Pickler, Chesney supplant Rucker on charts
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 – Kellie Pickler's self-titled second CD will debut in first on the country charts when they are released Thursday with 43,000 units sold. And Kenny Chesney will notch another number one single with Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, the first single from "Lucky Old Sun," which drops next week. That means Darius Rucker will lose his number one spot on both charts with the single Don't Think I Don't Think About It and "Learn to Live" respectively.
Pickler joins a select group of artists who have seen their first and sophomore albums debut at number one on Billboard's Country Album Chart in the SoundScan era. Pickler becomes only the sixth country artist to achieve this feat, last accomplished by fellow American Idol alum Carrie Underwood. The new CD also debuted at number 9 on the all genre, Billboard 200, equaling her 2006 debut album, "Small Town Girl."
Pickler said, "It's a great honor to have both of my albums debut at number and in these really tough times when people are dealing with the high cost of gas, groceries and a terrible economy, the fact fans went out spent their hard earned dollars on my music means so much to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Chesney scores his 15th number one song and 12th this decade, moving him within one of Toby Keith's mark in the 2000s. Taylor Swift will earn her sixth top 10 single, climbing from 11th to 9th with Love Story.
More news for Kellie Pickler
CD reviews for Kellie Pickler
100 Proof
Until now, Kellie Pickler has become known in country circles more for her bubbly, Dolly Parton-esque personality than for her singing. Granted, she has had some strong singles, notably the autobiographical I Wonder, but one could be forgiven for lumping her in the pile of most former American Idol contestants who hover in and around country music, but never really make an impact.
Somewhere after the release of her sophomore album, however, she started mentioning in interviews that she was »»» |
Kellie Pickler
At this point, it's a law of television that the results of American Idol are not proportional to post-show success. Past winners are without record contracts, and, among the ranks of former sixth place finishers, Kellie Pickler (aka "Pickles") has gone from waitressing to amassing a handful of pop-country hits at only 22 years old. On her second effort, Pickler spreads her wings beyond vocals to songwriting half the 10 songs.
Things kick off with the mighty message song, »»» |
Small Town Girl
Don't blame Kellie Pickler, American Idol's country bumpkin who engaged millions of viewers and charmed the socks off the normally surly Simon Cowell, for the pre-fab shortcomings in her debut. Rather, fault a music industry salivating at a chance to reprise last year's multi-platinum debut by fellow Idol Carrie Underwood.
Except, Pickler's no Underwood. Pickler's lengthy run on Idol wasn't because she could sing, but because of her Dolly Parton-like appeal. »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: Music City goes (Boston) Pop(s) –
On the face of it, the idea of top shelf country songwriters coming up from Nashville to play with the Boston Pops may seem incongruous. The idea of the venerable Boston institution and fixture on the July 4 scene, playing patriotic songs doesn't have all that much to do with country.
The idea isn't without precedent, of course.... »»»
Concert Review: O'Donovan goes home –
Aiofe O'Donovan had plenty of reason to be filled with good cheer. This was a hometown gig, after all, and only three days before the release of her first full-length solo debut, "Fossils."
Joking that the audience was filled with people she knew from high school and her parents' friends, O'Donovan made it clear that Boston... »»»
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Still Fighting the War
Few artists exude pain in their voices the way Slaid Cleaves can, and there are moments during his strong new full-length, "Still Fighting the War," when he seems a little like the male equivalent to Lucinda Williams. With Rust Belt Fields, Cleaves speaks up for most anybody that's been laid low be America's recent recession, from those dealing with home foreclosure to the ones laid off from their jobs. »»» |
Southeastern
Given the fact that Jason Isbell opts for solo billing this time around, it might be assumed that last year's "Live From Alabama," recorded with the 400 Unit, was the band's swan song of sorts. That is, unless one considers the fact that drummer Chad Gamble and keyboardist Derry deBorja are still along for the ride, albeit sans the band billing. »»» |
Fossils
Aiofe O'Donovan has been on a roll. As lead singer of the well-regarded alt.-bluegrass band, Crooked Still, O'Donovan helped put the alt. in the bluegrass with her light, sometimes breathy vocals. She also gained attention for singing on two songs on "The Goat Rodeo Sessions." She's now on her own (Crooked Still is on hiatus) for her first full-length disc. »»» |
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