Billboard Top Country Album/Single #1s - 2011

1. A CRAZY #1: Well, after four years, two labels, and five single releases, the Eli Young Band celebrates its first #1 in Crazy Girl. At 38 weeks, it is the second single slowest climb to #1. Tracy Lawrence owns the mark at 41 weeks in 2007 with Find Out Who Your Friends Are. Voices, by Chris Young needed two chart appearances to hit #1 in its 51st week this year.
2. AN EASY TOP TEN: Easy by Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield lands at #10 this week. This is the third chart that Bedingfield has a top ten. She has two top five pop hits: Unwritten (#5 in 2006) and Pocketful Of Sunshine (#5 in 2008). Unwritten was a #1 adult contemporary hit as well. Bedingfield becomes the first foreign born female artist to score a top ten since Shania Twain did it in 2004 with her duet with Billy Currington on Party For Two (#7).
3. GEORGE'S 95TH: Making a six spot jump to #39 is George Strait with Love's Gonna Make It Alright. In the meantime, it becomes his 95th top 40 hit.
4. TRAILERS MOVE FAST: Underdog by the Lost Trailers is the fastest climbing song of the week as it moves ten to #46.
5. ATKINS AND ADKINS: Debuting at #57 and #58 respectively are Rodney Atkins with He's Mine and Trace Adkins with Million Dollar View.
6. GO THANK A VETERAN THIS WEEK: Need I say more?
7. #1 HITS: These were the chart topping songs in 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, and 1986:
2006: Before He Cheats-Carrie Underwood-Arista
2001: Angry All The Time-Tim McGraw-Curb
1996: Lonely Too Long-Patty Loveless-Epic
1991: Shameless-Garth Brooks-Capitol
1986: That Rock Won't Roll-Restless Heart-RCA
8. THEIR 13 BIGGEST-SHENANDOAH AND SHANIA TWAIN EDITION: Two diverse acts that we are talking about here. These are their biggest hits. First number is the weeks at #1 while the second is the number of top 40 weeks.
S.:
1. Next To You, Next To Me-1990-3-18
2. The Church On Cumberland Road-1989-2-13
3. Two Dozen Roses-1989-1-24
4. If Bubba Can Dance I Can Too-1994-1-17
5. Sunday In The South-1989-1-14
6. Rock My Baby-1992-1-17 (#2)
S.T.:
1. Love Gets Me Every Time-1997-5-20
2. You Win My Love-1996-2-18
3. If You're Not In It For Love I'm Outta Here-1996-2-18
4. Any Man Of Mine-1995-2-17
5. Honey, I'm Home-1998-1-22
6. You're Still The One-1998-1-19
7. No One Needs To Know-1996-1-18
9. MILESTONE TOP TEN CHART: Number one hits have come from either studio albums or greatest hits CDs (or is it studio CDs or greatest hits albums?). Anyway, our #1 song from sixteen years ago this week came from a box set and from an artist that has managed to make a lot of history in country music. The song is Check Yes Or No, the box set is Strait Out Of The Box, and of course, the artist is George Strait.
Highlights from the 4 CD, 72 song boxed set include:
1. The first three songs-I Just Can't Go On Dying Like This, That Don't Change The Way I Feel About You, and I Don't Want To Talk It Over Anymore-all released on D Records during the 1970s and all written by Strait himself (do not tell anyone this, but George is writing again!)
2. 44 top ten hits
3. 28 #1 hits
4. His first top ten, Unwound (#6 in 1981)
5. His first #1, Fool Hearted Memory (1982)
6. Another song written by Strait-I Can't See Texas From Here
7. His version of Heartbroke (#1 for Ricky Skaggs in 1982)
8. His version of What Would Your Memories Do (#10 for Vern Gosdin in 1984)
9. His longest streak of #1 hits (from Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her-1986 to Ace in The Hole-1989)
10. A duet with Hank Thompson-Six Pack To Go
11. Chart wise, his biggest hit-Love Without End, Amen-1990 (5 weeks at #1)
12. His first relative 'failure'-Lovesick Blues (#24 in 1992)
13. Three songs from his best selling single title, Pure Country (at six times platinum): I Cross My Heart, Heartland, and When Did You Stop Loving Me
14. Plus, other songs from the CD: Overnight Male, The King Of Broken Hearts, and Where The Sidewalk Ends (a song that if released, would be a top ten for Strait)
15. A duet with Asleep At The Wheel-Big Ball's In Cowtown
16. A duet with Frank Sinatra-Fly Me To The Moon
17. Two new songs: Check Yes Or No (#1 in 1995) and I Know She Still Loves Me (#5 in 1996)
All the songs that are in the boxed set came from Strait's first fifteen studio CDs from Strait Country in 1981 to Lead On in 1994 (except for the duets and the new songs). Check Yes Or No was released in September and became Strait's 28th #1 in November. A year later, the song won Strait his very first C.M.A. Award for Single of the Year (he also won for I Saw God Today in 2008). The box set is certified at the eight times platinum level (since there are four CDs, that means two million sets were sold). The box set is country music's biggest selling box set in history and is second to Bruce Springsteen's Live 1975-1985. The box set features a booklet that has George commenting on all the songs and a discography compiled by Dee Henry Jenkins (Conway Twitty's widow). By the way, there are two #1s from box sets in country music. The other one is by Garth Brooks: More Than A Memory (2007). That song came from the 2CD/DVD The Ultimate Hits. This is what the chart looked like back then:

BILLBOARD TOP TEN FOR WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 11, 1995:
1. CHECK YES OR NO-GEORGE STRAIT-MCA
2. Dust On The Bottle-David Lee Murphy-MCA
3. No Man's Land-John Michael Montgomery-Atlantic
4. I Let Her Lie-Daryle Singletary-Giant
5. Safe In The Arms Of Love-Martina McBride-RCA
6. Who Needs You Baby-Clay Walker-Giant
7. She's Every Woman-Garth Brooks-Capitol
8. All I Need To Know-Kenny Chesney-BNA
9. Whiskey Under The Bridge-Brooks & Dunn-Arista
10. Tall, Tall Trees-Alan Jackson-Arista

1. SWIFT SPARKS #1: Finally, after four single releases from a CD that sold a million copies in its first week, Taylor Swift has a #1 hit from Speak Now. It is Sparks Fly and it becomes her fifth chart topping hit in her career following:
1. Our Song-2007-chart wise, her biggest hit
2. Should've Said No-2008
3. Love Story-2008
4. You Belong With Me-2009
5. Sparks Fly-2011
However, Swift has done well with her other Speak Now singles:
1. Mine-2010-#2
2. Back To December-2011-#3
3. Mean-2011-#2
Swift now becomes the 118th artist in history with at least five chart topping hits.
2. C.M.A. CHART: This year's winners on this week's chart:
1. Sparks Fly-Taylor Swift-Entertainer of the Year
2. God Gave Me You-Blake Shelton-Male Vocalist
5. We Owned The Night-Lady Antebellum-Vocal Group of the Year
6. Tattoos On This Town-Jason Aldean-Album and Musical Event of the Year
7. Baggage Claim-Miranda Lambert-Female Vocalist
13. All Your Life-the Band Perry-Single, Song, and New Artist of the Year
16. Reality-Kenny Chesney-Musical Video of the Year
21. Camouflage-Brad Paisley-C.M.A. Host
53. Footloose-Blake Shelton-Male Vocalist
60. Run-Sugarland and Matt Nathanson-Vocal Duo of the Year
3. GOTTA HAVE FAITH: Look who's back-Faith Hill! The last time she was on the chart with one of her singles was back in 2007 with Red Umbrella (#28) off her last CD called The Hits. Her last top ten was in 2007, too called I Need You (#8 with Tim McGraw off his Let It Go CD). Well, she comes back this week with a lead single off of an upcoming CD. She grabs the Hot Shot Debut at #35 with Come Home.
4. HE'S MINE AND FAST: Rodney Atkins takes an eleven point jump to #46 with He's Mine-this week's fastest climbing song.
5. FOUR FOR FOUR: Miranda Lambert has charted four CDs so far. So far, ALL of them have debuted at #1, including her latest, Four The Record. Here is the list:
1. Kerosene-2005
2. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend-2007
3. Revolution-2009
4. Four The Record-2011
6. #1 CDS: These were the top selling CDs in 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, and 1986:
2006: Small Town Girl-Kellie Pickler-BNA
2001: O Brother, Where Art Thou-Soundtrack-Mercury
1996: Everything I Love-Alan Jackson-Arista
1991: Ropin' The Wind-Garth Brooks-Capitol
1986: The Touch-Alabama-RCA
7. THEIR 17 BIGGEST-FARON YOUNG AND JACK GREENE EDITION: Both of these artists had a ton of hits together during the 1960s and 1970s with Young being a hit machine during the 1950s. These are their biggest hits. Weeks at #1 or #2 are first while weeks in the top 40 are second.
F.Y.:
1. Alone With You-1958-13-29
2. Hello Walls-1961-9-23
3. Country Girl-1959-4-32
4. Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young-1955-3-22
5. It's Four In The Morning-1972-2-16
6. All Right-1955-4-28 (#2)
7. If You Ain't Lovin', You Ain't Livin'-1955-3-27 (#2)
8. Wine Me Up-1969-2-14 (#2)
9. Sweet Dreams-1956-1-33 (#2)
10. Goin' Steady-1953-1-18 (#2)
J.G.:
1. There Goes My Everything-1966-7-21
2. All The Time-1967-5-17
3. Statue Of A Fool-1969-2-15
4. Until My Dreams Come True-1969-2-13
5. You Are My Treasure-1968-1-12
6. What Locks The Door-1967-4-17 (#2)
7. Wish I Didn't Have To Miss You-with Jeannie Seely-1970-2-13 (#2)
8. MILESTONE TOP TEN CHART: No one from the Class of 1989 is on their original label. In chronological order of their chart debuts, here is a list of those artists, labels, and years on those labels:
1. Clint Black-RCA-1988-2002
2. Garth Brooks-Capitol-1988-2004
3. Travis Tritt-Warner Bros.-1989-2000
4. Alan Jackson-Arista-1989-2011
It was Tritt who managed a #1 on the second label he was on, Columbia (2000-2005) and as a matter of fact, he was the first artist from the Class of 1989 to do so. He did so eleven years ago this week with Best Of Intentions.
Here is a list of those major hits he had on the Warner label:
1. Country Club-1989-#9
2. Help Me Hold On-1990-#1
3. I'm Gonna Be Somebody-1990-#2
4. Drift Off To Dream-1991-#3
5. Here's A Quarter Call Someone Who Cares-1991-#2
6. Anymore-1991-#1-chart wise, his biggest hit
7. The Whiskey Ain't Workin-with Marty Stuart-1992-#2
8. Nothing Short Of Dying-1992-#4
9. Lord Have Mercy On The Working Man-1992-#5
10. Can I Trust You With My Heart-1993-#1
11. T-R-O-U-B-L-E-1993-#13
12. Looking Out For Number One-1993-#11
13. Foolish Pride-1994-#1
14. Between An Old Memory And Me-1995-#11
15. Tell Me I Was Dreaming-1995-#2
16. Sometimes She Forgets-1995-#7
17. More Than You'll Ever Know-1996-#3
18. Where Corn Don't Grow-1997-#6
19. Helping Me Get Over You-with Lari White-1997-#18
During his run of hits on Warner, Tritt racked up another top ten duet with Stuart on This One's Gonna Hurt You For A Long, Long Time (#7 in 1992 off the Stuart CD, This One's Gonna Hurt You on MCA Records). A year after title #19 peaked, Tritt released his last CD on Warner called No More Looking Over My Shoulder. It was his worst performing CD in terms of hits. If I Lost You hit #29 in 1998 while the title track hit #38 in 1999. Start The Car was his final Warner single, hitting #52.
Shortly after that CD ran its course, Tritt was dropped by the Warner label. It should be noted that the label dropped their other Travis-Randy Travis in 1997 (he signed to the Dreamworks label later that year). Columbia decided to sign Tritt in 2000. His first CD for them was called Down The Road I Go. Its first single, Best Of Intentions was released in July and became Tritt's fifth (and final) chart topper in November. He collected three more top tens from the CD (becoming his third CD to contain a quartet of top tens after Country Club and It's All About To Change):
1. It's A Great Day To Be Alive-2001-#2-his biggest #2 hit
2. Love Of A Woman-2001-#2
3. Modern Day Bonnie And Clyde-2002-#8
He released two more CDs for Columbia and reached the top 40 five more times with these hits:
1. Strong Enough To Be Your Man-2002-#13
2. Country Ain't Country-2003-#26
3. The Girl's Gone Wild-2004-#28
4. What Say You-with John Mellencamp-2004-#21
5. I See Me-2005-#32
After Columbia, Tritt signed to Category 5 Records in 2006. He released a CD for them called The Storm which was produced by Randy Jackson. It contained his last top 40 hit-You Never Take Me Dancing (#27 in 2007). Shortly after that song peaked, the label shut down due to questionable financial tactics to keep the label afloat. Tritt decided to sue the label for $10 million (I have not heard anything about the lawsuit since). Since 2007, Tritt has been label-less after 18 years in the business.
How does Tritt compare to his other 1989 contemporaries? After his RCA days, Black started his own label called Equity Records. He only has one major hit on the label called Spend My Time (#16 in 2004). The label closed in 2008 and Black is 'homeless' as far as labels are concerned. After his Capitol years, Brooks started Pearl Records and landed a deal with WalMart to distribute his second boxed set called The Limited Series. The set contained a top ten called Good Ride Cowboy (#3 in 2005). It was a tribute song to Chris LeDoux, who died earlier that year. His last musical statement made history when he released The Ultimate Hits in 2007. A new song from the set, More Than A Memory debuted at #1. It was released on the Pearl/Big Machine label. Brooks said he will resume a full touring/recording schedule when his youngest daughter graduates from high school. He is currently a Las Vegas act. Jackson ended his Arista era on a #1s CD note. He signed to the EMI label this year and is currently on the charts with Long Way To Go (#24 this week). This is what the chart looked like back then:

BILLBOARD TOP TEN FOR WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 18, 2000:
1. BEST OF INTENTIONS-TRAVIS TRITT-COLUMBIA
2. The Little Girl-John Michael Montgomery-Atlantic
3. Just Another Day In Paradise-Phil Vassar-Arista
4. We Danced-Brad Paisley-Arista
5. Go On-George Strait-MCA
6. Feels Like Love-Vince Gill-MCA
7. Without You-Dixie Chicks-Monument
8. My Next Thirty Years-Tim McGraw-Curb
9. I Lost It-Kenny Chesney-BNA
10. Born To Fly-Sara Evans-RCA

O.K., I see where you are coming from with A Baby Changes Everything (#36). However, that came from a Christmas CD, which I supposed is open to debate as it was not a regular Faith Hill release. If you want to count it (especially when tabulating an artists top 40 hits, that is fine). Give Into Me was off the Country Strong CD and would not be counted again as a Hill release. I did state that Red Umbrella was her last release from one of her CDs (which is true).

Chart's already out, but here are the 12/10 Chart Highlights:

*** No. 1 *** "We Owned The Night" Lady Antebellum
Greatest Gainer No. 4 "Keep Me In Mind" Zac Brown Band
Hot Shot Debut No. 56 "Ours" Taylor Swift
Debut No. 57 "Like We Never Said Goodbye" Clay Walker
Re-entry No. 58 "Care" Kid Rock featuring Angaleena Presley or Martina McBride
Debut No. 60 "Why Ya Wanna" Jana Kramer

"5. A MIXED BAG: Scotty McCreery returns to #1 on the country albums chart after selling 33,000 copies of his Clear As Day CD. However, he was caught lip syncing his current hit, The Trouble With Girls at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."

This caught my eye and pisses me off! Everyone knows...or should know...most performances in the Macy's parade are lip-synced. There are no bands...accompaniment. Don't pick on the kid...he's not used to lip-syncing.

No. 1 selling country album again this week +165%....probably because of that Macy's appearance.

People always make a big deal about lip-syncing. I don't pay much attention to it. Maybe people do it all the time at the Macy's Parade, and Scotty is just another in a long list, but why do people say "oh my gosh, he was lip syncing!" and make a big deal out of it when he's already proved that he can sing?

Anyway, I'm sure it was the Macy's Parade and just general Black Friday shopping that boosted Scotty's album sales. It's gotten pretty good reviews and I'm sure it was visible to people who maybe hadn't been out shopping hardly at all. Non-country fans are buying it, too, because he is the "American Idol", but I bet a lot of kids or their parents bought the album, too, with the parents probably thinking it would make a good present/stocking stuffer for middle school or high school aged kids.

1. HURRAY FOR TIM!: Usually, in this section I would not be playing the role of a cheerleader, but I am glad Tim McGraw won his case last week against Curb Records. That said, he has the Hot Shot Debut this week with Better Than I Used To Be at #51. By the way, you should see me with my pom poms!
2. A TWO WEEK LONG NIGHT: Lady Antebellum continues to have the #1 hit in country with We Owned The Night.
3. NOT #10 AGAIN!: Eric Church lands his third top ten with Drink In My Hand at #10 this week. His other two top tens have peaked at #10: Love Your Love The Most in 2009 and Hell On The Heart in 2010.
4. YOURS IS SLOW, OURS IS FAST: Taking a 19 point jump this week, Taylor Swift has the fastest climbing song in Ours (at #37).
5. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS: We have our first Christmas songs on the chart this week. They are:
1. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town-The Band Perry-#56
2. Wonderful Christmastime-Eli Young Band-#57
6. SECOND A.C.A. WINNERS: This is the list of those who won awards at the second American Country Awards show:
1. Artist of the Year-Jason Aldean
2. Male Artist-Brad Paisley
3. Female Artist-Carrie Underwood
4. Group-Lady Antebellum
5. Breakthough Artist-Chris Young
6. New Artist-Scotty McCreery
7. Single of the Year-Voices-Chris Young
8. Male Single-My Kinda Party-Jason Aldean
9. Female Single-Mama's Song-Carrie Underwood
10. Group Single-Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not-Thompson Square
11. New Artist Single-Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not-Thompson Square
12. Vocal Collaboration Single-Don't You Wanna Stay-Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
13. Touring Artist-Jason Aldean
14. Music Video of the Year-Who Are You When I'm Not Looking-Blake Shelton
15. Male Video-Who Are You When I'm Not Looking-Blake Shelton
16. Female Video-Mama's Song-Carrie Underwood
17. Group or Collaboration Video-Don't You Wanna Stay-Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson
18. New Artist Video-Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not-Thompson Square
19. Greatest Hits Award-Alabama
20. Artist of the Decade-Toby Keith
7. A 90S LOOK PART II: These were the top selling CDs during the first week in December during the 1990s:
1990: No Fences-Garth Brooks-Capitol
1991: Ropin' The Wind-Garth Brooks-Capitol
1992: The Chase-Garth Brooks-Capitol
1993: Common Thread: The Songs Of The Eagles-Various-Giant
1994: Not A Moment Too Soon-Tim McGraw-Curb
1995: Fresh Horses-Garth Brooks-Capitol
1996: Everything I Love-Alan Jackson-Arista
1997: Come On Over-Shania Twain-Mercury
1998: Double Live-Garth Brooks-Capitol
1999: Breathe-Faith Hill-Warner Bros.
8. LET'S PLAY CATCH UP: I will be lisitng the biggest hit from those artists who do not have enough #1s to rank (even though I may have ranked some of the artists listed below). Here is the fourth list of 25 artists. Their biggest hit is determined by weeks at #1 followed by weeks in the top 40.
1. Michael Johnson-Give Me Wings-1987-1-16
2. Tom Jones-Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow-1977-1-10
3. Louis Jordan-Is You Or Is You Ain't Ma' Baby-1944-5-09
4. The Kendalls-Heaven's Just A Sin Away-1977-4-13
5. Sammy Kershaw-She Don't Know She's Beautiful-1993-1-18
6. Claude King-Wolverton Mountain-1962-9-26
7. Pee Wee King-Slow Poke-1951-15-31
8. Kris Kristofferson-Highwayman-with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings-1985-1-14
9. Cristy Lane-One Day At A Time-1980-1-14
10. Dicky Lee-Rocky-1975-1-14
11. Little Texas-My Love-1994-2-17
12. Hank Locklin-Please Help Me, I'm Falling-1960-14-36
13. Dave Loggins-Nobody Loves Me Like You Do-with Anne Murray-1984-1-13
14. Louvin Brothers-I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby-1956-2-24
15. Warner Mack-The Bridge Washed Out-1965-1-22
16. Cledus Maggard And The Citizen's Band-The White Night-1976-1-11
17. Kathy Mattea-Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses-1988-2-14
18. C.W. McCall-Convoy-1975-6-13
19. Charly McClain-Radio Heart-1985-1-14
20. Neal McCoy-Wink-1994-4-18
21. Mindy McCready-Guys Do It All The Time-1996-1-15
22. Mel McDaniel-Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On-1985-1-15
23. Skeets McDonald-Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes-1952-3-18
24. Ronnie McDowell-You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation-1983-1-12
25. Roger Miller-Dang Me-1964-6-22
9. MILESTONE TOP TEN CHART: This week's feature is dedicated to: Chris Austin, Kirk Cappello, Joey Cigainero, Paula Kaye Evans, John Hammon, Terry Jackson, Tony Saputo, Michael Thomas, Chris Hollinger, and Don Holms. Who were those people? The first eight were part of Reba McEntire's band while the last two were the pilots at the controls of the plane. The plane crash happened in March, 1991. McEntire's song of heartache, For My Broken Heart was our #1 song twenty years ago this week.
Let us start the story in 1990 when McEntire released her Rumor Has It CD. The CD started well when You Lie became her fifteenth #1 hit. She followed it with the title track which hit #3 in 1991. Then we come to March 15, 1991. Reba and her band were in San Diego for a private concert for IBM employees. They had a concert scheduled in Fort Wayne the next night. Reba's band left on two planes (Reba and her husband, Narvel Blackstock stayed in San Diego overnight and would take off the next day in their private jet). The eight aforementioned band members left first while two others, Pete Finney and Joe McGlohon left right after. They left San Diego around 2 a.m. on March 16. Minutes after the first plane left, one of its wings clipped a mountain before it exploded and killed everyone on board. Reba and Narvel were told of the plane crash and instead flew to Nashville the next day (where the second plane flew after the news of the first plane not making it to its destination). ALL of Nashville was in mourning. The city had not seen that kind of reaction since Keith Whitley passed away two years prior. McEntire met with all of the families and a memorial service was scheduled for March 20. Johnny Cash sang a song at the service, Jim I Wore A Tie Today and offered his remarks, which had a great impact for those who attended. McEntire canceled several concerts, but kept her committment to the Academy Awards, which were held March 25 in Los Angeles. She was encouraged to continue with her music by the families later that spring.
Getting back to the music, McEntire was on the charts with two songs for the week ending March 16, 1991: Rumor Has It at #34 and falling and Fancy at #32 and rising. Fancy, probably her most played recurrent song peaked at #8. The Rumor Has It CD ended on a #2 single with Fallin' Out Of Love. McEntire's mood was certainly different when she went to record a follow up CD. The CD's title was For My Broken Heart. The title track was released in October and made its way to #1 in December. She dedicated her CD to her lost bandmates. Garth Brooks did the same with his Ropin' The Wind CD. For My Broken Heart (the CD) kept McEntire on the charts throughout all of 1992 with these hits:
1. Is There Life Out There-#1
2. The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia-#12
3. The Greatest Man I Never Knew-#3
This is what the chart looked like back then:

BILLBOARD TOP TEN FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 7, 1991:
1. FOR MY BROKEN HEART-REBA MCENTIRE-MCA
2. Shameless-Garth Brooks-Capitol
3. My Next Broken Heart-Brooks & Dunn-Arista
4. Then Again-Alabama-RCA
5. Forever Together-Randy Travis-Warner Bros.
6. You Don't Count The Cost-Billy Dean-Capitol
7. The Chill Of An Early Fall-George Strait-MCA
8. Some Guys Have All The Love-Little Texas-Warner Bros.
9. Look At Us-Vince Gill-MCA
10. Love, Me-Collin Raye-Epic

1. KEEP ME AT #1: The Zac Brown Band collects their eighth #1 hit in Keep Me In Mind. In the meantime, their current CD You Get What You Give is their second CD to contain a quartet of #1 hits. Their CDs and chart toppers are:
1. The Foundation
a. Chicken Fried-2008
b. Toes-2009
c. Highway 20 Ride-2010
d. Free-2010
2. You Get What You Give
a. As She's Walking Away-with Alan Jackson-2010
b. Colder Weather-2011
c. Knee Deep-with Jimmy Buffett-2011
d. Keep Me In Mind
Starting with Toes, this is the Zac Brown Band's seventh consecutive #1 hit, putting them in a second place tie with Exile for the group with the most back to back #1s. Exile scored theirs between 1984-1986. Alabama's 21 between 1980-1987 is first. In the meantime, Zac Brown joins the Judds to have their first two CDs (once RCA released the Judds' first two full length CDs) to have four #1s on EACH CD. Furthermore, the You Get What You Give CD is the 29th in country music history with a quartet of #1 hits (minus greatest hits CDs). The others:
1. Don't Make It Easy For Me-Earl Thomas Conley-RCA
2. Roll On-Alabama-RCA
3. Why Not Me-the Judds-RCA
4. Rockin' With The Rhythm-the Judds-RCA
5. Lost In The Fifties Tonight-Ronnie Milsap-RCA
6. Hang On To Your Heart-Exile-Epic
7. Wheels-Restless Heart-RCA
8. Always & Forever-Randy Travis-Warner Bros.
9. King's Record Shop-Rosanne Cash-Columbia
10. The Heart Of It All-Earl Thomas Conley-RCA
11. Southern Star-Alabama-RCA
12. Killin' Time-Clint Black-RCA
13. No Fences-Garth Brooks-Capitol
14. Don't Rock The Jukebox-Alan Jackson-Arista
15. Brand New Man-Brooks & Dunn-Arista
16. I Still Believe In You-Vince Gill-MCA
17. Alibis-Tracy Lawrence-Atlantic
18. Who I Am-Alan Jackson-Arista
19. The Woman In Me-Shania Twain-Mercury
20. Everywhere-Tim McGraw-Curb
21. A Place In The Sun-Tim McGraw-Curb
22. Lonely Grill-Lonestar-BNA
23. Set This Circus Down-Tim McGraw-Curb
24. If You're Going Through Hell-Rodney Atkins-Curb
25. Golden Road-Keith Urban-Capitol
26. Time Well Wasted-Brad Paisley-Arista
27. Carnival Ride-Carrie Underwood-Artista
28. The Foundation-Zac Brown Band-Atlantic
29. You Get What You Give-Zac Brown Band-Atlantic
2. LOVIN' #2: Jason Aldean is spending his fourth week at #2 with Tattoos On This Town. He has spent seven weeks at the runner up position this year as My Kinda Party was a three week #2 in January.
3. MORE GOOD NEWS FOR MCGRAW: Tim McGraw has the fastest climbing single of the week as Better Than I Used To Be climbs twelve to #39.
4. HER BIGGEST IN FOUR YEARS: Faith Hill scores her biggest hit since Red Umbrella peaked at #28 in 2007. This week, her Come Home is at #26.
5. NOW WE'RE TAKING NOTICE: Toby Keith is in the top twenty with his Red Solo Cup (full of egg nog, I'm sure) at #17 this week.
6. SECOND WEEK OF CHRISTMAS: This is the second week of new Christmas debuts. They are:
1. Christmas All Over The World-Tim McGraw-his StyleSonic Records debut-#54
2. Mele Kalikimaka-Jake Owen-#55
7. #1 HITS: These were the top songs in 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, and 1986:
2006: My Wish-Rascal Flatts-Lyric Street
2001: I Wanna Talk About Me-Toby Keith-Dreamworks
1996: Little Bitty-Alan Jackson-Arista
1991: For My Broken Heart-Reba McEntire-MCA
1986: Hell And High Water-T. Graham Brown-Capitol
8. LET'S PLAY CATCH UP: I will be listing the biggest hit from those artists who do not have enough #1s to rank (even though I may have ranked some of the artists listed below). Here is the fifth list of 25 artists. Their biggest hit is determined by weeks at #1 followed by weeks in the top 40.
1. Priscilla Mitchell-Yes, Mr. Peters-with Roy Drusky-1965-2-23
2. Melba Montgomery-No Charge-1974-1-12
3. George Morgan-Candy Kisses-1949-3-23
4. Lorrie Morgan-What Part Of No-1993-3-18
5. Moon Mullican-I'll Sail My Ship Alone-1950-4-36
6. Michael Martin Murphey-What's Forever For-1982-1-16
7. David Lee Murphy-Dust On The Bottle-1995-2-17
8. Juice Newton-Both To Each Other Friends And Lovers-with Eddie Rabbitt-1986-1-14
9. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band-Fishin' In The Dark-1987-1-15
10. The O'Kanes-Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You-1987-1-14
11. K.T. Oslin-Come Next Monday-1990-2-18
12. Marie Osmond-Paper Roses-1973-2-12
13. Paul Overstreet-Daddy's Come Around-1991-1-18
14. Johnny Paycheck-Take This Job And Shove It-1978-1-13
15. Leon Payne-I Love You Because-1950-2-32
16. Carl Perkins-Blue Suede Shoes-1956-3-24
17. Michael Peterson-From Here To Eternity-1997-1-20
18. Jeanne Pruett-Satin Sheets-1973-3-15
19. Wayne Raney-Why Don't You Haul Off And Love Me-1949-3-22
20. Collin Raye-Love, Me-1992-3-17
21. Jerry Reed-When You're Hot, You're Hot-1971-5-13
22. Del Reeves-Girl On The Billboard-1965-2-18
23. Mike Reid-Walk On Faith-1991-2-17
24. Ricochet-Daddy's Money-1996-2-17
25. Jeannie C. Riley-Harper Valley P.T.A.-1968-3-13
9. MILESTONE TOP TEN CHART: It is time to review those artists, songs, CDs, and chart achievements that were discussed in this section this year.
1. Anne Murray and Dave Loggins have a #1 duet in Nobody Loves Me Like You Do in 1985
2. C.W. McCall scores a monster crossover hit in Convoy in 1975
3. Reba McEntire has a pair of top tens in the top ten in 1986
4. Johnny Cash scores a classic in Daddy Sang Bass in 1969
5. Kenny Rogers scores a #1 in Morning Desire in 1986
6. Lionel Richie and Alabama have a top ten duet in Deep River Woman in 1987
7. Ronnie Milsap scores a #1 in I'd Be A Legend In My Time in 1975
8. George Jones and Tammy Wynette score their last #1 together, Near You in 1977
9. Rosanne Cash remakes her daddy's Tennessee Flat Top Box in 1988
10. George Strait has his first #1 CD in Right Or Wrong in 1984
11. Marty Robbins scores a classic in Don't Worry in 1961
12. Merle Haggard scores his first #1 in The Fugitive in 1967
13. Ronnie Milsap makes Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me a #1 in 1989
14. Conway Twitty scores his 75th and final top ten in I Couldn't See You Leavin' in 1991
15. The Dixie Chicks score their last top ten in Travelin' Soldier in 2003
16. Ricky Skaggs scores a live #1 CD in Live In London in 1986
17. Tennessee Bird Walk becomes a novelty #1 for Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan in 1970
18. George Jones scores his first #1, White Lightning in 1959
19. Hank Williams, Jr. scores his biggest #2 hit in A Country Boy Can Survive in 1982
20. Waylon Jennings scores his last #1 in Rose In Paradise in 1987
21. Debby Boone scores her only #1 country hit in Are You On The Road To Lovin' Me Again in 1980
22. Kenny Rogers scores a comeback hit in Buy Me A Rose in 2000
23. Cal Smith is a #1 Country Bumpkin in 1974
24. Toby Keith's most intensive hits collection, 35 Biggest Hits is #1 in 2008
25. Reba McEntire becomes a superstar when Whoever's In New England is #1 in 1986
26. Randy Travis hits #1 with I Told You So in 1988
27. Patty Loveless scores her first #1 for Epic Records, Blame It On Your Heart in 1993
28. Conway Twitty scores his biggest hit in the 1980s with Slow Hand in 1982
29. Vern Gosdin scores his first #1 in I Can Tell By The Way You Dance You're Gonna Love Me Tonight in 1984
30. Brad Paisley's 5th Gear is a top selling CD in 2007
31. Universal Records has a #1 in Eddy Raven's In A Letter To You in 1989
32. Pancho And Lefty becomes a classic duet for Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard in 1984
33. Exile scores Arista's biggest hit in Nobody's Talking in 1990
34. George Strait scores his first top ten in Unwound in 1981
35. Highwayman becomes a #1 hit for Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson in 1985
36. Johnny Cash scores his biggest crossover hit in A Boy Named Sue in 1969
37. Trisha Yearwood wins the How Do I Live 'battle' in country in 1997
38. Brooks & Dunn score their first #1 in Brand New Man in 1991
39. The 9/11 chart in 2001
40. George Jones scores his biggest hit in Tender Years in 1961
41. Rodney Crowell scores his fifth #1 from Diamonds & Dirt, Above And Beyond in 1989
42. Garth Brooks debuts at #1 with his Ropin' The Wind CD in 1991
43. Heaven's Just A Sin Away is a #1 for the Kendalls in 1977
44. I Will Always Love You hits #1 for the second time for Dolly Parton in 1982
45. Tim McGraw's Something Like That is a #1 in 1999
46. The Oak Ridge Boys score a #1 in Gonna Take A Lot Of River in 1988
47. Common Thread: The Songs Of The Eagles is a top seller in 1993
48. Check Yes Or No is a #1 for George Strait in 1995
49. Travis Tritt, after a label change is #1 with Best Of Intentions in 2000
50. Randy Travis scores his fifth and final #1 CD with Heroes And Friends in 1990
51. Glen Campbell scores his sixth #1 album with Wichita Lineman in 1968
52. After tragedy, Reba McEntire scores a #1, For My Broken Heart in 1991
More to come!

I'll make sure this is all updated for the year now that school is over.

Country Songs
*** No. 1 *** "Keep Me In Mind" Zac Brown Band
Greatest Gainer No. 29 "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" The Band Perry
Hot Shot Debut No. 49 "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" Little Big Town
Debut No. 53 "Over You" Miranda Lambert
Debut No. 56 "Drink On It" Blake Shelton
Debut No. 58 "Run Rudolph Run" Justin Moore
Debut No. 59 "O Holy Night" Edens Edge

1. THEIR BIGGEST HIT: The Zac Brown Band has the #1 hit for the third straight week with Keep Me In Mind. In the process, it becomes their biggest hit to date.
2. THE SPOUSES ARE BACK: Miranda Lambert debuts at #52 (the Hot Shot Debut) with Over You. It is the follow up to Baggage Claim which peaked at #3. Meanwhile, her husband Blake Shelton follows his #1 hit, God Gave Me You with Drink On It at #56 this week.
3. OWEN'S FAST: Jake Owen has the fastest climbing song of the week with Mele Kalikimaka (#58 to #40).
4. THIRD WEEK OF CHRISTMAS: Three more Christmas songs debut this week. They are:
1. O Holy Night-Chris Young-#53
2. Run Rudolph Run-Justin Moore-#58
3. O Holy Night-Edens Edge-#59
5. AN 80S LOOK: These were the chart topping songs during the last week of December during the 1980s:
1980: One In A Million-Johnny Lee-Asylum
1981: Love In The First Degree-Alabama-RCA
1982: Wild And Blue-John Anderson-Warner Bros.
1983: Houston Means I'm One Day Closer To You-Gatlin Bros.-Columbia
1984: Why Not Me-the Judds-RCA
1985: Have Mercy-the Judds-RCA
1986: Mind Your Own Business-Hank Williams, Jr., Reba McEntire, Tom Petty, Reverend Ike, and Willie Nelson-Warner Bros.
1987: Somewhere Tonight-Highway 101-Warner Bros.
1988: When You Say Nothing At All-Keith Whitley-RCA
1989: A Woman In Love-Ronnie Milsap-RCA
6. LET'S PLAY CATCH UP: I will be listing the biggest hit from those artists who do not have enough #1s to rank (even though I may have ranked some of the artists listed below). Here is the final list of 26 artists. Their biggest hit is determined by weeks at #1 followed by weeks in the top 40.
1. Hank Thompson-The Wild Side Of Life-1952-15-30
2. Pam Tillis-Mi Vida Loca My Crazy Life-1995-2-15
3. Floyd Tillman-They Took The Stars Out Of Heaven-1944-1-13
4. Aaron Tippin-There Ain't Nothing Wrong With The Radio-1992-3-18
5. Mitchell Torok-Caribbean-1953-2-24
6. Merle Travis-Divorce Me C.O.D.-1946-14-23
7. Rick Trevino-Running Out Of Reasons To Run-1997-1-18
8. Mary Lou Turner-Sometimes-with Bill Anderson-1976-1-11
9. Wesley Tuttle-With Tears In My Eyes-1945-4-14
10. Leroy Van Dyke-Walk On By-1961-19-37
11. Porter Wagoner-A Satisfied Mind-1955-4-33
12. Jimmy Wakely-Slipping Around-with Margaret Whiting-1949-17-28
13. Billy Walker-Charlie's Shoes-1962-2-23
14. Jerry Wallace-If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry-1972-2-16
15. Gene Watson-Fourteen Carat Mind-1982-1-15
16. Lawrence Welk-Shame On You-1945-1-14
17. Kitty Wells-It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels-1952-6-18
18. Shelly West-Jose Cuervo-1983-1-13
19. Bryan White-So Much For Pretending-1996-2-16
20. Margaret Whiting-Slipping Around-with Jimmy Wakely-1949-17-28
21. Slim Willet-Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes-1952-1-23
22. Tex Williams-Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! That Cigarette-1947-16-23
23. Sheb Wooley-That's My Pa-1962-1-17
24. Chely Wright-Single White Female-1999-1-24
25. Johnny Wright-Hello Vietnam-1965-3-20
26. Dwight Yoakam-I Sang Dixie-1989-1-16
7. MILESTONE TOP TEN CHART: Seventeen years ago this week, Garth Brooks had the top selling CD in the land with his first greatest hits package called The Hits.
By the time 1994 ended, Brooks had: 22 major hits, 21 top tens, and 13 #1 hits. The CD collected hits from his first five studio albums. They are:
1. Garth Brooks-1989
2. No Fences-1990
3. Ropin' The Wind-1991
4. The Chase-1992
5. In Pieces-1993
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
1. Ain't Going Down Til The Sun Comes Up-1993-#1
2. Friends In Low Places-1990-#1-chart wise, his biggest hit
3. Callin' Baton Rouge-1994-#2
4. The River-1992-#1
5. Much Too Young To Feel This Damn Old-1989-#8
6. The Thunder Rolls-1991-#1
7. American Honky-Tonk Bar Association-1993-#1
8. If Tomorrow Never Comes-1989-#1
9. Unanswered Prayers-1991-#1
10. Standing Outside The Fire-1994-#3
11. Rodeo-1991-#3
12. What She's Doing Now-1992-#1
13. We Shall Be Free-1992-#12
14. Papa Loved Mama-1992-#3
15. Shameless-1991-#1
16. Two Of A Kind, Workin' On A Full House-1991-#1
17. That Summer-1993-#1
18. The Dance-1990-#1
The CD debuted at #1 on BOTH country and top 200 charts. It spent 16 weeks at #1 on the country albums chart and eight weeks at the top of the top 200 chart. The CD is certified ten times platinum. Thirteen years later, Brooks released another hits CD called The Ultimate Hits. It was a 2CD/DVD set that made history when a new tune, More Than A Memory became the first single to start its chart life at #1. This is what the chart looked like back then:

BILLBOARD TOP TEN FOR WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1994:
1. THE HITS-GARTH BROOKS-CAPITOL
2. Not A Moment Too Soon-Tim McGraw-Curb
3. The Tractors-The Tractors-Arista
4. Stones In The Road-Mary Chapin Carpenter-Columbia
5. Who I Am-Alan Jackson-Arista
6. Waitin' On Sundown-Brooks & Dunn-Arista
7. Lead On-George Strait-MCA
8. Read My Mind-Reba McEntire-MCA
9. You Might Be A Redneck If...-Jeff Foxworthy-Warner Bros.
10. Third Rock From The Sun-Joe Diffie-Epic

P.S.: Happy New Year!

1. AN OLD #1: For the fourth consecutive week, the Zac Brown Band has the top song of the week with Keep Me In Mind. The last time a song was #1 for four weeks happened last year with Blake Shelton's Honey Bee.
2. A NEW #2: After six long weeks in the runner up position, Jason Aldean slips to #4 with Tattoos On This Town (his biggest #2 hit). In its place is David Nail with Let It Rain. It is Nail's highest chart placing period. At 48 weeks, it is the slowest climb to #2. If it hits #1 next week, it will make history as the slowest climbing #1 single. The record is currently held by Tracy Lawrence who took Find Out Who Your Friends Are to #1 in 2007 in its 41st week.
3. A FAST DRINK: Blake Shelton flies up the fifteen spaces to #41 with Drink On It, the week's fastest climbing song.
4. NO CHRISTMAS: Well, after three weeks of having Christmas songs on the chart, there are none this week. As a matter of fact, ALL 60 positions this week are bulleted.
5. AN 80S LOOK PART II: These were the top selling albums during the first week of January during the 1980s:
1980: Kenny-Kenny Rogers-United Artists
1981: Greatest Hits-Kenny Rogers-Liberty
1982: Feels So Right-Alabama-RCA
1983: Mountain Music-Alabama-RCA
1984: Eyes That See In The Dark-Kenny Rogers-RCA
1985: Kentucky Hearts-Exile-Epic
1986: The Heart Of The Matter-Kenny Rogers-RCA
1987: The Touch-Alabama-RCA
1988: Always & Forever-Randy Travis-Warner Bros.
1989: Old 8 X 10-Randy Travis-Warner Bros.
6. THEIR TEN BIGGEST: I have been ranking 100s of artists and 1000s of hits for over the past two years. This section will return on an occasional basis.
7. MILESTONE TOP TEN CHART: Restless Heart certainly needed a shot in the arm during the early 1990s. They got it when they landed their biggest hit of the decade twenty years ago this week with You Can Depend On Me.
Between 1985-1989, Restless Heart had: 12 top 40 hits, 11 top tens, and six #1s. They released three CDs. They are:
1. Restless Heart-1985
2. Wheels-1986
3. Big Dreams In A Small Town-1988
When the 1980s became the 1990s, Restless Heart saw a decline in their popularity (thanks to the Class of 1989). Their first release of the 1990s was Fast Movin' Train. A quartet of top 40s were produced:
1. Fast Movin' Train-1990-#4
2. Dancy's Dream-1990-#5
3. When Somebody Loves You-1990-#21
4. Long Lost Friend-1991-#16
Shortly after title #4 peaked, RCA decided that after six years, it was time to release a greatest hits CD. It was called The Best Of Restless Heart. Its track listing is:
1. You Can Depend On Me-1992-#3
2. Fast Movin' Train-1990-#4
3. A Tender Lie-1988-#1
4. Wheels-1988-#1
5. The Bluest Eyes In Texas-1988-#1
6. Familiar Pain-1992-#40
7. That Rock Won't Roll-1986-#1-chart wise, their biggest hit
8. Til I Loved You-1986-#10
9. Why Does It Have To Be Wrong Or Right-1987-#1
10. I'll Still Be Loving You-1987-#1
You Can Depend On Me was released in October, 1991 and reached its peak position of #3 during the first week of 1992. It certainly gave them confidence to release another CD later that year called Big Iron Horses. Its first single, When She Cries hit #9 country, #11 pop (ending their one hit wonder status on that chart as I'll Still Be Loving You hit #33 in 1987), and #2 adult contemporary (becoming their third major hit there as I'll Still Be Loving You hit #3 and Why Does It Have To Be Wrong Or Right peaked at #11 in 1987). Mending Fences (#13) and We Got The Love (#11) became their last major country hits in 1993. A track from the CD, Tell Me What You Dream with Warren Hill became their ONLY A.C. chart topper in 1993 without making the country list.
In 1998, RCA released Greatest Hits which contained their last top 40 hit for the label: No End To This Road-#33. Their final top 40 was on Koch Records: Feel My Way To You in 2004-#29. Since then, they released a live CD through their website called 25 And Live. What are they up to these days? Who knows? I certainly would love to see a Restless Heart reunion. This is what the chart looked like back then:

BILLBOARD TOP TEN FOR WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 1992:
1. Love, Me-Collin Raye-Epic
2. My Next Broken Heart-Brooks & Dunn-Arista
3. YOU CAN DEPEND ON ME-RESTLESS HEART-RCA
4. Look At Us-Vince Gill-MCA
5. For My Broken Heart-Reba McEntire-MCA
6. Leave Him Out Of This-Steve Wariner-Arista
7. Cadillac Style-Sammy Kershaw-Mercury
8. Without You What Do I Do With Me-Tanya Tucker-Capitol
9. The Chill Of An Early Fall-George Strait-MCA
10. Sticks And Stones-Tracy Lawrence-Atlantic

^ One of my favorites too. I've never heard that song actually, but I've heard most of their other stuff.

^ Okay, listened to Fast Movin' Train. Agreed it's one of their best. Also agree with Dancy's Dream and Feel My Way to You. My favorite, though, is When She Cries.