billboard 200).

Former No1 Dan + Shay with their self-titled album (Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville) moved 5-4 (#35-32 BB200).

Kane Brown with his 10 non-consecutive week No.1 SELF-TITLED slipped 4-5 (#34-36 BB200).

Brett Young with self- titled BRETT YOUNG (BMLG) held at No.6 (#39-42 BB200).

Chris Stapleton with the 172-week TRAVELLER (MERCURY/ UMGN) held at No.7 (#40-43 BB200) as his set From A Room: Volume 1 (Mercury/Universal Music Group Nashville) climbed 17-16 (#119-122 BB200) and From A Room: Volume 2 held at No.25 (#189-186 BB200) in its 37-week.

Former No.1 Thomas Rhett with LIFE CHANGES (Valory/Big Machine Label Group) held at No.8 (#44-48 BB200).

Former No.1 Keith Urban with GRAFFITI U (Hit Red/Capitol Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville) rose 13-9 (#104-80 BB200).

Former No.1 Luke Bryan with WHAT MAKES YOU COUNTRY (Capitol Nashville | UMGN) fell 9-10 (#80-86 BB200).

Outside the Top 10

Dierks Bentley with THE MOUNTAIN (Capitol Nashville | UMGN) fell 15-18 (#111-137 BB200).

Outside the Top 25

Shooter Jennings with 9-track SHOOTER (Low Country Sound/ Elektra Records | Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com) opened at No.42 with 4,000 total units in his 10th appearance on the tally, as well as at No.10 on Americana/Folk Albums and No.7 on Country Album Sales.

The set reunites Jennings with Dave Cobb, who produced Jennings’ debut LP, Put the O Back in Country, which hit No. 22 on Top Country Albums in 2005.

FALLING SHORT of Top 50:

On the Country Album Sales list (pure sales; old methodology)

(10 Aug 2018) William Clark Green with 14-track HEBERT ISLAND (2018 William Clark Green | Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com) made a debut at No.15.

Lit with 14-track THESE ARE THE DAYS (2018 Dirty Martini | UK iTunes) made a debut at No.26.

Dawn Landes with 12-track MEET ME AT THE RIVER (2018 Yep Roc Records | Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com)

Meet Me At The River is Landes’ self-described “Nashville record,” and she has assured its pedigree by enlisting the production skills of Fred Foster, the Country Music Hall of Fame member who played a pivotal role in the careers of Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, and Kris Kristofferson.

Jason Eady -with 11-track I TRAVEL ON (Old Guitar Records | UK iTunes) made a debut at No.34.

OverTime with UNITED WE STAND made a debut at No.44.

Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis with WILD! WILD! WILD! made a debut at No.45.

Year-To-Date Albums

9,971,000 (Physical sales 7,049,000 (down -16.3%) + Digital sales 2,932,000 (down -29.6%) which is 20.8% down at the same point in 2017 (12,590,000 sales) 

Year-To-Date Digital Tracks

32,964,000 down 27.0% at the same point in 2017 (45,151,000)

Billboard Hot Country Songs (Chart issue week of August 25, 2018)

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 Spotify, Muve, Slacker, Rhapsody, Rdio and Xbox Music, among others) according to BDS it results in:

Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line with “Meant to Be” (Warner Bros./Big Machine Label Group) extended its record run atop Hot Country Songs to 38 weeks, having bested Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road,” which led for 34 weeks in 2017.

On Country Streaming Songs, “Meant” rented the penthouse for a record-tying 34th frame with 13.7 million U.S. steams (up 1 percent). “Body” led the list, which launched in April 2013, for 34 weeks starting Feb. 25, 2017)

Hot County Songs

** No.1 (38 weeks) ** “Meant To Be” Bebe Rexha feat. Florida Georgia Line

** Airplay Gainer” No.11 “Kiss Somebody” Morgan Evans  

** Hot Shot Debut ** No.25 “On My Way To You” Cody Johnson  

** Digital Gainer/ Streaming Gainer ** No.37 “Weekend” Kane Brown  

Debut No.49 “Down To The Honkytonk” Jake Owen

Billboard Country Airplay (Chart issue week of August 25, 2018)

Jason Aldean with “Drowns the Whiskey,” featuring Miranda Lambert (Macon/Broken Bow), ascended 3-1 in its 15th week on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated Aug. 25). It rose 9 percent to 38.6 million audience impressions in the tracking week ending Aug. 19, according to Nielsen Music.

On the Hot Country Songs chart, “Whiskey” lifted 7-6, reaching a new peak.

“I’ve always loved this song,” Aldean told Billboard. “It was really a cool moment for me when Miranda agreed to sing on it in the first place, so for it to become a single and then to go No.1 is really special.”

As the traditional-leaning song — written by Josh Thompson, Brandon Kinney and Jeff Middleton — reaches the Country Airplay penthouse, Aldean earned his 19th No.1, tying him for ninth place with Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan and Brad Paisley for the most leaders since the chart launched in 1990. Kenny Chesney leads with 30 No.1s.

“Whiskey” is the second single from Aldean’s album Rearview Town, which debuted atop the all-genre Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts dated April 28 with 183,000 equivalent album units. First single “You Make It Easy” led Country Airplay for two weeks beginning May 5.

Aldean first ruled Country Airplay with his second entry (of 35 to date), “Why,” on May 27, 2006. The song followed his debut hit, “Hicktown,” which became his first of 28 top 10s, reaching No. 10 in October 2005.

Lambert lands her fifth Country Airplay No.1 among 12 top 10s and 30 chart appearances. She last led on Dec. 7, 2013, with her Keith Urban duet “We Were Us.” She first appeared on the chart with “Me and Charlie Talking,” which peaked at No. 27 in March 2005, first visited the top 10 with “Gunpowder and Lead” (No. 7, August 2008) and first reigned with “The House That Built Me” (four weeks in 2010, her longest-leading No. 1).

Dylan Scott with “Hooked” (Curb) reached the Country Airplay top 10 in its record-setting 51st week (11-8), increasing 8 percent to 29.2 million audience impressions.

The single’s top 10 trip surpassed two tracks that each took 50 weeks to enter the tier: Easton Corbin’s “A Girl Like You” rose 11-10 in its 50th week on Jan. 13 (and peaked at No.6 on Feb. 17), and Aaron Watson’s “Outta Style” lifted 11-10 (its peak) in its 50th frame on Dec. 30, 2017.

In its 21st week, Maren Morris with “Rich” lifted 33-32 on Hot Country Songs, returning to the peak that it first reached on May 5. It becomes Morris’ fifth top 20 hit on Country Airplay, rising 22-19 (12.7 million in audience, up 16 percent).

Country Airplay

*** No.1 (1 week) *** “Drowns The Whiskey” Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert 38.591 million audience (+3.251 million) / 7,092 radio plays (+696)

** Most Increased Audience ** No.3 “Kiss Somebody” Morgan Evans

** Most Added ** No.51 “Down To The Honkytonk” Jake Owen

** Hot Shot Debut ** No.54 “Eyes On You” Chase Rice  

Debut No.60 “Damage” Rachel Wammack

Billboard Country Digital Singles Chart 

(Chart issue week of August 25, 2018)

Cody Johnson with his new single, “On My Way to You” (Cojo/Warner Music Nashville), bounded onto Hot Country Songs at No.25, marking the chart’s highest debut. “You,” which is Johnson’s first single in a partnership with Warner Nashville, marks his second appearance on Hot Country Songs, following “With You I Am,” which debuted and peaked at No. 46 in December 2016.

“You” launched at No.1 on Country Digital Song Sales (#9 New Entry Digital Songs) with 18,000 downloads sold in its first week (ending Aug. 16) as Johnson reigned in his first visit to the tally. On Country Airplay, “You” rocketed by 143 percent to 3.2 million audience impressions and jumps 53-37 in its second week on the list.

Cody was eight places behind Drake with "Feelings" which spent a sixth week atop the Digital Song Sales chart (38,000 downloads sold, down 33 percent, in the week ending Aug. 16). On Radio Songs, the track keeps at its No. 3 high with 109 million audience impressions, essentially even week-over-week, in the week ending Aug. 19.

Florida Georgia Line with their 8 non-consecutive week No1 “Simple” (BMLG) slipped held at 1-2 (#9-12 Digital Songs) as former 22 non-consecutive week No1 Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line with “Meant to Be" (Warner Bros. | BMLG) held at No.7 (#28-33 Digital Songs).

Brett Young with “Mercy” (BMLG) fell 2-3 (#10-16 Digital Songs).

Dan + Shay (Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney) with “Tequila” (Warner Bros. | WAR) fell 3-4 (#18-25 Digital Songs).

Kane Brown with “Weekend” (released Aug. 8) advanced 12-5 (#40-26 Digital Songs) in its second frame as "Lose It" fell 10-12 (#37-47 Digital Songs) and his R&B-flavored single “Heaven” (Zone 4 | RCA Nashville) held at No.13.

Jason Aldean feat. Miranda Lambert with “Drowns The Whiskey” (Macon | Broken Bow) slipped 4-6 (#20-27 Digital Songs).

Luke Bryan with “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” fell 6-8 (#26-35 Digital Songs).

Kenny Chesney with “Get Along” fell 5-9 (#21-39 Digital Songs).

Thomas Rhett with “Life Changes” fell 8-10 (#33-42 Digital Songs).

Outside the Top 10

Luke Combs with “Beautiful Crazy” held at No.11 (#39-44 Digital Songs).

Jake Owen with “Down To The Honkytonk” made a debut at No.17

Cole Swindell with “All Of It” made a debut at No.18.

Country Aircheck MEDIABASE Chart

August 20, 2018

Morgan Evans Hits #1 With Debut Single, 'Kiss Somebody'

Congrats to Morgan Evans, Kristen Williams, Adrian Michaels, Chad Schultz and the WEA promotion staff on landing this week’s No.1 with “Kiss Somebody”. The song is the first single from his self-titled EP. Writers are Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne and Evans. The record marks Evans' first career #1.

“Kiss Somebody” (Warner Bros./WEA) moved 5-1 logging 7,854 radio spins (+1,098) and 46.487 million audience impressions (+5.74 million) with 25088 Total Points (+3,548) from 158 tracking stations (158 ADDS) for the tracking week August 12 to August 18, 2018 and published chart August 20th, 2018.

Today, my guy’s song is the number one song in country music. To watch his journey with this song the last few years has made my heart explode from happiness. You did it, babe. #KissSomebody 

- Kelsea Ballerini (Source Instagram)

Jake Owen Is Most-Added With 'Down To The Honkytonk'

Congratulations to Big Loud's Jake Owen, who earned 54 MEDIABASE adds this week with his new single, "Down To The Honkytonk," making it the most-added song at Country radio.

Kudos to Stacy Blythe and the Big Loud crew on notching 54 adds with Jake Owen’s “Down To The Honkytonk”. The song topped the "Most Added" board this chart week.

Mediabase Adds (Selective)

Artist/Title (Label) TW Total Historic Adds

JAKE OWEN/Down To The Honkytonk (Big Loud)          54         80        

RUNAWAY JUNE/Buy My Own Drinks (Wheelhouse)      26         29        

JON PARDI/Night Shift (Capitol) 16         70        

BLAKE SHELTON/Turnin' Me On (Warner Bros./WMN)   15         120      

CHASE RICE/Eyes On You (Broken Bow)          13         45        

CODY JOHNSON/On My Way To You (CoJo Music/WMN)          11         19        

CHRIS YOUNG/Hangin' On (RCA)         10         148      

DAN + SHAY/Speechless (Warner Bros./WAR)   9          69        

DIERKS BENTLEY f/BROS. OSBORNE/Burning Man (Capitol)    9          123      

RILEY GREEN/There Was This Girl (BMLGR)     9          83        

MICHAEL RAY/One That Got Away (Atlantic/WEA)         8          78        

SCOTTY MCCREERY/This Is It (Triple Tigers)    8          107      

DAVID LEE MURPHY/I Won't Be Sorry (Reviver)            7          52        

JORDAN DAVIS/Take It From Me (MCA)            7          117      

KENNY CHESNEY f/M. SMITH/Better Boat (Blue Chair/Warner Bros./WEA)        7          15        

MORGAN WALLEN/Whiskey Glasses (Big Loud)            7          50        

BRETT ELDREDGE/Love Someone (Atlantic/WMN)        6          77        

D. BRADBERY & T. RHETT/Goodbye Summer (Valory/BMLGR)  6          27        

ABBY ANDERSON/Make Him Wait (Black River)            2          53        

ASHLEY MCBRYDE/Radioland (Atlantic/WAR)   2          37        

UNCLE KRACKER/Floatin' (Hit Bunch/New Revolution)   2          37        

CHRIS STAPLETON/Tennessee Whiskey (Mercury)       1          13        

CLARE DUNN/More (MCA)        1          53        

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Colorado (BMLGR)    1          2         

JESSIE G/Army Ranger (Redneck)         1          3         

KEITH URBAN/Never Comin' Down (Capitol)      1          1         

LOCASH/Feels Like A Party (Wheelhouse)          1          1         

THOMAS RHETT/Sixteen (Valory)         1          5         

For a detailed report check out Country Aircheck Weekly Issue 615 - August 20, 2018   - Magazine View  

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: #2

Event Venue City/State: Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello, Charli XCX Raymond James Stadium Tampa, Fla.

Dates: Aug 14, 2018 Gross Sales: $7,244,264 Attend: 55,909/ 55,909

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/1 ** SOLD OUT Prices: $499.50, $49.50

Promoters: Messina Touring Group

Rank Artist: #3

Event Venue City/State: Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello, Charli XCX Hard Rock Stadium Miami

Dates: Aug 18, 2018 Gross Sales: $7,072,164 Attend: 47,818/ 47,818

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/1 ** SOLD OUT ** Prices: $499.50, $49.50

Promoters: Messina Touring Group

Rank Artist: #4

Event Venue City/State: Kenny Chesney, Brandon Lay, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett MetLife Stadium East Rutherford, N.J.

Dates: Aug 18, 2018 Gross Sales: $6,858,291 Attend: 58,642/ 58,642

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/1 ** SOLD OUT ** Prices: $273, $60

Promoters: Messina Touring Group

                  

Rank Artist: #21

Event Venue City/State: Brad Paisley, Kane Brown, Dan Tyminski Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater Wantagh, N.Y.

Dates: Aug 10, 2018 Gross Sales: $496,903 Attend: 11,766/ 11,766

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/1 ** SOLD OUT ** Prices: $93.25, $33.25

Promoters: Live Nation

Rank Artist: #24

Event Venue City/State: Brantley Gilbert Mohegan Sun Arena Uncasville, Conn.

Dates:  Aug 11, 2018 Gross Sales: $474,398 Attend: 5,962/ 7,022

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/0 (1,060 unsold tickets) Prices: $79, $59, $39

Promoters: in-house

Rank Artist: #36

Event Venue City/State: Willie Nelson & Family, Alison Krauss + Union Station Vina Robles Amphitheatre Paso Robles, Calif.

Dates:  Aug 11, 2018 Gross Sales: $233,403 Attend: 2,997/ 3,018

Shows/ Sellouts: 1/0 (25 unsold tickets) Prices: $150, $95, $85, $75, $65

Promoters: Live Nation

Latest Billboard Boxscore Chart