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Post by 2shane7 on Mar 21, 2005 13:42:33 GMT -5
Who do you think rules the roost in contemporary country music? I'm talking about the person who can do no wrong, has success on the charts, with sales, concerts, etc. The person, in short, who is going nowhere.
I would have to say Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney are the two at this moment: single after single after single, especially with Kenny, go to the top 5 on the charts, if not all the way to the top. They have album sales that are HUGE, not just for country, but across-the-board. They never have trouble selling out shows, they are favorites at all the awards ceremonies, and in Kenny's case, he has the whole sex symbol thing which isn't going to leave him anytime soon.
Reba and Martina are close, but Reba doesn't quite have the album sales that the first two have. Gretchen Wilson is too new to tell.
overall, my ranking would go:
1. Kenny Chesney
2. Toby Keith
3. Martina McBride
4. Tim McGraw
5. Reba McEntire
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Post by alternative4 on Mar 21, 2005 15:01:06 GMT -5
You are joking right? Shania blows everyone of those people away in sales all over the world and concerts.
No artist will ever come close to Shania's massive success again.
I am laughing so hard that you even put Martina and Reba on the list. They can't even headline a huge major tour.
Not only does Shania blow everyone away in sales and concerts in North America but she is the only country artist who is huge all over the world.
The 2 biggest stars to every hit Nashville was Garth and Shania. And according to billboard, Shania's UP tour just grossed 101 million worldwide and she has sold more cd's since her comeback in 2002 than any country artist. I am not even counting the world records she set before 2002.
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Post by 2shane7 on Mar 21, 2005 15:22:19 GMT -5
Well, everyone knows Shania is the biggest seller. I should have clarified: I was not counting people like Shania, Garth Brooks, or the Dixie Chicks, because those people are national superstars who have sold way more albums than any country artists.
I meant which stars were the biggest within the confines of country music: country charts, country awards, country press, etc.
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Post by FrancineLangeInNY on Mar 21, 2005 15:24:01 GMT -5
Well, the thread starter did talk about commercial success, and IF Shania were a country singer, I would agree with the previous poster that she is the top artist in the genre.
The only detail is that Shania isn't country in any shape way or form.
The last country album she released was her debut.
She's had massive commercial success after she started making pop music.
Shania could easily be one of the top ten biggest selling pop singers of the last 20 years, without a question, but as far as country, the names that come up the most in terms of sales are Tim McGraw,Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Martina McGraw and Faith Hill.
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drock89
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Post by drock89 on Mar 21, 2005 15:39:01 GMT -5
Male Consistancy would go to: Tim McGraw
Male Power Award would be: Kenny Chesney
Female Consistancy would go to: Reba McEntrie
Female Power Award would be: Gretchen Wilson.
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Free2Bme
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Post by Free2Bme on Mar 21, 2005 15:42:31 GMT -5
I agree and would add George Strait to the top of your your list. Although lately he has not won many awards for his work he defininately has staying power. overall, my ranking would go: 1. Kenny Chesney 2. Toby Keith 3. Martina McBride 4. Tim McGraw 5. Reba McEntire |
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Spidey
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Post by Spidey on Mar 21, 2005 15:45:24 GMT -5
Male Consistancy would go to: Tim McGraw Male Power Award would be: Kenny Chesney Female Consistancy would go to: Reba McEntrie Female Power Award would be: Gretchen Wilson. I'd agree with that, though Alan Jackson and Martina McBride would have to be up there as well. Faith Hill proved that she could indeed do wrong in the eyes of Country Music with their rejection of her Cry album. But if her next album is more country-sounding, she'll get back in their graces. Her Mississipi roots and her marriage to Tim certainly doesn't hurt in this area, either. |
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jimmy74747
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Post by jimmy74747 on Mar 21, 2005 16:11:13 GMT -5
I would definitely rank TimMcGraw & Kenny Chesney #1 & #2. They get tons of airplay, sell tons of albums and draw huge crowds. Toby Keith would be third. I don't see him as big a radio star right now as the other two. They are far and above the top three.
#'s 4-10 I would have to rank:
George Strait
Rascal Flatts
Alan Jackson
Shania Twain
Brad Paisley
Reba McEntire
Keith Urban
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someguy
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Post by someguy on Mar 21, 2005 16:14:30 GMT -5
I would say, in no particular order:
Tim McGraw
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Reba McEntire
Martina McBride
Alan Jackson
Shania Twain
George Strait
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drock89
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Post by drock89 on Mar 21, 2005 16:22:45 GMT -5
I would include Shania, Faith, Chicks, but the maker said he wanted 'non-crossovers'. Although, that means Tim and Keith would also have to be excluded but no one can argue that Tim is taking the crown from George when he steps down as King.
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Post by alternative4 on Mar 21, 2005 16:41:34 GMT -5
Jimmy, did you not see that we are not including SHania because of her massive cross over success and because she is bigger than Nasvhille as the CMA awards proved by giving her special billing over every single artist despite not nominating her.
And Please if you are going to add her on the list she is easily #1 with her sales and tours all over the world and she does it by being independant of Nashville.
I am still laughing at you putting Rascal Flatts on the list. Who cares if they have a #1 country single they aren't even superstars yet and can't sell in supestar numbers.
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Post by alternative4 on Mar 21, 2005 16:45:55 GMT -5
Question for NYfan, you keep saying Shania is not country. Then what was TWIM album? How is that any less country than some albums put out today in Nashville besides it being more successful than any album put out today in Nashville.
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Post by FrancineLangeInNY on Mar 21, 2005 16:52:29 GMT -5
Question for NYfan, you keep saying Shania is not country. Then what was TWIM album? How is that any less country than some albums put out today in Nashville besides it being more successful than any album put out today in Nashville. For one, it is Shania...she doesn't have a single country cell in her body. What makes it less country? The pop arrangements, the pop chord progressions, the (blandly) pop lyrical content, the pop hooks, the pop refrains but like I said, Shania Twain singing it and Mutt Lange producing it is what makes it a pop album. Now to be fair, it's not a bad pop cd, just mediocre. Too bad it was marketed as country... On topic...Gretchen Wilson is slowly becoming a top star. To think that many fans of certain poptry singers called Wilson a "one hit wonder"... She is heading for her fourth top ten smash and her debut album is close to 4 million copies... |
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Post by alternative4 on Mar 21, 2005 16:59:11 GMT -5
If I am not mistaken, it is not how much a debut album sells, it is how long you stick around and what level you reach. Lean Rymes and Deanna Carter both sold much more with their debut albums. My guess is Julie Roberts will end up having more long term success for newcomers.
Also lets keep Shania out of this discussion then since nobody here thinks she is country and she has nothing to do with Nashville.
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jimmy74747
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Post by jimmy74747 on Mar 21, 2005 17:05:28 GMT -5
And Please if you are going to add her on the list she is easily #1 with her sales and tours all over the world and she does it by being independant of Nashville. This was supposed to combine albums/singles/tours. Shania has had next to no success on the singles charts since 2000, while Toby, Keith & Tim have gone #1 with almost every song. Tim & Kenny have just as big an audience numbers as Shania. She just charges more for tickets. They can all sellout pretty much every arena in the country, so I but them on even grounds there. Shania was probably #1 overall in 1998 & 1999, but her album sales have gone down since then, and that area is her strongest suit of the three. Three double platinum (FLT isn't there yet but will be soon) albums is nothing to shake a stick at. Every song they've ever put out has gone Top 10, and they are now tour headliners. They don't draw the audience that some other artists have yet, but this group is definitely still on the rise. They've totally overcome the "pretty boys with no talent" image to become the biggest duo/group out today (yes, I would say they've surpassed B&D) |
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Spidey
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Post by Spidey on Mar 21, 2005 17:18:22 GMT -5
Also lets keep Shania out of this discussion then since nobody here thinks she is country and she has nothing to do with Nashville. Re-read the posts above. It seems as if only one person thinks that Shania isn't country. ;) So she's clearly on-topic. |
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Spidey
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Post by Spidey on Mar 21, 2005 17:23:35 GMT -5
Tim & Kenny have just as big an audience numbers as Shania. She just charges more for tickets. They can all sellout pretty much every arena in the country, so I but them on even grounds there. Tim & Kenny don't have as big audience numbers as Shania when it comes to the world stage. Their numbers may be on par with Shania's in the U.S., but when you factor in other countries, Shania easily surpasses them. There's a whole world out there beyond Nashville, ya know. ;) And I'm curious as to where you're getting the info that Shania simply charges more for tickets. I'm not saying you're wrong, but this is the first time I've ever heard this claim. When I saw Shania live in 2003 her tickets were priced comparibly to other artists, and were actually less expensive than alot of other acts. |
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WhySoSerious?
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Post by WhySoSerious? on Mar 21, 2005 17:30:30 GMT -5
Shania, Shania, Shania, ugh...could you people beat a dead horse any harder?
Anyway, she's not infallible because her sales have been declining and her airplay hasn't been huge since Come On Over.
Right now the people who can do no wrong are:
Kenny Chesney
Gretchen Wilson
Rascal Flatts
Tim McGraw
Toby Keith
Martina and Reba come next in line for the ladies. Reba has a lead in touring, Martina leads in sales and both have similar airplay stats currently.
As far as consistency I don't see how anyone tops George Strait or Reba. Their careers are unmatched.
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Post by 2shane7 on Mar 21, 2005 17:41:50 GMT -5
I want you to know that I am not trying to keep the Shania topic going out of spite, but the accusation that she hasn't been big on the singles chart since 2000 brings up a whole other topic ...
... namely, that I think Country fans have much greater expectations for singles success than fans of other genres. I mean, in other forums you'll hear people praise a Top 20 single, but never in country ... it seems if you don't hit Number One, you're nothing.
Shania has had big Top 10 hits with FAFA, SNJAPF, and PFT ... I just don't think that country radio has turned its back on her.
As for touring, yes Kenny Chesney has had great success. He puts every single ounce of energy into his shows ... no one comes away disappointed. If there's going to be a replacement when King George steps down, it's going to be Kenny Chesney IMO.
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Post by FrancineLangeInNY on Mar 21, 2005 17:51:37 GMT -5
Shania has had big Top 10 hits with FAFA, SNJAPF, and PFT ... I just don't think that country radio has turned its back on her. . FAFA is the only one of those you mention that could be considered "big"...Pretty Face and PFT were in and out of the top ten in 4 weeks or less, and they only peaked at # 9 and 7 respectively. FAFA on the other hand reached top five and spent more than 10 weeks in the top ten. |
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drock89
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Post by drock89 on Mar 21, 2005 17:57:11 GMT -5
Right now the people who can do no wrong are: Tim McGraw Obviously, and not to drag Shania into this, because this thread isn't meant to do that, but if Tim can rap and go AC and not get ousted from Nashville but when Shania, Faith, and Martina try to cross they get banned...  |
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WhySoSerious?
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Post by WhySoSerious? on Mar 21, 2005 17:58:51 GMT -5
Obviously, and not to drag Shania into this, because this thread isn't meant to do that, but if Tim can rap and go AC and not get ousted from Nashville but when Shania, Faith, and Martina try to cross they get banned... What does this have to do with the topic? Tim guested on someone else's song. It wasn't his song. Curb didn't promote it, it wasn't on his album. It's little more than a CMT Crossroads episode. |
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Post by 2shane7 on Mar 21, 2005 18:23:22 GMT -5
FAFA is the only one of those you mention that could be considered "big"...Pretty Face and PFT were in and out of the top ten in 4 weeks or less, and they only peaked at # 9 and 7 respectively. FAFA on the other hand reached top five and spent more than 10 weeks in the top ten. But this is my point ... on most charts, a Top Ten hit would be considered a big hit ... whether it peaked at #6 or #10 ... for some reason, Country fans seem to think the song has to go to #1. |
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Post by FrancineLangeInNY on Mar 21, 2005 18:53:40 GMT -5
Obviously, and not to drag Shania into this, because this thread isn't meant to do that, but if Tim can rap and go AC and not get ousted from Nashville but when Shania, Faith, and Martina try to cross they get banned... Tim rapped? I don't recall hearing him rap, and I own Nelly's disc. And BTW...only Shania has been "banned", Faith and Martina are still Nashville's darlings... |
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drock89
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Post by drock89 on Mar 21, 2005 20:10:38 GMT -5
What does this have to do with the topic? Tim guested on someone else's song. It wasn't his song. Curb didn't promote it, it wasn't on his album. It's little more than a CMT Crossroads episode. And if LeAnn Rimes or Shania guested on a rap album what would happen to them? |
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Post by FrancineLangeInNY on Mar 21, 2005 20:46:41 GMT -5
And if LeAnn Rimes or Shania guested on a rap album what would happen to them? Shania at least, can't possible be any less esteemed by true country aficionados than what she is now, so even if she rapped bluegrass lyrics on a multi-lingual polka/gospel album. she would still be at the bottom of the barrel in terms of Nashville respect... |
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Free2Bme
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Post by Free2Bme on Mar 22, 2005 2:20:39 GMT -5
Let's compare apples to apples.... shall we? Shania does not sing "country" when she tours abroad. Actually, according to concert reviews, she used the "Pop" version for more than half of the songs on the US leg of the "Up!" tour. Tim & Kenny don't have as big audience numbers as Shania when it comes to the world stage. Their numbers may be on par with Shania's in the U.S., but when you factor in other countries, Shania easily surpasses them. |
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Free2Bme
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Post by Free2Bme on Mar 22, 2005 2:22:55 GMT -5
The following link should answer your question. www.pollstar.com/news/top25.plAnd I'm curious as to where you're getting the info that Shania simply charges more for tickets. |
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tlcforever
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Post by tlcforever on Mar 22, 2005 3:49:28 GMT -5
Why does everyone keep ruling Faith Hill out of everything that is country? I have her Cry album and love it and its definately pop/country. Faith is definately one that can do no wrong just like Shania because with little to no airplay both of them still cell cds like crazy. Kenny Chesney and Tobey only wish they could sell cds like crazy like these two women. And this argument about Reba and Martina being the top females that can't do no wrong in country is pure bs. Martina's music is tooooooo safe too repepititve and too boring to make any dents on the charts. Martina's sales are weak for someone who has been so embraced by country and same thing goes for Reba. I think that country should embrace both Shania and Faith because they refuse to do what every expects or wants them to do. They take chances. If I have to hear another God this, I'm a mom, I'm blessed, I'm a Christian sh*t from Martina again im gonna shoot myself. LoL Faith Hill sells better than both those women combined even with her "weakest" album.
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drock89
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Post by drock89 on Mar 22, 2005 7:50:11 GMT -5
And this argument about Reba and Martina being the top females that can't do no wrong in country is pure bs. Martina's music is tooooooo safe too repepititve and too boring to make any dents on the charts. Martina's sales are weak for someone who has been so embraced by country and same thing goes for Reba. I think that country should embrace both Shania and Faith because they refuse to do what every expects or wants them to do. They take chances. Reba has taken a lot of chances though with her music (Night the Lights Went Out in Geogia, Fancy, etc)... Love your first statement, so true!  |
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