Joel Whitburn's all-time Top Country Artists list

[kw9461]

Thanks jon. I find it interesting that 14 of the top 22 artists of the 90's didn't even crack the T40 this decade. Sure, several of the artists were past their prime at the turn of the century (Alabama, Randy Travis, Lorrie Morgan, Clint Black, Sammy Kershaw, and Sawyer Brown), but others were still in their prime, but fizzled off shortly after 2000 (Joe Diffie, Collin Raye, Mark Chesnutt to name a few).

Also, I find it funny that Trace Adkins has a chance to finish the decade in the T10 (certainly a shot at T12), but yet he has been on the brink of losing his record deal on two separate occasions during the decade. It's also funny that Garth made the T20, despite spending most of the decade "retired."

[Zazie]

Jun 18, 2008 19:01:05 GMT -5 kw9461 said:

Thanks jon. I find it interesting that 14 of the top 22 artists of the 90's didn't even crack the T40 this decade. Sure, several of the artists were past their prime at the turn of the century (Alabama, Randy Travis, Lorrie Morgan, Clint Black, Sammy Kershaw, and Sawyer Brown), but others were still in their prime, but fizzled off shortly after 2000 (Joe Diffie, Collin Raye, Mark Chesnutt to name a few).

Also, I find it funny that Trace Adkins has a chance to finish the decade in the T10 (certainly a shot at T12), but yet he has been on the brink of losing his record deal on two separate occasions during the decade. It's also funny that Garth made the T20, despite spending most of the decade "retired."

The 1989-92 period seemed unusually full of strong performers. The class of '89 alone accounts for 4 of the top 10 on the 1990's list, and there was a shift toward more of a traditional sound (Randy Travis gets credit for starting this a few years earlier, but there were other early-birds like Patty Loveless and Vince Gill) which led to a lot of exciting new music.

And it's hard to last more than a decade at country radio, so a lot of those folks ran out of steam in the early 1990's.

But it was fun while it lasted.

[Zazie]

I finally did my research... such a grim topic. Jim Reeves scored 2,514 points after he died, not even counting the 7-week #1 song that was in its 3rd chart week when his plane went down, even though I'm sure his dying gave that song a better chart run. So he had more or less Brad Paisley's whole career -- after his death. Almost enough to make the Whitburn top 100.

How did that happen? I wasn't listening then. Anyway, Hank Williams scored 900+ points after dying -- he had Rodney Atkins' whole career after he died. Keith Whitley had Josh Gracin's whole career after he died. Patsy Cline only had the Warren Brothers career.

So Eddy Arnold's posthumous 36 points leaves him with a long way to go. Of course all the others had tragic deaths at an early age, not quiet deaths at the age of 89. But if anybody can manage a second career, it's Eddy.

And it's odd to think that the Hank Williams song that reached #1 3 weeks after his death was... I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive.

[Jonsolo]

I did get a sales brochure in the mail this week, and have seen that the recordresearch.com website has been updated, with the upcoming release of the next Top Country Songs book. It's listed as a release date for November, and would cover the chart data up to the week of August 30, 2008. That's certainly a lot sooner than what I was hoping (wanted the decade to be completed first, before the next book; at a minimum, they could have let 2008 be completed, instead of be 3/4's over).

I don't know if I'll get this book, with it only being three years and two months since the last one, if there's been enough "action" that has taken place since then. I need to have a look at the new Top Country Artists list, of course, to double-check/update my own list I've been tracking, as well as keeping this thread up to date. I might have a friend who could buy it, and I could just borrow it from him to check that list.

At any rate, I'll hopefully be able to check the new published list some time before the last week of December, when I was going to update this thread with the points totals for this year.

[edwin1961]

Aug 8, 2008 11:09:21 GMT -5 Jonsolo said:

I did get a sales brochure in the mail this week, and have seen that the recordresearch.com website has been updated, with the upcoming release of the next Top Country Songs book. It's listed as a release date for November, and would cover the chart data up to the week of August 30, 2008. That's certainly a lot sooner than what I was hoping (wanted the decade to be completed first, before the next book; at a minimum, they could have let 2008 be completed, instead of be 3/4's over).

I don't know if I'll get this book, with it only being three years and two months since the last one, if there's been enough "action" that has taken place since then. I need to have a look at the new Top Country Artists list, of course, to double-check/update my own list I've been tracking, as well as keeping this thread up to date. I might have a friend who could buy it, and I could just borrow it from him to check that list.

At any rate, I'll hopefully be able to check the new published list some time before the last week of December, when I was going to update this thread with the points totals for this year.

Jon, I plan on buying the book when it comes out because when the 2005 book came out, the 2001 book had things in it that the 2005 book did not have. For example, the 2001 book had the longest songtitles that ever charted in one list. The 2005 book did not have this list. Also, the 2001 book had the position listed for a country song that hit the pop chart. The 2005 book does not have this.

So, maybe the 2008 will be a combination of both of these features or even MORE features than the 2005 book. It may be worth your while anyway.

[msm444]

I already have the book on pre-order. According to the sample page, the 2008 book will once again list pop chart positions.

Jon, if you decide not to order the book, I can send you the new published list when it arrives.

[smack]

fyi guys....I live about a 2-3 min walk from Joel's office, he is NOT hiring last time I checked. I've also heard from various people who've met him, he is stuck up, arrogant, 6'8 and looks down at people both literally & figuratively. One thing that is nice about living here...I can go get a book that has a scratch on it and save $20 and get it in 2 mins. Also, I'm not 100% sold on his method of calculating singles. Take Jo Dee's Lesson in Leavin': #2 for 7 weeks, 34 total, giving it 164 pts. Stand beside me 3@#1, 32 total is 152, I'm alright 3@#1, 30 total is 150, That's the way 4@#1, 27 weeks is 157 pts. Yet he lists that's the way as her #1 song. Plus, if you really consider it, she was #2 7 weeks behind the longest #1 song in like 40 years, I think spent like 21 weeks in the top 10 alone. In other words, this song got more actual airplay than any of her other songs. Anyone else's thoughts?

[smack]

Oh, another thing...can you post a few of the other stats if you have them: most weeks @#1, most crossover hits (which is skewed due to all being able to chart now), most top 10 (GS should be top 4 now), most top 40 (gs should be about 11 or 12 now), most charted hits (again should be closing in on top 10). Thanks

[Jonsolo]

Aug 10, 2008 5:19:31 GMT -5 msm444 said:

I already have the book on pre-order. According to the sample page, the 2008 book will once again list pop chart positions.

Jon, if you decide not to order the book, I can send you the new published list when it arrives.

Be careful what you offer, msm444! I'll see if my friend ends up getting the book or not, and if I can just check his out. But if not, I might take you up on that, and might send you some questions about it through PM. In addition to what the list looks like in the book (would it be easiest if you could scan the list, and email it?), I'd probably have a few questions on how Joel handles listing duets and such. I saw on that sample page, that they are no longer listing the big Jimmy Buffett Hey Good Lookin' collaboration under Chesney's discography (along with Strait, Jackson, Black, and Toby). So that might subtract off a few points from the list. And they also list Reba's Every Other Weekend song for Kenny, so that might require a full number of points for Kenny (I had been giving him just 50%). There's a handful of other songs over the last few years that I also wonder how they'll be doling out points and "credit".

It wouldn't be a complete mooching, as I'd offer to pay for the info by continuing to track and update the list on this thread in the future!

[Jonsolo]

Aug 10, 2008 10:27:48 GMT -5 smack said:

Oh, another thing...can you post a few of the other stats if you have them: most weeks @#1, most crossover hits (which is skewed due to all being able to chart now), most top 10 (GS should be top 4 now), most top 40 (gs should be about 11 or 12 now), most charted hits (again should be closing in on top 10). Thanks

Here's what my lists look like, that I've been keeping up with. I've been posting a few of these in the Strait threads over the last year or so, but might as well put them all in one place here. I don't have the "crossover hits" being tracked, but the others should be here:

Most career weeks at #1 on Billboard:

1. Eddy Arnold - 145
2. Webb Pierce - 111
3. George Strait - 83
4T. Buck Owens - 82
4T. Hank Williams - 82
6. Johnny Cash - 69
7. Sonny James - 66
8. Tim McGraw - 65
9. Marty Robbins - 63
10. Jim Reeves - 58
11T. Merle Haggard - 57
11T. Alan Jackson - 57
13. Hank Snow - 56
14. Kenny Chesney - 54
15. Conway Twitty - 52
16. Elvis - 50
17. Charley Pride - 49
18. Toby Keith - 48
19T. Ronnie Milsap - 47
19T. Ray Price - 47
19T. Al Dexter - 47
22T. Alabama - 40
22T. Red Foley - 40
24. Brooks and Dunn - 38

Most Billboard top 10s (hopefully Billboard will have a Chart Beat article this week confirming George's total, which I went ahead and updated, assuming Troubadour moved up from #11 to the top ten this week):

1. Eddy Arnold - 92
2. George Strait - 79
3. George Jones - 78
4. Conway Twitty - 75
5. Merle Haggard - 71
6. Ernest Tubb - 58
7T. Red Foley - 56
7T. Dolly Parton - 56
9. Reba McEntire - 55
10. Webb Pierce - 54
11. Waylon Jennings - 53
12T. Johnny Cash - 52
12T. Charley Pride - 52
14T. Loretta Lynn - 51
14T. Alabama - 51
14T. Jim Reeves - 51
17. Ronnie Milsap - 49
18. Alan Jackson - 48
19T. Buck Owens - 47
19T. Marty Robbins - 47
21. Ray Price - 46
22. Don Williams - 45
23T. Sonny James - 43
23T. Hank Snow - 43
25T. Willie Nelson - 42
25T. Hank Williams, Jr. - 42
27T. Faron Young - 41
27T. Tim McGraw - 41
29T. Tanya Tucker - 40
29T. Brooks and Dunn - 40

Most Billboard top 40s:

1. George Jones - 143
2. Eddy Arnold - 126
3. Johnny Cash - 101
4. George Strait - 88
5. Dolly Parton - 87
6. Conway Twitty - 85
7T. Waylon Jennings - 84
7T. Merle Haggard - 84
9. Ernest Tubb - 82
10T. Willie Nelson - 81
10T. Marty Robbins - 81
12T. Webb Pierce - 80
12T. Ray Price - 80
12T. Hank Williams, Jr. - 80
15. Reba McEntire - 78
16T. Buck Owens - 74
16T. Faron Young - 74
18T. Jim Reeves - 69
18T. Carl Smith - 69
20. Mel Tillis - 67
21. Loretta Lynn - 66
22T. Alabama - 65
22T. Hank Snow - 65
22T. Don Gibson - 65
25. Porter Wagoner - 64
26. Sonny James - 63
27. Joe Stampley - 62
28. Kitty Wells - 61
29T. Red Foley - 60
29T. Charlie Pride - 60

Most songs charting on Billboard:

1. George Jones - 167
2. Eddy Arnold - 147
3. Johnny Cash - 139
4. Willie Nelson - 122
5. Dolly Parton - 112
6. Ray Price - 109
7. George Strait - 108
8. Merle Haggard - 107
9. Hank Williams, Jr. - 106
10. Waylon Jennings - 100
11. Conway Twitty - 98
12. Webb Pierce - 96
13. Marty Robbins - 94
14. Carl Smith - 93
15T. Ernest Tubb - 92
15T. Reba McEntire - 92
17. Buck Owens - 90
18. Faron Young - 89
19T. Hank Snow - 85
19T. Elvis Presley - 85
21. Garth Brooks - 84
22. Don Gibson - 82
23T. Porter Wagoner - 81
23T. Kitty Wells - 81
25T. Jim Reeves - 80
25T. Bill Anderson - 80
27. Hank Thompson - 79
28T. Loretta Lynn - 78
28T. Alabama - 78
30T. Mel Tillis - 77
30T. Alan Jackson - 77

Hopefully Joel and I will agree on these lists, when his new book comes out in 3 months.

[smack]

thanks for the info..king george is really moving up...I'd still say in the next 10-12 years at his current pace, he could close in on #1 on just about everything, except most weeks @ #1. Kenny & Tim on #1 weeks...wowsers. Of course, nothing in the 80s was longer than 3 weeks, when George & Alabama had all their big songs. Had we had bds back then, I'd bet George would be #2 on #weeks @ #1, and Alabama would be pushing 80 weeks instead of in the 40s

[dawhite76]

It's interesting that Whitburn credits Kenny Chesney for "Every Other Weekend." Billboard credited the song only to "Reba McEntire" since there were two versions - Chesney's from the album and the Skip Ewing version intended for airplay. This is not the first time I recall one of Whitburn's reference books contradicting what appeared on the actual Billboard chart. Since he claims to be the "authority," shouldn't he adhere to what Billboard published?

[smack]

couple of things based on my 2001 book + my memory: top 40 hits: #2 eddy went down 1? Most chart hits, 2001 Garth had 85, you list he now has 84. He's had probably 10+ since 2001 charting if not more. Also, you gave Dolly credit for a top 10 (duet w/ Brad P), but not top 40 hit according to my book. I'm wondering if Joel did some revisions in his 2004/5 book?

[jebsib]

Jonsolo, could you do me a favor & check your 2005 edition please:

Under Kenny Chesney, did they list "When the Sun Goes Down" as by "Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker" (as it does on the new sales brochure example), or as it is listed in the latest Top Pop Singles book: "(w/ Uncle Kracker)"

It seems like a small point, but I am really hoping that Joel W has reconsidered & is going back to listing artist names as they were officially listed, as opposed to just "w/" so & so. It ruined the latest Singles book, because sometimes on duets (and particularly on featured artists songs), you can't tell who the main artist is!

[Jonsolo]

Aug 16, 2008 21:35:38 GMT -5 jebsib said:

Jonsolo, could you do me a favor & check your 2005 edition please:

Under Kenny Chesney, did they list "When the Sun Goes Down" as by "Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker" (as it does on the new sales brochure example), or as it is listed in the latest Top Pop Singles book: "(w/ Uncle Kracker)"

It seems like a small point, but I am really hoping that Joel W has reconsidered & is going back to listing artist names as they were officially listed, as opposed to just "w/" so & so. It ruined the latest Singles book, because sometimes on duets (and particularly on featured artists songs), you can't tell who the main artist is!

They listed the song as:

When The Sun Goes Down [w/ Uncle Kracker]

[jebsib]

Thank you!

Then I guess he's reversed policy & has started to list the "official" artist billings again...

[Jonsolo]

Well, with the 12/27/08 chart now being released, we're through with 2008, and I can update Joel Whitburn's list of the Top Country Artists of all time, according to his published Hot Country Songs books (available at recordresearch.com). For the newbies to this thread, please check back on the earlier posts, and that should answer your questions as to how the point totals of each artist/song are calculated and accumulated.

I know there is a new edition of Joel's book on the way (the website was saying it'd be "in stock" December 16th, so presumably it's on the way out to customers, in time for Christmas). That book is going to cover all the songs that debuted on Billboard up to the 8/25/08 chart, and presumably what those songs had done on the charts by the time the book went to press, probably in October. So when people get that book, Joel's list in the back of the book will definitely not look like mine, which covers all the charts up to this week's.

I did keep a separate "points list", where I stopped adding songs after 8/25/08, and kept updating that list through October, which should be similar to what Joel came up with (just have to subtract the weeks after his "cut-off". Once I'm able to get my hands on his list from the new book, I'll go and see what we differ on, make corrections, and come back to this thread and make the changes to my list, probably after New Years.

There are a few questions, as to crediting certain songs to artists, that I'll be interested in seeing Joel's decisions. Among the artists in question, are Kenny Chesney on Reba's Every Other Weekend, the artists on Life In A Northern Town, Toby on Mica Roberts' Things A Mama Don't, Trisha Yearwood on Turner's Another Try, Vince Gill on B&D's Building Bridges, and so on. In the past, we've seen that Joel gives some "partial" credits for artists that are listed as "Featuring ..." or "with ..." on the Billboard chart, rather than the 100% point totals. In discussions with Zazie, we've decided on how to allocate those point percentages (50%, 40%, so on) on those songs, and we'll see how we were at guessing when we see Joel's list. That's also why you see some decimals for the totals for Vince Gill and Kenny Chesney. Hopefully Joel will help clarify matters, and I hope to get access to his list from the book by sometime in January.

At any rate, on to the numbers...

[Jonsolo]

We'll stick with the "100-position" sections, with comments after each, to make this whole thing easier to digest.

#1 to #100:

1. (#1 at the end of 2007) Eddy Arnold – 12689 (36 points gained in '08)
2. (2) George Jones – 11922
3. (3) George Strait – 10215 (327)
4. (4) Johnny Cash – 9717
5. (5) Merle Haggard – 9165
6. (6) Conway Twitty – 9101
7. (7) Dolly Parton – 8392 (43)
8. (8) Willie Nelson – 8206 (31)
9. (9) Webb Pierce – 7975
10. (10) Ray Price – 7773
11. (11) Reba McEntire – 7761 (144)
12. (12) Buck Owens – 7492
13. (13) Waylon Jennings – 7491
14. (14) Marty Robbins – 7306
15. (15) Hank Williams Jr. – 7174
16. (16) Alabama – 6977
17. (17) Jim Reeves – 6843
18. (20) Alan Jackson – 6700 (279)
19. (18) Ernest Tubb – 6474
20. (19) Charley Pride – 6422
21. (21) Loretta Lynn – 6285
22. (22) Sonny James – 6205
23. (25) Garth Brooks – 6163 (90)
24. (23) Faron Young – 6115
25. (24) Hank Snow – 6088
26. (26) Ronnie Milsap – 6025
27. (27) Kenny Rogers – 6014
28. (28) Carl Smith – 5901
29. (30) Tim McGraw – 5841 (209)
30. (29) Tammy Wynette – 5836
31. (31) Bill Anderson – 5621
32. (36) Brooks & Dunn – 5419 (189)
33. (32) Mel Tillis – 5385
34. (33) Tanya Tucker – 5359
35. (34) Red Foley – 5326
36. (45) Kenny Chesney – 5310.5 (552.5)
37. (38) Elvis Presley – 5267 (70)
38. (35) Porter Wagoner – 5237
39. (42) Toby Keith – 5224 (386)
40. (37) Don Williams – 5211
41. (39) Kitty Wells – 5134
42. (40) Don Gibson – 5090
43. (41) Glen Campbell – 4971
44. (43) Statler Brothers – 4828
45. (44) Hank Thompson – 4813
46. (46) Steve Wariner – 4745
47. (47) Vince Gill – 4554.8
48. (48) Crystal Gayle – 4522
49. (49) Clint Black – 4500 (36)
50. (50) Hank Williams – 4395
51. (51) Jerry Lee Lewis – 4365
52. (52) Randy Travis – 4310
53. (53) David Houston – 4250
54. (54) Barbara Mandrell – 4217
55. (55) Oak Ridge Boys – 4217
56. (56) Bobby Bare – 4192
57. (57) Mickey Gilley – 4076
58. (58) Lynn Anderson – 4021
59. (59) Eddie Rabbitt – 3990
60. (60) Anne Murray – 3901
61. (61) Joe Stampley – 3866
62. (62) Dottie West – 3858
63. (63) John Anderson – 3810
64. (66) Martina McBride – 3808 (98)
65. (64) Emmylou Harris – 3801
66. (65) T.G. Sheppard – 3746
67. (67) Travis Tritt – 3698
68. (68) Sawyer Brown – 3608
69. (69) Bellamy Brothers – 3563
70. (70) Moe Bandy – 3537
71. (71) Tom T. Hall – 3536
72. (72) Billy Walker – 3493
73. (76) Faith Hill – 3486 (138)
74. (73) Earl Thomas Conley – 3482
75. (74) Patty Loveless – 3460
76. (75) Ferlin Husky – 3355
77. (84) Trisha Yearwood – 3303 (188)
78. (77) Johnny Paycheck – 3266
79. (78) Gene Watson – 3247
80. (79) Connie Smith – 3218
81. (80) Freddie Hart – 3209
82. (81) Mark Chesnutt – 3173 (9)
83. (82) Johnny Rodriguez – 3145
84. (83) Jerry Reed – 3116
85. (87) Tracy Lawrence – 3109 (91)
86. (85) Charlie Rich – 3084
87. (90) J.M. Montgomery – 3034 (51)
88. (86) Larry Gatlin & Bros. – 3031
89. (88) Ricky Skaggs – 3008
90. (92) Lonestar – 3006 (50)
91. (89) Janie Fricke – 2993
92. (91) Jim Ed Brown – 2963
93. (116) Rascal Flatts – 2953 (460)
94. (93) Lefty Frizzell – 2945
95. (94) Diamond Rio – 2938
96. (95) Joe Diffie – 2911
97. (121) Brad Paisley – 2829 (424)
98. (96) Collin Raye – 2826
99. (97) Vern Gosdin – 2815
100. (98) Eddy Raven – 2793


Notes on the Top 100:

- Two new entries into the top 100, and they come as no surprise to anyone.

- A milestone year for George Strait, as he became the third (and final?) artist to break through the 10,000 pt barrier, back in March. George remains a steady performer, with 327 pts during the year, following 333 in '07 and 295 in '06. He appears to be a solid bet to hit 11,000 in a little over three years, and could catch Jones in seven. I think the chances are now over 50% that he'll eventually do just that.

- Reba's on track to pass Ray Price and crack the all-time top ten by February, having employed the services of Chesney to make her Every Other Weekend a success, and hitching her trailer to B&D's Cowgirls Don't Cry. It's been over three years since her last solo hit, but she's at least finding alternate ways to make some headway on this list.

- Quite the comeback year for Alan Jackson, with two #1s (finally!) and another single acting like a top contender. He not only got past Ernest Tubb, he also made it past the halfway point in the large gap to Jim Reeves. He'll wind up close to Alabama in '09, and revives his previously-fading hopes at making the top 10 in four or five years (to boot back out Reba?).

- Garth Brooks went back underground, and we'll see if he has any interest in resurfacing later to try to catch Loretta Lynn.

- Tim(my) McGraw battled through more label hassles, to salvage his year in the last five months, surprisingly getting a big hit from Let It Go. He has his eyes trained on Hank Snow in '09, and the #25 position, but continued meddling from Curb (a 7th single from one album??!!) could easily derail him along the way.

- A decent year for Brooks & Dunn, with two strong singles, though they've yet to break that 3+ year #1-drought. They're now about two years behind the pace that McGraw is setting, which means they can attempt to catch Bill Anderson in '09, and Tammy Wynette in '10. But Kenny's going to catch them for sure next year...

- Though there are a few questions as to whether I'm crediting Kenny Chesney correctly for his involvement on Every Other Weekend (50% of Reba's total, which hopefully the new Whitburn book will clarify), it's indisputable that he's the current king of racking up Whitpoints. Not content with his 547-pt haul from '07, Kenny bettered that with 552.5 in '08. That's what four charting album cuts, two #1s, one #2, and two top 15s (one Reba's, the other one his current single) can do for you. Ten positions gained in '07, nine in '08.

Many artists lined up for him to pass next year as well, and a sure bet for him to catch Bill Anderson and B&D for #31. You wouldn't think he'd be able to bust out a third consecutive 500-pt year to catch Tammy Wynette as well, but there's no telling with him.

- Elvis makes the smart decision to release an album of Christmas duets, and will thus cash in with enough to possibly get himself past Red Foley. Now if he only hadn't decided to overdose on the toilet. I guess you win some, you lose some...

- Toby Keith might not be anywhere close to being as automatic with hits as he used to be, and Kenny's leaving him in the dust, but he still plays the Whitburn point game right (Christmas songs back in January, on the Mica Roberts charting song...). After a 382 point '07, he betters himself with 386 this year. He can't keep up with Chesney, but he's aiming for the space between Mel Tillis and Bill Anderson, #33, next year.

- Martina McBride and Faith Hill eke out some points at the end of the year, with a new album and some Christmas tunes, respectively. They continue to be pushed to the background by CarrieTaylor. I said last year at this time that Martina was shooting for #60 and Faith for #70 in '08. Well, better luck with those goals in '09!

- Tracy Lawrence, John M Montgomery, and Lonestar put up a few points, to ensure that they'll still be in the top 100 for years to come, but are about to be mowed down by the crossfire between the fiercest battle on the Whitlist, which is between...

- ...Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts. Brad won the first eleven months of the year, besting each of the Flatts' singles with his own, but then the Flatts cash in with Christmas songs for a 153-point December, to re-take the lead, and win the point battle for the year, 460 to 424. And with Here looking like a sure-#1, and Start A Band a question mark (and uncertainty of what Brad will do next with his instrumental album), look for the Flatts to pull further ahead early in '09. But Brad's a cinch to win the eventual war, of course (Brad's headed for the top 25 before he's done, I believe). Both get over 3000 next year, and with RF aiming for #80, and Brad #83.

[Jonsolo]

#101 to #200:

101. (102) Clay Walker – 2792 (51)
102. (99) Billy Craddock – 2787
103. (100) Lee Greenwood – 2774
104. (101) John Conlee – 2756
105. (103) Kathy Mattea – 2733
106. (104) Stonewall Jackson – 2721
107. (105) Lorrie Morgan – 2709
108. (106) Del Reeves – 2666
109. (107) Roy Drusky – 2658
110. (108) Dwight Yoakam – 2656
111. (109) Dave Dudley – 2629
112. (110) Roger Miller – 2624
113. (111) Jean Shepard – 2612
114. (112) Shania Twain – 2597
115. (113) Charly McClain – 2553
116. (114) The Judds – 2529
117. (115) Donna Fargo – 2517
118. (131) Keith Urban – 2432 (245)
119. (117) Roy Clark – 2427
120. (118) Ronnie McDowell – 2420
121. (119) Bob Wills – 2418
122. (120) Ricky Van Shelton – 2405
123. (122) Tracy Byrd – 2377
124. (123) Skeeter Davis – 2353
125. (124) George Hamilton IV – 2334
126. (125) Jack Greene – 2295
127. (126) Mel McDaniel – 2290
128. (127) Johnny Duncan – 2253
129. (128) Dan Seals – 2250
130. (145) Trace Adkins – 2240 (175)
131. (129) Kendalls – 2235
132. (130) Sammy Kershaw – 2209
133. (132) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – 2174
134. (133) Aaron Tippin – 2173
135. (134) Jimmy Wakely – 2171
136. (135) Restless Heart – 2167
137. (136) Dixie Chicks – 2161
138. (137) Roseanne Cash – 2145
139. (138) Shenandoah – 2141
140. (139) Tennessee Ernie Ford – 2126
141. (140) Johnny Lee – 2107
142. (141) Gary Morris – 2107
143. (147) Jo Dee Messina – 2106 (60)
144. (142) Gene Autry – 2101
145. (143) Pam Tillis – 2092
146. (144) Wynonna – 2092
147. (170) Montgomery Gentry – 2077 (279)
148. (152) Leann Rimes – 2063 (57)
149. (146) Jimmy Newman – 2047
150. (148) Hank Locklin – 2044
151. (149) Wilburn Brothers – 2019
152. (150) George Morgan – 2015
153. (151) Neal McCoy – 2013
154. (153) Slim Whitman – 1996
155. (154) Al Dexter – 1996
156. (155) Tommy Overstreet – 1995
157. (156) Ed Bruce – 1993
158. (157) Billie Jo Spears – 1993
159. (158) Nat Stuckey – 1989
160. (159) Mary C. Carpenter – 1959
161. (160) Exile – 1952
162. (161) Narvel Felts – 1947
163. (176) Gary Allan – 1922 (172)
164. (162) Michael M. Murphey – 1911
165. (163) Razzy Bailey – 1908
166. (164) Tex Ritter – 1901
167. (165) Bob Luman – 1882
168. (166) Doug Stone – 1870
169. (177) Sara Evans – 1857 (133)
170. (172) Terri Clark – 1835 (48)
171. (167) Sammy Smith – 1814
172. (168) Rex Allen Jr. – 1811
173. (169) Brenda Lee – 1799
174. (171) Marty Stuart – 1797
175. (173) Freddy Weller – 1784
176. (174) Jerry Wallace – 1761
177. (175) Claude King – 1754
178. (184) Lee Ann Womack – 1720 (73)
179. (178) Billy Dean – 1717
180. (179) Tex Williams – 1715
181. (180) Juice Newton – 1688
182. (181) David Rogers – 1675
183. (182) Linda Ronstadt – 1673
184. (183) Wynn Stewart – 1670
185. (185) Cal Smith – 1644
186. (186) Jan Howard – 1644
187. (187) Forester Sisters – 1636
188. (195) Billy Ray Cyrus – 1635 (81)
189. (188) Red Sovine – 1621
190. (189) Susan Raye – 1616
191. (190) Lacy J. Dalton – 1614
192. (191) Keith Whitley – 1573
193. (192) Mark Wills – 1571
194. (193) Ray Stevens – 1566
195. (194) Kenny Price – 1558
196. (196) Mac Davis – 1545
197. (197) Rodney Crowell – 1541
198. (198) Warner Mack – 1538
199. (199) T. Graham Brown – 1538
200. (200) Dickey Lee – 1527

Notes on #101 to #200:

- No new entries into the top 200 this year, but as you'll see later on, there should be several in '09.

- Clay Walker did get into the top 100 in April, but Brad and RF booted him back out in November. He should be able to get back in during '09.

- Keith Urban had a nice return to prominence, breaking his three year #1-drought. With two songs currently in the top 20 and maybe also headed to #1, he'll shoot for #105 this year, with an eye toward the top 100 in early '10.

- Trace Adkins struck gold with a big #1, and is looking like a solid bet to hit the top 100 within four years.

- Montgomery Gentry also looks top 100-bound, and could very well beat Trace there. Back-to-back #1s for the first time make their future look bright. They'll get to #130 in '09 (coincidentally, where Trace is right now).

- Gary Allan had a positive year, nearly getting a #1, and will pass 2000 points in '09, and get into the top 150. I'm still not ready to say he's for sure headed into the top 100 thus far (especially since the total he'll need will be 2900 pts (Joe Diffie), by that time, with the bar being raised with each entry before him).

- Sara Evans and Lee Ann Womack also looking for oxygen in the cold vacuum of space created by CarrieTaylor. At least they are locks to eventually reach the top 140 or so.

- With no Miley around, Billy Ray Cyrus will have trouble getting noticed. With or without Miley, Mark Wills will continue to be ignored.

[Jonsolo]

#201 to #300:

201. (201) Sylvia – 1527
202. (202) Charlie Daniels – 1525
203. (203) Margo Smith – 1519
204. (204) Wanda Jackson – 1512
205. (205) Jimmy Dean – 1505
206. (206) David Frizzell – 1498
207. (207) John Denver – 1495
208. (208) Charlie Louvin – 1465
209. (209) Highway 101 – 1464
210. (210) Melba Montgomery – 1449
211. (211) Louise Mandrell – 1446
212. (212) Little Texas – 1440
213. (213) Holly Dunn – 1437
214. (237) Phil Vassar – 1437 (144)
215. (214) Lee Roy Parnell – 1428
216. (215) Suzy Bogguss – 1419
217. (216) Freddie Fender – 1402
218. (217) Everly Brothers – 1402
219. (218) Leon Everette – 1400
220. (219) Gary Stewart – 1399
221. (220) The Browns – 1398
222. (221) Dave & Sugar – 1391
223. (222) Mel Street – 1390
224. (223) Gail Davis – 1388
225. (224) Patsy Cline – 1388
226. (281) Carrie Underwood – 1388 (403)
227. (225) Barbara Fairchild – 1386
228. (226) Jeannie Seely – 1386
229. (263) Blake Shelton – 1361 (213)
230. (227) Jody Miller – 1348
231. (228) Ernest Ashworth – 1342
232. (229) Johnny Carver – 1337
233. (230) Bobby G. Rice – 1321
234. (231) Shelly West – 1307
235. (232) Bryan White – 1303
236. (233) David Allan Coe – 1302
237. (234) Blackhawk – 1301
238. (235) Merle Travis – 1300
239. (236) John Schneider – 1298
240. (269) Dierks Bentley – 1287 (203)
241. (238) Jacky Ward – 1283
242. (297) Sugarland – 1278 (356)
243. (239) Claude Gray – 1269
244. (240) Cowboy Copas – 1267
245. (241) Ty Herndon – 1265
246. (242) Jeannie C. Riley – 1263
247. (243) Johnny Russell – 1262
248. (244) Tompall & Glaser – 1252
249. (245) John Berry – 1252
250. (246) Marie Osmond – 1246
251. (247) Con Hunley – 1242
252. (248) Charlie Walker – 1241
253. (249) John Wesley Ryles – 1235
254. (250) Paul Overstreet – 1216
255. (251) Johnny Horton – 1216
256. (252) K.T. Oslin – 1214
257. (253) Flatt & Scruggs – 1212
258. (260) Darryl Worley – 1208 (46)
259. (254) Hal Ketchum – 1206
260. (255) Desert Rose Band – 1205
261. (256) Cristy Lane – 1202
262. (257) Jeanne Pruett – 1199
263. (266) Joe Nichols – 1185 (70)
264. (258) Helen Cornelius – 1183
265. (273) Craig Morgan – 1167 (110)
266. (259) Bobby Goldsboro – 1165
267. (261) Norma Jean – 1160
268. (262) Bobby Lewis – 1156
269. (264) Billy Joe Royal – 1145
270. (265) SheDaisy – 1119
271. (267) Jim Glaser – 1089
272. (268) Little Jimmy Dickens – 1085
273. (270) Randy Barlow – 1072
274. (271) Johnnie & Jack – 1067
275. (272) B.J. Thomas – 1060
276. (274) Andy Griggs – 1043
277. (275) Leroy Van Dyke – 1042
278. (276) Olivia Newton John – 1038
279. (283) Gretchen Wilson – 1031 (52)
280. (-) Taylor Swift - 1014 (532)
281. (277) Confederate Railroad – 1003
282. (278) Pee Wee King – 999
283. (279) Johnny Bush – 994
284. (280) Wade Hayes – 986
285. (282) Dick Curless – 981
286. (334) Rodney Atkins - 980 (171)
287. (284) Southern Pacific – 978
288. (285) Buddy Alan – 972
289. (286) Chely Wright – 968
290. (287) Rick Trevino – 964
291. (288) Jimmy Buffett – 962
292. (289) Ricochet – 959
293. (290) Margaret Whiting – 953
294. (316) Chris Cagle – 948 (87)
295. (291) Tommy Cash – 946
296. (292) Ray Griff – 940
297. (293) Elton Britt – 939
298. (303) Steve Holy – 935 (31)
299. (294) David Lee Murphy – 930
300. (295) Red Steagall – 927





Notes on #201 to #300:

- Four new entries into the top 300, one huge, one medium-sized, and two small.

- Phil Vassar turned in good year, for him, and only needs a top 5 hit to reach the top 200. If that's what he posts next, he'd beat Carrie there. But don't hold your breath. He'll be satisfied just making it there with a second charting song by the end of '09.

- Carrie Underwood continues the impressive start to her career, and has averaged over 400 points a year from '06 to '08. #180 and 1740 pts is what she's eyeing for '09 (Incoming, Lee Ann!!).

- Blake did well, unearthing a #1, and could find himself contending for the top 200 by the end of '09. After Carrie and Sugarland pass him, he's got a decent chance to be the next entry, fighting it out for that distinction with Phil and Dierks.

- Dierks Bentley hanging with the gals as best he can, but will instead concentrate on competing with Blake on who gets to the top 200 first. 1500 would seem to be in range for him in '09, especially if Fire is headed to #1.

- Sugarland would like to move up faster and compete with Carrie, but they need more "extra" charting songs, like they got with Life In A Northern Town. Should we expect some Christmas songs next year? Since Carrie and Taylor are tapping that reservoir on a regular basis, they might as well take their shot. They're looking at the top 200 by October.

- Darryl Worley and Joe Nichols are being left in the dust, and Craig Morgan should pass them shortly. Craig's got a new song on the way, and is hoping for 1350 and thus #230 next year.

- Taylor Swift more than doubled her career Whit pt total during '08 (second highest gain of the year, just behind Kenny), and broke through both the top 400 and 300. She's continuing to keep up with Carrie's gains, and is about 12 months behind her pace. Taylor should threaten the #225 position by the time she turns 20 next December, and 1400 pts. What will her 20s hold in store?

- Rodney Atkins might have crashed and burned badly with Invisibly Shaken, but with a big #1 at the beginning of last year, and with what looks to be a potential top contender in early '09 with America, he's chugging along nicely. He was the second entry into the top 300 in '08. He'll hope that America is the catalyst that sends him toward #260 next year.

- Chris Cagle was the third entry into the top 300, and appears to be celebrating his big top 5 hit in '08 by beginning another four or five years of doing zilch, with the two follow-up singles going nowhere.

- And getting into the top 300 just under the wire, with a song debut on the final chart week of the year, was Steve Holy. I don't really have anything else to say about him....

[Jonsolo]

#301 to #400:


301. (296) Mundo Earwood – 926
302. (298) Patti Page – 918
303. (299) Roy Acuff – 918
304. (300) Alison Krauss – 910
305. (301) Deborah Allen – 909
306. (302) The Whites – 908
307. (304) Susie Allanson – 903
308. (305) Carl Butler & Pearl – 898
309. (306) Roy Head – 887
310. (307) Bill Phillips – 887
311. (308) Mark Collie – 885
312. (309) Bobby Helms – 884
313. (310) Tom Jones – 882
314. (311) Rose Maddox – 881
315. (339) Pat Green – 879 (77)
316. (312) Deana Carter – 878
317. (313) Henson Cargill – 870
318. (314) Don King – 864
319. (315) Bonnie Guitar – 863
320. (317) Liz Anderson – 859
321. (318) Johnny & Jonie Mosby – 846
322. (319) Johnny Darrell – 842
323. (320) Louvin Brothers – 840
324. (321) David Wills – 837
325. (322) Osbourne Brothers – 834
326. (323) Glenn Barber – 829
327. (324) Lionel Cartwright – 826
328. (342) Jamie O'Neal – 824 (35)
329. (325) Sweethearts of the Rodeo – 822
330. (326) Asleep at the Wheel – 822
331. (327) The Carlisles – 820
332. (328) Sons of the Pioneers – 819
333. (382) Josh Turner - 819 (146)
334. (329) Daryle Singletary – 818
335. (330) Wayne Kemp – 817
336. (331) Stephanie Winslow – 816
337. (332) McBride & the Ride – 814
338. (333) Lois Johnson – 814
339. (364) Billy Currington - 810 (82)
340. (335) Kenny Dale – 807
341. (336) Diana Trask – 804
342. (337) Baillie & the Boys – 803
343. (338) Jessi Colter – 802
344. (340) Arlene Harden – 801
345. (343) Big & Rich - 800 (11)
346. (341) J Blanchard/ Morgan – 797
347. (344) Billy Swan – 783
348. (345) Skip Ewing – 781
349. (346) Dean Dillon – 779
350. (347) Carl Perkins – 775
351. (348) Floyd Tillman – 775
352. (349) Rhett Akins – 766
353. (350) Wilma Burgess – 765
354. (351) June Carter – 764
355. (352) C.W. McCall – 763
356. (353) Chris LeDoux – 758
357. (354) Tommy Collins – 757
358. (355) Michael Johnson – 757
359. (356) Carlene Carter – 751
360. (357) David Ball – 751
361. (358) Debby Boone – 750
362. (359) Ray Charles – 749
363. (360) Jeff Carson – 748
364. (378) Emerson Drive - 742 (55)
365. (361) Johnny Bond – 741
366. (362) Mindy McCready – 736
367. (372) Jessica Andrews – 731 (33)
368. (363) Bobby Wright – 730
369. (365) Moon Mullican – 727
370. (366) Mark Gray – 722
371. (418) Josh Gracin - 719 (142)
372. (367) Lari White – 714
373. (368) Judy Rodman – 709
374. (369) Mavericks – 704
375. (370) Chad Brock – 703
376. (371) Dottsy – 702
377. (373) Little David Wilkens – 695
378. (374) Marion Worth – 690
379. (375) Zella Lehr – 687
380. (376) Stella Parton – 687
381. (377) Ted Daffan – 687
382. (379) Doug Supernaw – 685
383. (380) Linda Davis – 680
384. (381) La Costa – 678
385. (383) Lyle Lovett – 672
386. (430) Little Big Town - 672 (119)
387. (384) Larry Boone – 667
388. (385) Jim Nesbitt – 665
389. (386) Joe Sun – 664
390. (387) Sheb Wooley – 664
391. (388) Hoyt Axton – 662
392. (389) Margie Singleton – 657
393. (390) Sherry Bryce – 656
394. (391) Robin Lee – 655
395. (392) Ray Pillow – 654
396. (393) R.C. Bannon – 653
397. (394) Terri Gibbs – 649
398. (395) Roy Rogers – 649
399. (396) Radney Foster – 645
400. (397) Peggy Sue – 635



Notes on #301 to #400:

- There were three new entries into the top 400 this year (one was Taylor, already discussed, who didn't hang out in this section for very long), much less than the seven who made it in '07.

- Pat Green continues his long slog toward the top 300. He'd be moving a lot faster if he'd be able to score a top 10 for once, but doesn't seem capable of recapturing that Wave On Wave magic. If Let Me has done enough now to warrant a second single from his new album, that would get him there.

- Josh Turner has gained just enough from his two follow-ups to Firecracker, to make it likely that he'll be getting the 100 points in '09 that he'll need to make the top 300.

- Billy Currington's doing well with Don't, and the next single should also put him in track to come close to the top 300 in '09, if not make it.

- I guess Big & Rich were satisfied with their nice and round point total, and have gone on vacation.

- Still waiting for the hype of Emerson Drive's new single to translate into chart success. They'll have to wait until '10 for a shot at the top 300 anyway.

- Josh Gracin entered the top 400, and has a new single that could do very well (i.e., reach the top ten before its 40th week on the chart...). He'll aim for #340 next year, and then have an outside shot at the top 300 by the end of '10.

- Little Big Town was the third top 400 entry, helping themselves greatly with some Life In A Northern Town points. They're not acting like they want more top ten hits, but are still trying to make some noise.

[Jonsolo]

#401 to #453:


401. (398) Ned Miller – 635
402. (409) Lila McCann – 634 (31)
403. (-) Jimmy Wayne - 634 (193)
404. (399) Keith Stegall – 626
405. (-) Jason Aldean - 626 (154)
406. (400) Billy Parker – 619
407. (401) Bobby Borchers – 619
408. (402) Jimmie Skinner – 619
409. (403) Tony Booth – 615
410. (404) T Texas Tyler – 615
411. (405) Michael Peterson – 615
412. (406) Johnny Wright – 608
413. (407) Spade Cooley – 606
414. (408) Jack Reno – 604
415. (410) Big Al Downing – 599
416. (411) Foster & Lloyd – 599
417. (412) Hawkshaw Hawkins – 599
418. (413) Mary Lou Turner – 592
419. (414) Becky Hobbs – 588
420. (415) Burl Ives – 586
421. (416) Charlie McCoy – 584
422. (417) Mike Reid – 582
423. (419) Trick Pony – 576
424. (420) O'Kanes – 575
425. (421) Ronnie Sessions – 572
426. (422) Paul Brandt – 570
427. (423) Kris Kristofferson – 569
428. (424) Dorsey Burnette – 567
429. (425) Penny DeHaven – 564
430. (426) Tom Wopat – 563
431. (427) Kentucky Headhunters – 560
432. (428) Darrell McCall - 555
433. (429) Bill Monroe - 552
434. (431) Carl Belew - 550
435. (-) Jack Ingram - 549 (82)
436. (432) Ray Sanders - 547
437. (433) Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper - 547
438. (-) Miranda Lambert - 547 (153)
439. (434) Hugh X. Lewis - 543
440. (435) Stoney Edwards - 542
441. (436) Lane Brody - 539
442. (-) Keith Anderson - 539 (164)
443. (437) Leon Ashley - 538
444. (438) LaWanda Lindsey - 537
445. (439) SKO - 533
446. (440) Sonny Curtis - 530
447. (441) Mason Dixon - 527
448. (442) Ricky Nelson - 526
449. (443) Doug Kershaw/Rusty - 522
450. (444) Bandana - 519
451. (445) Brian Collins - 515
452. (446) Warren Brothers - 511
453. (447) Kenny Starr - 509

And the Contenders for the ranked portion of the Whitburn list:

Sherrie Austin - 491
Carolyn Dawn Johnson - 439
Steve Azar - 424
Kellie Pickler - 388
James Otto - 386
Jeff Bates - 384
Jake Owen - 353
Blaine Larsen - 326
Cross Canadian Ragweed - 326
Trent Willmon - 298
Blue County - 286
Amy Dalley - 282


Notes on #401 on down:

Looks like there's two artists sure to make the top 400 in '09, and a trio of other contenders who could make it if they find a big hit.

- Jimmy Wayne and Jason Aldean will make the top 400 by the end of February, and we'll see how long they can compete closely with each other. I'd probably give the long term edge to Aldean.

- Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Keith Anderson also form a small trio, and might compete with each other for the time being in seeing who's the third to make it to the top 400 this year. Keith Anderson probably has the most career momentum (if it wasn't destroyed by Somebody Needs A Hug), so he should get there first, followed by Miranda and then Jack. Probably two of those three make it to the top 400 this year, or four total.

- I started tracking Kellie Pickler, James Otto, and Jake Owen this year, as they appear on track to at least contend for the top 400 two years down the road. I'll also be keeping an eye on Luke Bryan, Eric Church, and Jason Michael Carroll in the new year.

And that will do it. As I said, I should be back in a month after I see Joel's actual list, and make adjustments. But I or Zazie can answer (or make up the answers) to any and all questions that you have, about the numbers here. And I'll also plan on bringing the thread back at the end of June '09, for a status report on some of the big moves that take place during the first half of next year.

[Jonsolo]

And now, here were the top point gainers during the year (remember, 300 is a great year...):

1. Kenny Chesney - 552.5
2. Taylor Swift - 532
3. Rascal Flatts - 460
4. Brad Paisley - 424
5. Carrie Underwood - 403
6. Toby Keith - 386
7. Sugarland - 356
8. George Strait - 327
9T. Alan Jackson - 279
9T. Montgomery Gentry - 279
11. Keith Urban - 245
12. Blake Shelton - 213
13. Tim McGraw - 209
14. Dierks Bentley - 203
15. Jimmy Wayne - 193
16. Brooks & Dunn - 189
17. Trisha Yearwood - 188
18. Trace Adkins - 175
19. Gary Allan - 172
20. Rodney Atkins - 171

Kenny's a master at racking up the points, but Taylor was right there with him. If she had gotten a couple of more weeks at #1 with Love Story she'd have caught him.

Rascal's 153-pt December vaulted them up to #3 right at the end.

[Jonsolo]

And, as I posted back in June, here's an update on the top point gainers of this decade (with 9 of the 10 years complete):

1. Kenny Chesney - 3972
2. Toby Keith - 3510
3. Tim McGraw - 3197
4. Rascal Flatts - 2953
5. George Strait - 2794
6. Brad Paisley - 2613
7. Alan Jackson - 2481
8. Keith Urban - 2432
9. Brooks & Dunn - 2294
10. Montgomery Gentry - 1906
11. Martina McBride - 1885
12. Lonestar - 1850
13. Faith Hill - 1626
14. Trace Adkins - 1574
15. Sara Evans - 1502
16. Gary Allan - 1489
17. Phil Vassar - 1437
18. Carrie Underwood - 1388
19. Dixie Chicks - 1375
20. Blake Shelton - 1361
21. Garth Brooks - 1305
22. Dierks Bentley - 1287
23. Sugarland - 1278
24. Jo Dee Messina - 1247
25. Darryl Worley - 1208
26. Reba McEntire - 1206
27. Joe Nichols - 1185
28. Craig Morgan - 1167
29. Leann Rimes - 1134
30. Gretchen Wilson - 1031
31. Taylor Swift - 1014

The list is starting to solidify, with one more year left, but there's still some spots in the top ten that aren't set. If Brad didn't have an instrumental album out right now, and a more clear path for more charting songs, he'd have a small shot at catching George. As is, looks like George is definitely in the top five. Keith's two charting songs right now could close the gap rapidly on AJ, who needs at least one #1 in '09, along with two more high peakers, to have a chance of holding him off.

Mont Gentry should be safe for their #10 position. Faith pulls some Christmas songs out of the bag to get ahead of Trace, but he should be able to chase her back down. But can Faith and Trace both hold off Carrie, who has her eyes set on that #13 position? If she gets 400 pts next year, they'll have to manage 150 and 200 point years to hold on, and keep her back to #15.

Sugarland's also looking at getting into the top 20, and Taylor will probably wind up around #22, assuming she has another 400+ year in her.

One note on George Strait. He'll probably end the decade with about 10500 career points on the main list, or 2200 behind Eddy Arnold, and 1400 behind George Jones. So, if the point totals remain consistent for the respective rankings for the next decade (quite an assumption, I agree), George would then need to rank around #9 or #10 for the decade of the '10s to catch Eddy, and around #20 for the decade to catch Jones.

[bigbluenote]

Thanks for all of those numbers and statistics. It is all very interesting. Can't wait for Reba to get into the top 10. And I'm still hoping for the day that George takes the top spot. Hopefully it happens before he decides to retire.

[EmersonDrive13Rocks]

Always love this post with the updates! Very interesting and enjoyable to look at. Will be interested to see what happens with Emerson Drive, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood in 2009.

[leilamaurizia]

Thanks so much, Jonsolo! I always look forward to your updates on this thread. Really interesting stuff!

[Zazie]

So you're telling me that Elvis is dead? I don't like the way you just slipped that in there. He's still scoring Whitpoints, dammit. The evidence is on my side.

Great series of posts, and I always enjoy seeing an update of the top artists of the decade. Carrie's amazingly high on that list, considering how late she started racking up the hits.

MODIFIED because I just noticed that, with a little bit less than a 500 point year, Kenny Chesney will have scored more Whitpoints in a decade than anybody but Webb Pierce in the 50's, Buck Owens in the 60's, and Garth and King George in the 90's. Not that he's a sure thing to score 500, but he's certainly a candidate to get there -- he's chasing Eddy Arnold's 4447 from the 60's.

[Marv]

2008 will go down as the worst chart year Tim McGraw has had since 1994, with no songs in the Mediabase year-end top 50, and just one (Let It Go) on BBs year-end top 50.

Toby performed marginally better, including a #1 single, so 2009 is going to be really interesting to follow for both of them.

[smack]

Jonsolo---do you think pts will be slowed down considerably now since of bb;'s new recurent rule, ie taylor only charting 12 weeks on a #1, kenny 16 weeks etc? Thanks for all the hard work...should I walk over to Whitburn's office & see if he's hiring? He's probably ready to retire, I think he is about 70