Joel Whitburn's all-time Top Country Artists list

[onebuffalo]

Sept 24, 2014 9:48:39 GMT -5 Zazie said:

One note on Tim McGraw: he's now within 500 points of passing Willie Nelson for an all-time top 10 berth. If he continues at his present trajectory, he should get there early in 2016. I will never think he belongs anywhere near Willie, but if you base it on the numbers, Tim's as deserving of a top 10 position as anybody, and he should move past Dolly and Reba as well as Willie and Webb. Yikes, if he ever catches up to Merle I will quit updating the Whitburn list for good, although I probably will have retired long before that comes along. (Sorry, but I couldn't resist including my private opinion. I do understand how successful and how well-loved Tim is.)

To think: If Tim McGraw gets to #1 with Shotgun Rider, it will be his 26th #1 hit and he will push Reba McEntire out of the top ten on that list. He will equal the number of #1 hits that Alan Jackson has.

[Kanenrá:ke]

Attention all Carrie Underwood Fans! Carrie is now 47 points away from the all-time 100! (This will be posted every week she charts until she makes the goal.) (Note: It looks like next week she'll make it in as "Something In The Water" will most likely debut in the top 20. And should it miss and only debut in the 20's on the chart then she'll still gain 46 pts for that song and likely 1 pt for "Somethin' Bad". There's little chance that she'll miss this one!) carrieidol1 14887fan zaclord 🌈

Kenny Chesney becomes the 19th artist to cross the 7000 point mark! (7005)

Brad Paisley passes Randy Travis moving into the top 50 of all time! (4427)

Blake Shelton passes Patty Loveless moving to #78. (3461)

Jason Aldean passes Taylor Swift moving to #120. (2578)

Joe Nichols breaks his tie with Doug Stone moving to #177 by himself. (1871)

Craig Morgan ties Zac Brown Band at #180. (1850)

Eric Church passes Mark Wills & Keith Whitley moving to #207. (1576)

Lee Brice breaks his tie with LeRoy Van Dyke and now ties Andy Griggs & Pat Green at #297. (1043)

Florida Georgia Line pass Deana Carter, Rose Maddox, Tom Jones, Bobby Helms, Mark Collie, Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Roy Head, & Bill Phillips moving to #326. (888)

Randy Houser breaks his tie with Eli Young Band moving to #329. (886)

Hunter Hayes ties Dottsy at #397. (702)

Kelly Clarkson breaks her tie with Trick Pony moving to #447 solo. (577)

---

Closing In On Charting (509 pts. needed)
01. Brett Eldredge - 477
02. Scotty McCreery - 451
03. Dustin Lynch - 422
04. Tyler Farr - 367
05. Frankie Ballard - 351
06. Jana Kramer - 300
07. Parmalee - 292
08. Jon Pardi - 271
09. Cole Swindell - 242
10. Dan + Shay - 148
11. Chase Rice - 137
12. Kelleigh Bannen - 134
13. Brothers Osborne - 131
14. The Cadillac Three - 109
15. Canaan Smith - 90
16. Lucy Hale - 90
17. Lindsay Ell - 87
18. The Swon Brothers - 87
19. Sam Hunt - 76
20. Maddie & Tae - 63
21. John King - 61
22. Vince Neil - 58
23. Chase Bryant - 56
24. RaeLynn - 53
25. Kristian Bush - 49
26. Dean Alexander - 45
27. Jackie Lee - 32
28. Chris Lane - 31

[Zazie]

Chesney's going to catch up to Alabama soon -- with his next single, I am sure, not the one that just debuted -- and then with his single after that he can pass Waylon and Hank Jr. After his little vacation, he's back in a big way.

It's been awhile since anyone entered the top 50. Paisley's little slump delayed his entry, but there wasn't really a lot of doubt that he'd eventually get there. I see that Brooks and Dunn wound up with about 5500 points, good for #33, and that looks like a reasonable target for Brad. If he really revives, he could do better than that.

[dm2081]

Sept 29, 2014 23:28:21 GMT -5 Kanenrá:ke said:

Attention all Carrie Underwood Fans! Carrie is now 47 points away from the all-time 100! (This will be posted every week she charts until she makes the goal.) (Note: It looks like next week she'll make it in as "Something In The Water" will most likely debut in the top 20. And should it miss and only debut in the 20's on the chart then she'll still gain 46 pts for that song and likely 1 pt for "Somethin' Bad". There's little chance that she'll miss this one!) carrieidol1 14887fan zaclord 🌈

Kenny Chesney becomes the 19th artist to cross the 7000 point mark! (7005)

Brad Paisley passes Randy Travis moving into the top 50 of all time! (4427)

Blake Shelton passes Patty Loveless moving to #78. (3461)

Jason Aldean passes Taylor Swift moving to #120. (2578)

Joe Nichols breaks his tie with Doug Stone moving to #177 by himself. (1871)

Craig Morgan ties Zac Brown Band at #180. (1850)

Eric Church passes Mark Wills & Keith Whitley moving to #207. (1576)

Lee Brice breaks his tie with LeRoy Van Dyke and now ties Andy Griggs & Pat Green at #297. (1043)

Florida Georgia Line pass Deana Carter, Rose Maddox, Tom Jones, Bobby Helms, Mark Collie, Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Roy Head, & Bill Phillips moving to #326. (888)

Randy Houser breaks his tie with Eli Young Band moving to #329. (886)

Hunter Hayes ties Dottsy at #397. (702)

Kelly Clarkson breaks her tie with Trick Pony moving to #447 solo. (577)

---

Closing In On Charting (509 pts. needed)
01. Randy Houser - 477
02. Scotty McCreery - 451
03. Dustin Lynch - 422
04. Tyler Farr - 367
05. Frankie Ballard - 351
06. Jana Kramer - 300
07. Parmalee - 292
08. Jon Pardi - 271
09. Cole Swindell - 242
10. Dan + Shay - 148
11. Chase Rice - 137
12. Kelleigh Bannen - 134
13. Brothers Osborne - 131
14. The Cadillac Three - 109
15. Canaan Smith - 90
16. Lucy Hale - 90
17. Lindsay Ell - 87
18. The Swon Brothers - 87
19. Sam Hunt - 76
20. Maddie & Tae - 63
21. John King - 61
22. Vince Neil - 58
23. Chase Bryant - 56
24. RaeLynn - 53
25. Kristian Bush - 49
26. Dean Alexander - 45
27. Jackie Lee - 32
28. Chris Lane - 31

You have Randy Houser listed twice, at #329, and also at closing in on the charts. I think the 1st place closing in on charting is supposed to be Brett Eldredge? Or Thomas Rhett.

[Kanenrá:ke]

Oct 1, 2014 0:25:38 GMT -5 dm2081 said:

Sept 29, 2014 23:28:21 GMT -5 Kanenrá:ke said:

Attention all Carrie Underwood Fans! Carrie is now 47 points away from the all-time 100! (This will be posted every week she charts until she makes the goal.) (Note: It looks like next week she'll make it in as "Something In The Water" will most likely debut in the top 20. And should it miss and only debut in the 20's on the chart then she'll still gain 46 pts for that song and likely 1 pt for "Somethin' Bad". There's little chance that she'll miss this one!) carrieidol1 14887fan zaclord 🌈

Kenny Chesney becomes the 19th artist to cross the 7000 point mark! (7005)

Brad Paisley passes Randy Travis moving into the top 50 of all time! (4427)

Blake Shelton passes Patty Loveless moving to #78. (3461)

Jason Aldean passes Taylor Swift moving to #120. (2578)

Joe Nichols breaks his tie with Doug Stone moving to #177 by himself. (1871)

Craig Morgan ties Zac Brown Band at #180. (1850)

Eric Church passes Mark Wills & Keith Whitley moving to #207. (1576)

Lee Brice breaks his tie with LeRoy Van Dyke and now ties Andy Griggs & Pat Green at #297. (1043)

Florida Georgia Line pass Deana Carter, Rose Maddox, Tom Jones, Bobby Helms, Mark Collie, Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Roy Head, & Bill Phillips moving to #326. (888)

Randy Houser breaks his tie with Eli Young Band moving to #329. (886)

Hunter Hayes ties Dottsy at #397. (702)

Kelly Clarkson breaks her tie with Trick Pony moving to #447 solo. (577)

---

Closing In On Charting (509 pts. needed)
01. Randy Houser - 477
02. Scotty McCreery - 451
03. Dustin Lynch - 422
04. Tyler Farr - 367
05. Frankie Ballard - 351
06. Jana Kramer - 300
07. Parmalee - 292
08. Jon Pardi - 271
09. Cole Swindell - 242
10. Dan + Shay - 148
11. Chase Rice - 137
12. Kelleigh Bannen - 134
13. Brothers Osborne - 131
14. The Cadillac Three - 109
15. Canaan Smith - 90
16. Lucy Hale - 90
17. Lindsay Ell - 87
18. The Swon Brothers - 87
19. Sam Hunt - 76
20. Maddie & Tae - 63
21. John King - 61
22. Vince Neil - 58
23. Chase Bryant - 56
24. RaeLynn - 53
25. Kristian Bush - 49
26. Dean Alexander - 45
27. Jackie Lee - 32
28. Chris Lane - 31

You have Randy Houser listed twice, at #329, and also at closing in on the charts. I think the 1st place closing in on charting is supposed to be Brett Eldredge? Or Thomas Rhett.

Yup meant to be Brett Eldredge. Thanks for pointing it out. :)

Sept 30, 2014 22:20:47 GMT -5 Zazie said:

Chesney's going to catch up to Alabama soon -- with his next single, I am sure, not the one that just debuted -- and then with his single after that he can pass Waylon and Hank Jr. After his little vacation, he's back in a big way.

It's been awhile since anyone entered the top 50. Paisley's little slump delayed his entry, but there wasn't really a lot of doubt that he'd eventually get there. I see that Brooks and Dunn wound up with about 5500 points, good for #33, and that looks like a reasonable target for Brad. If he really revives, he could do better than that.

I'm thinking Kenny Chesney is going to en up in the top 10, it's still a ways away but his pace isn't too far off of Tim's. I don't think he'll get deep into the top 10 but I'm definatley thinkin he'll be the one to knock out Webb Pierce.

As for Brad I originally had him pegged as a top 20 finisher but now I'm thinking about the same as you. Probably finishing around #30. I'd like to see him higher but he's slowed down too much I think. Also Toby and Garth may raise the bar a bit more in the coming years.

Curious to see where Blake is heading top 50 is almost guaranteed I'd wager.

With Carrie about to make her way into the top 100 she's another who can potentially go much higher. Also I don't have the data but who was the last female to break the top 100?

[Zazie]

Using the lazy man's approach to your question, I can tell you that two women entered the top 100 in the 2005 edition of the Whitburn book: Martina McBride, moving strongly 105-75, and Faith Hill, gaining ground but not as much, 103-93. I'm not going to find the exact date in my weekly Whitburn lists -- I'm not even sure I still have them going back that far -- but since Martina wound up 600 points ahead of Faith in that 2005 book, I'm thinking that Martina debuted earlier than Faith, so Faith was the last woman artist to make a top 100 debut.

That will change in 2014. Sorry, Diamond Rio, I hate to see you leave the top 100.

[Kanenrá:ke]

Oct 1, 2014 21:16:31 GMT -5 Zazie said:

Using the lazy man's approach to your question, I can tell you that two women entered the top 100 in the 2005 edition of the Whitburn book: Martina McBride, moving strongly 105-75, and Faith Hill, gaining ground but not as much, 103-93. I'm not going to find the exact date in my weekly Whitburn lists -- I'm not even sure I still have them going back that far -- but since Martina wound up 600 points ahead of Faith in that 2005 book, I'm thinking that Martina debuted earlier than Faith, so Faith was the last woman artist to make a top 100 debut.

That will change in 2014. Sorry, Diamond Rio, I hate to see you leave the top 100.

I know the one sad part about seeing Carrie enter the top 100 is going to be seeing Diamond Rio be booted out. I've always wished they'd try to make a comeback and chart once more but as the years go by I'm losing hope.

Also thanks for the Info, I'd guess Faith went in after Martina as well, Trisha Yearwood couldn't have been too far ahead either though right?

[Kanenrá:ke]

New Countdown coming next week because...

Attention all Carrie Underwood Fans! Carrie is now in the all-time 100!!! Becoming the first Female to make it in almost a decade! Congrats to Carrie & her team! carrieidol1 14887fan zaclord 🌈

Carrie Underwood passes Joe Diffie & Diamond Rio, and now ties Ricky Skaggs at #99! While doing so she became the 102nd artist to cross 2900 points! And her biggest accomplishment this week was already mentioned above! (2943)

Jason Aldean passes Montgomery Gentry moving to #119. (2590)

Dierks Bentley passes Charly McClain & Taylor Swift moving to #121. (2579)

Luke Bryan passes Tennessee Ernie Ford moving to #149. (2133)

Josh Turner ties Holly Dunn at #231. (1437)

Little Big Town passes The Browns, Gretchen Wilson, Gary Stewart, & Leon Everette. They now tie Freddie Fender & The Everly Brothers at #235. While doing so they become the 238th artist to cross 1400 points! (1402)

Chris Young ties Charlie Walker at #268. (1241)

The Band Perry pass Jim Glaser, Steve Holy & Big & Rich moving to #288. While doing so they become the 289th artist to cross 1100 points. (1117)

Lee Brice breaks his tie with Andy Griggs & Pat Green moving to #297 by himself. (1044)

Florida Georgia Line pass Carl Butler & Pearl moving to #325. (899)

Randy Houser ties Bill Phillps & Roy Head at #327. (887)

Hunter Hayes breaks his tie with Dottsy and now ties Chad Brock at #396. (703)

Kelly Clarkson passes Mike Reid moving to #446. (583)

Thomas Rhett passes Sheryl Crow and The Kentucky Headhunters moving to #457. (561)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 478
02. Scotty McCreery - 452
03. Tyler Farr - 368
04. Frankie Ballard - 352
05. Jana Kramer - 301
06. Parmalee - 293
07. Jon Pardi - 272
08. Cole Swindell - 243
09. Dan + Shay - 149
10. Chase Rice - 148
11. Brothers Osborne - 132
12. The Cadillac Three - 110
13. Canaan Smith - 91
14. Lucy Hale - 91
15. Lindsay Ell - 88
16. The Swon Brothers - 88
17. Sam Hunt - 77
18. Maddie & Tae - 69
19. John King - 62
20. Vince Neil - 59
21. Chase Bryant - 57
22. Kristian Bush - 55
23. RaeLynn - 54
24. Dean Alexander - 46
25. Jackie Lee - 33
26. Kelsea Ballerini - 31
27. The Railers - 31

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 476 points from breaking into the top ten of all time! (This countdown will be posted every week Tim gains points.)

Carrie Underwood breaks her tie with Ricky Skaggs and now ties Lefty Frizzell at #98! (2945)

Jason Aldean passes 2600 points becoming the 119th artist to do so. (2602)

Josh Turner breaks his tie with Holly Dunn moving to #231 by himself. (1438)

Little Big Town break their tie with The Everly Brothers & Freddie Fender moving to #235. (1403)

Chris Young breaks his tie with Charlie Walker and now ties Con Hunley at #267. (1242)

The Band Perry pass SHeDAISY moving to #287. (1123)

Florida Georgia Line pass Susie Allanson, The Whites, Deborah Allen, Alison Krauss, Roy Acuff, Patti Page, Mundo Earwood, Red Steagall, David Lee Murphy, Elton Britt & Ray Griff moving to #314. While doing so they became the 325th artist to pass 900 points! (941)

Randy Houser breaks his tie with Bill Phillips & Roy Head moving to #327 by himself. (893)

Hunter Hayes breaks his tie with Chad Brock moving to #396 by himself. (704)

Kelly Clarkson ties Charlie McCoy at #445. (584)

Thomas Rhett ties Tom Wopat at #456. (563)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 479
02. Scotty McCreery - 458
03. Tyler Farr - 374
04. Frankie Ballard - 358
05. Jana Kramer - 302
06. Parmalee - 299
07. Cole Swindell - 274
08. Jon Pardi - 273
09. Dan + Shay - 150
10. Chase Rice - 149
11. Josh Abbott Band - 147
12. Brothers Osborne - 133
13. The Cadillac Three - 111
14. Canaan Smith - 92
15. Lucy Hale - 92
16. Lindsay Ell - 89
17. Maddie & Tae - 70
18. Chase Bryant - 63
19. John King - 63
20. Vince Neil - 60
21. Kristian Bush - 56
22. RaeLynn - 55
23. The Railers - 37
24. Jackie Lee - 34
25. Kelsea Ballerini - 32

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 470 points from breaking into the top ten of all time! (This countdown will be posted every week Tim gains points.)

Toby Keith passes Charley Pride moving to #22! (6453)

Lefty gets left behind as Carrie Underwood breaks their tie and now has #98 to herself. (2946)

Jason Aldean passes Jean Shepard moving to #118. (2614)

Lady Antebellum passes Neal McCoy & Pam Tillis moving to #156. (2082)

Jake Owen ties Jimmy Dean at #221 (1505)

Chris Young breaks his tie with Con Hunley moving to #267 alone. (1243)

Florida Georgia Line pass Tommy Cash and now tie Margaret Whiting at #312. (953)

David Nail passes Moon Mullican and Bobb Wright moving to #389.

Kelly Clarkson breaks her tie with Charlie McCoy moving to #445. (585)

Thomas Rhett passes Penny DeHaven, Dorsey Burtnette, & Kris Kristofferson and now ties Paul Brandt at #453. (570)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 480
02. Scotty McCreery - 459
03. Tyler Farr - 375
04. Frankie Ballard - 359
05. Eric Paslay - 321
06. Jana Kramer - 303
07. Parmalee - 300
08. Cole Swindell - 275
09. Jon Pardi - 274
10. Dan + Shay - 151
11. Chase Rice - 150
12. Josh Abbott Band - 148
13. The Cadillac Three - 112
14. Sam Hunt - 99
15. Canaan Smith - 93
16. Lindsay Ell - 90
17. Maddie & Tae - 71
18. Chase Bryant - 64
19. John King - 64
20. Vince Neil - 61
21. Kristian Bush - 57
22. RaeLynn - 56
23. The Railers - 38
24. Jackie Lee - 35
25. Kelsea Ballerini - 33

[onebuffalo]

Hunter Hayes breaks his tie with Chad Brock moving to #396 by himself. (704)

YES!

Toby Keith passes Charley Pride moving to #22! (6453)

Goes to show you that enough top 20 appearances instead of top ten finishes puts you ahead of some of the biggest legends in the format. I think Toby Keith needs a zillion top 20s to get past Eddy Arnold.

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 469 points from breaking into the top ten of all time! (This countdown will be posted every week Tim gains points.)

Blake Shelton passes Earl Thomas Conley moving to #77. (3485)

Jason Aldean passes Roger Miller, Dave Dudley & Shania Twain. He now ties Dwight Yoakam at #114. (2656)

Dierks Bentley ties Montgomery Gentry at #120. (2592)

Sara Evans passes Dan Seals & Johnny Duncan moving to #136. (2268)

Lady Antebellum pass Wynonna Judd moving to #155. (2093)

Billy Currington passes Marty Stuart & Freddy Weller moving to #187. (1798)

Jake Owen breaks hit tie with Jimmy Dean moving to #221 by himself. (1506)

Josh Turner ties Little Texas at #230. (1440)

Chris Young passes Marie Osmond moving to #266. (1249)

Justin Moore passes Billy Joe Royal, Bobby Lewis, Norma Jean, & Bobby Goldboro moving to #282. (1171)

Florida Georgia Line break their tie with Margaret Whiting and jump Ricochet moving to #311. (960)

Jerrod Niemann passes Mark Gray moving to #392. (727)

Easton Corbin ties La Costa at #406. (678)

Brantley Gilbert ties Keith Stegall at #426. (626)

Kelly Clarkson ties Burl Ives at #444. (586)

Gloriana passes Darrell McCall, Sheryl Crow, Kentucky Headhunters, Tom Wopat, Penny DeHaven, Dorsey Burnette, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Brandt, Thomas Rhett, Ronnie Sessions, Keith Anderson, The O'Kanes, Trick Pony, Mike Reid, & Charlie McCoy moving to #446. (585)

Thomas Rhett ties Ronnie Sessions at #452. (572)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 481
02. Scotty McCreery - 460
03. Tyler Farr - 376
04. Frankie Ballard - 370
05. Eric Paslay - 327
06. Jana Kramer - 304
07. Parmalee - 301
08. Cole Swindell - 281
09. Jon Pardi - 275
10. Dan + Shay - 152
11. Chase Rice - 151
12. Josh Abbott Band - 149
13. The Cadillac Three - 113
14. Sam Hunt - 110
15. Canaan Smith - 94
16. Lucy Hale - 93
17. Lindsay Ell - 91
18. Maddie & Tae - 77
19. Chase Bryant - 65
20. RaeLynn - 62
21. Kristian Bush - 58
22. The Railers - 39
23. Jackie Lee - 36
24. Kelsea Ballerini - 34

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 463 points from breaking into the top ten of all time! (This countdown will be posted every week Tim gains points.)

Blake Shelton passes Billy Walker moving to #76! (3496)

Jason Aldean ties Roy Drusky at #113. (2658)

Dierks Bentley & Montgomery Gentry remain in their tie at #120. (2593)

Billy Currington passes Brenda Lee & Sugarland moving to #185! While doing so he became the 186th artist to cross 1800 points! (1804)

Jake Owen ties Wanda Jackson at #220. (1512)

Josh Tuner breaks his te with Little Texas and now ties Louise Mandrell at #229. (1446)

Big & Rich pass SHeDAISY moving to #288. (1120)

Jerrod Niemann ties Moon Mullican at #391. (728)

Easton Corbin breaks his tie with La Costa and jumps Linda Davis moving to #405. (684)

Gloriana pass Burl Ives, Kelly Clarkson, & Becky Hobbs moving to #443. (591)

Kelly Clarkson breaks her tie with Burl Ives moving to #445 by herself. (587)

Thomas Rhett breaks his tie with Ronnie Sessions moving to #452 by himself. (573)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge (482)
02. Scotty McCreery (461)
03. Frankie Ballard (381)
04. Tyler Farr (377)
05. Eric Paslay (328)
06. Jana Kramer (305)
07. Parmalee (302)
08. Cole Swindell (282)
09. Jon Pardi (281)
10. Dan + Shay (153)
11. Josh Abbott Band (150)
12. Sam Hunt (121)
13. The Swon Brothers (119)
14. The Cadillac Three (114)
15. Canaan Smith (95)
16. Lucy Hale (94)
17. Lindsay Ell (92)
18. Maddie & Tae (78)
19. RaeLynn (68)
20. Chase Bryant (66)
21. Kristian Bush (64)
22. Will Hoge (61)
23. The Railers (40)
24. Jackie Lee (37)
25. Kelsea Ballerini (35)

[onebuffalo]

Blake Shelton passes Earl Thomas Conley moving to #77. (3485)

The student becomes the teacher. However, E.T.C. has more compelling songs.

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 462 points from breaking into the top ten of all time! (This countdown will be posted every week Tim gains points.)

Jason Aldean breaks his tie with Roy Drusky moving to #113 by himself. (2665)

The Dierks Bentley / Montgomery Gentry tie continues for the third week at #120. (2594)

Luke Bryan passes Shenandoah, Dixie Chicks, Restless Heart, and LeAnn Rimes moving to tie Jimmy Wakely at #144. (2171)

Lady Antebellum become the 155th artist to cross 2100 points! (2100)

Joe Nichols ties Bob Luman at #176. (1882)

Jake Owen breaks his tie with Wanda Jackson for #220. (1513)

Josh Turner breaks his tie with Louise Mandrell at #229. (1447)

Little Big Town pass Suzy Bogguss moving to #234. (1427)

Justin Moore passes Chris Cagle moving to #281. (1178)

Florida Georgia Line pass Rick Trevino and tie Chely Wright at #309. (968)

Randy Houser passes Roy Head, Bill Phillips, & Carl Butler and Pearl moving to #326. While doing so he became the 326th artist to cross 900 points! (902)

David Nail ties Mindy McCready at #388. (736)

Jerrod Niemann breaks his tie with Moon Mullican moving to #391 by himself. (729)

Easton Corbin ties Doug Supernaw at #404. (685)

Gloriana pass Mary Lou Turner & James Otto moving to #441. (597)

Kelly Clarkson ties Becky Hobbs at #444. (588)

Thomas Rhett ties Keith Anderson at #451. (574)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 483
02. Scotty McCreery - 462
03. Dustin Lynch - 453
04. Frankie Ballard - 392
05. Tyler Farr - 378
06. Eric Paslay - 334
07. Parmalee - 308
08. Jana Kramer - 306
09. Cole Swindell - 283
10. Jon Pardi - 282
11. Chase Rice - 182
12. Dan + Shay - 154
13. Josh Abbott Band - 151
14. Sam Hunt - 122
15. The Swon Brothers - 120
16. The Cadillac Three - 115
17. Lucy Hale - 95
18. Lindsay Ell - 93
19. Maddie & Tae - 79
20. RaeLynn - 69
21. Chase Bryant - 67
22. Kristian Bush - 65
23. Will Hoge - 62
24. Jackie Lee - 38
25. Kelsea Ballerini - 36

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 461 points from breaking into the top ten of all time!

Keith Urban passes Mickey Gilley moving to #60! (4084)

Blake Shelton passes Tom T. Hall & Moe Bandy moving to #74! (3549)

Jason Aldean passes Del Reeves moving to #112. (2676)

The Dierks / Mongtomery Gentry tie continues now reaching a month! (2595)

Luke Bryan breaks his tie with Jimmy Wakely and passes Aaron Tippin & The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band moving to #142. (2182)

Lady Antebellum tie Gene Autry at #154. (2101)

Joe Nichols breaks his tie with Bob Luman moving alone to #176. (1883)

Little Big Town ties Lee Roy Parnell at #233. (1428)

Chris Young ties John Berry And Tompall & Glaser at #264. (1252)

Florida Georgia Line break their tie with Chely Wright and jump past Buddy Alan moving to #308. (974)

Randy Houser ties Susie Allanson at #325. (903)

David Nail breaks his tie with Mindy McCready thus he is now alone at #388. (737)

Jerrod Niemann ties Bobby Wright at #390. (730)

Hunter Hayes ties Judy Rodman at #395. (709)

Easton Corbin breaks his tie with Dougsupernaw and now sits at #404. (686)

Brantley Gilbert breaks his tie with Keith Stegall and jumps Lila McCann, Peggy Sue, Ned Miller, Radney Foster, Terri Gibbs, Roy Rogers, R.C. Bannon, Ray Pillow, Robin Lee, & Sherry Bryce. He Now ties Margie Singleton at #415. (657)

Gloriana ties Steve Azar at #440. (598)

Thomas Rhett breaks his tie with Keith Anderson and now ties The O'Kanes at #450. (575)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 489
02. Scotty McCreery - 463
03. Dustin Lynch - 454
04. Frankie Ballard - 403
05. Tyler Farr - 379
06. Eric Paslay - 335
07. Parmalee - 309
08. Jana Kramer - 307
09. Cole Swindell - 289
10. Jon Pardi - 283
11. Ashley Monroe - 197
12. Chase Rice - 183
13. Dan + Shay - 155
14. Sam Hunt - 154
15. Josh Abbott Band - 152
16. The Swon Brothers - 121
17. The Cadillac Three - 116
18. Lucy Hale - 96
19. Lindsay Ell - 94
20. Maddie & Tae - 90
21. RaeLynn - 70
22. Chase Bryant - 68
23. Kristian Bush - 66
24. Kelsea Ballerini - 42
25. Jackie Lee - 39

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 450 points from breaking into the top ten of all time!

For the fifth week in a row Dierks Bentley & Montgomery Gentry tie at #120! (2596)

Lady Antebellum break their tie with Gene Autry and are now at #154. (2102)

Rodney Atkins passes Linda Ronstadt, Lacy J. Dalton, Susan Raye, & Red Sovine moving to #202. While doing so he became the 206th artist to cross 1600 points! (1630)

Josh Turner ties Melba Montgomery at #228. (1449)

Little Big Town break their tie with Lee Roy Parnell and pass Holly Dunn moving them to #232. (1439)

Darius Rucker ties Johnny Carver at #250. (1337)

Chris Young breaks his tie with John Berry moving to #264. (1253)

Randy Houser breaks his tie with Susie Allanson and passes The Whites moving to #324 where he ties Deborah Allen. (909)

Jerrod Niemann breaks his tie with Bobby Wright for #390. (731)

Easton Corbin jumps into a tie with Stella Parton, Ted Daffan, & Zella Lehr at #401. (687)

Brantley Gilbert breaks his tie with Margie Singleton moving to #415 by himself. (658)

Gloriana break their tie with Steve Azar and now tie Big Al Downing, Foster & Lloyd and Hawkshaw Hawkins at #437. (599)

Thomas Rhett breaks his tie with The O'Kanes and now ties Trick Pony at #449. (576)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 490
02. Scotty McCreery - 464
03. Dustin Lynch - 455
04. Frankie Ballard - 404
05. Tyler Farr - 380
06. Eric Paslay - 336
07. Parmalee - 310
08. Jana Kramer - 308
09. Cole Swindell - 290
10. Jon Pardi - 284
11. Ashley Monroe - 203
12. Chase Rice - 184
13. Dan + Shay - 156
14. Sam Hunt - 155
15. Josh Abbott Band - 153
16. The Swon Brothers - 122
17. Maddie & Tae - 101
18. Canaan Smith - 96
19. Lindsay Ell - 95
20. RaeLynn - 71
21. Chase Bryant - 69
22. Kristian Bush - 67
23. Will Hoge - 63
24. Jackie Lee - 45
25. Kelsea Ballerini - 43
26. The Railers - 41

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 439 points from breaking into the top ten of all time!

Rascal Flatts pass David Houston moving to #55! (4278)

Keith Urban becomes the 60th artist to cross 4100 points! (4106)

6 Weeks on Dierks Bentley & Montgomery Gentry tie at #120! (2597)

Eric Church passes Linda Ronstadt moving to #206. While doing so he became the 207th artist to cross 1600 points! (1605)

Josh Turner breaks his tie with Melba Montgomery for #228. (1450)

Little Big Town tie Little Texas at #231! (1440)

Darius Rucker breaks his tie with Johnny Carver and passes Ernest Ashworth for #249. (1343)

Lee Brice passes B.J. Thomas moving to #296. (1062)


Randy Houser breaks his tie with Deborah Allen and now ties Alison Krauss for #322. (910)

Easton Corbin breaks his tie with Stella Parton, Ted Daffan, & Zella Lehr for #401. (688)

Brantley Gilbert passes Thompson Square & Hoyt Axton moving into a tie with Joe Sun, & Sheb Wooley for #411. (664)

Gloriana break their tie with Big Al Downing, Foster & Lloyd, and Hawkshaw Hawkins for #437. While doing so they become the 437th artist to cross 600 points! (600)

Thomas Rhett breaks his tie with Trick Pony and now ties Mike Reid for #448. (582)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 491
02. Scotty McCreery - 465
03. Dustin Lynch - 461
04. Tyler Farr - 381
05. Eric Paslay - 337
06. Parmalee - 311
07. Jana Kramer - 309
08. Cole Swindell - 291
09. Jon Pardi - 285
10. Ashley Monroe - 204
11. Chase Rice - 185
12. Sam Hunt - 161
13. Dan + Shay - 157
14. Josh Abbott Band - 154
15. The Swon Brothers - 123
16. Maddie & Tae - 112
17. Canaan Smith - 97
18. Lucy Hale - 97
19. Lindsay Ell - 96
20. Chase Bryant - 75
21. RaeLynn - 72
22. Kristian Bush - 68
23. Will Hoge - 64
24. Jackie Lee - 46
25. Kelsea Ballerini - 44
26. The Railers - 42

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 428 points from breaking into the top ten of all time!

Top 100 Watch: Jason Aldean is now 260 points away from the top 100 of all time!

Tim McGraw ties Buck Owens for #12! (7492)

Garth Brooks becomes the 25th artist to cross 6300 points! (6303)

Rascal Flatts break their tie with Martina McBride for #54. (4279)

Carrie Underwood ties Jim Ed Brown for #97. (2963)

Dierks Bentley breaks his tie with Montgomery Gentry and now sits at #120 alone. (2603)

Randy Houser breaks his tie with Alison Krauss for #322. (911)

Brantley Gilbert breaks his tie with Joe Sun & Sheb Wooley and now ties Jim Nesbitt for #410. (665)

Thomas Rhett breaks his tie with Mike Reid for #448. (583)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 497
02. Scotty McCreery - 471
03. Dustin Lynch - 462
04. Tyler Farr - 382
05. Eric Paslay - 338
06. Katie Armiger - 313
07. Parmalee - 312
08. Jana Kramer - 310
09. Cole Swindell - 297
10. Jon Pardi - 286
11. Ashley Monroe - 205
12. Chase Rice - 186
13. Sam Hunt - 167
14. Josh Abbott Band - 160
15. Dan + Shay - 158
16. The Swon Brothers - 124
17. Maddie & Tae - 123
18. Canaan Smith - 98
19. Lucy Hale - 98
20. Chase Bryant - 76
21. RaeLynn - 73
22. Kristian Bush - 69
23. Will Hoge - 65
24. Jackie Lee - 47
25. Kelsea Ballerini - 45
26. The Railers - 43
27. Chris Lane - 32

[Jonsolo]

Here comes the 9th edition of my update of the Joel Whitburn points list for Top Country Artists, based on Billboard's Airplay charts. Yes, everyone knows that the real Joel Whitburn has spent the last two years using the mongrel Billboard chart to update his own list, and his list and my list continue to drift apart. But I (and many, many others) still believe that Airplay is where it's at, and a truer representation of who the most popular and productive country artists in history are. And while I'm no longer that active on this message board, probably checking in to read certain topics every other month or so, I still get a lot of enjoyment out of updating the List, and seeing what others' reactions/opinions are to it.

Also, it's great that Stacey is continuing to post updates to the list every couple of weeks, and is giving everyone a 'play-by-play' commentary of what the big moves are. I think we might be differing on a few artists here and there (probably mistakes by me!), but in making random checks throughout the year, a vast majority of the artists we should still be equal on. That, along with me exchanging lists with Zazie on a regular basis, to make sure we match, helps my confidence that this list should be 96+% accurate!

So with that expected disclaimer about the mongrel chart out of the way, we can hurry and move toward the lists.

Everyone should be familiar with the usual format, after eight previous iterations of it, with the sections of 100 positions and artist summaries, detailing what the big-name artists accomplished during the year. And I always enjoy sticking in subjective comments and opinions where they are applicable. Then we finish up with the Top Artists of the year, and the Top Artists of the current decade. Enjoy!

[Jonsolo]

Joel Whitburn's Top Country Artist points list, updated for 2014



#1 to #100:

1. (#1 at the end of 2013) Eddy Arnold – 12667
2. (2) George Jones – 11976
3. (3) George Strait – 11203 (45 points gained in 2014)
4. (4) Johnny Cash – 9449
5. (5) Conway Twitty – 9101
6. (6) Merle Haggard – 9058
7. (7) Reba McEntire – 8384 (31)
8. (8) Dolly Parton – 8308
9. (9) Webb Pierce – 7975
10. (10) Willie Nelson – 7919
11. (11) Ray Price – 7773
12. (17) Tim McGraw – 7503 (326)
13. (12) Buck Owens – 7492
14. (13) Alan Jackson – 7367
15. (14) Marty Robbins – 7306
16. (15) Hank Williams Jr. – 7244
17. (16) Waylon Jennings – 7232
18. (18) Alabama – 7136
19. (19) Kenny Chesney – 7056 (207)
20. (20) Jim Reeves – 6843
21. (21) Ernest Tubb – 6474
22. (23) Toby Keith – 6466 (68)
23. (22) Charley Pride – 6422
24. (24) Loretta Lynn – 6316
25. (26) Garth Brooks – 6304 (105)
26. (25) Sonny James – 6205
27. (27) Faron Young – 6115
28. (28) Hank Snow – 6088
29. (29) Kenny Rogers – 6045
30. (30) Ronnie Milsap – 6025
31. (31) Carl Smith – 5901
32. (32) Tammy Wynette – 5836
33. (33) Brooks & Dunn – 5641
34. (34) Bill Anderson – 5621
35. (35) Mel Tillis – 5385
36. (36) Tanya Tucker – 5339
37. (37) Red Foley – 5326
38. (38) Elvis Presley – 5276
39. (39) 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 – 4663
48. (48) Crystal Gayle – 4522
49. (49) Clint Black – 4492
50. (55) Brad Paisley – 4483 (241)
51. (50) Randy Travis – 4424
52. (51) Hank Williams – 4395
53. (52) Jerry Lee Lewis – 4365
54. (59) Rascal Flatts – 4285 (203)
55. (53) Martina McBride – 4278
56. (54) David Houston – 4250
57. (56) Bobby Bare – 4235
58. (57) Barbara Mandrell – 4217
59. (58) Oak Ridge Boys – 4217
60. (64) Keith Urban - 4108 (222)
61. (60) Mickey Gilley – 4076
62. (61) Lynn Anderson – 4021
63. (62) Eddie Rabbitt – 3990
64. (63) Anne Murray – 3901
65. (65) Joe Stampley – 3866
66. (66) Dottie West – 3858
67. (67) John Anderson – 3810
68. (68) Emmylou Harris – 3801
69. (70) Faith Hill – 3800 (111)
70. (69) T.G. Sheppard – 3746
71. (71) Travis Tritt – 3682
72. (72) Sawyer Brown – 3608
73. (88) Blake Shelton - 3564 (441)
74. (73) Bellamy Brothers – 3563
75. (74) Moe Bandy – 3537
76. (75) Tom T. Hall – 3536
77. (76) Billy Walker – 3493
78. (77) Earl Thomas Conley – 3482
79. (78) Patty Loveless – 3460
80. (80) Trisha Yearwood – 3417 (78)
81. (79) Ferlin Husky – 3355
82. (81) Johnny Paycheck – 3266
83. (82) Gene Watson – 3247
84. (83) Connie Smith – 3218
85. (84) Mark Chesnutt – 3217
86. (85) Freddie Hart – 3209
87. (86) Tracy Lawrence – 3151
88. (87) Johnny Rodriguez – 3145
89. (89) Jerry Reed – 3116
90. (90) Lonestar – 3085
91. (91) Charlie Rich – 3084
92. (92) J.M. Montgomery – 3084
93. (93) Clay Walker - 3067
94. (94) Larry Gatlin & Bros. – 3031
95. (95) Janie Fricke – 2993
96. (103) Carrie Underwood - 2973 (162)
97. (96) Trace Adkins – 2965
98. (97) Jim Ed Brown – 2963
99. (98) Lefty Frizzell – 2945
100. (99) Ricky Skaggs – 2943






Notes on the Top 100:

- One artist entered the top 100 this year, one that I had expected to make it the previous year. But since Carrie had been hitting the charts fast and furiously for seven years straight, I guess she was due to have somewhat of a two-year vacation. One artist will likely be making the top 100 in 2015.

- A rather quiet year for my all-time favorite artist, George Strait, by far the lowest amount of Whit points he's ever gained (45, vs. 144 in 1981, the previous low). He only finished off his chart run on I Got A Car, needing almost 40 weeks to get it to a #17 peak. At this point, my wish is just for George to reach 11,500, rougly 300 more points away. I have to assume he'll be having a new album come out in 2015, and it should get him 150 points, or at least halfway through that 300 points he needs. And maybe one more album after that, in 2017, to get those remaining 150 points. Sounds like a plan, and I'd be pretty happy with 11,500.

The non-chart-related news was pretty good for George, as he claimed a final Entertainer of the Year trophy, at the ACM awards, and packed them in for the last stops of his final concert tour. And that final stop at Jerryworld produced a live album that's sold fairly well. So I can't complain too much (though that doesn't stop me...!).

- Continuing my tradition of mentioning any all-time top 10 artist who gains points, no matter how small, I'll take a moment to pause on Reba. The Christmas song Silent Night showed up for one week in January, where she collaborated with Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood, and gave her an easy 31 points. That was good to extend Reba's lead on Dolly Parton, to give her some cushion in case Dolly has any other charting songs up her sleeves, and wants to threaten Reba's title as the "all-time highest ranking female". It was a very welcome sight to see that new single thread for Reba that started here, meaning she should have a good shot at some more points in early 2015.

- And now for the artist summary where I attempt to type while my fists are clenched. Tim McGraw has pulled off the impressive and rare trick of making a late-career change of music labels, and emerging as just as strong of a chart force on the other side. Lookin' For That Girl was a classically annoying Tim song, that I've always loved to hate, and was rightfully saddled with an early flame-out at #15. But Meanwhile Back At Mama's was tolerable, and had a nice run all the way to #2, and Shotgun Rider was Timmy at his best (which, of course, is just above average for other artists I like!). Understated and not obnoxious, it hit #1 on the final chart week of '14. Whitpoint-wise, it all added up to 326 points, the 5th-highest artist total for 2014 (matching the 5th place finish he had in 2013). That rocketed Timmy up five spots on the Whitlist (including, regrettably, past Alan Jackson). Another big year in '15 could get Timmy past Ray Price for #11, and it breaks my heart that Willie's #10 standing is very much in jeopardy.

- Kenny Chesney's total of 207 points wasn't too bad, when you consider the fact that he was on vacation for the full first half of 2014, and a total of 39 weeks if you look back to his final appearance in '13. American Kids brought nothing new to the table, which means a nostalgia-drenched average song, that debuts high and cruises to #1. Til It's Gone was a few notches better, and should be a solid contender for #1 in a few weeks. Those two helped Kenny close most of the distance from Jim Reeves to Alabama. Being gone for that first half of the year, and not charting any tracks when the new album came out (a rarity for Kenny), kept him from stretching his legs out too much. Kenny will catch Alabama early in '15, and aim at reaching Marty Robbins, or even Alan Jackson (a bit painful, but not nearly as much as seeing Timmy make that pass) with a real big year.

- Toby Keith continues to be shifting down into low gear, and didn't do much all year. He finished off a bad chart run for Shut Up And Hold On (at #48, the lowest peaking single of his career), and then was also absent for a long time, eight months, from March to November. Drunk Americans is having trouble getting through the 20s, which has unfortunately become a pattern for Toby's recent lead singles (#19 peak for Trailerhood, #18 for I Like Girls That Drink Beer, and #17 for Drinks After Work). Only 68 points for him this year, getting him past Charley Pride, and once he enters the Reeves-Tubb Gulch, there's a good chance he won't emerge from the other side. Do we rename it for him it he stops there? The Keith-Tubb Gulch?

- The toughest artist to predict on the Whitlist, Garth Brooks, continues a weird comeback, after he was in his family-fueled exile since the last decade. He's released two singles from a new album, and the first one, People Loving People, managed an impressive debut at #19. Even more impressive, however, was that the song only stayed on the chart for another six weeks, and didn't better that debut position. His second single, Mom (pretty unique perspective for the narrator of the song, if a little too treacly), might have a more normal chart run, but I haven't a clue as to what kind of peak to expect. Garth added 105 points this year and gained one spot. He'll catch Loretta in '15, and could possibly see enough action to track down Charley Pride as well. But only a fool would bet on what's in store for Garth's future on the chart, from single to single.

- Brad Paisley will likely never get back to the level of his hot streak from 2005 to 2011, where he had 17 straight top 2 finishes. But he's at least shown that he's still got some power left, and should finish off the decade on a high note. After weakly taking 4th single Mona Lisa to #19 earlier in the year, he had a pretty strong showing with the debut single River Bank, cruising to #2. The follow-up, Perfect Storm, will at least match that, and might find an opening at #1 in the next two weeks. That gave Brad 241 points on the year, just missing on making the top 10 among all artists. He passed five artists during the year to break into the all-time top 50. He should catch Steve Wariner during '15, and looks to be on track to at least reach the heights of Brooks & Dunn before he slows down for good. Of course, Brad reaching Toby is what I'm really wanting to eventually see happen.

- After an extremely quiet 2013 (68 pts), Rascal Flatts did stage a bit of a comeback, fueled by a new album release. Rewind was a moderate hit as a debut single, finishing up at #3 in May. At this point in Rascal's career, their debut singles have the best chance for them to hit #1, so it wasn't a complete victory. As expected, the follow-up single Payback struggled to a #21 peak, and the next one, Riot, might not make too much noise. Still, that got them 203 points, solid for a group entering their 16th year of activity. They moved up five spots, edging past Martina. If they duplicate that performance in '15, they'd catch Randy Travis for #51, but I think they'll be a little bit quieter and fall just short of him.

- Keith Urban showed the usual power, as he was able to take the unconventional love song Cop Car into the top 10, to peak at #8. That's probably better than most artists could do with that type of storyline. Sticking to the automobiles, he scored a multi-week #1 with Somewhere In My Car, which gave him three #1s from the four singles from the Fuse album. He didn't return to the heights of a 300-pt year, and those days of that kind of production might be behind him (2011 is the only time in the last five years he's broken that barrier). He still did very well, with 222 points, which sent him up four spots into the top 60. He remains about one year behind Rascal's pace, but might shave off a little more of their lead in '15. Replacing the spot between Jerry Lee and Martina, at #54 when the Flatts move on up ahead, should be a solid goal for Keith.

- Faith Hill continues to be in "semi-retirement", and only got the 111 points from her inclusion on the Meanwhile Back At Mama's duet with her hubby. She moved up one spot, passing TG Sheppard, and bought herself another five months before Carrie inevitably catches her down the road.

- Blake Shelton's total for the year, 441, would have been good enough to win the Top Artist designation in three of the previous four years, and could have gave him a threepeat win for 2012-2014. However, Luke Bryan went totally out of his mind, and Blake had to be happy with his runner-up finish, and his fourth straight top 2. Blake kept on his #1-streak, packing in three into the year with Doin What She Likes (the best of the trio), My Eyes, and Neon Light (the repeated words got a bit annoying). A chart appearance on Shakira's song back in April also added to the bounty, and his new song Lonely Tonight looks like it could extend his #1-streak to fourteen straight.

Blake's gain for the year shot him past fifteen artists, and into the top 75. At this point, it wouldn't be a stretch to pencil him in for another 400-pt year in '15, and have him targetting Anne Murray at #64. Good for him, but would please, please, please, someone else win the Male Vocalist trophies at the major award shows??!! After so many consecutive wins, I'd even rather see Aldean take it at this point...

- As Garth goes, Trisha Yearwood probably goes as well, in that it's tough to know what to expect from her. She did just release a new album a few weeks back, so she could make some noise in '15. For this year, she got 78 points from a Christmas song in January and the 'blink and you'll miss it' chart run of Prizefighter, the first single from that said album. That moved her up one spot on the list past Ferlin Husky. But where she's headed to next year, I won't venture a guess.

- Carrie Underwood's four-month vacation at the end of 2013, stretched out to nine months by this past May, before she reawakened. And that was first by her inclusion on the Something Bad duet with Miranda, which provided her an easy top 10. In September, she released Something In The Water from her first greatest hits album. It should be a solid contender for #1 within six weeks. Those two songs gave her a modest 162 points, and moved her into the top 100. At a minimum, she should duplicate that total (a few question marks, since we don't know how long she'll wait after the hits album until releasing a full studio album) in 2015 and cruise into the top 90.

[Jonsolo]

#101 to #200:


101. (100) Diamond Rio – 2938
102. (101) Joe Diffie – 2911
103. (102) Vern Gosdin – 2815
104. (104) Collin Raye – 2796
105. (105) Eddy Raven – 2793
106. (106) Billy Craddock – 2787
107. (107) Lee Greenwood – 2774
108. (108) John Conlee – 2756
109. (109) Stonewall Jackson – 2721
110. (110) Kathy Mattea – 2713
111. (111) Lorrie Morgan – 2709
112. (131) Jason Aldean - 2685 (345)
113. (112) Del Reeves – 2666
114. (113) Roy Drusky – 2658
115. (114) Dwight Yoakam – 2656
116. (115) Shania Twain – 2643
117. (116) Dave Dudley – 2629
118. (117) Roger Miller – 2624
119. (118) Jean Shepard – 2612
120. (133) Dierks Bentley - 2604 (292)
121. (120) Montgomery Gentry – 2599 (52)
122. (121) Taylor Swift - 2576 (31)
123. (119) Charly McClain – 2553
124. (122) The Judds – 2529
125. (123) Donna Fargo – 2517
126. (124) Roy Clark – 2427
127. (125) Ronnie McDowell - 2420
128. (126) Bob Wills – 2418
129. (128) Gary Allan – 2414 (21)
130. (127) Ricky Van Shelton – 2405
131. (129) Tracy Byrd – 2377
132. (130) Skeeter Davis – 2353
133. (132) George Hamilton IV – 2334
134. (134) Jack Greene – 2295
135. (135) Mel McDaniel – 2290
136. (141) Sara Evans – 2271 (66)
137. (136) Johnny Duncan – 2253
138. (137) Dan Seals – 2250
139. (138) Kendalls – 2235
140. (139) Roseanne Cash – 2223
141. (140) Sammy Kershaw – 2209
142. (198) Luke Bryan - 2206 (555)
143. (142) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – 2174
144. (143) Aaron Tippin – 2173
145. (144) Jimmy Wakely – 2171
146. (145) Leann Rimes – 2170
147. (146) Restless Heart – 2167
148. (147) Dixie Chicks – 2161
149. (148) Shenandoah – 2141
150. (149) Tennessee Ernie Ford – 2126
151. (150) Johnny Lee – 2107
152. (151) Gary Morris – 2107
153. (152) Jo Dee Messina – 2106
154. (174) Lady Antebellum - 2105 (231)
155. (153) Gene Autry – 2101
156. (154) Wynonna – 2092
157. (155) Pam Tillis – 2072
158. (156) Neal McCoy – 2058
159. (157) Jimmy Newman – 2047
160. (158) Hank Locklin – 2044
161. (159) Wilburn Brothers – 2019
162. (160) George Morgan – 2015
163. (161) Slim Whitman – 1996
164. (162) Al Dexter – 1996
165. (163) Tommy Overstreet – 1995
166. (164) Ed Bruce – 1993
167. (165) Billie Jo Spears – 1993
168. (166) Nat Stuckey – 1989
169. (182) Miranda Lambert - 1984 (187)
170. (167) Exile – 1952
171. (168) Narvel Felts – 1947
172. (169) Mary C. Carpenter – 1939
173. (170) Michael M. Murphey – 1911
174. (171) Razzy Bailey – 1908
175. (172) Tex Ritter – 1901
176. (194) Joe Nichols – 1887 (207)
177. (173) Bob Luman – 1882
178. (175) Doug Stone – 1870
179. (176) Lee Ann Womack – 1852
180. (189) Zac Brown Band - 1850 (106)
181. (185) Craig Morgan – 1850 (73)
182. (177) Terri Clark – 1835
183. (197) Billy Currington - 1815 (147)
184. (178) Sammy Smith – 1814
185. (179) Rex Allen Jr. – 1811
186. (180) Sugarland – 1801
187. (181) Brenda Lee – 1799
188. (183) Freddy Weller – 1784
189. (184) Marty Stuart – 1781
190. (186) Phil Vassar - 1764
191. (187) Jerry Wallace – 1761
192. (188) Claude King – 1754
193. (190) Billy Ray Cyrus – 1724
194. (191) Billy Dean – 1717
195. (192) Tex Williams – 1715
196. (193) Juice Newton – 1688
197. (195) David Rogers – 1675
198. (196) Wynn Stewart – 1670
199. (199) Cal Smith – 1644
200. (200) Jan Howard – 1644





Notes on #101 to #200:

- No artists entered the top 200 during the year, as the one contender for it, Rodney Atkins, was absent for ten months of the year. We should see three artists make the top 200 in 2015 (including Mr. Atkins).

- First off in this section of the chart is Mr. Consistency. That of course, is Jason Aldean. Partially, because he has consistently annoyed me with his obnoxious persona, and consistently produced songs that I dislike, that showcase his weak voice (Timmy Junior, in other words?!). But more importantly to the Whitlist, he's been the most consistent artist of the decade, with now six straight years of scoring over 300 points. This year's haul was 345 points, good for 4th best among all artists. His first #1 of the year, When She Says Baby, was actually pretty good, and probably in my top five of his 22 singles. Burnin' It Down was the next easy #1, and clearly several notches below in quality. The next future #1, Just Gettin' Started should be timed nicely for peaking around spring break. On top of those, Jason also managed a couple of charting album tracks, with This Nothin' Town and Sweet Little Somethin'. He doesn't seem capable of hitting the heights that Blake and Luke Bryan are, but as long as you're over 300 points each year, who cares?

Jason rocketed up another nineteen spots on the Whitlist this year, and another 300 points in 2015 will have him top 100-bound, and over the 3000 point mark. Janie Fricke is his target for '15.

- Dierks Bentley had his best year since 2006, racking up 292 points to rank as the 6th biggest artist of 2014. He managed that on the backs of two sturdy #1 singles, the understated I Hold On in the spring, and the ridiculously fun (and tailor-made for a music video) Drunk On A Plane in the fall. Hard to believe that those two were follow-ups to the flopping lead single from the Riser album, Bourbon In Kentucky. The next single, Say You Do, looks to be off to a good start. On top of those, he also got some easy points from being on the collaboration The South with The Cadillac Three. He gained thirteen spots this year, and he should be aiming for that wide spot between Joe Diffie and Vern Gosdin in 2015. Top 100 should come in early 2016.

- Just a quick mention for Montgomery Gentry now, whose Headlights has chipped in a so-so 52 points so far this fall. That's helped offset them getting passed by Aldean, and they're needing more points from it to cancel out Dierks catching them (and, you would think, inevitably Taylor, assuming she's not gone from country for good). Still very unlikely they eventually make the top 100, but they might have another couple hundred points in them somewhere.

- What to make of Taylor Swift's hugely successful pop album offering, '1989'? Surely she's not completely done with the country chart, by the time she turns 25, is she? The first pop #1 single from that album, Shake It Off, did give her 31 points in a brief appearance back in the fall. We'll just wait and see if she comes back, and I'm guessing Miranda Lambert is the one that benefits the most from her absence, needing to keep filling that "solo female" slot requirement at the radio stations.

- Sara Evans did just enough to get a mention here, taking the strong single Slow Me Down to a #17 peak in the spring, and trying to gain traction with Pull Me Down late in the year. Those 66 points sent her up five positions, and if she can connect with just a modest hit, she could gain three or four more spots in '15. Could she actually catch back up to Taylor at #121 (and 320 points away), if Ms. Swift is only going for pop from here on out? That chances of that possibility is at least higher than 0%...

- Always great to see the year when a star artist "officially" changes into a superstar artist, and that's what 2014 was for Luke Bryan. He won the biggest prize, Entertainer of the Year, at the CMAs in November, and joined Blake as being the only artists to cram in three #1s during the year. He did total the most weeks at #1 among all artists, with seven weeks from those three chart-toppers. So it was indeed a career year for Luke, and he was the overall top artist for 2014 with 555 points. That's the most in a year since I started doing this yearly update eight years ago.

Luke finished off the chart run of taking Drink A Beer to #1 in February, had a perfectly timed "summer single" with Play It Again that hit the top in May and stayed for four weeks, and also had Roller Coaster be a chart-topper in October. I thought all three were pretty well done and listenable, and have maxed out his confidence in his voice. The next sure #1 for him, I See You, will be aiming for the top in March. It's probably the weakest of those four singles, with me not quite caring for the melody and musical flow. Not content with those solo efforts, Luke also hitched a ride on Florida Georgia Line's This Is How We Roll, for a #2 in June, plus piled on points from a Christmas song with the Robertsons in January. That embarrassment of riches shot him up 56 positions this year, after he gained 60 slots in 2013. I'm not going to give him another 500+ points in 2015, and just an impressive 400 points would gain him 20+ positions and get near Jean Shepard at #119.

- Lady Antebellum had a pretty quiet 231 points in 2014, which felt a bit strange as they did score two #1s during the year. It feels like they've lost a lot of buzz since Florida Georgia Line came on the scene, but maybe that's just because they were everywhere in 2010 and 2011, and this is the more "normal" state for them. Compass was a #1 in March, and Bartender hit #1 in September. Freestyle (guess they like the one-word song titles right now...) is off to a bit slower pace, and might have to be happy with "only" a top 10 showing in the spring. The 231 points did give them the 12th largest artist total, and they moved up 20 spots this year. In 2015, they can probably be aiming for the position that Sara Evans is occupying now.

- Miranda Lambert has sort of become the female version of Jason Aldean, but that comparison is meant to be positive, in regards to her consistency on the Whitlist. For the last five years, she's scored at least 187 points (this year's total), and has averaged 257 in that span. It's just too bad she can't score more #1s. She had a big debut with Automatic in February, but could only get to #3 later on in the summer. She also had a buzz-worthy duet with Carrie on Somethin' Bad, but their star power could only get that one to #7. So a productive year, for sure, but it feels like she should be doing more (especially if she's going to be vacuuming up all the female vocalist trophies at the major award shows). She gained thirteen spots this year, and could be aiming for Sammy Kershaw near the top 140 next year. And yes, she's gaining a ton of ground back on Taylor Swift, while Taylor's on her sabbatical.

- Joe Nichols proved me wrong this year by not having much trouble at all at following up his huge #1 from 2013, Sunny And 75. Despite that recurrent airplay from that past hit, he scored with an even bigger hit, Yeah (actually, the biggest hit of his career, as it racked up three weeks at #1 during the summer). That fueled him to an impressive point total (for a lower-tier, less-than-reliable artist like Joe is) of 207 points. That pushed him up eighteen spots, and he's now a lock to make it to the top 150, hopefully by the end of 2016. If he keeps it up the rest of the decade, and can find another three or four solid hits, it's not too crazy to think he could maybe reach Gary Allan's level in the top 130.

- After racking up an impressive 1600 points from 2009 to 2013, it was inevitable that the Zac Brown Band would have to see a slow year. 2014 definitely qualified, as they only got 106 points for the year. Sweet Annie did its job, hitting #1 in February. Then, they released All Alright from an extended play album during the summer, but it didn't seem to receive much support, stopping at #17. Finally, they had their greatest hits album come out this fall, but puzzlingly didn't include any new songs on it, so that there weren't any single opportunities. That kept them to a modest jump of nine spots on the list. I would think they'd get back to a studio album by mid-2015, which would send them well over 2000 points and the top 160.

- Craig Morgan made minimal noise during the year, just finishing off the long chart run of Wake Up Lovin' You to #14 in June, and had We'll Come Back Around not go anywhere during the fall. He got 73 points from those two. Maybe he can stick around long enough to reach the top 150, but it'll take a couple of years, and at least two more big hits. It's been five years since his last top ten song, so that's not a given thing.

- Billy Currington has been taking his time, first with the slow chart run of We Are Tonight to #1, finally making it there in August after 37 weeks. Next, his Don't It is also moving slowly, just around the top 40 after two months. Those did get him 147 points, and pushed him safely deeper into the top 200. He should be a decently safe bet at reaching the top 150 within two years, but he doesn't seem to be in a hurry about it.

[Jonsolo]

#201 to #300:

201. (205) Rodney Atkins - 1638 (44)
202. (201) Forester Sisters – 1636
203. (202) Red Sovine – 1621
204. (203) Susan Raye – 1616
205. (204) Lacy J. Dalton – 1614
206. (247) Eric Church - 1607 (265)
207. (206) Keith Whitley – 1573
208. (207) Mark Wills – 1571
209. (208) Ray Stevens – 1566
210. (209) Charlie Daniels – 1563
211. (210) Linda Ronstadt – 1561
212. (211) Kenny Price – 1558
213. (212) Mac Davis – 1545
214. (213) Rodney Crowell – 1541
215. (214) Warner Mack – 1538
216. (215) T. Graham Brown – 1538
217. (216) Dickey Lee – 1527
218. (217) Sylvia – 1527
219. (218) Margo Smith – 1519
220. (249) Jake Owen - 1518 (195)
221. (219) Wanda Jackson – 1512
222. (220) Jimmy Dean – 1505
223. (221) David Frizzell – 1498
224. (222) John Denver – 1495
225. (252) Little Big Town - 1471 (160)
226. (223) Charlie Louvin – 1465
227. (224) Highway 101 – 1464
228. (225) Darryl Worley – 1455
229. (238) Josh Turner - 1452 (54)
230. (226) Melba Montgomery – 1449
231. (227) Louise Mandrell – 1446
232. (228) Little Texas – 1440
233. (229) Holly Dunn – 1437
234. (230) Lee Roy Parnell – 1428
235. (231) Suzy Bogguss – 1419
236. (232) Freddie Fender – 1402
237. (233) Everly Brothers – 1402
238. (234) Leon Everette – 1400
239. (235) Gary Stewart – 1399
240. (236) Gretchen Wilson – 1399
241. (237) The Browns – 1398
242. (239) Dave & Sugar – 1391
243. (240) Mel Street – 1390
244. (241) Gail Davis – 1388
245. (242) Patsy Cline – 1388
246. (243) Barbara Fairchild – 1386
247. (244) Jeannie Seely – 1386
248. (245) Jody Miller – 1348
249. (269) Darius Rucker - 1345 (121)
250. (246) Ernest Ashworth – 1342
251. (248) Johnny Carver – 1337
252. (250) Bobby G. Rice – 1321
253. (251) Blackhawk – 1317
254. (253) Shelly West – 1307
255. (254) David Allan Coe – 1302
256. (255) Merle Travis – 1300
257. (256) John Schneider – 1298
258. (257) Jacky Ward – 1283
259. (258) Claude Gray – 1269
260. (259) Cowboy Copas – 1267
261. (260) Ty Herndon – 1265
262. (261) Jeannie C. Riley – 1263
263. (262) Johnny Russell – 1262
264. (291) Chris Young - 1256 (187)
265. (263) Tompall & Glaser – 1252
266. (264) John Berry – 1252
267. (265) Marie Osmond – 1246
268. (266) Con Hunley – 1242
269. (267) Charlie Walker – 1241
270. (268) John Wesley Ryles – 1235
271. (270) Paul Overstreet – 1216
272. (271) Johnny Horton – 1216
273. (272) K.T. Oslin – 1214
274. (273) Flatt & Scruggs – 1212
275. (274) Bryan White – 1211
276. (275) Hal Ketchum – 1206
277. (276) Desert Rose Band – 1205
278. (277) Cristy Lane – 1202
279. (278) Jeanne Pruett – 1199
280. (279) Helen Cornelius – 1183
281. (322) Justin Moore - 1183 (276)
282. (280) Chris Cagle – 1173
283. (281) Bobby Goldsboro – 1165
284. (282) Norma Jean – 1160
285. (283) Bobby Lewis – 1156
286. (284) Billy Joe Royal – 1145
287. (306) The Band Perry - 1142 (172)
288. (297) Big & Rich - 1125 (101)
289. (285) SheDaisy – 1119
290. (286) Steve Holy – 1098
291. (287) Jim Glaser – 1089
292. (288) Little Jimmy Dickens – 1085
293. (289) Jimmy Buffett – 1082
294. (290) Randy Barlow – 1072
295. (292) Johnnie & Jack – 1067
296. (333) Lee Brice - 1064 (195)
297. (293) B.J. Thomas – 1060
298. (294) Andy Griggs – 1043
299. (295) Pat Green - 1043
300. (296) Leroy Van Dyke – 1042







Notes on #201 to #300:

- An uptick from 2013 with artists entering the top 300 this year. After only one artist in 2013 made it, we had three artists crack the barrier in 2014, and came pretty close to getting a fourth. For 2015, look for two artists to make the top 300, a third if that act gets lucky.

- At the end of 2012, Rodney Atkins was only about 70 points away from cracking the top 200. Two years later, and he's still on the outside looking in, thanks to two stumbling singles. 2013's Doin' It Right was a big failure, and likely shelved any plans to release an album alongside its short run on the chart. Then after ten months away and well into 2014, Rodney released the clumsily titled Eat Sleep Love You Repeat. We'll see if it amounts to anything in the new year. Rodney's 44 points gets him on the doorstep to the top 200, and he should make it there by March at the latest. "Should" being the operative word.

- No problems at all for Eric Church, as while he's not a sure thing with each single release, he appears that he's got a lot more big hits left in him than what he's so far produced. I thought Give Me Back My Hometown was a very strong offering, and it hit #1 in May. Cold One tripped up, just barely making the top 20, but Eric came back late in the year with Talladega, another great exercise in restraint (how many "NASCAR"-themed country songs can say that?). It's moving pretty well in the top 10 now, and we'll see if Eric has expert timing and can get it to peak just when the Daytona 500 takes place. Eric's 265 points were good for 8th place for all artists. He charged up 41 spots this year, and he'll enter the top 200 by February. Zac Brown's current placement at #180 should be Eric's goal for 2015.

- It shouldn't be a huge shock to anyone, who's read these posts and opinions of mine the last many years, to predict I didn't think much of Jake Owen's Beachin'. I always detest that extended amount of "regular talking" in a song. Give me straight singing, please. The chorus was okay, but I found myself constantly rolling my eyes at the verses in between. I was clearly in the minority, I guess, as it took advantage of the perfect timing during the summer to hit #1 in July. His current single What We Ain't Got is vastly superior, but will likely not reach the heights of Beachin' (not out of the 20s after 20 weeks on the chart). It might make it to the top 10, possibly. Jake did score 195 points during the year, moving him up 29 spots on the list. He'll follow Eric into the top 200 in 2015, maybe getting there five months after Eric does. Juice Newton could be who he'll be aiming for.

- Little Big Town has carved out a very secure niche over the last three years, being able to discover a few big hits, but not becoming too big to possibly burn out like the bigger group acts, like Lady A and Zac Brown. After finishing off the Tornado album with a blah chart run for Sober (only a #31 peak), they kicked off the new album Pain Killer with a big #2, Day Drinking in the fall. They also had impeccable timing, debuting Girl Crush on the final chart week of the year. They continue to produce sturdy songs, built on their nicely meshed harmonies. They totaled 160 points during the year, moving up 27 spots on the list. If they find two big hits in 2015, they'll crack the top 200, but I think it's more likely that they end up near Charlie Daniels and the top 210. With a harmonious career so far, I think they have a solid chance at making the top 150 in a few years.

- Josh Turner's still trying to stay relevant in the 2010s, and not having much success. It's been 27 months since his Time Is Love scored at #2 peak, and it's rapidly fading from memory. After being gone from the chart for over a year and a half, he finally put out Lay Low this fall, and it's having trouble staying in the top 40. So no guesses as to what its peak will be, but at least it has given Josh 54 points in 2014. That moved him up nine spots on the list. I wouldn't put money down on him eventually making it to the top 200. Well, at least not for another two years.

- Darius Rucker took a little bit of a step back this year, weakly finishing off the True Believers album with Miss You, which stumbled badly to only a #48 peak. Then, after taking off several months, he released a lead single from a new album this fall, and so far Homegrown Honey is moving nicely into the top 15. It might be able to manage at least a top 5 showing in the spring. Together, those only gave Rucker 121 points for the year. He's now securely in the top 250 on the list, and seems like he'll be top 200 bound in a little over two years. For 2015, he can aim for halfway there, and the #225 spot that Little Big Town will soon vacate.

- Chris Young continues to post solid top 5 showings, though it's been a while since he had that "five straight #1s" streak. He should still have a few more #1s within him somewhere. This year, he cruised to #2 with Who I Am With You in July, only being blocked at the last moment by Joe Nichols' huge hit. Lonely Eyes is nearing the top 20, and should also have an easy time making the top 10, and even more. A very good total of 187 points has Chris in position, to at least last long enough to make the top 200. #240 should be his goal in 2015.

- For our first of the three newly minted top 300 entrants, Justin Moore took Lettin' The Night Roll on a long and prosperous journey to #1 in July, needing 35 weeks to get there. It's possible that the next single from his current album, This Kind Of Town, could get there as well, but it'll likely also take 30+ weeks. So far, it's in the top 50, and we should know soon after the holidays, how high its aspirations are. In between those two, Justin was responsible for the only song to chart from the Motley Crue tribute album, Nashville Outlaws. His very faithful and confident collaboration with them on Home Sweet Home hung around for 16 weeks on the chart, and made it to #30. Finally, Justin chipped in on the Brantley Gilbert single Small Town Throwdown with Thomas Rhett, which put another top 10 on his resume. That shot Justin up to 276 points for the year, the 7th largest total. I'm still not completely sold on him for the long-term, but four of his last five solo singles have made the top two. Top 250 should be doable in 2015.

- The Band Perry is up next, as the second top 300 entrant. They've been faithful to their unique sound and personality, and have been pretty productive. They finished off a run to #2 with Don't Let Me Be Lonely in February, then followed it up with another top 10 with Chainsaw in July (which still oddly plummeted shortly afterward, and lasted just 20 weeks). Their Glen Campbell tribute, Gentle On My Mind, has done pretty well for not being completely pushed, making the top 30 so far. Can't complain with 172 points for them, and maybe they're two years behind the pace that Little Big Town has set. Thus, they should aim for #252 at the end of next year.

- I'll admit, I didn't think we'd ever see Big & Rich in the top 10 again. Of course, that had only happened once before, the #1 from 2007, Lost In This Moment. But after their individual solo efforts both amounted to nothing, it was inevitable they'd be back to give the duo thing another go. Look At You stayed on the charts for 40+ weeks, and yielded a #7 peak. That gave B&R 101 points, and should keep them safe from ever being evicted from the top 300 by other rising stars. Just don't ask me what to expect from them in 2015, though.

- The third and final entrant into the top 300 was Lee Brice. I Don't Dance didn't have any problem making it to #1 late in the summer, and Drinking Class has shown some early power as well, and is now in the top 20. Those two gave him 195 points. It would be interesting if he can catch up to Justin Moore, and then we could see the two of them battle it out as they rise. Look for him to eye Chris Young's current #264 spot in 2015.

[Jonsolo]

#301 to #400:

301. (298) Confederate Railroad – 1003
302. (299) Olivia Newton John – 1001
303. (300) Pee Wee King – 999
304. (301) Johnny Bush – 994
305. (302) Wade Hayes – 986
306. (439) Florida Georgia Line - 983 (398)
307. (303) Dick Curless – 981
308. (304) Southern Pacific – 978
309. (305) Buddy Alan – 972
310. (307) Chely Wright – 968
311. (308) Rick Trevino – 964
312. (309) Ricochet – 959
313. (310) Margaret Whiting – 953
314. (311) Tommy Cash – 946
315. (312) Ray Griff – 940
316. (313) Elton Britt – 939
317. (314) David Lee Murphy – 930
318. (315) Red Steagall – 927
319. (316) Mundo Earwood – 926
320. (317) Patti Page – 918
321. (318) Roy Acuff – 918
322. (377) Randy Houser - 912 (158)
323. (319) Alison Krauss – 910
324. (320) Deborah Allen – 909
325. (321) The Whites – 908
326. (323) Susie Allanson – 903
327. (324) Carl Butler & Pearl – 898
328. (325) Roy Head – 887
329. (326) Bill Phillips – 887
330. (360) Eli Young Band - 885 (92)
331. (327) Mark Collie – 885
332. (328) Bobby Helms – 884
333. (329) Tom Jones – 882
334. (330) Rose Maddox – 881
335. (331) Deana Carter – 878
336. (332) Henson Cargill – 870
337. (334) Don King – 864
338. (335) Bonnie Guitar – 863
339. (336) Liz Anderson – 859
340. (337) Johnny & Jonie Mosby – 846
341. (338) Jamie O'Neal – 843
342. (339) Johnny Darrell – 842
343. (340) Louvin Brothers – 840
344. (341) David Wills – 837
345. (342) Osbourne Brothers – 834
346. (343) Glenn Barber – 829
347. (344) Lionel Cartwright – 826
348. (362) Kellie Pickler - 826 (37)
349. (345) Sweethearts of the Rodeo – 822
350. (346) Asleep at the Wheel – 822
351. (347) The Carlisles – 820
352. (348) Sons of the Pioneers – 819
353. (349) Daryle Singletary – 818
354. (350) Wayne Kemp – 817
355. (351) Stephanie Winslow – 816
356. (352) McBride & the Ride – 814
357. (353) Lois Johnson – 814
358. (354) Kenny Dale – 807
359. (355) Diana Trask – 804
360. (356) Baillie & the Boys – 803
361. (357) Jessi Colter – 802
362. (358) Arlene Harden – 801
363. (359) J Blanchard/ Morgan – 797
364. (361) Jimmy Wayne - 789
365. (363) Billy Swan – 783
366. (364) Skip Ewing – 781
367. (365) Dean Dillon – 779
368. (366) Carl Perkins – 775
369. (367) Floyd Tillman – 775
370. (368) Josh Gracin - 773
371. (369) Rhett Akins – 766
372. (370) Wilma Burgess – 765
373. (371) Jack Ingram - 765
374. (372) June Carter – 764
375. (373) C.W. McCall – 763
376. (374) Chris LeDoux – 758
377. (375) Tommy Collins – 757
378. (376) Michael Johnson – 757
379. (378) Emerson Drive - 752
380. (379) Carlene Carter – 751
381. (380) David Ball – 751
382. (381) Debby Boone – 750
383. (382) Mavericks – 750
384. (383) Ray Charles – 749
385. (384) Jeff Carson – 748
386. (385) Jessica Andrews – 745
387. (386) Johnny Bond – 741
388. (430) David Nail - 741 (139)
389. (387) Mindy McCready – 736
390. (460) Jerrod Niemann - 734 (187)
391. (388) Bobby Wright – 730
392. (389) Moon Mullican – 727
393. (390) Mark Gray – 722
394. (391) Lari White – 714
395. (392) Judy Rodman – 709
396. (449) Hunter Hayes 709 (140)
397. (393) Chad Brock – 703
398. (394) Dottsy – 702
399. (395) Little David Wilkens – 695
400. (396) Marion Worth – 690





Notes on #301 to #400:

- Four artists entered the top 400 this year, with a fifth artist just losing out on a tie-breaker. And it shouldn't be a big surprise that one of those artists almost jumped all the way into the top 300 as well. We should get four more artists making the top 400 in '15.

- Has it only been 30 months since Florida Georgia Line first came onto the scene? They've sure packed a ton of headlines and hits into that short timeframe, and have become just about the most "sure thing" there is on the chart, outside of Blake and Luke. They nearly matched those two guys in having three #1 songs this year. They kicked off the new year with the four-week #1 Stay, and then teamed up with Luke Bryan on This Is How We Roll. It feels funny to say, but it was almost a letdown that that one was a three-week #2 (until you realize that Luke himself was at #1 for two of those weeks). Dirt kicked off their new album with a lightning quick rise (and fall) to #1 in October. And it shouldn't take a fortune teller to guess that their next one, Sun Daze, should be on its way to the top as well, early in '15. As if that wasn't enough, they also got the easy points from being included on The Cadillac Three's song, The South, which was a top 40.

Add all those up, and it's 398 points, the 3rd highest total for the year (and paired nicely with their 2nd highest total of 407 in 2013). Anything less than making the top 250 in 2015 would be a big disappointment. At this point, the only danger that I can see is if they are too huge these first few years, and the public burns out on them before the end of the decade. We have seen that happen before.

- After spending about the first four years of his career slowly getting going, Randy Houser is stringing together some hits now. After two back-to-back #1s in 2013, his '14 didn't suffer too much recurrent hangover. He took Goodnight Kiss up to #2 in April, and the fourth single from that album Like A Cowboy should make some noise in the top 10 as well. That gave him 158 points for the year, and has him in position to make the top 300 by mid-2015.

This is the part of the list, near the end, where there's less to write about each artist. Plus, I get burned out on how many synonyms I can use to say "strong single", "productive year", and "moved xx spots up the list".

- Eli Young Band had a long 30+ week stay with Dust, which cracked the top 15 on its very last week on the chart. That got them 92 points for the year. They're not quite as sure a thing as Houser is, for making the top 300 during 2015.

- Our first new top 400 entrant, David Nail, collected his second career #1 in February, with Whatever She's Got. The follow-up, Kiss You Tonight, is moving much slower, barely in the top 20 after 40 weeks. That got him 139 points, and he made the top 400 during the spring.

- The second top 400 artist, Jerrod Niemann, also got his second career #1 in '14, with Drink To That All Night getting there in April. The next single, Donkey, acted like the backside of a certain animal, and didn't make the top 40. The one after that, Buzz Back Girl, has at least gotten that far. Three singles during the year, no matter how weak, did get Jerrod 187 points, and he made the top 400 in August.

- Finally, Hunter Hayes only produced Invisible, a #19 in May, and Tattoo, a #24 in November. Not much, but their 140 points put him into the top 400 right after Jerrod.

[Jonsolo]

#401 to #480:

401. (445) Easton Corbin - 690 (117)
402. (397) Zella Lehr – 687
403. (398) Stella Parton – 687
404. (399) Ted Daffan – 687
405. (400) Doug Supernaw – 685
406. (401) Linda Davis – 680
407. (402) La Costa – 678
408. (403) Lyle Lovett – 672
409. (404) Larry Boone – 667
410. (-) Brantley Gilbert - 666 (245)
411. (405) Jim Nesbitt – 665
412. (406) Joe Sun – 664
413. (407) Sheb Wooley – 664
414. (408) Hoyt Axton – 662
415. (455) Thompson Square - 662 (108)
416. (409) Margie Singleton – 657
417. (410) Sherry Bryce – 656
418. (411) Robin Lee – 655
419. (412) Ray Pillow – 654
420. (413) R.C. Bannon – 653
421. (414) Terri Gibbs – 649
422. (415) Roy Rogers – 649
423. (416) Radney Foster – 645
424. (417) Peggy Sue – 635
425. (418) Ned Miller – 635
426. (419) Lila McCann – 634
427. (420) Keith Stegall – 626
428. (421) Billy Parker – 619
429. (422) Bobby Borchers – 619
430. (423) Jimmie Skinner – 619
431. (424) Tony Booth – 615
432. (425) T Texas Tyler – 615
433. (426) Michael Peterson – 615
434. (427) Johnny Wright – 608
435. (428) Spade Cooley – 606
436. (429) Jack Reno – 604
437. (-) Gloriana - 602 (109)
438. (431) Big Al Downing – 599
439. (432) Foster & Lloyd – 599
440. (433) Hawkshaw Hawkins – 599
441. (434) Steve Azar - 598
442. (435) James Otto - 594
443. (436) Mary Lou Turner – 592
444. (-) Thomas Rhett - 589 (242)
445. (437) Becky Hobbs – 588
446. (473) Kelly Clarkson - 588 (74)
447. (438) Burl Ives – 586
448. (440) Charlie McCoy – 584
449. (441) Mike Reid – 582
450. (442) Trick Pony – 576
451. (443) O'Kanes – 575
452. (444) Keith Anderson - 574
453. (446) Ronnie Sessions – 572
454. (447) Paul Brandt – 570
455. (448) Kris Kristofferson – 569
456. (450) Dorsey Burnette – 567
457. (451) Penny DeHaven – 564
458. (452) Tom Wopat – 563
459. (453) Kentucky Headhunters – 560
460. (-) Sheryl Crow - 560 (59)
461. (454) Darrell McCall - 555
462. (456) Bill Monroe - 552
463. (457) Carl Belew - 550
464. (-) Kip Moore - 550 (66)
465. (458) Ray Sanders - 547
466. (459) Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper - 547
467. (461) Hugh X. Lewis - 543
468. (462) Stoney Edwards - 542
469. (463) Lane Brody - 539
470. (464) Leon Ashley - 538
471. (465) LaWanda Lindsey - 537
472. (466) SKO - 533
473. (467) Sonny Curtis - 530
474. (468) Mason Dixon - 527
475. (469) Ricky Nelson - 526
476. (470) Bandana - 519
477. (471) The Lost Trailers - 517
478. (472) Brian Collins - 515
479. (474) Warren Brothers - 511
480. (475) Kenny Starr - 509

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

Uncle Kracker - 508
Brett Eldredge - 498 (160)
Sherrie Austin - 491
Love And Theft - 490 (64)
Josh Thompson - 483 (66)
Blaine Larsen - 475
Scotty McCreery - 471 (118)
Jason Michael Carroll - 465
Dustin Lynch - 463 (185)
Bucky Covington - 461
Kid Rock - 453
Carolyn Dawn Johnson - 439
Frankie Ballard - 424 (198)
Craig Campbell - 418 (58)
Jamey Johnson - 408
Chuck Wicks - 402 (51)
Tyler Farr - 397 (136)
Kacey Musgraves - 362 (71)


Notes on #401 on down:

- Five artists moved up from the Contenders list to the ranked portion of the list this year. That's exactly what I guessed for this year last December. However, I think I was incorrect in saying that Kip Moore might have the most long-term promise of all of them.

- One more chart week for Baby Be My Love Song will get Easton Corbin ranked in the top 400.

- Despite that 2009 American Music Awards win for Breakthrough Artist of the Year for Gloriana, they sure are taking their time in reaching the top 400. They still have some more work to do to make it that far.

- With so many artists with 400 points now on the Contender list, we could have even more ranked next year. I see eight that have a solid shot of making it in 2015.

- The artists that I added to the Contenders section this year were Dustin Lynch, Frankie Ballard, Chuck Wicks, Tyler Farr, and Kacey Musgraves. In '15, I'll be keeping an eye on Eric Paslay, Parmalee, Jana Kramer, Maggie Rose, and Jon Pardi.



Next up, the list of the top artists of 2014...

[Jonsolo]

Top Country Artists of 2014 (their 2013 ranking is in parenthesis):

1. (3) Luke Bryan - 555
2. (1) Blake Shelton - 441
3. (2) Florida Georgia Line - 398
4. (4) Jason Aldean - 345
5. (5) Tim McGraw - 326
6. (28T) Dierks Bentley - 292
7. (20) Justin Moore - 276
8. (14) Eric Church - 265
9. (-) Brantley Gilbert - 245
10. (19) Thomas Rhett - 242
11. (16) Brad Paisley - 241
12. (10) Lady Antebellum - 231
13. (-) Cole Swindell - 227
14. (17) Keith Urban - 222
15T. (12) Kenny Chesney - 207
15T. (36T) Joe Nichols - 207
17. (-) Rascal Flatts - 203
18. (-) Sam Hunt - 199
19. (-) Frankie Ballard - 198
20T. (15) Jake Owen - 195
20T. (28T) Lee Brice - 195
22T. (7) Miranda Lambert - 187
22T. (32T) Chris Young - 187
22T. (-) Jerrod Niemann - 187
25. (-) Dustin Lynch - 185
26. (11) The Band Perry - 172
27. (-) Eric Paslay - 166
28. (27) Carrie Underwood - 162
29T. (22) Little Big Town - 160
29T. (25T) Brett Eldredge - 160
31. (8) Randy Houser - 158
32. (24) Billy Currington - 147
33. (9) Hunter Hayes - 140
34. (-) David Nail - 139
35. (30) Tyler Farr - 136
36. (18) Darius Rucker - 121
37T. (34) Scotty McCreery - 118
37T. (35) Parmalee - 118
39. (-) Easton Corbin - 117
40. (-) Jon Pardi - 115



- Quite a bit of consistency at the top of this list, with all five artists repeating their top five achievements from 2013. The only change was Luke Bryan moving up two spots to #1, and moving Blake and Florida Georgia down one. Pretty remarkable.

- Blake Shelton appeared in the top two for the fourth year in a row, while Luke Bryan makes the top three for the third straight year. But those accomplishments are both surpassed by Jason Aldean, who has now finished as the #4 top scoring artist for the last five years, or all of them during the current decade. Jason's of course the only artist who has ranked in the top 10 all five years of the decade.

- The two biggest moves up the list were Dierks Bentley and Justin Moore. After only getting as high as #12 on any of the points lists over the last six years, it was a great showing for Dierks. Maybe he can get two more top 10 showings, during the final five years of the decade.

- Florida Georgia Line was the highest scoring group act, almost totaling up as many points as the next two highest groups, Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts, combined. They should be poised to hold that "high group" designation for a majority of the remaining years left in the decade.

- The highest solo female artist? You've got to scan down a bit before seeing Miranda Lambert at #22.

- The big falls (or "vacations", if you prefer that term) for artists, compared to last year's rankings, were Taylor Swift (from #6 and 313 points, to only 31 points this year) and Zac Brown Band (from #13 and 258 points, to 106 this year).

- Like always, I like doing point comparisons to the previous year. This year three artists scored over 350 points, compared to four last year. Not a lot of people in the "middle class", as only eight artists scored at least 250 points, compared to sixteen last year, and we hadn't had less than ten such artists the previous six years. Either you had a fantastic year, or did just okay, and not much middle ground.

- The top five and top ten artists averaged 413 and 339 points this year, compared to 380 and 333.4 for those two classifications in 2013. That's another good sign as just how "top heavy" the list was.

On to the decade list...

[Jonsolo]

Top Point Earners of the Decade, 2010 - 2019 (their decade ranking at the end of 2013 is in parenthesis)

1. (1) Blake Shelton - 2046
2. (2) Jason Aldean - 1825
3. (6) Luke Bryan - 1769
4. (4) Lady Antebellum - 1573
5. (5) Kenny Chesney - 1483
6. (3) Zac Brown - 1449
7. (11) Tim McGraw - 1410
8. (9) Brad Paisley - 1367
9. (8) Miranda Lambert - 1366
10. (10) Keith Urban - 1311
11. (7) Taylor Swift - 1234
12. (14) Eric Church - 1168
13. (12) Carrie Underwood - 1157
14. (13) The Band Perry - 1142
15. (16) Dierks Bentley - 1135
16. (17) Chris Young - 1019
17. (18) Jake Owen - 1009
18. (22) Justin Moore - 992
19. (26) Florida Georgia Line - 983
20. (20) Rascal Flatts - 966
21. (15) Toby Keith - 955
22. (19) Darius Rucker - 902
23. (23) Lee Brice - 882
24. (24) Billy Currington - 832
25. (21) George Strait - 785
26. (25) Little Big Town - 784
27. (32) Randy Houser - 711
28. (28) Hunter Hayes - 709
29. (35) Jerrod Niemann - 703
30. (27) Easton Corbin - 690
31. (41) Brantley Gilbert - 666
32. (31) Thompson Square - 662
33. (29) Eli Young Band - 659
34. (40) Joe Nichols - 634
35. (30) Josh Turner - 618
36. (51) Thomas Rhett - 589
37. (44) David Nail - 554
38. (33) Reba McEntire - 553
39. (37) Kip Moore - 550
40. (34) Trace Adkins - 517
41T. (39) Craig Morgan - 516
41T. (45) Gloriana - 516
43. (36) Alan Jackson - 499
44. (53) Brett Eldredge - 498
45. (38) Gary Allan - 484
46. (42) Josh Thompson - 483
47. (49) Scotty McCreery - 471
48. Dustin Lynch - 463
49. (43) Rodney Atkins - 460
50. (46) Kelly Clarkson - 447
51. Frankie Ballard - 424
52. (47) Craig Campbell - 418
53. Tyler Farr - 397
54. (54) Love And Theft - 395
55. (56) Sara Evans - 381
56. (52) Kellie Pickler - 379
57. (57) Montgomery Gentry - 365
58. (59) Kacey Musgraves - 362
59. (48) Martina McBride - 356
60. (50) Uncle Kracker - 349


- Well, we're now at the halfway point of the decade, five years down, and five to go. The point totals can't be completely doubled, to approximate the final tallies, as any songs that are on the chart in late 2019, that don't peak until early 2020, will have all of their point totals moved to the 2020s (I'd say I'm 80% sure that I won't be tracking the Whitlist, by that time). Maybe multiplying the totals by 1.9, is a decent approximation for the final decade total.

- I think this list is decently accurate, and I don't think I've missed anyone who's scored at least 300 points thus far in the decade. But as always, no promises.

- Blake continues to expand his lead on #2 Jason Aldean, and it's going to take a big change of events, for him to not wind up winning the decade. He has a decent chance of reaching 4000 points, but that #1 streak has to end at some point. He'd probably also need to get a few more charting album cuts, to keep on that breakneck pace to reach 4K. 3800 should be easy for him to hit.

- Jason keeps hanging around that 340-pt average of his each year, so you can probably give him another 1700 points during the second half of the decade, to put him at 3500. That's exactly what I said last year at this time, and that's what consistency will do for you.

- Luke's huge year catapults him up into the #3 position, and he already has a pretty sizeable lead on #4 Lady Antebellum. At this point, I think it's extremely likely that those three guys finish the decade in the top 3. Luke could have a higher ceiling each year than Jason, and he's a little more marketable, so he might have an edge on Jason in nailing down the #2 spot. Those three top guys (Blake, Jason, and Luke) nicely mirror the three solo guys that topped the 00s (Kenny, Toby, Timmy).

- And just like how those three 00s guys were followed up at #4 on that decade list by a group (Rascal Flatts), it's looking like a pretty good chance that a group, Lady Antebellum, finishes up in the #4 spot behind the current decade's top 3. Zac Brown's quiet year knocked them down quite a bit back of Lady A, and they have some work to do to get back into contention with Lady A for the top group of the decade. Just like my thoughts on Luke v. Jason, I think Lady A is a bit more marketable than Zac Brown, and should have more points left in them. Of course, if Florida Georgia Line keeps posting 400-pt years, they might enter the picture...

- Kenny Chesney's still hanging tough, and is the highest ranking artist who started in the 90s. Kenny will pass the big 5-0 in three years, and thus will probably not be able to hold onto that top 5 spot until the end of the decade (though, looking for similarities, I guess George Strait started in the 80s, and was able to hold onto the #5 spot on the final 2000s list...). At the least, I think Kenny's a lock now for a top 10 decade position.

- Frustration alert, as we come to the point on the decade list where I have to mention Tim McGraw. Another big year by him rockets him up into the top 10 (essentially, switching places with the dormant Taylor Swift). I think Timmy's wrapped up a spot in the top 15 of the final decade list, and if he has two more big years, I'm going to have to concede he'll wind up in the final top 10.

- Even though she had a quiet year, I still think it's likely that Carrie Underwood eventually returns to the top 10, and evicts either Brad Paisley or Keith Urban. Too much potential there for more 350-point years by her. And Florida Georgia Line, with two straight 400-pt years, is also trending on making the top 10, and probably evicting the other of Brad or Keith. Of course, Florida Georgia's star power can't remain this ridiculously high for another five years straight, and we'll see how they react when they finally suffer a flopping single or two (i.e., for them, not making the top five...).

- I'm very happy with Eric Church's showing on the list, and the effort he's putting in. He's likely not top ten material on the final list, but I think at worst he'll finish the decade ranking as high as Trace Adkins did on the 00s list, with a #14 standing.

- I did guess on last year's update, that Florida Georgia Line would threaten making the top 20 by the end of '14. That indeed happened, and the seven spots they gained were the most in the top 30. It's very possible that they gain another five positions in 2015, catching Moore, Owen, Young, Bentley, and The Band Perry.

- I always have to monitor my personal favorite, George Strait, as he attempts to wrap up a spot on the fourth straight decade list. Another album that produces two or three charting songs will make that a certainty. I said way earlier (i.e., at the beginning of this entire list update) that I hope he has two more albums in him by the end of 2019, that can muster 150 points each. So if George can score 300 more points during the rest of the decade, that'll get him to a point total of 1100. That would likely get him in the #30~#35 range on the final decade list. All things considered, I'd take that.

- Like I did last year, I like using the 2000s list as a model, to see which artists have already "locked" up a top 50 position for the decade. As I explained in last year's post, about the decade list at that point, I like using 850 points as the standard, that an artist will need to get to feel "safe" about ending up in the top 50 of the decade (Shania Twain was at #50 on my 2000s list, with 838 points). So looking at the current decade list, that would mean the top 23 artists, from Lee Brice on up, have "cemented" a top 50 spot. In addition, I can start down from that point, and see which artist is the first one who's not a clear "lock" to end up on that list, as in reaching 850 points. Last year at this time, I spotlighted Josh Turner.

I think I still have to stick with Josh Turner, as being the first major "question mark". A 51-point year, after I was saying last year that he'll need to average a minimum of 49 points the final six years, doesn't instill much confidence and change the narrative. He'll need to show up with a top 15 song at some point, to shed this designation.

Delving even deeper into this line of thinking, I'll then have to say that everyone above Josh Turner, from #34 Joe Nichols on up, will be making the top 50 for the decade. That leaves 16 spots left to claim. For the remaining artists that are in that top 60 I posted, I'd feel pretty confident about giving spots to Rhett, Nail, Eldredge, McCreery, Lynch, Atkins, Ballard, and Farr (well, decently confident...!). That would be eight spots going to them, and leaving eight remaining spots, ready to be claimed. We probably haven't even heard of at least two or three of those artists, and there will be a few acts that have a huge 2016~2019, to come out of nowhere. Remember, 2000s top 50 artists Jason Aldean (April 2005), Carrie (June '05), and Taylor (June '06) all first debuted in the second half of that decade.

[Jonsolo]

That will do it for 2014's end-of-year update, and hopefully everyone enjoyed the rundown of this now "exclusive" (available nowhere else!) list. I still think it does a pretty solid job of displaying the country artists in an accurate list by the "most productive" characteristic. That belief in the list is why I'm still bothering to update it, now that Whitburn was forced to follow Billboard's silly definition of what constitutes their "Hot Country Songs". For 2015, I wouldn't be surprised if I again don't feel like doing a mid-year update in June, and likely will again just wait until next December, for the full update. I've seen that other posters are also still keeping up with the list, so they're more than welcome to post what the point scoring ends up looking like, and the big artists moves, throughout 2015.

So until next year then!

[Kanenrá:ke]

Tim's Top Ten Timer: Tim McGraw is 417 points from breaking into the top ten of all time!

Top 100 Watch: Jason Aldean is now 259 points away from the top 100 of all time!

Tim McGraw breaks his tie with Buck Owens and becomes the 12th artist to cross 7500 points! (7503)

Blake Shelton pass The Bellamy Brothers moving to #73. (3564)

Carrie Underwood breaks her tie with Jim Ed Brown and jumps Trace Adkins moving to #96. (2974)

Luke Bryan becomes the 142nd artist to cross 2200. (2201)

Billy Currington passes Rex Allen Jr. & Sammi Smith moving to #183. (1815)

Rodney Atkins passes The Forester Sisters moving to #201. (1638)

Little Big Town break their tie with Little Texas. While doing so they also jump pass Louise Mandrell, Melba Montgomery, Josh Turner, Darryl Worley, Highway 101, and Charlie Louvin moving to #225. (1471)

Justin Moore ties Helen Cornelius at #280. (1183)

Florida Georgia Line pass Southern Pacific and Dick Curless moving to #306. (983)

David Nail ties Johnny Bond at #387. (741)

Easton Corbin ties Marion Worth at #400. (690)

Brantley Gilbert breaks his tie with Jim Nesbitt moving to #410 by himself. (666)

Thomas Rhett passes Charlie McCoy, Burl Ives, Kelly Clarkson & Becky Hobbs moving to #444. (589)

---

Bubbling Under (509pts needed to chart.)

01. Brett Eldredge - 498
02. Dustin Lynch - 463
03. Tyler Farr - 388
04. Eric Paslay - 339
05. Parmalee - 323
06. Katie Armiger - 314
07. Cole Swindell - 298
08. Jon Pardi - 287
09. Ashley Monroe - 211
10. Sam Hunt - 199
11. Chase Rice - 187
12. Josh Abbott Band - 161
13. Dan + Shay - 159
14. The Swon Brothers - 130
15. Maddie & Tae - 124
16. Canaan Smith - 99
17. Lucy Hale - 99
18. Chase Bryant - 77
19. RaeLynn - 74
20. Kristian Bush - 70
21. Will Hoge - 66
22. Kelsea Ballerini - 51
23. Jackie Lee - 48
24. The Railers - 44
25. Chris Lane - 33
26. Steven Lee Olsen - 31

[Kanenrá:ke]

After double checking my numbers I did make a few minor mistakes over the year and they have been corrected for the next update. Thanks Jonsolo for your yearly update. I always love them and I thank you for continuing posting.