Joel Whitburn's all-time Top Country Artists list

[Zazie]

Dec 21, 2008 23:10:14 GMT -5 smack said:

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

I'm not Jonsolo, but Kenny lost 4 points out of what would have been a total of 130. So he's still scoring 97% of his total, and Taylor lost 8 with her 130-bound song so her loss is double. But not all that significant. Most of the points come from bonuses, not weekly +1 gains.

And if the result is that songs are released a little bit faster in the future, the small loss will turn into a small gain.

I am in favor of your taking a Whit-job. We need someone on the inside, who can tell us how duets are counted and who gets credited with what percentage of points. I think Jonsolo would be willing to match (from his trust fund) whatever Joel pays you. Especially if you serve as a volunteer.

[Jonsolo]

Dec 21, 2008 23:34:55 GMT -5 Zazie said:

Dec 21, 2008 23:10:14 GMT -5 smack said:

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

I'm not Jonsolo, but Kenny lost 4 points out of what would have been a total of 130. So he's still scoring 97% of his total, and Taylor lost 8 with her 130-bound song so her loss is double. But not all that significant. Most of the points come from bonuses, not weekly +1 gains.

And if the result is that songs are released a little bit faster in the future, the small loss will turn into a small gain.

I am in favor of your taking a Whit-job. We need someone on the inside, who can tell us how duets are counted and who gets credited with what percentage of points. I think Jonsolo would be willing to match (from his trust fund) whatever Joel pays you. Especially if you serve as a volunteer.

Zazie's probably correct, in that the recurrent rule might actually help inflate totals, at least for the superstars, for the near future. With songs for those artists moving up and then off at a quicker pace, they should be able to release more songs in an average year. Previously, Love Story would have stayed on the charts until 2/7/09, and that might have caused the label to delay the follow-up a few weeks, if not until after the holidays.

But now, if we have singles on and off in 12 to 16 weeks, we could have the superstars easily fitting in four singles into a year. And if those singles all hit #1, or at least top 3, you'll be seeing them reach 400 points no problem, before the "extra songs", like charting album cuts, duet contributions, and Christmas songs get counted in.

And I think I've wasted enough of my life following this Whit-mess, that I should be in line first for whenever an opening appears in Joel's staff!!! I'll definitely jury-rig the system so that Strait gets included in the crediting in the book for songs that no one can hear him but me. I'm quite certain that he was singing backup for Timmy on LLYWD, for Lonestar on Amazed, and with AJ and Jimmy on It's 5:00 Somewhere. He'd be catching Eddy in no time!

[ericNY2002]

Got the new book last night via UPS.
This version covers from 1944 to 2008 (more specifically the last chart used is the 10-25-08 chart) as Everybody Wants to go to Heaven was on its 2nd week at #1.

I also have the 2005 edition so I'll have to go back and check for differences between the 2 books other than the 2005-08 info.

[Jonsolo]

As most of you know, a new edition of the Joel Whitburn Country Songs book came out last December, with updated discographies and point totals, for the Top Artists at the back. The book covered songs that had debuted on the chart by the 8/30/08 week, and then what all songs had done by the last chart week in October, 10/25/08.

msm444 was true to his word, with his offer he made back last August, as he was able to supply me with the Top 300 Artists list that was at the back of the new book. I had kept a separate copy for the list that I've been keeping track of since Joel's last book, in 2005, and scaled that list back to the similar date cut-offs. I then compared my list to what it would have looked like on 10/25/08, to Joel's. I did find (gulp!) 39 artists whose point totals I differed on. With even more good help from msm444, I discovered what the song differences were in 35 of the 39 artists. Examples of the changes include:

- Hey Good Lookin' no longer included on the song lists for Strait, A Jackson, Chesney, Toby, or C Black.

- The three Highwaymen songs removed from Cash, Willie, and Waylon's lists.

- Songs that charted on the Sales chart were removed, for Eddy Arnold, Leann Rimes, Dolly Parton, O-Newton John, and Tracy Lawrence.

- Mass collaborations, like The Devil Comes Back To Georgia, Restless, and Romeo were taken off of the participating artists (that would be "Tritt, Stuart, C Daniels, and Cash", "Skaggs, Wariner, and Gill", and "M-C Carpenter, Cyrus, Mattea, Tillis, and Tucker", respectively)

And so on. The other four artists only differed by 1, 1, 1, and 10 points, so I decided that that wasn't worth investigating.

So, after integrating Joel's new list into my ongoing spreadsheet, I totaled the rest of the points from the remaining chart weeks of 2008, and came up with a new list, corrected from the one-hundred-position chunks that I posted here back last December. The 39 artists and their new point totals/positions on the list, are:

1. Eddy Arnold - 12667
3. George Strait - 10207
4. Johnny Cash - 9449
6. Merle Haggard - 9058 (switched places with #5 Conway Twitty)
7. Dolly Parton - 8277
9. Willie Nelson - 7857 (switched places with #8 Webb Pierce
11. Reba McEntire - 7709
14. Waylon Jennings - 7232 (switched places with #13 Marty Robbins)
18. Alan Jackson - 6692
28. Tim McGraw - 5938 (switched places with #29 Carl Smith)
34. Kenny Chesney - 5342 (jumped over #35 Tanya Tucker and #36 Red Foley)
35. Tanya Tucker - 5339
39. Toby Keith - 5216
46. Steve Wariner - 4680
47. Vince Gill - 4545
49. Clint Black - 4492
54. Bobby Bare - 4235 (rose past #55 Barbara Mandrell and #56 Oak Ridge Boys)
67. Travis Tritt - 3682
85. Tracy Lawrence - 3093
94. Ricky Skaggs - 2943 (dropped down five places from #89)
97. Brad Paisley - 2828
99. Collin Raye - 2796 (switched places with #98 Vern Gosdin)
106. Kathy Mattea - 2713 (switched places with #105 Stonewall Jackson)
118. Keith Urban - 2462
130. Trace Adkins - 2250
132. Roseanne Cash - 2223 (rose six places from #138)
146. Montgomery Gentry - 2076
147. Pam Tillis - 2072 (dropped two places below #145 Wynonna and #146 Mont Gentry)
150. Leann Rimes - 2041 (dropped two places below #148 Jimmy Newman and #149 Hank Locklin)
153. Neal McCoy - 2014
162. Mary Chapin Carpenter - 1939 (dropped two places below #160 Exile and #161 Narvel Felts)
175. Marty Stuart - 1781 (switched places with #174 Freddy Weller)
189. Billy Ray Cyrus - 1615 (dropped one place)
191. Linda Ronstadt - 1600 (dropped eight places)
204. Charlie Daniels - 1509 (dropped below #202 Margo Smith and #203 Wanda Jackson)
234. Blackhawk - 1317 (rose three places)
257. Bryan White - 1211 (dropped twenty-two places)
273. Gretchen Wilson - 1073 (rose six places)
281. Olivia Newton John - 1001 (dropped three places)

So I'm back up to date, and have been continuing to track the point totals for my Whitburn list for the start of the calendar year. It was a bit tedious, guessing as to which songs were removed, but msm444 did a great and timely job of clarifying my guesses, and answering the other artists that I had no idea on. Thanks, dude! I'm glad that the new Whitburn editions don't come out any more frequently than once every three years.

So we'll shoot for a mid-year update, at the end of June, to see what the big movers and shakers are. Hint: Carrie's had a great January, to break into the top 200 already...

[Vic]

Al interesting stuff. Thanks for the update. Can I ask what Olivia "sales" song was removed from her total?

[Zazie]

Jan 23, 2009 9:30:08 GMT -5 Vic said:

Al interesting stuff. Thanks for the update. Can I ask what Olivia "sales" song was removed from her total?

It was her new version of I Honestly Love You, released in 1998. Spent 17 weeks on the sales chart, peaking at #16.

Much kudos to msm44 for supplying Jon, and indirectly me, with information. He showed patience beyond the ordinary. Also thanks to EricNY who answered a series of my irritating questions. I'll buy the next edition and answer questions as needed; it's my turn.

[sbp17]

But the question that everyone's dying to know....did Reba's top ten with B&D this week push her into the top 10 on Joel's countdown?

[Jonsolo]

Jan 24, 2009 0:05:37 GMT -5 sbp17 said:

But the question that everyone's dying to know....did Reba's top ten with B&D this week push her into the top 10 on Joel's countdown?

Nope, not yet. Since Reba no longer gets credit for her contributions to the Hank Jr. song Mind Your Own Business, she lost 52 points of her total that I had her down for at the end of 2008 (7761, on the third page of this thread), down to 7709, using Joel's total for her from the book plus the points she earned the rest of the year.

Right now, with this week's move into the top ten, Reba should have 7719 pts, to Ray Price's #10 total of 7773. Cowgirls will have to go #1 for her to have any shot in catching Ray with this song. Even then, it would take two weeks at #1, something that all of the recent top songs have been struggling to get. Chances are, it will have to wait for her next song, solo or duet.

[sbp17]

Thanks, as always, Jon.

[Zazie]

Jan 24, 2009 1:49:40 GMT -5 sbp17 said:

Thanks, as always, Jon.

Joel takes away, but Joel also gives -- by reducing Reba's total by a little but Willie Nelson's total by hundreds of points, he makes it harder for her to reach the top 10 -- but easier to get as high as #8 if she keeps releasing songs. She'll finish her current song's run right behind Ray Price, within 100 of now-#9 Willie, and about 225 points behind Webb Pierce at #8.

Dolly Parton lost more than 100 points as well, so in the end Reba could still wind up as the top woman in country radio history.

[smack]

so who loses points on true duets? Islands in the stream for instance, or reba/b&d did you see him/did you see her? Songs like "it's your love" I can see--because faith actually does not have her own verses in the song.

[Zazie]

Feb 2, 2009 21:43:11 GMT -5 smack said:

so who loses points on true duets? Islands in the stream for instance, or reba/b&d did you see him/did you see her? Songs like "it's your love" I can see--because faith actually does not have her own verses in the song.

Joel apparently relies on the official credits. Billy Dean still gets full points for his appearance on Buy Me A Rose, for example -- and Alison must as well although we don't know her point total. That's why Tim McGraw gets full credit on Bring On the Rain -- it's obviously not because of the performance, which is similar to a million other backup appearances that aren't credited.

He did go to some lengths to eliminate points for songs featuring 4 or more artists. But he didn't eliminate points for "true" duets, as long as the credits support that, and he even added some (Rosanne Cash is now credited on her collaboration in 1985 with Vince Gill on If It Weren't For Him).

[Jonsolo]

The 6/27/09 chart is out, which means it's time to update this thread on the major movements on the Joel Whitburn Top Artist points list through the first half of the year. Some of these comments and point totals won't match up with what I posted here back in December, but hopefully should with the "alterations" I posted about in January, after the changes that Joel did in the 2008 Whitbook were implemented.

I'll continue to use the same format that I have in the past, grouping my comments together in sections of 100.

Notes for #1 to #100:

- George Strait (#3, 10327) had the most durable single of his career in the first half, which took a personal record of 22 weeks to reach #1, and then got in the debut of his new single right before the cutoff. So he's had a decent year with a 120-pt gain, and is now just under 1600 points behind George Jones' total at #2 (11922). Six and a half years, December 2015 for when Strait gets there? That might be possible, but we'll see if the national airplay continues when George turns 60 in 2012.

- Reba McEntire (#10, 7823) cracked the all-time top ten back in April, and is now only 34 points away from Willie's 9th place position. A little doubtful that Strange will get her there, and might have to wait until the follow-up.

- Hank Jr (#14, 7244) warrants a mention with his 70 pts from his Bartender and Pink Slip songs. That was enough to move him up one spot past Waylon Jennings. Probably a sure thing that he eventually gets the 62 more points to catch Marty Robbins at #13 (though AJ should catch him in two years or so).

- Alan Jackson (#18, 6818) put up a third consecutive #1, and another top ten song has him with a solid 126-pt first half. Looks unlikely that Sissy's Song will get him the 25 additional points he needs to catch Jim Reeves at #17, but he'll get there with his next song.

- Timmy McGraw's (#26, 6027) label troubles continue to plague him, but his top five hit got him 89 points and past both Ronnie Milsap and Kenny Rogers. Another top five hit in the second half of the year gets him up past Hank Snow and Faron Young to #24.

Then we have a big knot of three superstars:

- Brooks & Dunn (#32, 5519) doing what they can to hold off Kenny Chesney (#33, 5511), but it's just a matter of time (next week, if Out Last Night gets a 2nd week at #1?) before he passes them. Both should get past Bill Anderson (5621) by December, to put Kenny at #31, and let B&D maintain their current #32 standing (though B&D will need 102 points, and can't afford having Indian Summer flop). Kenny's first half gain, 169 points, tied Brad Paisley for the 5th highest artist total.

- Toby Keith (#35, 5349) had a strong 133-pt half, to move up four positions. He'll pass Mel Tillis (5385) by the end of the summer, and then just position himself so that he can take his turn to pass Bill Anderson next year.

Nice fight between those three, though the final (read:end-of-career) rankings should see Kenny ahead, followed by Toby, and finally B&D, and all at worst in the top 27.

- Randy Travis (#50, 4424) is glad he gave Carrie his blessing to record I Told You So, and even more so that it got made into a duet, as the 114 points from the song puts him back into the top 50 (over Hank Sr. and Jerry Lee Lewis in the process). He should stay there for a while, even if he can't chart by himself, as he has a 540-pt lead on Martina, and 1200 on the act that might eventually knock him back out of the top 50, Rascal Flatts. That should at least take 3 years to happen, maybe after the cutoff for the next Whitburn book.

- Martina McBride (#61, 3884) got 76 pts, to move up three positions on the list, and is now eyeing Anne Murray's #60 position (17 pts away). Of course, not a sure thing that Call You Mine gets the job done.

- Rascal Flatts (#81, 3210) had a dynamite first half, using Christmas songs and album cuts to rack up 257 points (of course, only 2nd best out of all the artists...). Those points have extended RF's lead on main rival Brad to over 200 points, and sent them sailing up eleven positions. Ferlin Husky's #76 (3355) might be in range by the end of the year.

- Brad Paisley (#91, 2997) is losing the recent battles with the Flatts, but his 169 (again, tied for 5th highest) points this half-year got him past six artists, and he could reach as high as Johnny Rodriguez's #84 (3145) by the time the year is through. Some charting album tracks when his new CD comes out would be very helpful. He's definitely looking unbeatable when it comes to hitting #1, with his streak now in the record books at ten straight.

Notes for #101 to #200:

- Keith Urban (#108, 2675) might be able to join the top 100 by the end of the year. He needs 119 points, and after 213 during the first half (3rd highest artist total), appears capable of that goal. It helps so much when you can get included in the credits of a duet that goes to #1, like Start A Band did. Would have helped his "top 100" cause greatly had Kiss A Girl gone further, though.

- Trace Adkins (#122, 2408) has gone with quantity over quality during the first half to gain 158 points (9th highest), as that total has come from four different songs. He'll be in the top 120 by December, and it's looking likely that he'll crack the top 100 within three years.

- Montgomery Gentry (#134, 2206) also continue their steady push toward the top 100, gaining 130 points the past six months and passing twelve artists. They shouldn't have any problem reaching #129 by December.

- Lee Ann Womack (#174, 1788) is having, for her, a nice year, with 68 points so far. But since she's not reliable in getting songs into the top ten, there's no guarantee that she'll be able to duplicate that performance during the second half. And, there is the looming bulldozer named...

- Carrie Underwood (#181, 1702). Carrie had a first half that would easily be considered a great full year. 314 points (57 ahead of RF's 2nd place total), from a boatload of Christmas songs, a long-lasting album cut, and that certain duet (which, even though radio stations apparently couldn't stand playing it, somehow made its way to #2).

Carrie barged her way into the top 200, vaulting up an amazing forty-five positions. She'll rack up her fourth straight 400+ point year. As improbable as it might seem, she could possibly be only 2.5 years away from hitting the top 100, beating Trace and Mont Gentry there.

- Wrapping up this section, a mention for Billy Ray Cyrus (#185, 1661). He only managed 46 point in the first half, but it was enough to move him up four spaces, and keep him secure in the top 200 (where Joel prints your picture next to your discography) for at least the next four years.

Notes on #201 to #300:

- The less I say about Phil Vassar's (#204, 1517) current song, the better. But I'll be hoping that the next single is the one that puts Phil into the top 200, of which he's 21 points away. 80 earned so far this year.

- With two back-to-back #1s, Blake Shelton (#210, 1493) is enjoying the quick turnover at the top as much as anyone. A 132-point half boosted Blake up nineteen positions, and he should be joining Phil in the top 200 by the end of the year, 45 points away.

That's three artists joining the 200 in '09, and the fourth should be...

- Sugarland (#216, 1440) had a 162-pt half (tied with Taylor for 7th highest), and should be headed toward the mid-190s by December. They've already moved up twenty-six positions this year.

- Rounding out this mini-cluster is Dierks Bentley (#218, 1434). A 147-pt half has moved him up twenty-two positions, and he's been trying to hang with Sugarland. That's a battle he's not going to win, but he's positioned himself to possibly crack the top 200 by the end of the year (to be the 5th artist in '09).

- The close proximity of artists has boosted Craig Morgan (#242, 1276) up nineteen positions, and Darryl Worley (#243, 1273) has also benefited, with an fifteen-position move.

- Joe Nichols (#254, 1239) has moved up ten positions with his 54-pt half.

- Taylor Swift (#266, 1176) is the next big heavy-hitter, and 162 points (tied for 7th highest) has vaulted her up fourteen positions. She's on track to crack the top 200 by this time next year.

- Rodney Atkins (#272, 1111) shook off that unfortunate Invisibly Shaken episode well, and moved up fourteen positions with his 131-pt gain. Doesn't look like he'll reach the top 200 until spring 2011.

- Finally, Pat Green (#282, 1002) had a single (Country Star) pulled this spring, in favor of one that was gathering lots of unsolicited airplay of its own (What I'm For). While that does potentially saddle him with two songs with unspectacular chart peaks, it gives him a good boost on the Whitburn list, with 123 pts earned in the first half (including getting over the 1K milestone). He's the lone entrant into the top 300 so far this year, and one of only two expected for the entire year.

Notes on #301 to #400:

- Billy Currington (#303, 923) is looking to crack the top 300 with his current song, probably in the next few weeks. His 113 points this year boosted him up thirty-three positions. His consistency with singles will catch him up to Pat quickly, and he might be able to join Rodney in a mini-battle with each other to see who reaches the top 200 first.

- No one else worth talking about in this section (where are you, Josh Turner?) until you get all the way down to Jason Aldean (#356, 759). His recent #1 song moved him into the top 400 back in January, and he's already almost halfway to the top 300 now. If Tractor is a halfway decent hit, he'll be in the top 340 by December, and set to hit the top 300 by late summer '10.

- Jimmy Wayne (#378, 696) is understandably having some trouble following up his big #1 from last year. He's gained 62 points, and twenty-five positions (into the top 400), but it remains to be seen if he's a shoe-in for the top 300 or not.

Notes for below #400:

- Jack Ingram (#405, 629) appears to have a summer song that's going to make some noise, and as a result, could provide him with the 21 points he needs to make the top 400. His 80 points this year has moved him up thirty positions.

- Miranda Lambert (#413, 612) and Keith Anderson (#427, 574) are also threats to make the top 400 by the end of the year, but they'll have to step it up. Dead Flowers doesn't look like it'll get Miranda the 38 additional points that she'll need.

And wrapping things up at the bottom, I can say that since January, I've added five artists to the bottom of my points list, that I've started monitoring. They've reached the point level, 300, that I start paying attention to, and they appear to have decent chances of eventually reaching the top 400. These five newcomers are:

Eric Church, 409
Darius Rucker, 392, including an impressive 200 points (4th highest total) during the first half of this year
Jason Michael Carroll, 347
Luke Bryan, 347
Trent Tomlinson, 335

Also, for the artists I added to the list during 2008, we have Jake Owen at 459, James Otto at 451, and Kellie Pickler up to 435. I'll be waiting until 2010 to figure out the point totals and possibly add Zac Brown, Lady Antebellum, Chuck Wicks, Jamey Johnson, and Bucky Covington to this list.

That does it for the mid-year update. Next up will be the 2009 wrap-up at the end of December, which I will hopefully be able to post shortly after the release of the 12/26/09 chart. There's also the matter of figuring out what the list of the top point earners of the 00s looked like (Here's a hint: no one's catching Kenny for #1). That list is complicated a bit by the practice that Joel Whitburn has, of only counting songs for the decade that they've peaked in. So we'll be having many artists with songs rising up the chart in December, that won't be counted in their decade totals, and thus, will not be able to get as high on the decade list as I previously thought. But we'll worry about that in six months. I might see if I can post what the decade list looks like right now, but it'll probably be next week before I can get to it.

Let me know if you have any questions, and either Zazie or I will make up a smart-sounding answer...

[Jonsolo]

As promised (and, apparently, clamored for by many people on this thread in the last week....(!)), here is the updated list of the top Whitburn point gainers for this decade ('00 to '09). Once again, msm came through, to send me the decade list at the end of the most recent Whitburn book edition, and I updated the totals from September 2008 to the 6/27/09 chart. In parentheses, are the previous positions that were in that Whitburn book:

1. (1) Kenny Chesney - 4172
2. (2) Toby Keith - 3635
3. (3) Timmy McGraw - 3383
4. (5) Rascal Flatts - 3210
5. (4) George Strait - 2906
6. (6) Brad Paisley - 2781
7. (8) Keith Urban - 2675
8. (7) Alan Jackson - 2599
9. (9) Brooks & Dunn - 2394
10. (11) Montgomery Gentry - 2035
11. (12) Martina McBride - 1961
12. (10) Lonestar - 1850
13. (13) Trace Adkins - 1742
14. (21) Carrie Underwood - 1702
15. (14) Faith Hill - 1675
16. (17) Phil Vassar - 1517
17. (15) Sara Evans - 1503
18. (16) Gary Allan - 1497
19. (19) Blake Shelton - 1493
20. (24) Sugarland - 1440
21. (23) Dierks Bentley - 1434
22. (18) Dixie Chicks - 1375
23. (28) Reba McEntire - 1320
24. (20) Garth Brooks - 1305
25. (27) Craig Morgan - 1276
26. (26) Darryl Worley - 1273
27. (22) Jo Dee Messina - 1247
28. (25) Joe Nichols - 1239
29. (46) Taylor Swift - 1176
30. (29) LeAnn Rimes - 1134
31. (36) Rodney Atkins - 1090
32. (30) Gretchen Wilson - 1073
33. (32) Lee Ann Womack - 1072
34. (31) SheDaisy - 1007
35. (43) Pat Green - 1002
36. (33) Travis Tritt - 969
37. (41) Tracy Lawrence - 951
38. (34) Chris Cagle - 948
39. (37) Steve Holy - 938
40. (35) Clay Walker - 935
41. (50) Billy Currington - 923
42. (38) Terri Clark - 898
43. (39) Mark Wills - 891
44. (40) Tracy Byrd - 882
45. (42) Diamond Rio - 878
46. (49) Jamie O'Neal - 843
47. (44) Big & Rich - 842
48. (45) Trisha Yearwood - 840
49. (47) Shania Twain - 838
50. (-) Josh Turner - 834
51. (48) Andy Griggs - 830
52. (-) Jason Aldean - 759

As I mentioned before, there's not much more time for artists to add to their totals, even though there's six more months of chart data coming. Joel only counts in these decade totals songs that peak before the end of the decade, in this case, 12/26/09. Therefore, an artist is going to have to debut on the chart with that song probably by August, early September at the latest, for the big superstars. So most artists are only going to be adding the points of their song currently on the charts. Rascal Flatts and George Strait are probably on track to peak out in September with their songs that are currently in the #11 to #20 range. The follow ups to those songs would thus probably peak after the end of December. The Flatts would have to release a Bob That Head stinker, that nosedives after hitting the top 15, to fit in in a song after Summer Nights.

Assuming a one-week #1 with Living For The Night, George will end up about 30 points shy of the 3000 point mark. Looks like he'd need a charting album cut when his new album comes out. Maybe he needs to include a song on there titled "Texas Is The Best" or something, and let the Dallas and Houston radio stations carry him on their shoulders to a chart appearance.

Looking at the rest of the songs near/in the top 10 on last week's Billboard chart: Taylor Swift's current song probably will peak before the end of August, and thus, she could conceivably get the 4th single from Fearless out in September, and peak by the end of December. If the current songs by Toby, Reba, and AJ are finished in five or six weeks (a possibility), they could all get songs out in August, that may or may not peak in time. Billy Currington, Lady Ant, and Darius Rucker will have their first songs peak in time, but their follow-up songs will move too slowly. Kenny, Keith, and Brad can fit in one more song. Dierks might be on the border of fitting in a follow-up to Sideways.

Of course, if there's any surprise charting album cuts or Christmas songs (which probably won't peak until the 2nd chart week of January 2010 anyway), there could be a few unexpected boosts in points.

But, since we're unable to predict that, there shouldn't be too much movement up or down this list. The top ten looks set in stone (a big showing with 3+ charting album cuts for Brad when American Saturday Night comes out would help him chase down George for #5, but he's never shown an adeptness for charting cuts like Kenny has).

Carrie should have no trouble getting past Trace to claim the #13 position, but would need extra charting songs to reach Lonestar. 1800+ points for Carrie, in a little over four years work? She'd be right with Kenny had she had a full decade at that pace. Oh well. There's always the '10-'19 decade up next, and I think she's a favorite to be #1 on that future list, or at least in the top 3 (along with Brad and Taylor?).

A decent showdown going on in the #16 to #21 range. Sugarland's expected to have one more big song, which would put the pressure on Phil, Sara, Gary, and Blake.

Gary's got a song coming out, which "should" peak by December (it'll have around 24 weeks to do so), that would provide Gary with the points to fend off Sugar. Blake would still need 60 points from I'll Just Hold On, to give a nice cushion on Sugar, which would be a tough order (it would have to reach #1), so it's likely Sugar catches him. A new single that cracks the top 40 would probably be enough for Sara, but we've yet to hear from her, and waiting until after August means that she probably wouldn't peak in time. Phil would be better advised to chunk Bobbi (beyond the obvious reasons), and get a new song out, but it's doubtful that that next song would peak in time.

Dierks still has points to get with Sideways, which would put him in better position to catch people that Sugarland, but we don't know if his follow-up peaks in time. The answer to that question would decide whether he remains at #21, or shoots up automatically to #16. These six positions are going to be the most interesting development to watch the latter half of this year.

Reba would need to get another song to peak in December after Strange, to catch the Chicks for #22. Which means that Strange would have to top out over the next three weeks. That might not happen, although it appears it could be close to hitting a ceiling.

Nice mini-battle between Craig Morgan and Darryl Worley, especially with their current songs 15 positions apart on the chart. With Bonfire much younger than Sounds Like Life, Darryl would need to notch a top 5 peak to Craig's top 15, or a top 10 to Craig's top 30. Looks like a tough job for Darryl. Taylor's also a big threat to catch both of them, along with Garth, Jo Dee, and Joe, and reach #24 on this list. She'd have to fit in that follow-up to Belong With Me before December, a doable prospect. Nichols can catch the idle Messina for #27 (which would be back to #28 if Taylor expectedly catches him).

A top three showing by 15 Minutes would get Rodney past LeAnn, and into a top 30 slot, and she doesn't appear to be charting anytime soon. Lee Ann is going for Gretchen's #32 position. Pat should easily get SheDaisy's #34 slot.

Tracy Lawrence would need a top 30 hit with Up To Him to catch Tritt for #36. Currington appears bound for #1 with People Are Crazy, which would possibly get him past both Tritt and Lawrence and swipe that #36 slot.

Finally, Aldean would need either two weeks at #1 with Big Green Tractor, or one week and 20 more weeks on the chart, to catch Josh Turner for that #50 position. That's probably too tall an order, and he'd probably be more likely to contend for a top 15 showing on the '10 to '19 decade list.

And I'll leave it at that, until the next six months are gone and in the books. Maybe we'll be getting the Billboard audience numbers from Billboard Radio Monitor or some entity by that time....

[Zazie]

Interesting seeing the Chicks, Reba, and Garth back-to-back-to-back. They had different routes to the same position, just as Gretchen Wilson had different ways of getting to the same place. I realize Craig Morgan will likely break up the party.

One more song for Chesney will get him past Conway's point total from the 1970's, leaving him behind only Webb Pierce from the 50's, Buck Owens (60's), Garth Brooks (1990's), George Strait (also 1990's), and Eddy Arnold (50's) for biggest performer in any decade. He's tied with AJ's 1990's total right now but he's sure to score at least 100 points with anything that peaks in 2009.

Only 35 artists with 1000+ points? A couple more might get there, but maybe not. (Come on, Tritt, you only need 1 week.) We had Billy Ray score 1,148 at #50 of the 1990's, with God knows how many more scoring 1000. More than 50 in the 80's as well, and the 70's. Only 48 in the 1960's, but that's still more than now. Looks like more evidence that we're seeing a consolidation of power among the big stars. But wait -- we have fewer artists scoring 2000, or 2500, or 3000.

I'd be surprised if Gary Allan peaked in time, given his slow- climbing ways. But we'll have to wait for your next post to see what the final order turns out to be. Thanks, Jon.

[Marv]

Jon---thanks again for your stellar research.

I was really hoping that Tim would have wound up as the #1 artist of the decade, but in the past five years since 'Live Like You Were Dying' rewrote the record books after hitting #1, some of his label's choices for singles, as well as his decade-long feud with those in charge at Curb Records, have really infringed on his march up the all-time singles charts for both weeks in the top ten, as well as #1 singles.

[Zazie]

Focusing on Paisley for a minute -- his total points for the decade might not be determined until well into 2010, maybe later if he goes with 5 singles (not likely) from his current album. He's had two album tracks chart this summer, giving him 62 extra Whitburn points, but either or both could be released later as a single and peak in the next decade.

We'll already have to wait until the end of 2009 to see when Gary Allan, Sara Evans, Reba, Taylor Swift, maybe Carrie and Kenny as well manage their final peak position of the decade. Now we have to wait longer.

I like this aspect of the decade list. Joel and Brad can keep us in suspense for a long time. And with George Strait being challenged by Brad for #5 of the 2000's, I can think of at least one poster who will be losing sleep over this.

[carriefan0209]

Wait, I'm stupid, but is the decade over at the end of 2009 or 2010? Or does it just matter when the song peaks - so that the decade is over 2009 but if a song peaks in 2010, it still counts for the 2000-2009 decade?

[Zazie]

Jul 27, 2009 22:59:53 GMT -5 @carriefan0209 said:

Wait, I'm stupid, but is the decade over at the end of 2009 or 2010? Or does it just matter when the song peaks - so that the decade is over 2009 but if a song peaks in 2010, it still counts for the 2000-2009 decade?

The decade ends in 2010, of course.

But "Joel Whitburn's artist of the decade" tabulations have ended in 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, and 1999 so he will no doubt set his own "decade" rules one more time. His totals will run from 2000-2009, and since he does all the publishing and calculating work, we will accept his version of a decade for this purpose.

Songs peaking in 2009 count, and songs peaking in 2010 will be carried over to the next decade. So if Brad's album tracks chart this year and never return, they count for 2000-2009's decade. But if they are subsequently released as singles, they will count for the teens.

[carrieidol1]

Jul 28, 2009 7:52:42 GMT -5 Zazie said:

Jul 27, 2009 22:59:53 GMT -5 @carriefan0209 said:

Wait, I'm stupid, but is the decade over at the end of 2009 or 2010? Or does it just matter when the song peaks - so that the decade is over 2009 but if a song peaks in 2010, it still counts for the 2000-2009 decade?

The decade ends in 2010, of course.

But "Joel Whitburn's artist of the decade" tabulations have ended in 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, and 1999 so he will no doubt set his own "decade" rules one more time. His totals will run from 2000-2009, and since he does all the publishing and calculating work, we will accept his version of a decade for this purpose.

Songs peaking in 2009 count, and songs peaking in 2010 will be carried over to the next decade. So if Brad's album tracks chart this year and never return, they count for 2000-2009's decade. But if they are subsequently released as singles, they will count for the teens.

No, the decade ends 12/31/09. 2010 begins a new decade. I'm going to list the years and from 2000-2009 there are 10 years, making a decade.

1: 2000
2: 2001
3: 2002
4: 2003
5: 2004
6: 2005
7: 2006
8: 2007
9: 2008
10: 2009

You have to count the year 2000 as the "0" from when you count to 9, resulting in 10 digits.

1950-1959 = 10 years
1960-1969 = 10 years
1970-1979 = 10 years
1980-1989 = 10 years
1990-1999 = 10 years
2000-2009 = 10 years

His rules for calculating the decade are correct.

[joey2002]

I seem to remember people talking all about this at the end 1999 during the whole "new millennium" thing (the calendar jumps from 1 BC to 1 AD and there was no year '0').

Anyway, personally I think that both of the songs that charted for Brad will eventually be singles -- but I'm not sure when they'll be released.

[Zazie]

Triple yikes! I'm not going to post the 100 examples I can think of regarding decades. Let's just say "you go your way and I'll go mine." Let's say your example is a bit flawed. But I'm not taking this wonderful Jonsolo thread and gunking it up with a bunch of stuff about logic.

I'm sure your Uncle Joel will be impressed, though. Way to stick up for the family!

[leilamaurizia]

OMG!

[Jonsolo]

Just a quick update for this thread, in terms of that list of Top Artists of the Decade, which I had posted above, seven chart weeks ago.

The one unsettled contest in the top ten of that list that was still up in the air, was George Strait vs Brad Paisley for #5. Brad did get a couple of charting album cuts after the release of his album to draw closer, but George got El Rey to chart this week. That makes the score between them 2954 to 2868, or an 86-pt lead for George now. Brad might pick up another 25 points on George in their matchup of Welcome To The Future vs Living For The Night, to bring the margin down to 60.

He would thus need two more album cuts to chart (and George, zero, when his album comes out next week). I'm not expecting that to happen, and Water or American Saturday Night could end up being singles, moving their pt totals to next year, i.e., decade. I'm about 85% sure that George will hang on to #5.

The one other item, is the knot of artists from #16 to #21 (Sara, Phil, Gary, Blake, Sugarland, and Dierks). Those six were separated by 89 points at the end of June. Seven weeks later, they are separated by 46 pts:

16. Gary - 1538
17. Sara - 1534
18. Phil - 1531
19. Blake - 1510
20. Dierks - 1506
21. Sugarland - 1492

Sugarland got in their final single, that will peak before December, and need at least a #2 peak from it to contend for that #16 position.

Dierks also got a song out, but might have trouble peaking before 19 weeks has past, while getting high enough on the chart within that time frame. He probably just needs a top 3 peak to get past Sara and Gary, but has to make sure he's headed down by that final week in December.

Blake's not going to fit in another peaking song this year, so all the points he has coming will be from Just Hold On. And with those superstars (Brad, Tim, Toby) craving his current top 10 position, it's tough to see how he'll be able to muster enough momentum to get to the top 5 and the next set of "bonus pts". He'll have to be happy with at best #20 on the decade list.

Phil's also pretty much locked in, as 19 weeks isn't enough time for a high-peaking song. It is enough time for another Bobbi-like flop and give a quick 40 or 50 points, but that's probably not what he wants to keep his career alive at this point.

Gary and Sara are in fairly decent condition, just needing to cobble together a top 20 showing, and be gone in 19 weeks, to hold off Sugarland and Dierks and hold those #16 and #17 slots.

I'll keep an eye out for any other notable developments before the calendar chart year ends in December.

[Jonsolo]

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! Not because we we're in the midst of the celebration of the birth of Jesus, or that we're days away from getting our annual truckload of free presents. No, a more important reason. Now's the time to update Joel Whitburn's list of the top country artists, as compiled with his point total method. You can naturally look back on the previous posts of mine from years past on this thread, to look for the explanations of the point assignments, in regards to peak position and weeks charted. That saves me some time from having to repeat myself.

I will keep up with the same format that I've done since I started this thread, in that I'll break up the points list into groups of 100, and have each artist's "last year" position in parentheses, next to their current position, along with their current point total, plus the number of points they earned in 2009 in parentheses. Easy peasy, japanesey.

Keep in mind, if you go back to the list I posted here last December, it's not going to line up exactly with the following 2009 point totals, if you add the points that were earned this year. If you recall, I got my hands on the actual point totals from Joel Whitburn's latest book (the 2008 edition) in January, and thus had to edit a lot of the point totals (due to songs being removed from artists' discographies, like mass collaborations and "single sales" positions). Just some minor housekeeping that had to be done, to get the "correct" 2008 point total, and everything should be smooth sailing from here on (until the next Whitburn book is published, and he removes/adds in other songs, to screw up the totals once again...).

We also have an added treat this year, as it is now the end of the decade (as defined by Whitburn), which lets me update what the point totals ended up looking like for the 00s, and what should be in the 2000-2009 section at the end of the next Whitburn book. Once again, I used what Joel had in the 00s section of his 2008 Whitburn book, and added the points earned since then. That should lead to some more discussion, and I'll also speculate wildly at what the next decade's top ten artists might be (going out on a limb, and guessing that Brooks & Dunn won't be in contention...). That will take a few weeks longer, as I will have to watch a handful of songs, and see if they end up peaking higher in 2010 than where they've made it to as of the 12/26/09 chart. Joel counts the points from a song for the artist in the decade where it "peaked" in. So that juicy bit of info will have to wait a few more weeks.

Anyway, on to the numbers...

[Jonsolo]

Joel Whitburn's Top Country Artist points list, updated for 2009

#1 to #100:

1. (#1 at the end of 2008) Eddy Arnold – 12667
2. (2) George Jones – 11922
3. (3) George Strait – 10486 (279 points gained in 2009)
4. (4) Johnny Cash – 9449
5. (5) Conway Twitty – 9101
6. (6) Merle Haggard – 9058
7. (7) Dolly Parton – 8277
8. (8) Webb Pierce – 7975
9. (11) Reba McEntire – 7940 (231)
10. (9) Willie Nelson – 7857
11. (10) Ray Price – 7773
12. (12) Buck Owens – 7492
13. (13) Marty Robbins – 7306
14. (15) Hank Williams Jr. – 7244 (70)
15. (14) Waylon Jennings – 7232
16. (16) Alabama – 6977
17. (18) Alan Jackson – 6904 (212)
18. (17) Jim Reeves – 6843
19. (19) Ernest Tubb – 6474
20. (20) Charley Pride – 6422
21. (21) Loretta Lynn – 6285
22. (22) Sonny James – 6205
23. (28) Tim McGraw – 6167 (229)
24. (23) Garth Brooks – 6163
25. (24) Faron Young – 6115
26. (25) Hank Snow – 6088
27. (26) Ronnie Milsap – 6025
28. (27) Kenny Rogers – 6014
29. (29) Carl Smith – 5901
30. (30) Tammy Wynette – 5836
31. (32) Brooks & Dunn – 5630 (211)
32. (31) Bill Anderson – 5621
33. (39) Toby Keith – 5604 (388)
34. (34) Kenny Chesney – 5573 (231)
35. (33) Mel Tillis – 5385
36. (35) Tanya Tucker – 5339
37. (36) Red Foley – 5326
38. (37) Elvis Presley – 5276 (9)
39. (38) Porter Wagoner – 5237
40. (40) Don Williams – 5211
41. (41) Kitty Wells – 5134
42. (42) Don Gibson – 5090
43. (43) Glen Campbell – 4971
44. (44) Statler Brothers – 4828
45. (45) Hank Thompson – 4813
46. (46) Steve Wariner – 4680
47. (47) Vince Gill – 4545
48. (48) Crystal Gayle – 4522
49. (49) Clint Black – 4492
50. (52) Randy Travis – 4424 (114)
51. (50) Hank Williams – 4395
52. (51) Jerry Lee Lewis – 4365
53. (53) David Houston – 4250
54. (54) Bobby Bare – 4235
55. (55) Barbara Mandrell – 4217
56. (56) Oak Ridge Boys – 4217
57. (57) Mickey Gilley – 4076
58. (58) Lynn Anderson – 4021
59. (59) Eddie Rabbitt – 3990
60. (64) Martina McBride – 3922 (114)
61. (60) Anne Murray – 3901
62. (61) Joe Stampley – 3866
63. (62) Dottie West – 3858
64. (63) John Anderson – 3810
65. (65) Emmylou Harris – 3801
66. (66) T.G. Sheppard – 3746
67. (67) Travis Tritt – 3682
68. (68) Sawyer Brown – 3608
69. (69) Bellamy Brothers – 3563
70. (70) Moe Bandy – 3537
71. (71) Tom T. Hall – 3536
72. (73) Faith Hill – 3535 (49)
73. (72) Billy Walker – 3493
74. (74) Earl Thomas Conley – 3482
75. (75) Patty Loveless – 3460
76. (76) Ferlin Husky – 3355
77. (92) Rascal Flatts – 3319 (366)
78. (77) Trisha Yearwood – 3303
79. (78) Johnny Paycheck – 3266
80. (79) Gene Watson – 3247
81. (80) Connie Smith – 3218
82. (82) Mark Chesnutt – 3217 (44)
83. (97) Brad Paisley – 3216 (388)
84. (81) Freddie Hart – 3209
85. (85) Tracy Lawrence – 3151 (58)
86. (83) Johnny Rodriguez – 3145
87. (84) Jerry Reed – 3116
88. (86) Charlie Rich – 3084
89. (87) J.M. Montgomery – 3084 (50)
90. (88) Larry Gatlin & Bros. – 3031
91. (89) Lonestar – 3006
92. (90) Janie Fricke – 2993
93. (91) Jim Ed Brown – 2963
94. (93) Lefty Frizzell – 2945
95. (94) Ricky Skaggs – 2943
96. (95) Diamond Rio – 2938
97. (96) Joe Diffie – 2911
98. (118) Keith Urban - 2852 (390)
99. (101) Clay Walker - 2832 (40)
100. (98) Vern Gosdin – 2815





Notes on the Top 100:

- Two new entries to the top 100, one by an artist who got there in a hurry, and the other one, somebody who took the slow route once the 90s wrapped up.

- As usual, we start with George Strait, as he continues his pursuit of George Jones. A 279-pt year for the ACM Artist of the 00s keeps him on his consistent pace, and by next fall he'll reach the "halfway" point between Jones and Johnny Cash (that would be 10,686 pts). Two strong years gets him past 11K, and five great years to the Possum (More than likely, it will end up being six average years, to reach #2). More on this issue later, in the decade discussion...

- An artist entering the top 10 is indeed a rare thing, and Reba McEntire completed the feat back in August. A 231-pt year was her best this decade (A #1-in-waiting always helps), and it's great to see that female singers not named Taylor or Carrie can still find some chart success. And especially one that is on the far side of 50. She'll pass Webb Pierce as soon as her next single debuts, and then she can set her sights on catching Dolly to become the most productive female in history.

- Hank Jr.'s two charting songs (giving him credit on the Rehab single) were enough to get him past Waylon Jennings for #14. And he should nickle and dime his way eventually past Marty Robbins.

- Alan Jackson didn't have a chance of duplicating his comeback 2008 campaign, but 212 pts was enough to get him past Jim Reeves, and in position to pass Alabama in '10. His chart success with the singles from Good Time also should buy him another solid album, and he now looks like he has a decent chance of eventually catching Buck Owens for #12. Top ten? Well, we'll still have to wait and see if his chart success transfers over to the next decade.

- The #1s are still proving elusive for Timmy McGraw (just one in the second half of the decade), but he's still producing top 15 hits (and the quick peak of It's A Business helped him fit in another single before the end of the year). His 229 points vaulted him up five positions and past Garth to #23. I would think top 10 is just a pipe dream for him (especially with Reba and maybe AJ rising the bar), but it's not too hard to imagine him reaching 7K. Loretta Lynn's #21 should be in reach in '10.

- And we now reach the big dogpile from #31 to #34. The end is nigh for Brooks & Dunn, as they wrap up the most successful and productive partnership in country music history. A decent 211 points during their last year was fortunately enough to get them to catch Bill Anderson, and they were able to finish up the decade still ahead of Toby and Kenny. I don't believe we've seen the last of them on a Billboard country chart, and they would be wise to heed my advice and go back and re-record and release some of their best album tracks from the 90s. Surely they want to at least try to reach the top 30, right?

- Toby Keith used a big album cut haul, and two #1s, to power his way to an impressive 388 point gain for '09, tied for 3rd best overall. Each year I expect him to start to decline, but he keeps producing (382 in '07 and 386 in '08). A quiet year for Kenny lets Toby jump back ahead of him, and pick up six big positions to #33 this year. Tammy Wynette's #30 should be in range in '10, which might find him with a reduced output if he ends up releasing a couple of those charted album tracks as official singles.

- After 500+ pt bonanzas the last two years, and easily locking up the highest point total of the 00s (whoops, a spoiler for a later list I'll be posting!), it was inevitable that Kenny Chesney take it easy, relatively speaking. Without any charting album cuts to help him, plus the fact that he released a single that had already charted back in late '08 (I'm Alive), really put a ceiling to how much he could rack up this year, despite two #1s. 231 was all he could muster, which would still be an above-average year for almost any other artist. Toby Keith surprisingly leapt back over him, counteracting his passing of Mel Tillis. Therefore, he cooled his heels for a second year at #34. We'll see if he's back to his 400+ pt scoring ways in '10. At any rate, he should be eyeing Carl Smith's placement (#29) for next year.

_ We welcomed Randy Travis back into the top 50 back at mid-year, when his Carrie duet got him a nice 114 pts, and I will do so again here. Now I hope he still has a couple of solo efforts left in him, to help protect from whenever the Flatts and Paisley come calling in probably three years. Which means Clint Black also needs to revive and produce something as well, dang it.

- Martina McBride was pretty quiet with her two singles this year, producing 114 pts, but it was enough to edge her up four positions and into the top 60. Top 50 is quite a ways off, and I have some doubt that she'll get there. She should focus in on Lynn Anderson for next year.

- The remnants of her 2008 Christmas songs was enough to push Faith Hill up one spot to #72, but she still needs three measley points to get into the top 70. Is she still motivated?

- And another check on the fiercest war on the Whitlist, the battle royale between Rascal Flatts and Brad Paisley. They both put up impressive point totals in '09, 366 for RF (5th highest) and 388 for Brad (tied for 3rd). Fifteen spots gained for RF, fourteen for Brad. Brad still appears to be the solid bet to win this war, but it'll still take some more album cut/Christmas song help, to close the gap next year. RF is shooting for Sawyer Brown and a top 70 position next year, and Brad will make a play for Billy Walker and 3500 (and just behind Faith, unless she wakes up). Good show.

- Still over a year behind the pace of RF and Brad, Keith Urban nevertheless cashed in with a big year, and surged into the top 100. His 390 points were the 2nd highest overall. Three #1s and a #3 will do that for you, though he still frustratingly can't seem to chart album tracks. In '10 he'll be shooting for the spot, #84, that Brad just got finished vacating.

- Just getting in under the wire, Clay Walker cracks the top 100 as well. It's actually a "re-entry" for Clay, as he previously made it into the top 100 back in April '08, but got booted back out to #101 when the RF/Paisley express roared on past him later that year. He'd probably be lucky to end up when it's all said and done, around where Lonestar and John Michael Montgomery are currently residing.

[Jonsolo]

#101 to #200:


101. (99) Collin Raye – 2796
102. (100) Eddy Raven – 2793
103. (102) Billy Craddock – 2787
104. (103) Lee Greenwood – 2774
105. (104) John Conlee – 2756
106. (105) Stonewall Jackson – 2721
107. (106) Kathy Mattea – 2713
108. (107) Lorrie Morgan – 2709
109. (108) Del Reeves – 2666
110. (109) Roy Drusky – 2658
111. (110) Dwight Yoakam – 2656
112. (111) Dave Dudley – 2629
113. (112) Roger Miller – 2624
114. (113) Jean Shepard – 2612
115. (114) Shania Twain – 2597
116. (115) Charly McClain – 2553
117. (116) The Judds – 2529
118. (117) Donna Fargo – 2517
119. (130) Trace Adkins – 2507 (257)
120. (119) Roy Clark – 2427
121. (120) Ronnie McDowell – 2420
122. (121) Bob Wills – 2418
123. (122) Ricky Van Shelton – 2405
124. (123) Tracy Byrd – 2377
125. (124) Skeeter Davis – 2353
126. (125) George Hamilton IV – 2334
127. (126) Jack Greene – 2295
128. (127) Mel McDaniel – 2290
129. (146) Montgomery Gentry – 2275 (199)
130. (128) Johnny Duncan – 2253
131. (129) Dan Seals – 2250
132. (131) Kendalls – 2235
133. (132) Roseanne Cash – 2223
134. (133) Sammy Kershaw – 2209
135. (134) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – 2174
136. (135) Aaron Tippin – 2173
137. (136) Jimmy Wakely – 2171
138. (137) Restless Heart – 2167
139. (138) Dixie Chicks – 2161
140. (139) Shenandoah – 2141
141. (140) Tennessee Ernie Ford – 2126
142. (141) Johnny Lee – 2107
143. (142) Gary Morris – 2107
144. (143) Jo Dee Messina – 2106
145. (144) Gene Autry – 2101
146. (145) Wynonna – 2092
147. (147) Pam Tillis – 2072
148. (148) Jimmy Newman – 2047
149. (149) Hank Locklin – 2044
150. (150) Leann Rimes – 2041
151. (151) Wilburn Brothers – 2019
152. (152) George Morgan – 2015
153. (153) Neal McCoy – 2014
154. (163) Gary Allan – 2000 (78)
155. (154) Slim Whitman – 1996
156. (155) Al Dexter – 1996
157. (156) Tommy Overstreet – 1995
158. (157) Ed Bruce – 1993
159. (158) Billie Jo Spears – 1993
160. (159) Nat Stuckey – 1989
161. (160) Exile – 1952
162. (161) Narvel Felts – 1947
163. (162) Mary C. Carpenter – 1939
164. (164) Michael M. Murphey – 1911
165. (165) Razzy Bailey – 1908
166. (166) Tex Ritter – 1901
167. (169) Sara Evans – 1890 (33)
168. (167) Bob Luman – 1882
169. (168) Doug Stone – 1870
170. (226) Carrie Underwood - 1864 (476)
171. (170) Terri Clark – 1835
172. (178) Lee Ann Womack – 1834 (114)
173. (171) Sammy Smith – 1814
174. (172) Rex Allen Jr. – 1811
175. (173) Brenda Lee – 1799
176. (174) Freddy Weller – 1784
177. (175) Marty Stuart – 1781
178. (176) Jerry Wallace – 1761
179. (177) Claude King – 1754
180. (179) Billy Dean – 1717
181. (180) Tex Williams – 1715
182. (189) Billy Ray Cyrus – 1693 (78)
183. (181) Juice Newton – 1688
184. (182) David Rogers – 1675
185. (183) Wynn Stewart – 1670
186. (184) Cal Smith – 1644
187. (185) Jan Howard – 1644
188. (186) Forester Sisters – 1636
189. (187) Red Sovine – 1621
190. (188) Susan Raye – 1616
191. (190) Lacy J. Dalton – 1614
192. (191) Linda Ronstadt – 1600
193. (229) Blake Shelton - 1577 (216)
194. (192) Keith Whitley – 1573
195. (193) Mark Wills – 1571
196. (214) Phil Vassar - 1571 (134)
197. (194) Ray Stevens – 1566
198. (239) Dierks Bentley - 1560 (273)
199. (195) Kenny Price – 1558
200. (196) Mac Davis – 1545


Notes on #101 to #200:

- After no entries into the top 200 in '08, we had four artists crack the barrier in '09. Of course, one entry was a little bit more powerful than the other three...

- Trace Adkins keeps a steady if not specatcular pace, and parlayed two top 15 hits, plus an album cut appearance (Last Shot Fired) and a contribution to Blake Shelton's latest single, to run up an impressive total of 257 points. That boosted him up eleven positions to #119, and his dreams of reaching the top 100 are starting to look more and more possible. Two average years of 170 points would do the trick.

- After a great 2008 with two #1s, Montgomery Gentry did take a bit of a step back this year, only managing a top five and a single that missed the top 20. Still, 199 isn't too terrible for '09. You'd think they'd want to really step it up in '10 to fill the "duo/group vacuum" that the departing Brooks & Dunn are leaving, but the hype with the fresh collective faces of Sugarland, Zac Brown, and Lady Antebellum might prove troublesome. They probably won't quite be able to match their '09 total in 2010, and will try for Roy Clark's #120 slot. Top 100 is also still alive, but perhaps not as vivid as it is for Adkins.

- Gary Allan continues his slow progress, only managing 78 points for the year, but hit a nice, round number of 2K (as we leave the 2000s behind...). That didn't get him into the top 150 in '09 like I thought he'd get, but it should be a cinch in '10. A top 100 destination is at this point looking far-fetched. Maybe top 120 will be more than enough for him.

- The we have the usual crumbs for Sara Evans and Lee Ann Womack, just a brief three-week chart appearance for the former, and two so-so singles for the latter. They might be able to claw their way to the top 150, but Lee Ann first saw Carrie zoom on by this month, and Sara will do the same by March.

- Speaking of Carrie, only she could disappear from the charts completely for a quarter of the year (14 weeks), and still breeze her way to 476 points, by far the biggest haul of the year (20% more than #2 Urban). Those five Christmas songs, a #1 song, a #2, and one high charting album cut will do that for you. She jumped up a gigantic 56 positions on the list, into the top 200, and is next year eyeing the Dixie Chicks' top 140 placement. If she goes completely bonkers, she might reach the top 100 in two years, or just slightly over that (spring 2012?). Just around 6.5 years since her debut, for her to become an all-time top 100 artist? Wow!

- Billy Ray Cyrus has bought himself some important insurance, to ensure his inclusion in the top 200 for the next decade plus.

- Blake Shelton was the 3rd top 200 entry, in October, and is hoping to still have some #1 magic left like he did in '07 & '08. I don't have high prospects for his current single, but he looks a lot more solid for a top 150 destination than Phil does, and if he has more years where he can gain 216 like he did in '09, that shouldn't be a problem.

- Instead of using a top 5 hit to launch into the top 200 with some dignity, Phil Vassar utilized two flopping singles, and another release that has yet proven itself a hit, to pass the milestone in September as the 2nd of the year. He seems like he might be able to continue to eke out some steady progress to dream of the top 150 in at most four years, but he's going to be continually passed by other artists that are much more red-hot than him.

- Finally, 4th 200 entry Dierks Bentley had a rock-solid '09, with 273 points, and while it appears that he doesn't receive anywhere near the attention of the other young male singers (only two Male Vocalist noms in his career at the two major award shows), he's quickly accumulating an impressive #1 total (soon to be eight). He looks like a sure bet to reach the top 100 in five years, and can shoot for #175 next year.

[Jonsolo]

#201 to #300:

201. (197) Rodney Crowell – 1541
202. (198) Warner Mack – 1538
203. (199) T. Graham Brown – 1538
204. (200) Dickey Lee – 1527
205. (201) Sylvia – 1527
206. (202) Margo Smith – 1519
207. (203) Wanda Jackson – 1512
208. (204) Charlie Daniels – 1509
209. (205) Jimmy Dean – 1505
210. (241) Sugarland – 1504 (226)
211. (206) David Frizzell – 1498
212. (207) John Denver – 1495
213. (208) Charlie Louvin – 1465
214. (209) Highway 101 – 1464
215. (210) Melba Montgomery – 1449
216. (211) Louise Mandrell – 1446
217. (212) Little Texas – 1440
218. (213) Holly Dunn – 1437
219. (215) Lee Roy Parnell – 1428
220. (216) Suzy Bogguss – 1419
221. (217) Freddie Fender – 1402
222. (218) Everly Brothers – 1402
223. (219) Leon Everette – 1400
224. (220) Gary Stewart – 1399
225. (221) The Browns – 1398
226. (222) Dave & Sugar – 1391
227. (223) Mel Street – 1390
228. (224) Gail Davis – 1388
229. (225) Patsy Cline – 1388
230. (227) Barbara Fairchild – 1386
231. (228) Jeannie Seely – 1386
232. (230) Jody Miller – 1348
233. (231) Ernest Ashworth – 1342
234. (279) Taylor Swift - 1342 (328)
235. (232) Johnny Carver – 1337
236. (265) Craig Morgan – 1332 (165)
237. (233) Bobby G. Rice – 1321
238. (234) Blackhawk – 1317
239. (263) Joe Nichols – 1308 (123)
240. (235) Shelly West – 1307
241. (236) David Allan Coe – 1302
242. (237) Merle Travis – 1300
243. (258) Darryl Worley – 1299 (91)
244. (238) John Schneider – 1298
245. (240) Jacky Ward – 1283
246. (242) Claude Gray – 1269
247. (243) Cowboy Copas – 1267
248. (244) Ty Herndon – 1265
249. (245) Jeannie C. Riley – 1263
250. (246) Johnny Russell – 1262
251. (247) Tompall & Glaser – 1252
252. (248) John Berry – 1252
253. (249) Marie Osmond – 1246
254. (250) Con Hunley – 1242
255. (251) Charlie Walker – 1241
256. (252) John Wesley Ryles – 1235
257. (253) Paul Overstreet – 1216
258. (254) Johnny Horton – 1216
259. (255) K.T. Oslin – 1214
260. (256) Flatt & Scruggs – 1212
261. (257) Bryan White – 1211
262. (259) Hal Ketchum – 1206
263. (260) Desert Rose Band – 1205
264. (261) Cristy Lane – 1202
265. (262) Jeanne Pruett – 1199
266. (264) Helen Cornelius – 1183
267. (286) Rodney Atkins - 1177 (197)
268. (266) Bobby Goldsboro – 1165
269. (267) Norma Jean – 1160
270. (268) Bobby Lewis – 1156
271. (269) Billy Joe Royal – 1145
272. (270) SheDaisy – 1119
273. (273) Gretchen Wilson – 1115 (42)
274. (271) Jim Glaser – 1089
275. (272) Little Jimmy Dickens – 1085
276. (274) Randy Barlow – 1072
277. (275) Johnnie & Jack – 1067
278. (276) B.J. Thomas – 1060
279. (340) Billy Currington - 1052 (242)
280. (277) Andy Griggs – 1043
281. (278) Leroy Van Dyke – 1042
282. (315) Pat Green - 1010 (131)
283. (280) Confederate Railroad – 1003
284. (281) Olivia Newton John – 1001
285. (282) Pee Wee King – 999
286. (283) Johnny Bush – 994
287. (284) Wade Hayes – 986
288. (285) Dick Curless – 981
289. (287) Southern Pacific – 978
290. (288) Buddy Alan – 972
291. (289) Chely Wright – 968
292. (290) Rick Trevino – 964
293. (291) Jimmy Buffett – 962
294. (292) Ricochet – 959
295. (293) Margaret Whiting – 953
296. (294) Chris Cagle – 948
297. (295) Tommy Cash – 946
298. (296) Ray Griff – 940
299. (297) Elton Britt – 939
300. (298) Steve Holy – 938 (3)


Notes on #201 to #300:

- Two new entries into the top 300 this year, one by a guy that has his sights on much higher, and the other by a guy who is hoping for another shot on a major label.

- Sugarland underperformed for most of the year, having to settle for a top 20 hit to pair with their easy #1. That only gave them 226 points at the end of the year, but might have a bright start to '10. The usual "cure for what ails ya' on the Whitlist", the Christmas album, might send them skyrocketing, if they are able to chart a few of the holiday songs that have been showing airplay on the Mediabase chart. They have two more "holiday charts" to try to get it done. We'll see if they can attain an even higher profile next year, now that legendary duo Brooks & Dunn are calling it quits. That and possible Christmas help could get them to #175 by the end of next year.

- Up next is the ubiquitous Taylor Swift, and it's amazing to see that, despite her being EVERYWHERE all year, with major awards, pop exposure, huge album sales, and a public friendship with Kanye, she only managed 328 Whit pts for the year, ranking as the 7th highest among acts. Still, 45 gained positions isn't bad, and now that she's just turned 20 (!!??!!), she's looking ahead to the new decade for some serious domination. It will be a compelling battle during the 10s, to see who manages the bigger decade, her or Carrie. And we'll be there, front and center, for the whole thing, and have to endure the endless fan wars every step of the way. No problem of her reaching the top 190 in '10.

- Craig Morgan has continued to hang around, when there's been a couple instances since his 2005 #1 That's What I Love About Sundays that I thought he might fade away. An 165-point year ain't bad, and he's the only artist other than Sugarland and Taylor who has any chance at making the top 200 in '10, though it would take a tall order of 220 points. If he unearths a #1 in '10, maybe. But chances are he'll be ecstatic to just reach the 1500 milestone this year.

- Darryl Worley and Joe Nichols, the "Sara and Lee Ann" of the 201-300 section, continue putting up just enough points to keep gaining some attention. They were able to move into the top 250, and maybe can harbor some dreams of the top 200, but it'd be nice to see if they're at all capable of busting out a top ten song one of these times.

- Rodney Atkins had a nice year, adding 197 points to his total, and looks like he has a shot at reaching the top 200 in two years. But how did Chasin' Girls flop so badly???

- Gretchen Wilson celebrated her 52-pt bonanza from 2008 with a almost-as-towering 42 points in '09. Really. Why does she still bother? Didn't she invest her money wisely after Redneck Woman, that she can live a comfortable life without embarrassing herself?

- And then the first of our two top 300 entries, Billy Currington. He's starting to gain the consistency needed to rack up some serious point totals, and 242 in '09 was pretty solid. He appears to have the good looks and be making the smart song choice that would move him up to the next higher tier during the next decade, along with Dierks Bentley. And the top 200 should easily be within range in less than three years, probably 2.5.

- Pat Green, well, he made it to the top 300! That puts him onto the published points list at the back of the next Joel Whitburn country book (Joel only shows the top 300 now). But he's going to have to find another label, and at least a margin of chart success, to make more headway on the list.

[Jonsolo]

#301 to #400:

301. (405) Jason Aldean - 933 (307)
302. (299) David Lee Murphy – 930
303. (300) Red Steagall – 927
304. (301) Mundo Earwood – 926
305. (302) Patti Page – 918
306. (303) Roy Acuff – 918
307. (304) Alison Krauss – 910
308. (305) Deborah Allen – 909
309. (306) The Whites – 908
310. (333) Josh Turner - 906 (87)
311. (307) Susie Allanson – 903
312. (308) Carl Butler & Pearl – 898
313. (309) Roy Head – 887
314. (310) Bill Phillips – 887
315. (311) Mark Collie – 885
316. (312) Bobby Helms – 884
317. (313) Tom Jones – 882
318. (314) Rose Maddox – 881
319. (316) Deana Carter – 878
320. (317) Henson Cargill – 870
321. (318) Don King – 864
322. (319) Bonnie Guitar – 863
323. (320) Liz Anderson – 859
324. (321) Johnny & Jonie Mosby – 846
325. (329) Jamie O'Neal – 843 (19)
326. (322) Johnny Darrell – 842
327. (323) Big & Rich - 842
328. (324) Louvin Brothers – 840
329. (325) David Wills – 837
330. (326) Osbourne Brothers – 834
331. (327) Glenn Barber – 829
332. (328) Lionel Cartwright – 826
333. (330) Sweethearts of the Rodeo – 822
334. (331) Asleep at the Wheel – 822
335. (332) The Carlisles – 820
336. (333) Sons of the Pioneers – 819
337. (335) Daryle Singletary – 818
338. (336) Wayne Kemp – 817
339. (337) Stephanie Winslow – 816
340. (338) Lois Johnson – 814
341. (339) McBride & the Ride – 814
342. (341) Kenny Dale – 807
343. (342) Diana Trask – 804
344. (343) Baillie & the Boys – 803
345. (344) Jessi Colter – 802
346. (345) Arlene Harden – 801
347. (346) J Blanchard/ Morgan – 797
348. (347) Billy Swan – 783
349. (348) Skip Ewing – 781
350. (349) Dean Dillon – 779
351. (350) Carl Perkins – 775
352. (351) Floyd Tillman – 775
353. (352) Rhett Akins – 766
354. (353) Wilma Burgess – 765
355. (354) June Carter – 764
356. (355) C.W. McCall – 763
357. (356) Chris LeDoux – 758
358. (357) Tommy Collins – 757
359. (358) Michael Johnson – 757
360. (403) Jimmy Wayne - 754 (120)
361. (364) Emerson Drive - 752 (10)
362. (359) Carlene Carter – 751
363. (360) David Ball – 751
364. (361) Debby Boone – 750
365. (362) Ray Charles – 749
366. (363) Jeff Carson – 748
367. (367) Jessica Andrews – 745 (14)
368. (365) Johnny Bond – 741
369. (371) Josh Gracin - 739 (20)
370. (366) Mindy McCready – 736
371. (368) Bobby Wright – 730
372. (369) Moon Mullican – 727
373. (370) Mark Gray – 722
374. (372) Lari White – 714
375. (373) Judy Rodman – 709
376. (374) Mavericks – 704
377. (375) Chad Brock – 703
378. (376) Dottsy – 702
379. (377) Little David Wilkens – 695
380. (438) Miranda Lambert - 695 (148)
381. (378) Marion Worth – 690
382. (379) Zella Lehr – 687
383. (380) Stella Parton – 687
384. (381) Ted Daffan – 687
385. (386) Little Big Town - 687 (15)
386. (382) Doug Supernaw – 685
387. (435) Jack Ingram - 685 (136)
388. (383) Linda Davis – 680
389. (384) La Costa – 678
390. (385) Lyle Lovett – 672
391. (387) Larry Boone – 667
392. (388) Jim Nesbitt – 665
393. (389) Joe Sun – 664
394. (390) Sheb Wooley – 664
395. (391) Hoyt Axton – 662
396. (392) Margie Singleton – 657
397. (393) Sherry Bryce – 656
398. (394) Robin Lee – 655
399. (395) Ray Pillow – 654
400. (396) R.C. Bannon – 653


Notes on #301 to #400:

- Four artists made it into the top 400 this year, though one is not spending that much time in this section.

- Jason Aldean was technically the second of those top 400 entries, back in January, but a huge year, with two big #1s (and another single that's acting like a 3rd), he rocketed up 104 positions. It took some time, but it looks like he's moved up to, if not the highest tier of stars, at least the "next-to-the-highest" one. Now we'll also see if the vocalist nominations can start trickling in at the award shows as well. Top 300 awaits, sometime in January, and his target in '10 will be the #267 that Atkins is at right now.

- Josh Turner took most of the year off, so that he didn't have a chance of making the top 300 during the year like I thought he would. But he appears to have somewhat of a hit on his hands with Dance, to either get to the milestone with it, or with a follow-up single by mid-spring.

- Jimmy Wayne was the first artist of the year to hit the top 400, just beating Aldean, but hasn't been able to keep up. Not surprsingly, he's had trouble following up on his big hit of '08, Do You Believe Me. He'll likely fall short of the top 300 in '10, maybe making it to #320 or so.

- Last year at this time, Emerson Drive and Josh Gracin looked like they were positioning themselves for a run at the top 300 in late '10. Being almost invisible all year cancels that possibility for both, and will push it off to mid '11 at the earliest, if at all.

- The other two top 400 entries, Miranda Lambert and Jack Ingram, are still hanging out pretty close to each other, after Miranda made it in September and Jack in November. Jack finally got another top 10, and Miranda got her 2nd a couple of weeks ago. We'll see if they're able to hang out together and both go for top 350 in '10.

[Jonsolo]

#401 to #456:

401. (397) Terri Gibbs – 649
402. (398) Roy Rogers – 649
403. (399) Radney Foster – 645
404. (400) Peggy Sue – 635
405. (401) Ned Miller – 635
406. (402) Lila McCann – 634
407. (404) Keith Stegall – 626
408. (406) Billy Parker – 619
409. (407) Bobby Borchers – 619
410. (408) Jimmie Skinner – 619
411. (409) Tony Booth – 615
412. (410) T Texas Tyler – 615
413. (411) Michael Peterson – 615
414. (412) Johnny Wright – 608
415. (413) Spade Cooley – 606
416. (414) Jack Reno – 604
417. (415) Big Al Downing – 599
418. (416) Foster & Lloyd – 599
419. (417) Hawkshaw Hawkins – 599
420. (418) Mary Lou Turner – 592
421. (419) Becky Hobbs – 588
422. (420) Burl Ives – 586
423. (421) Charlie McCoy – 584
424. (422) Mike Reid – 582
425. (423) Trick Pony – 576
426. (424) O'Kanes – 575
427. (442) Keith Anderson - 574 (35)
428. (425) Ronnie Sessions – 572
429. (426) Paul Brandt – 570
430. (427) Kris Kristofferson – 569
431. (428) Dorsey Burnette – 567
432. (429) Penny DeHaven – 564
433. (430) Tom Wopat – 563
434. (431) Kentucky Headhunters – 560
435. (432) Darrell McCall - 555
436. (-) Darius Rucker - 555 (363)
437. (433) Bill Monroe - 552
438. (434) Carl Belew - 550
439. (436) Ray Sanders - 547
440. (437) Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper - 547
441. (439) Hugh X. Lewis - 543
442. (440) Stoney Edwards - 542
443. (441) Lane Brody - 539
444. (443) Leon Ashley - 538
445. (444) LaWanda Lindsey - 537
446. (445) SKO - 533
447. (446) Sonny Curtis - 530
448. (447) Mason Dixon - 527
449. (-) Lady Antebellum - 527 (327)
450. (448) Ricky Nelson - 526
451. (-) Steve Azar - 521 (97)
452. (450) Bandana - 519
453. (451) Brian Collins - 515
454. (452) Warren Brothers - 511
455. (453) Kenny Starr - 509

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

Kellie Pickler - 508
Jake Owen - 505
Eric Church - 494
Sherrie Austin - 491
James Otto - 462
Zac Brown Band - 451 (315)
Carolyn Dawn Johnson - 439
Luke Bryan - 433
Jason Michael Carroll - 426
Jeff Bates - 384
Blaine Larsen - 373
Trent Tomlinson - 344
Cross Canadian Ragweed - 326
Trent Willmon - 298



Notes on #401 on down:

- With some fresh, new faces having huge 2009s, they should cash in during '10 with a handful of them making the top 400. I wasn't planning on figuring out the point totals for Zac Brown and Lady Antebellum until we got into 2010, but the big '09s they had forced me to move up the plans of calculating them.

- Keith Anderson appeared that he was going to try to hang out with Ingram and Lambert, at least early on, but now is at risk of not adding any more points at all.

- New Artist award winner Darius Rucker had the 6th best point total for the year, 363, and is poised to easily make the top 400 in '10. That could happen as early as April, though it might be a few months after that if the next single release comes from a new album. History In The Making is not acting like his 4th straight #1, which also might delay matters.

- New Group award winner Lady Antebellum also looks like they should easily make the top 400 in '10, by August at the latest. I must say, I didn't see anything early on from them in '08 that distinguished themselves from a lot of the other new groups that we saw over the last several years, that would have made me predict that they'd be having such huge success. But they really have connected, both on the radio and with album sales. They had the 8th highest point total in '09, 327.

- The Zac Brown Band has a bit more work to do to make the top 400 by the end of next year, but if they have two more top 5s in them during '10, they'll make it as well. And they've been so solid with their first three releases (and 315 in '09, the 9th highest total), that I'll expect them to get there by early fall.

- Next, we move on to the artists who are probably just positioning themselves for an early 2011 top 400 entry. Kellie Pickler is decidely not on the same career track as fellow blonde young 'un Taylor, but could start seeing a little more consistency in attaining top 10s. She might get up to #406 or something this coming year.

- After a big hit in '09, Jake Owen looks like he could have another one, that at least will make some noise in '10. He should be passing Pickler shortly, and possibly be on track for a top 400 entry 14 months from now.

- Eric Church had a bit of a breakthrough year, with his first top ten, and charting an album cut, to give him an impressive 179 points. Another year like that in '10 would get him into the top 400, but chances are he'll be more than happy with falling in right behind Owen and Pickler's lead, to maybe eye an April '11 arrival date.

- Wrapping up these other contenders, James Otto has failed miserably in following up his 2008 smash Just Got Started. Jason Michael Carroll and Luke Bryan might have enough momentum to start thinking about a late 2011 top 400 entry, but need to stay somewhat consistent.

- I'll also be considering in 2010 of doing the point calculations for Bucky Covington, Jamey Johnson, Chuck Wicks, Randy Houser, Justin Moore, Chris Young, and Daivd Nail, but will want to see another big hit or two from them before I do that. Don't want to have my spreadsheet littered with too much 200~300 point riff-raff, if they're not going to stick around...

And that will do it for the 2009 update of the Joel Whitburn artist list. As usual, any questions about it or its formulations (if you can't discover the answers in the previous years' posts) can be directed to me and/or Zazie.