Joel Whitburn's all-time Top Country Artists list

[Zazie]

Nice job, tracking those almost-contenders. My hopes aren't too high but I still hope Jamey Johnson can boost his 408 point total and get into contention. Not losing sleep over it, though.

[Zazie]

Lonestar charts! That moves them up to #91, which means they can stay in the top 100 even after Carrie, Blake, Dierks, Taylor, Lady A, Jason, Miranda, and ZBB get there, with room to spare. Maybe not, if Clay Walker and Trace Adkins can get past Lonestar again.

In any case, Lonestar will be in the top 100 for quite a few more years. Glad to see my nightmares come true! Congrats, guys.

[Marv]

^^^^Me too---the most horrifying sentence I've ever heard Bob Kingsley state on his standout countdown show was that 'Amazed' was not only the #1 single of 1999, but was also the number one single of the entire decade!!!!!!

Talk about a nightmare........

[Deleted]

I like "Amazed", haha. Like, I've always been a big Lonestar fan (well, I like all their stuff pre-2002, but after that.....), so I was surprised to see some recent conversation here on Pulse in which Lonestar wasn't seen favorably. I understand the criticisms of songs like "My Front Porch Lookin' In" (not a bad topic, just some cheesy lines), "Mr. Mom", and "Mountains" (by this time they'd really lost it, imo), but "Amazed", "What About Now", "I'm Already There", "With Me", "Everything's Changed", "Runnin' Away With My Heart", "Tequila Talkin'", "No News", "Come Cryin' To Me"...those are all really good songs to my ears, and I grew up listening to many of them so I definitely like Lonestar (again, pre 2002).

I've liked a lot of singles from the big groups of today, such as Lady A, ZBB, EYB, TBP, etc. but even my favorites from some of them aren't as good as some of Lonestar's output from the '90's. Again, just my opinion maybe...I guess I was just surprised to see that Lonestar is one of the more detested groups around here. They've put out a few station-changers for me but their good singles far outnumber the 'clunkers'.

[onebuffalo]

Even I have Amazed as the biggest hit for the 1990s (you will have to separate the 1990s hits from the 2000s on this list):
1. Amazed-Lonestar-1999-8-37
2. It's Five O'Clock Somewhere-Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett-2003-8-27
3. The Good Stuff-Kenny Chesney-2002-7-29
4. Live Like You Were Dying-Tim McGraw-2004-7-21
5. There Goes My Life-Kenny Chesney-2003-7-19
6. Have You Forgotten-Darryl Worley-2003-7-19
7. Somebody Like You-Keith Urban-2002-6-40
8. How Forever Feels-Kenny Chesney-1999-6-34
9. 19 Somethin'-Mark Wills-2003-6-33
10. Ain't Nothing 'Bout You-Brooks & Dunn-2001-6-28
11. Breathe-Faith Hill-1999-6-27
12. Beer For My Horses-Toby Keith and Willie Nelson-2003-6-27
13. Just To See You Smile-Tim McGraw-1998-6-25
14. I'm Already There-Lonestar-2001-6-25
15. Jesus, Take The Wheel-Carrie Underwood-2006-6-23
16. As Good As I Once Was-Toby Keith-2005-6-22
17. Our Song-Taylor Swift-2007-6-21
18. It's Your Love-Tim McGraw and Faith Hill-1997-6-20
19. Better Life-Keith Urban-2005-6-20
20. How Do You Like Me Now-Toby Keith-2000-5-41
21. Good Morning Beautiful-Steve Holy-2002-5-36
22. Something Like That-Tim McGraw-1999-5-34
23. I Love You-Martina McBride-1999-5-32
24. I Hope You Dance-Lee Ann Womack-2000-5-29
25. My Next Thirty Years-Tim McGraw-2000-5-28

[Zazie]

Aug 7, 2012 16:58:53 GMT -5 jhomes87 said:

I like "Amazed", haha. Like, I've always been a big Lonestar fan (well, I like all their stuff pre-2002, but after that.....), so I was surprised to see some recent conversation here on Pulse in which Lonestar wasn't seen favorably. I understand the criticisms of songs like "My Front Porch Lookin' In" (not a bad topic, just some cheesy lines), "Mr. Mom", and "Mountains" (by this time they'd really lost it, imo), but "Amazed", "What About Now", "I'm Already There", "With Me", "Everything's Changed", "Runnin' Away With My Heart", "Tequila Talkin'", "No News", "Come Cryin' To Me"...those are all really good songs to my ears, and I grew up listening to many of them so I definitely like Lonestar (again, pre 2002).

I've liked a lot of singles from the big groups of today, such as Lady A, ZBB, EYB, TBP, etc. but even my favorites from some of them aren't as good as some of Lonestar's output from the '90's. Again, just my opinion maybe...I guess I was just surprised to see that Lonestar is one of the more detested groups around here. They've put out a few station-changers for me but their good singles far outnumber the 'clunkers'.

I don't think Amazed was so bad, but it unleashed something scary in Richie's vocals, so it's tempting to separate Lonestar into pre-Amazed and post-Amazed periods. If you do that, then for me the pre-Amazed group was pretty good -- Come Cryin' To Me, Everything's Changed, and of course the excellent No News. And others I won't take the time to list.

Afterwards, the over-the-top quality and lack of restraint in the arrangements as well as the vocals made me give up on them, though not all of the songs were bad. I'm Already There is the only song my wife ever told me to turn off or she'd get out of the car, when we were going at 60mph at the time and I don't think she was bluffing. But I can see how anyone would like any particular song of theirs -- kind of like Rascal Flatts -- and still be turned off by the overall package, post-Amazed. Just too much of the same flaw.

I can't identify a bigger chart hit than Amazed for the 90's, but partly that happened because of the late-90's chart changes that led to a lot more lengthy runs at #1. Most of those long runs took place after we switched to a new decade. Still, it did happen and Amazed was the chief beneficiary.

[Kanenrá:ke]

Never was a big fan either but I did love "Mountains" and "You're Like Coming Home" but I may be alone there. lol

[Jonsolo]

One of my friends just called me, to tell me that he noticed that Joel Whitburn's website (recordresearch.com) is now listing the next Hot Country Songs book. I clicked over, and it indeed is. It's listed to be 1944 to 2012, and is supposed to come out March 2013. Buying it early, saves $15 off the regular price, to $50.

So I'll purchase that today. And if it's not a mad rush, maybe I can be one of the first 500, that receives a free pen! Woo-hoo!

I clicked over at the Sample Pages, to see a random listing of Luke Bryan, Zac Brown, and Blake Shelton's discographies (obviously that won't be actual, as the book is in alphabetical order). Looks like a similar format as in years past, though I'm not sure if I like how they only have "2000s" rankings for each artist, and not an additional "2010s" ranking. I wonder if they'll combine all the points from 2000 to 2012, and have one "super-sized" decade ranking, instead of separating them out. That's strange if that's the way they did it, as in the 2002 edition, they had a list for the 2000~2001 points.

Since it shows Zac's Goodbye song, as debuting on 9/29/12, I wonder if that will be the official cutoff, for songs that get included in the book. They'll follow those final songs on the chart until the end of the year, the 12/29/12 week, and use the peak position reached, weeks charted, and Whitburn points earned up until then, for the data that they show in the book. That would give them the three months afterward, to publish it in March.

I'll go along with that assumption, and thus have to split up the Whitburn points list that I currently track. I'll have one list be a complete, ongoing list, that includes all the songs that debut after 9/29, and that will be the one that I list here at the end of December. Then, I'll have another list that I will not add in any of the points from songs that debuted after 9/29, and just track the points for the song already on the chart through the end of the year. That list should be what the list looks like in the book. I'll keep track of that, and see how close to the real one I get.

Anyway, something for country fans, and members of this board, to look forward to!

[Zazie]

The Recordresearch staff answered a question for me, saying their cutoff would come in October or perhaps later. I'm still hoping they pick the cleanest possible date, the final December chart, but at least this way the new Brad Paisley song will be included. Brad's 26 points behind Rascal Flatts -- he can re-pass them depending on the chosen cut-off date.

And the later date is worth two positions (up from 95 to 93) for Clay Walker.

I'm ready for Jon's 2012 rankings right now.

[libby]

I apologize if this was discussed before, but I haven't seen it.

I was wondering how the following was being interpreted by others.

...Since we changed the Hot Country Songs methodology late in the year, recaps for that chart will be drawn solely from the Nielsen BODS-driven Country Airplay chart data for the 2012 chart year. We will generate separate sets of recaps from Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts when we close the 2013 chart year next November. ••••

www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/photos/pdf/2012/BCmw1115.pdf - under housekeeping on page 1.

I'm optimistic, but maybe I'm not understanding it.

[onebuffalo]

Nov 19, 2012 16:02:56 GMT -5 libby said:

I apologize if this was discussed before, but I haven't seen it.

I was wondering how the following was being interpreted by others.

...Since we changed the Hot Country Songs methodology late in the year, recaps for that chart will be drawn solely from the Nielsen BODS-driven Country Airplay chart data for the 2012 chart year. We will generate separate sets of recaps from Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts when we close the 2013 chart year next November. ••••

www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/photos/pdf/2012/BCmw1115.pdf - under housekeeping on page 1.

I'm optimistic, but maybe I'm not understanding it.

That just refers to the year-end lists for 2012 and 2013. I was almost expecting Billboard to do something like that for next year, separating the Airplay rankings and Hot Country Song rankings.

[Kanenrá:ke]

Really can't wait for your updat Jonsolo, it's only a week away too! I keep track as well but it's great to read your updates and I can check my own trackings! :)

[Deleted]

I guess I can't speak for Jonsolo for certain, but he's been MIA for a while now. He hasn't made a peep since the ridiculous methodology change by Billboard. He hasn't missed tracking a George Strait chart run in a long, long time...he was posting over on my CCC forum for "Drinkin' Man" but has not stopped by for "Give It All We Got Tonight" and has not logged into the site in almost 2 months.

[Zazie]

Dec 11, 2012 1:58:38 GMT -5 jhomes87 said:

I guess I can't speak for Jonsolo for certain, but he's been MIA for a while now. He hasn't made a peep since the ridiculous methodology change by Billboard. He hasn't missed tracking a George Strait chart run in a long, long time...he was posting over on my CCC forum for "Drinkin' Man" but has not stopped by for "Give It All We Got Tonight" and has not logged into the site in almost 2 months.

I'll vouch for Jon updating this thread. He is planning to do it.

It's not a good time to focus on the Whitlist, though, because even though we update it every day, we know that our updates are no longer accurate. Whitburn is updating based on the new Hot Country Songs disaster, and I will not do that. So I can't speak for him, but I'm sure Jon is thinking "what's the point?" when he contemplates the amount of time it will take him to do this update. But he'll do it.

[countrybamafan]

^Sorry for the confusion, but is Jonsolo going to update the list using the new Billboard chart or the Airplay Chart? I wish he would just go ahead and use the Airplay Chart. It may not coincide with the actual Whitburn chart since that chart will now be based on the new Billboard chart, but who cares.

To be honest, I'm not all that interested in the Whitburn list if it is going to include the new Billboard chart. It's been tainted forever, in my eyes.

[Zazie]

Dec 11, 2012 14:38:47 GMT -5 countrybamafan said:

^Sorry for the confusion, but is Jonsolo going to update the list using the new Billboard chart or the Airplay Chart? I wish he would just go ahead and use the Airplay Chart. It may not coincide with the actual Whitburn chart since that chart will now be based on the new Billboard chart, but who cares.

To be honest, I'm not all that interested in the Whitburn list if it is going to include the new Billboard chart. It's been tainted forever, in my eyes.

I might have confused the issue. Jon will use the Airplay chart. But it's hard to stay too interested once you know that Whitburn is going to be using the new chart and thus coming up with different numbers. (See Swift, Taylor.)

I intend to keep going with my own weekly Whitburn updates using the airplay chart until I see what Whitburn has actually done when the new book comes out. And then, in the spring, I'll decide whether to give up entirely on charts or keep going. At the moment I think I'll be quitting but there are still a few months in which Billboard can switch methodologies.

[countrybamafan]

^Thank you. So, I can look forward to the next update at least! And, I know it's up to you and Jonsolo whether or not you both decide to continue chart watching, but please do. Don't allow Billboard's new rule to destroy the Whitburn chart (even if Whitburn himself is destroying it). We now need more than ever for people to update the chart using the "real" Billboard chart; otherwise, the history of the country singles chart is ruined forever (I know it's easier said than done).

Put out your own issue called "The Real Whitburn" by Zazie and Jonsolo. You guys can work on the title. Seriously, though, keep going. Maybe the actual Joel Whitburn will listen and ignore the new Billboard chart...

[joey2002]

I'd be first in line to buy a Zazie and Jonsolo book!

[Uncle Lumpy]

Ive never purchased a Whitburns book ,though Ive always wanted to. I'm curious though, is Whitburn employed by Billboard? Cause that would make sense as to why he would switch to the new chart. Certainly he sees what a mockery it makes of his research.

[Zazie]

Dec 12, 2012 8:37:17 GMT -5 Uncle Lumpy said:

Ive never purchased a Whitburns book ,though Ive always wanted to. I'm curious though, is Whitburn employed by Billboard? Cause that would make sense as to why he would switch to the new chart. Certainly he sees what a mockery it makes of his research.

I have never seen anything confirming an economic relationship between Whitburn and BB. But there is a long history and at the very least a lot of co-operation between the two businesses. Whitburn always uses the main Billboard country chart, whatever that is, so when that changes then Whitburn goes along with the change. I think the Whitburn people think they are reporting the "facts," so they have to go along with whatever BB's rules change to.

[leilamaurizia]

Who knows? Maybe when "We Are Never.." finally drops from #1, Billboard will do an 'oopsie' and revert back [/eyeroll]

Count me in as another one in the "sigh" pile who has always looked forward to Jon's updates of the Whitburn list and is frustrated at its now-tainted basis.

And I'd also buy a Jonsolo/Zazie collaboration chart book.

[Marv]

I cannot believe that Whitburn is using that beyond-asinine chart from now on; it makes absolutely no sense to me, especially this ludicrous #1 stay for Taylor's yell-a-thon.

[Jonsolo]

Yes, next week I'll be posting a year-end update for 2012 for the Whitburn list that I've been following. It's been solely based on the airplay chart data, and so it of course started to diverge from the list that Joel keeps starting with that 10/20/12 "Mongrel" country chart (the term that me and Zazie started using for it).

That weekend after the new chart came out, I came very close to calling Record Research and trying to cancel my order of the new Whitbook, as I was that disappointed and sick. I didn't want to come off as supporting their support for the new Billboard chart. Out of morbid curiousity, I'll go ahead and get it next spring, and will prepare myself for a list that is completely different from mine. I have to think that they'll be giving different point totals for song peaks on the new chart, as I had calculated Taylor scoring a ridiculous 300+ points for the 11/10 Mongrel chart week alone. If not, and they give the usual point totals for top 50, top 40, top 30, etc., watch out Eddy Arnold! Your #1 position on the Whit list is not as secure as you thought!

As Zazie was saying, my motivation for keeping my Whitlist up-to-date fell off a cliff the very week we got introduced to that unholy amalgamation of a chart, as I hadn't updated my list since the end of October. I finally did that today, putting in the last 9 weeks of airplay chart data, and just need one more week to go.

I'll try to get the fully updated list posted sometime after next Monday. I might not write up as many "notes" for the notable artists as I've done in the past.

[onebuffalo]

^I hope you can be a major contributor to this forum in 2013. We miss you. Will be looking forward to your updates!

[Jonsolo]

Well, the seventh annual edition of my updating of Joel Whitburn's Top Country Artist list is unlike any of the previous six. The reason why, of course, is that it's definitely going to be different from what the list that Joel publishes in his next book (due spring 2013). And as most of y'all know, that's because of The Day The Music Died, 10/11/12. Or at least, the day when a lot of our collective interest in following the country music charts dissolved in a puddle composed of digital download data and airplay stats from all radio formats. In one of Billboard's worst decisions ever, they decided to develop a new, "unholy hybrid" of a country chart (or Mongrel chart, as I labeled it the first day I laid eyes on it), that combined pop and country airplay. For some insane reason, they named that their new official "Hot Country Songs" chart, and every ridiculous chart result on it is going to be equated with those of the past half century when songs were ranked solely by airplary and playlists.

The airplay chart continues to be published, but will no longer count for the "official" chart statistics, and of course Joel Whitburn will be expected to change over to the new mongrel chart for the data he'll use in his new book. Thus, the ensuing lists you see here from me (continuing to be based entirely on the airplay chart results) have already been rendered obsolete, and are "for entertainment purposes only".

We'll see how long I continue to update this Whitlist, and if "entertainment purposes only" are a good enough motivation for me to continue. I really liked knowing what I was doing was going to be reflected in a "book of record" like Joel's, and would be an accurate representation of what the artists' accomplishments were going to be from year to year, that Billboard was following as well. For 2013 and beyond, we'll just have to see. For 2012, here's what I came up with:

[Jonsolo]

Joel Whitburn's Top Country Artist points list, updated for 2012



#1 to #100:

1. (#1 at the end of 2011) Eddy Arnold – 12667
2. (2) George Jones – 11976
3. (3) George Strait – 11005 (148 points gained in 2012)
4. (4) Johnny Cash – 9449
5. (5) Conway Twitty – 9101
6. (6) Merle Haggard – 9058
7. (7) Reba McEntire – 8353
8. (8) Dolly Parton – 8277
9. (9) Webb Pierce – 7975
10. (10) Willie Nelson – 7888
11. (11) Ray Price – 7773
12. (12) Buck Owens – 7492
13. (14) Alan Jackson – 7367 (119)
14. (13) Marty Robbins – 7306
15. (15) Hank Williams Jr. – 7244
16. (16) Waylon Jennings – 7232
17. (17) Alabama – 7136
18. (19) Tim McGraw – 6853 (297)
19. (18) Jim Reeves – 6843
20. (23) Kenny Chesney – 6583 (313)
21. (20) Ernest Tubb – 6474
22. (21) Charley Pride – 6422
23. (22) Loretta Lynn – 6316
24. (28) Toby Keith – 6270 (206)
25. (24) Sonny James – 6205
26. (25) Garth Brooks – 6163
27. (26) Faron Young – 6115
28. (27) Hank Snow – 6088
29. (29) Ronnie Milsap – 6025
30. (30) Kenny Rogers – 6014
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 – 4638 (47)
48. (48) Crystal Gayle – 4522
49. (49) Clint Black – 4492
50. (50) Randy Travis – 4424
51. (51) Hank Williams – 4395
52. (52) Jerry Lee Lewis – 4365
53. (57) Martina McBride – 4278 (70)
54. (53) David Houston – 4250
55. (54) Bobby Bare – 4235
56. (55) Barbara Mandrell – 4217
57. (56) Oak Ridge Boys – 4217
58. (58) Mickey Gilley – 4076
59. (59) Lynn Anderson – 4021
60. (67) Rascal Flatts – 4014 (223)
61. (60) Eddie Rabbitt – 3990
62. (61) Brad Paisley – 3990 (81)
63. (62) Anne Murray – 3901
64. (63) Joe Stampley – 3866
65. (64) Dottie West – 3858
66. (65) John Anderson – 3810
67. (66) Emmylou Harris – 3801
68. (68) T.G. Sheppard – 3746
69. (70) Faith Hill – 3683 (64)
70. (69) Travis Tritt – 3682
71. (76) Keith Urban - 3643 (150)
72. (71) Sawyer Brown – 3608
73. (72) Bellamy Brothers – 3563
74. (73) Moe Bandy – 3537
75. (74) Tom T. Hall – 3536
76. (75) Billy Walker – 3493
77. (77) Earl Thomas Conley – 3482
78. (78) Patty Loveless – 3460
79. (79) Ferlin Husky – 3355
80. (80) Trisha Yearwood – 3303
81. (81) Johnny Paycheck – 3266
82. (82) Gene Watson – 3247
83. (83) Connie Smith – 3218
84. (84) Mark Chesnutt – 3217
85. (85) Freddie Hart – 3209
86. (86) Tracy Lawrence – 3151
87. (87) Johnny Rodriguez – 3145
88. (88) Jerry Reed – 3116
89. (89) Charlie Rich – 3084
90. (90) J.M. Montgomery – 3084
91. (92) Clay Walker - 3067 (59)
92. (93) Lonestar – 3050 (44)
93. (91) Larry Gatlin & Bros. – 3031
94. (94) Janie Fricke – 2993
95. (95) Jim Ed Brown – 2963
96. (96) Lefty Frizzell – 2945
97. (97) Ricky Skaggs – 2943
98. (98) Diamond Rio – 2938
99. (100) Trace Adkins – 2929 (47)
100. (99) Joe Diffie – 2911



Notes on the Top 100:

- No artists entered the top 100 this year. We could be able to get two artists to enter this section in 2013.

- Unfortunately coinciding with the idiotic Billboard changes this year, was the clear sign that George Strait is no longer a reliably consistent performer on the charts. His Love's Gonna Make It was a solid #1 contender, but tripped up short in the spring at #3. Drinkin' Man flamed out before the top 30, and now his current lead single is having a slow time getting started. That led to a total of only 148 points this year, just barely over his all-time low of 144 points he had his first year in 1981. I had to finally concede that Strait won't catch George Jones for #2, but at least George got over the 11,000 mark.

- Reba took the year off, while Alan Jackson could only manage 119 points from two underperforming singles. That was enough to move him into 13th place back in May, and he'll need three more underperforming singles for him to catch Buck Owens. He should be able to get those opportunities, but AJ's now being pursued by the next two artists in this rundown.

- Tim McGraw had his best year since 2007, producing the 8th-highest artist total for 2012 with 297. That moved him out of the Reeves-Tubb Gulch, and into 18th place all-time. Of course, it helps when you can have two singles released at the same time, due to the multi-label goofiness. It doesn't help when you show up on two of the weakest songs of the year, Truck Yeah and Feel Like A Rock Star. I don't think he'll have a big enough year in '13 to catch Alabama.

- Kenny Chesney was the other party responsible for Rock Star, but had two other big #1s to generate 313 points for him, the 5th highest artist total this year. He's no longer the biggest current name in country music, but should stay strong throughout the decade to threaten the all-time top ten. He should get past Reeves next year, and gain more ground on Timmy.

- Toby Keith was responsible for foisting Red Solo Cup on us, and one shudders to think what that one would have done had Billboard's mongrel chart (with sales included) had been in place when that one was out in the spring. He registered two top 10s and one top 20 song, to have a solid if not spectacular year. 206 points should be the norm for him at this point in his career, and he won't reach the eventual heights that Timmy and Kenny are headed for. He passed four artists this year, and he might have his eyes on Ernest Tubb's #21 slot in 2013.

- Just a quick mention of Vince Gill, whose inclusion on the Kelly Clarkson song draws him a little closer to Steve Wariner. That song will no doubt peak much higher on the new mongrel chart...

- 70 points wasn't much for Martina McBride, and she took the final seven months of the year off. Still, it moved her up four valuable positions on the list, and any kind of comeback in '13 would have her in contention for the top 50.

- Rascal Flatts and Brad Paisley are playing an entertaining game of leap-frog, with Rascal surging ahead in '12 (after Brad getting past them in '11). 223 wasn't that impressive of a total, but it got the job done, based on a #1 and a #4 song. They passed seven artists including Brad to hit the top 60, and could target #55 next year.

- Two major missteps for Brad Paisley with his singles for this year. Camouflage's failure was a little expected (I said as much in this thread last year), while Southern Comfort Zone is taking a little while getting warmed up, and didn't zoom into the top 10 as his past lead singles. That left Brad with a piddly 81 points, which qualifies as the biggest underachievement by a top tier artist this year. After getting passed by the Flatts, Brad wasn't able to catch anybody (loses the tie-breaker this week to Eddie Rabbitt). He should snap out of it next year and get close to #55, and might be able to re-catch the Flatts.

- Only 64 points for Faith, but she better secures her top 70 standing and won't get kicked out when Urban catches her.

- Practically a vacation year for Keith Urban, as he finished up a big #1 and then collected a top 10 from a soundtrack album song. Then he rested up during the fall and made maybe an ill-advised decision to join the American Idol train wreck (still shouldn't harm his chart performance). 150 points wasn't bad and got him past five artists, and we'll see how close to the top 60 he can move to next year.

- Small gains for Clay Walker and Trace Adkins, as they mainly just work on getting some insurance when the artists like Carrie, Blake, and Taylor come calling in the next two years.

[Jonsolo]

#101 to #200:


101. (101) Vern Gosdin – 2815
102. (102) Collin Raye – 2796
103. (103) Eddy Raven – 2793
104. (104) Billy Craddock – 2787
105. (105) Lee Greenwood – 2774
106. (106) John Conlee – 2756
107. (107) Stonewall Jackson – 2721
108. (108) Kathy Mattea – 2713
109. (109) Lorrie Morgan – 2709
110. (110) Del Reeves – 2666
111. (111) Roy Drusky – 2658
112. (112) Dwight Yoakam – 2656
113. (113) Shania Twain – 2643
114. (127) Carrie Underwood - 2643 (304)
115. (133) Blake Shelton - 2637 (396)
116. (114) Dave Dudley – 2629
117. (115) Roger Miller – 2624
118. (116) Jean Shepard – 2612
119. (117) Charly McClain – 2553
120. (118) The Judds – 2529
121. (123) Montgomery Gentry – 2528 (114)
122. (119) Donna Fargo – 2517
123. (120) Roy Clark – 2427
124. (121) Ronnie McDowell – 2420
125. (122) Bob Wills – 2418
126. (124) Ricky Van Shelton – 2405
127. (125) Tracy Byrd – 2377
128. (126) Skeeter Davis – 2353
129. (128) George Hamilton IV – 2334
130. (129) Jack Greene – 2295
131. (130) Mel McDaniel – 2290
132. (131) Johnny Duncan – 2253
133. (132) Dan Seals – 2250
134. (134) Kendalls – 2235
135. (163) Taylor Swift - 2232 (242)
136. (143) Gary Allan – 2224 (76)
137. (135) Roseanne Cash – 2223
138. (136) Sammy Kershaw – 2209
139. (137) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – 2174
140. (138) Aaron Tippin – 2173
141. (139) Jimmy Wakely – 2171
142. (140) Leann Rimes – 2170
143. (141) Restless Heart – 2167
144. (142) Dixie Chicks – 2161
145. (171) Dierks Bentley - 2151 (252)
146. (146) Sara Evans – 2149 (39)
147. (144) Shenandoah – 2141
148. (145) Tennessee Ernie Ford – 2126
149. (147) Johnny Lee – 2107
150. (148) Gary Morris – 2107
151. (149) Jo Dee Messina – 2106
152. (150) Gene Autry – 2101
153. (151) Wynonna – 2092
154. (152) Pam Tillis – 2072
155. (153) Neal McCoy – 2058 (7)
156. (154) Jimmy Newman – 2047
157. (155) Hank Locklin – 2044
158. (156) Wilburn Brothers – 2019
159. (157) George Morgan – 2015
160. (158) Slim Whitman – 1996
161. (159) Al Dexter – 1996
162. (160) Tommy Overstreet – 1995
163. (161) Ed Bruce – 1993
164. (162) Billie Jo Spears – 1993
165. (164) Nat Stuckey – 1989
166. (190) Jason Aldean - 1981 (331)
167. (165) Exile – 1952
168. (166) Narvel Felts – 1947
169. (167) Mary C. Carpenter – 1939
170. (168) Michael M. Murphey – 1911
171. (169) Razzy Bailey – 1908
172. (170) Tex Ritter – 1901
173. (172) Bob Luman – 1882
174. (173) Doug Stone – 1870
175. (174) Lee Ann Womack – 1852
176. (175) Terri Clark – 1835
177. (176) Sammy Smith – 1814
178. (177) Rex Allen Jr. – 1811
179. (178) Sugarland – 1801 (1)
180. (179) Brenda Lee – 1799
181. (180) Freddy Weller – 1784
182. (181) Marty Stuart – 1781
183. (182) Jerry Wallace – 1761
184. (183) Claude King – 1754
185. (184) Billy Ray Cyrus – 1724
186. (185) Billy Dean – 1717
187. (186) Tex Williams – 1715
188. (194) Phil Vassar - 1701 (65)
189. (187) Juice Newton – 1688
190. (204) Craig Morgan – 1681 (132)
191. (188) David Rogers – 1675
192. (189) Wynn Stewart – 1670
193. (191) Cal Smith – 1644
194. (192) Jan Howard – 1644
195. (193) Forester Sisters – 1636
196. (195) Red Sovine – 1621
197. (196) Susan Raye – 1616
198. (197) Lacy J. Dalton – 1614
199. (198) Linda Ronstadt – 1600
200. (227) Lady Antebellum - 1600 (190)




Notes on #101 to #200:

- Not as much action in this section as there usually is. Only two artists cracked the top 200, and three other artists that I thought could make it missed out, and spent one more year below #200. That should make for a more active 2013, and three additional artists should make a charge into this section.

- Carrie Underwood continues to put together one of the quickest starts to a career on the Whitlist in the last 30 years, piling on 304 points (the 6th highest '12 total). She's averaged about 375 points per year since her Novemeber 2005 launch. She produced two huge #1s during the year, and the only surprise was that she didn't produce a charting album track with her new album's release. She passed thirteen artists during the year, and I'll expect her to pass fifteen more in '13 to crack the top 100.

- Blake Shelton continues to rack up award show trophies, and scored several charting Christmas songs, to go along with his two #1s. The two songs that debuted on the final chart week of the year, Let It Snow and Blue Christmas, boosted him up to 396 points and enabled him to swipe the title of "highest scoring artist of 2012". He smartly realized it was time to release a Christmas album, and has kept the points pouring in after taking a break during the fall. He passed eighteen artists to stay close behind Carrie, and should have a good chance of hitting the top 100 in '13 just like her.

- Can't expect that much from Montgomery Gentry, but they were able to notch a top 10 song, their first in three years, and charted two other songs to earn 114 points. They expectedly got passed by Blake and Carrie, but drew closer to #120. They're still technically alive for making the top 100 someday, but I think they'll far short.

- No matter what kind of scoring system Joel Whitburn cooks up for the new Billboard mongrel chart, it's sure to give Taylor an awe-inspiring (or nausea-inducing) point total for the year in the new book. That's to be expected, when the new rigged system gets her a so-called 9-week #1 song, plus ten other charting top 40 songs on the mongrel chart (see her Discography section on her Wikipedia entry). I can't see Joel giving her anything less than 500 for the year on his list after following along with Billboard's switch to the new chart.

Back in the Land Of Sanity, I had Taylor earn 242 points, jumping her up nearly thirty spots. It'll probably take her 2.5 more years to reach the top 100 (but only another 15~18 months according to Joel?).

- After being off for 18 months, Gary Allan returned with a single that's looking like a #1 contender. That'll send him into 2013 on a strong foundation, and he should build nicely on the 76 points he earned this year. 2500 points should be the goal that he sets for himself, to reach in maybe three years.

- Strong showing by Dierks Bentley, with two big #1s, and another single that should at least make a run at the top 10. 252 points was enough for him to spring into the top 150. He'll shoot for the top 130 next year, and remains about three years from top 100 contention.

- Jason Aldean's hot streak continues, as he gets his fourth straight 300+ point year, and with 331 (4th highest of the year), he has averaged 340 per year since 2009. He just missed my goal for him of 2000 points that I issued on last December's update. Two big #1s were his haul, plus another one (a group effort) that is on track to reach those heights. Next year he shouldn't have any trouble reaching the #135 spot that Taylor is current residing at.

- Craig Morgan broke through the top 200 with a moderate 132 points, fueled by the long run to the top 15 by This Ole Boy. Two other low peakers also contributed.

- It didn't take Lady Antebellum too long to make the top 200, just over 5 years since their debut in November 2007. After that big of a start, it was understandable that they'd have a calm '12, with the 3rd and 4th singles of their recent album chipping in a #2 and a #20 peak. Their first full Christmas album has also provided a charting song near the end of the year. That gave them 190 points, a big drop off from their back-to-back 400+ totals that were the highest of 2010 and 2011. The next new album will put them back on the high side of 300 points in '13 and over the #170 spot.

[Jonsolo]

#201 to #300:

201. (199) Keith Whitley – 1573
202. (200) Mark Wills – 1571
203. (201) Ray Stevens – 1566
204. (202) Charlie Daniels – 1563
205. (203) Kenny Price – 1558
206. (218) Rodney Atkins - 1555 (86)
207. (205) Joe Nichols – 1548
208. (206) Mac Davis – 1545
209. (207) Rodney Crowell – 1541
210. (208) Warner Mack – 1538
211. (209) T. Graham Brown – 1538
212. (210) Dickey Lee – 1527
213. (211) Sylvia – 1527
214. (212) Margo Smith – 1519
215. (213) Wanda Jackson – 1512
216. (214) Jimmy Dean – 1505
217. (215) David Frizzell – 1498
218. (217) Billy Currington - 1496 (8)
219. (216) John Denver – 1495
220. (262) Miranda Lambert - 1492 (271)
221. (273) Zac Brown Band - 1486 (301)
222. (219) Charlie Louvin – 1465
223. (220) Highway 101 – 1464
224. (233) Darryl Worley – 1455 (63)
225. (221) Melba Montgomery – 1449
226. (222) Louise Mandrell – 1446
227. (223) Little Texas – 1440
228. (224) Holly Dunn – 1437
229. (225) Lee Roy Parnell – 1428
230. (226) Suzy Bogguss – 1419
231. (228) Freddie Fender – 1402
232. (229) Everly Brothers – 1402
233. (230) Leon Everette – 1400
234. (231) Gary Stewart – 1399
235. (232) The Browns – 1398
236. (234) Dave & Sugar – 1391
237. (235) Mel Street – 1390
238. (236) Gail Davis – 1388
239. (237) Patsy Cline – 1388
240. (268) Josh Turner - 1388 (177)
241. (238) Barbara Fairchild – 1386
242. (239) Jeannie Seely – 1386
243. (240) Jody Miller – 1348
244. (241) Ernest Ashworth – 1342
245. (242) Johnny Carver – 1337
246. (243) Gretchen Wilson – 1330
247. (244) Bobby G. Rice – 1321
248. (245) Blackhawk – 1317
249. (246) Shelly West – 1307
250. (247) David Allan Coe – 1302
251. (248) Merle Travis – 1300
252. (249) John Schneider – 1298
253. (250) Jacky Ward – 1283
254. (251) Claude Gray – 1269
255. (252) Cowboy Copas – 1267
256. (253) Ty Herndon – 1265
257. (254) Jeannie C. Riley – 1263
258. (255) Johnny Russell – 1262
259. (318) Luke Bryan - 1257 (369)
260. (256) Tompall & Glaser – 1252
261. (257) John Berry – 1252
262. (258) Marie Osmond – 1246
263. (259) Con Hunley – 1242
264. (260) Charlie Walker – 1241
265. (261) John Wesley Ryles – 1235
266. (263) Paul Overstreet – 1216
267. (264) Johnny Horton – 1216
268. (265) K.T. Oslin – 1214
269. (266) Flatt & Scruggs – 1212
270. (267) Bryan White – 1211
271. (269) Hal Ketchum – 1206
272. (270) Desert Rose Band – 1205
273. (271) Cristy Lane – 1202
274. (272) Jeanne Pruett – 1199
275. (274) Helen Cornelius – 1183
276. (275) Bobby Goldsboro – 1165
277. (276) Norma Jean – 1160
278. (277) Bobby Lewis – 1156
279. (278) Billy Joe Royal – 1145
280. (326) Little Big Town - 1137 (260)
281. (279) SheDaisy – 1119
282. (290) Chris Cagle – 1111 (107)
283. (288) Steve Holy – 1098 (71)
284. (280) Jim Glaser – 1089
285. (281) Little Jimmy Dickens – 1085
286. (377) Eric Church - 1085 (340)
287. (282) Jimmy Buffett – 1082
288. (283) Randy Barlow – 1072
289. (355) Jake Owen - 1068 (279)
290. (284) Johnnie & Jack – 1067
291. (285) B.J. Thomas – 1060
292. (286) Andy Griggs – 1043
293. (289) Pat Green - 1043 (33)
294. (287) Leroy Van Dyke – 1042
295. (291) Confederate Railroad – 1003
296. (292) Olivia Newton John – 1001
297. (293) Pee Wee King – 999
298. (306) Darius Rucker - 997 (66)
299. (294) Johnny Bush – 994
300. (317) Big & Rich - 988 (100)


Notes on #201 to #300:

- A lot of movement into this section of the list. Six artists stormed in, and now will be listed in the ranked portion on Joel's list in his next book (since the chart change didn't prevent them from getting the needed points in the 10 months before then). Only one artist will probably be within range to make the top 300 in '13.

- Artists must really like this section in particular, as there wasn't much of a rush for them to leave it. Rodney Atkins is certainly one of those hangers-on, as he only managed 86 points from a song that floundered in the 20s, and another one that couldn't get out of the 30s. As soon as he finds another top 40 song, he'll finally crack the top 200.

- An extended vacation for Joe Nichols and Billy Currington, the latter which only managed 8 points from his Dog song. Nichols needs a top 30 song, and Currington needs to return to the steadiness he was seeing with top 5 songs before mid-2011, to start looking like the possible top 100 contender I was measuring him for.

- No vacations for Miranda Lambert and the Zac Brown Band. Miranda continued the momentum that she got from her breakout 2010 year, and scored 271 points, 10th highest of the year. A big #1 and a top 3, plus getting in on one of Blake's charting Christmas songs this month has been a solid strategy. She's got a chance at making the top 200 when her next single has completed its run.

- Also top 200 bound is Zac Brown, and their 301 point total was the 7th highest for '12. The final two weeks of a four-week #1 got their 2012 off to a flying start, and then they quickly followed it up with a #2 (which nonetheless broke their #1 streak at seven). The lone misstep (lead-off single The Wind missing the top 10) was a head-scratcher, but they're well on their way to kicking off 2013 with an easy #1. They should get near the top 175 during next year.

- Darryl Worley kept up his slow march to the top 200, and needs two more top 40s to make it. Maybe he'll get one of them in '13.

- Josh Turner has had a roller-coaster last few years, with sputtering to 87 points in '09, surging up to 261 points in '10, regressing greatly back to 44 points in '11, and then rebounding with a solid 177 points this year. A long-lasting #2 song provided the bulk of that total, while his follow-up single appears to be set to give him a slower 2013. Maybe he's only big during even years, and stumbles during the odd years...

- Luke Bryan came within one week of claiming an unexpected "Highest Scoring Artist" title for 2012. He posted an impressive 369 points (zipping into the top 300), powered by a #1 at the beginning of the year, two big #1 hits during the middle of the year, and then being included on Jason Aldean's current single. If it wasn't for Blake Shelton sneaking in two more Christmas songs onto the final chart week of the year, Luke would have led the field. Maybe he's gotten big enough, that he'll have another chance down the road. If he stays hot in '13, he might be able to reach the top 200.

- I'll have to confess that I never thought Little Big Town would get the widespread national attention needed, in order to win a #1. They had scored three previous top 10s earlier on in their career, but there wasn't a lot there to signify that they'd break all the way through when that initial wave of popularity receded. Pontoon changed that, and along with a strong follow-up single and being included on a Lionel Richie charting song, carried them to a 260 point year (riding into the top 300 with style). They'll probably keep the momentum long enough to hit the top 200 in at most 2.5 years.

- Chris Cagle and Steve Holy just got some insurance that they'll stay in the top 300 through the middle of the decade.

- Along with LB Town, Eric Church surprised many with his first career #1, and then followed directly behind it with his second. He's got his current single higher into the top 10 than I thought it'd go, and he joined Luke Bryan in profiting from the current Jason Aldean song. That gave him an astounding 340 points for the year, and the 3rd highest total. There was a time, during his first couple of years of activity, that I wondered if he'd reach 340 points for his career! He's moved into the top 300 this year, and top 250 should be his target in '13.

- Jake Owen is another artist that made the top 300 in a stylish way this year, with two smash #1s, and then he cashed in on some easy points during the fall on the Colt Ford single. 279 points was Jake's haul, 9th largest. He'll also be trying to match Church step for step on the list in the years ahead.

- Wrapping up this section, Darius Rucker and Big & Rich were the 5th and 6th artists to make the top 300, but did so with much less fanfare. The bloom appears to be off of Rucker's rose, with declining point totals the last four years, and I can probably guess as to the awfulness of B&R's current single. Anytime a song's title substitutes in a "z" for an "s", especially a country song, the expectations should be low.

[Jonsolo]

#301 to #400:

301. (295) Wade Hayes – 986
302. (296) Dick Curless – 981
303. (297) Southern Pacific – 978
304. (298) Buddy Alan – 972
305. (299) Chely Wright – 968
306. (300) Rick Trevino – 964
307. (301) Ricochet – 959
308. (302) Margaret Whiting – 953
309. (303) Tommy Cash – 946
310. (304) Ray Griff – 940
311. (305) Elton Britt – 939
312. (307) David Lee Murphy – 930
313. (308) Red Steagall – 927
314. (309) Mundo Earwood – 926
315. (310) Patti Page – 918
316. (311) Roy Acuff – 918
317. (378) Chris Young - 917 (173)
318. (312) Alison Krauss – 910
319. (313) Deborah Allen – 909
320. (314) The Whites – 908
321. (315) Susie Allanson – 903
322. (316) Carl Butler & Pearl – 898
323. (319) Roy Head – 887
324. (320) Bill Phillips – 887
325. (321) Mark Collie – 885
326. (322) Bobby Helms – 884
327. (323) Tom Jones – 882
328. (324) Rose Maddox – 881
329. (325) Deana Carter – 878
330. (327) Henson Cargill – 870
331. (328) Don King – 864
332. (329) Bonnie Guitar – 863
333. (330) Liz Anderson – 859
334. (331) Johnny & Jonie Mosby – 846
335. (332) Jamie O'Neal – 843
336. (333) Johnny Darrell – 842
337. (334) Louvin Brothers – 840
338. (335) David Wills – 837
339. (336) Osbourne Brothers – 834
340. (337) Glenn Barber – 829
341. (338) Lionel Cartwright – 826
342. (339) Sweethearts of the Rodeo – 822
343. (340) Asleep at the Wheel – 822
344. (341) The Carlisles – 820
345. (342) Sons of the Pioneers – 819
346. (343) Daryle Singletary – 818
347. (344) Wayne Kemp – 817
348. (345) Stephanie Winslow – 816
349. (346) McBride & the Ride – 814
350. (347) Lois Johnson – 814
351. (348) Kenny Dale – 807
352. (349) Diana Trask – 804
353. (350) Baillie & the Boys – 803
354. (351) Jessi Colter – 802
355. (352) Arlene Harden – 801
356. (353) J Blanchard/ Morgan – 797
357. (354) Jimmy Wayne - 789
358. (356) Billy Swan – 783
359. (357) Skip Ewing – 781
360. (358) Dean Dillon – 779
361. (359) Carl Perkins – 775
362. (360) Floyd Tillman – 775
363. (361) Josh Gracin - 773
364. (362) Rhett Akins – 766
365. (363) Wilma Burgess – 765
366. (364) Jack Ingram - 765
367. (365) June Carter – 764
368. (366) C.W. McCall – 763
369. (367) Chris LeDoux – 758
370. (368) Tommy Collins – 757
371. (369) Michael Johnson – 757
372. (370) Emerson Drive - 752
373. (371) Carlene Carter – 751
374. (372) David Ball – 751
375. (373) Debby Boone – 750
376. (386) Mavericks – 750 (46)
377. (374) Ray Charles – 749
378. (375) Jeff Carson – 748
379. (376) Jessica Andrews – 745
380. (379) Johnny Bond – 741
381. (380) Mindy McCready – 736
382. (381) Bobby Wright – 730
383. (382) Moon Mullican – 727
384. (446) Justin Moore - 726 (173)
385. (383) Mark Gray – 722
386. (384) Lari White – 714
387. (385) Judy Rodman – 709
388. (-) Lee Brice - 708 (261)
389. (387) Chad Brock – 703
390. (-) The Band Perry - 703 (254)
391. (388) Dottsy – 702
392. (405) Kellie Pickler - 696 (40)
393. (389) Little David Wilkens – 695
394. (390) Marion Worth – 690
395. (391) Zella Lehr – 687
396. (392) Stella Parton – 687
397. (393) Ted Daffan – 687
398. (394) Doug Supernaw – 685
399. (395) Linda Davis – 680
400. (396) La Costa – 678

Notes on #301 to #400:

- Four artists broke into the top 400 in 2012, which continues to be the average input year after year. With that large group of six artists entering the top 300, there weren't many active artists left in this section.

- After starting off 2012 nicely with a #1, Chris Young saw his streak get snapped when Neon could only muster a #23 peak. The current single I Can Take It From Here might get him back on track, and the 173 points he scored in 2012 moved him most of the way through the 300s. Take It would have to be a huge hit to get Chris into the top 300, but the follow-up single will easily do the trick.

- Justin Moore had a big stumble with Bait A Hook, but a Christmas song on the first chart week of 2012 and the slow trek to (so far) #2 by Last Day ended up giving him a nice year. He tied the above Chris Young with 173 points and moved into the top 400. We'll see if he can at all distinguish himself from the other young solo male acts, including...

- ...Lee Brice, who had a huge year to reach the top 400. Not content with just scoring his first career #1 in April, he wasted no time getting his 2nd #1 in November. Sustaining that momentum is a quick start for his next single, in the top 30 in its 3rd week of release. 261 points was the big tally, and we'll be able to watch him and Justin move up together.

- The Band Perry appear to be headed for a nice career, and might have the brightest future of all of the artists above them on the list, up to Luke Bryan. 2012 gave them a two-week #1, a sturdy top 10, a charting national anthem version, and a probable future #1 song that made the top 15 by its 6th week of release. 254 points got them into the top 400, and they should have their sights set a lot higher than that in the years ahead.

[Jonsolo]

#401 to #468:


401. (397) Lyle Lovett – 672
402. (398) Larry Boone – 667
403. (399) Jim Nesbitt – 665
404. (400) Joe Sun – 664
405. (401) Sheb Wooley – 664
406. (402) Hoyt Axton – 662
407. (-) Eli Young Band - 661 (175)
408. (403) Margie Singleton – 657
409. (404) Sherry Bryce – 656
410. (406) Robin Lee – 655
411. (407) Ray Pillow – 654
412. (408) R.C. Bannon – 653
413. (409) Terri Gibbs – 649
414. (410) Roy Rogers – 649
415. (411) Radney Foster – 645
416. (412) Peggy Sue – 635
417. (413) Ned Miller – 635
418. (414) Lila McCann – 634
419. (415) Keith Stegall – 626
420. (416) Billy Parker – 619
421. (417) Bobby Borchers – 619
422. (418) Jimmie Skinner – 619
423. (419) Tony Booth – 615
424. (420) T Texas Tyler – 615
425. (421) Michael Peterson – 615
426. (422) Johnny Wright – 608
427. (423) Spade Cooley – 606
428. (424) Jack Reno – 604
429. (425) Big Al Downing – 599
430. (426) Foster & Lloyd – 599
431. (427) Hawkshaw Hawkins – 599
432. (428) Steve Azar - 598
433. (429) James Otto - 594
434. (430) Mary Lou Turner – 592
435. (431) Becky Hobbs – 588
436. (432) Burl Ives – 586
437. (433) Charlie McCoy – 584
438. (434) Mike Reid – 582
439. (435) Trick Pony – 576
440. (436) O'Kanes – 575
441. (437) Keith Anderson - 574
442. (438) Ronnie Sessions – 572
443. (439) Paul Brandt – 570
444. (440) Kris Kristofferson – 569
445. (441) Dorsey Burnette – 567
446. (442) Penny DeHaven – 564
447. (443) Tom Wopat – 563
448. (444) Kentucky Headhunters – 560
449. (445) Darrell McCall - 555
450. (447) Bill Monroe - 552
451. (448) Carl Belew - 550
452. (449) Ray Sanders - 547
453. (450) Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper - 547
454. (451) Hugh X. Lewis - 543
455. (452) Stoney Edwards - 542
456. (453) Lane Brody - 539
457. (454) Leon Ashley - 538
458. (455) LaWanda Lindsey - 537
459. (456) SKO - 533
460. (457) Sonny Curtis - 530
461. (458) Mason Dixon - 527
462. (459) Ricky Nelson - 526
463. (460) Bandana - 519
464. (-) The Lost Trailers - 517 (80)
465. (461) Brian Collins - 515
466. (-) David Nail - 513 (131)
467. (462) Warren Brothers - 511
468. (463) Kenny Starr - 509

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

Sherrie Austin - 491
Blaine Larsen - 475
Randy Houser - 473 (94)
Jason Michael Carroll - 470
Jerrod Niemann - 469 (126)
Bucky Covington - 461 (33)
Gloriana - 459 (144)
Easton Corbin - 456 (109)
Kid Rock - 453
Uncle Kracker - 447 (54)
Carolyn Dawn Johnson - 439
Jamey Johnson - 408
Thompson Square - 402 (138)
Kelly Clarkson - 397 (113)
Trent Tomlinson - 376
Brantley Gilbert - 372 (194)
Chuck Wicks - 351

Notes on #401 on down:

- Zazie and I continue to figure out the point totals of the young artists, once they generate three or more fairly large-sized hits. That had us adding in Gloriana, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, Thompson Square, Kelly Clarkson, and Brantley Gilbert. I don't think there are any other artists that have elevated past the 400-point mark, though I did check out the even younger acts, to see what their point totals for the single year were.

- Eli Young Band produced one of my favorite #1 songs of the year, and although the follow-up might be running into some "recurrent" competition (as last year they also produced the #1 Crazy Girl), they took a big step onto the list with 175 points. They appear to be fresh enough to make a run at the top 300 within a couple of years.

- The Lost Trailers "nickeled-and-dimed" their way onto the ranked portion, with points coming from nine career singles. David Nail made it with a little more gusto, scoring his first #1 early in the year.

- One of these years I'll drop Sherrie Austin from the Contenders list. She's just so close to 500, I can't do it, even if she has been inactive for eight years.

- We could have as many as six of the Contenders move onto the ranked portion of the list by the end of '13. We continue the steady march to being able to rank a top 500.

Next up, the list of the top artists of 2012...