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Trace Adkins is Keepin’ it Country:
Category Archives: RIAA
Lady Antebellum races up the charts
It might be hard to believe, but country super-trio Lady Antebellum has the fastest charting song of their career with “Downtown.” The GRAMMY-winning group’s single has taken over the top spots on Billboard and Mediabase country charts, while also selling more than 500,000 copes digitally since its release – giving them a RIAA-certified gold single. “Downtown” has already spent the last two weeks at number one here in Canada.
The lead single from their upcoming album “Golden” has been huge out of the gate. The fun, groovy-tune reminds them of their previous single “American Honey,” explains Charles Kelley:
“Most of what the world has seen from Hillary from a radio single standpoint is this very sweet kind of style like ‘American Honey. But, she’s got a lot of sass and a lot of grit to her voice, too, so it’s been really fun to bring that out of her and have this kind of support from our fans and radio.”
Make sure to tune in this week to The Voice on NBC to catch Hillary Scott acting as a mentor to team Adam for the Battle Rounds. Have you been watching The Voice this season? Which team do you think has the best chance to win this year?
Blake Shelton is double platinum
Congratulations to Warner Music Nashville’s Blake Shelton! His single “God Gave Me You” from his “Red River Blue” album is now certified as double platinum by the RIAA for selling more than two million digital copies since its release. The single, a cover of Christian singer Dave Barnes, was a personal song to Blake – who heard it on the radio after a fight with his now-wife Miranda Lambert. It was after hearing “God Gave Me You” on the radio that he admitted he reconciled with her.
Dave Barnes was inspired to write the song while on a trip in London, England, about his wife, Annie. The original version of the song charted very well on Billboard – hitting #21 on the Billboard US Adult Contemporary Charts, and #13 on Billboard Adult Christian Charts. Blake’s version was a number one Billboard hit on the Billboard US Country Charts. It was the second single from his “Red River Blue” album.
Congrats to Blake and Dave Barnes!
Taylor Swift named Top Digital Artist
Country music’s biggest superstar was just given yet another accolade earlier this week. Big Machine’s Taylor Swift was named the Top Digital Selling Artist by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) based on the downloads of her music alone. That’s quite a feat for Taylor, who will be embarking on her “RED” world tour this year.
In other Taylor news, she’ll be debuting her brand new music video for “22″ on tomorrow’s Good Morning America. The broadcast will feature the full premier of the video, which will then be available after 11:30 am EST after her label releases the video to all outlets. Fans will be able to catch the first airing of the video on gma.yahoo.com as well as abcnews.com.
We’re not sure if there will be any goats in the music video, however.
The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” Certified Platinum
It must be tough being The Band Perry these days. They’ve got a prime touring gig with Rascal Flatts, a multi-week #1 hit and a forthcoming album, Pioneer. Additionally, it was just announced that “Better Dig Two” has been certified Platinum by the RIAA, for sales over one million copies. The song is both the first single off their hotly-anticipated new album, as well as the fastest-rising song of their career.
As they prepare to release Pioneer on April 2, the talented trio recently revealed their album tracklisting.
Jake Owen’s sound check surprise
Congratulations to Jake Owen! He had a bit of a surprise waiting for him at sound check this week – a gold certification from the RIAA for selling more than 500,000 copies of his hit single “The One That Got Away.” RCA Nashville executives were on-hand at Jake’s sound check yesterday afternoon with the news and plaque.
Jake Owen receives his gold certification for The One That Got Away after being surprised at sound check.
It was a pretty special moment for the country star, who co-wrote the “Barefoot, Blue Jean Night” album’s single with Dallas Davidson and Jimmy Ritchey.
Jake shared:
“If the excitement wasn’t already building just preparing to hit the road with friend Jason Aldean, it sure is now! I can’t thank Country radio and the fans enough for supporting my music. My band and I have been in rehearsals day in and day out getting our new show ready and I can’t wait to share it.”
In more serious news, our thoughts are with Jake and his family as his father begins radiation treatment this week. Steve, Jake’s dad, was diagnosed with cancer two months ago and starts today at the Mayo Clinic. We’re hoping for a fast recovery and we know he can beat it.
Randy Houser celebrates first-ever RIAA gold single
Country star Randy Houser may sing about getting “some of this slow-down fast” in “How Country Feels,” but right now his career begs to differ as the song, his first-ever No. 1 hit, also becomes his first RIAA® Gold® certified single, selling over half a million downloads and climbing. “How Country Feels” is the title track off of his new album which hit stores last week and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. The album has also received praise from AP, CBS New York, The Washington Post, Billboard and many more.
In the midst of the barreling momentum, Houser performed for the nation last week on FOX News Channel’s Fox & Friends, Walmart Soundcheck, AOL Sessions, Yahoo! Ram Country and Better TV, and interviewed on GAC’s Headline Country, and CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown where he was challenged to see how country feels truly feels by hilariously having to identify different obscure “country” objects while blindfolded.
Chris Talbott of the Associated Press writes How Country Feels is “stuffed with country soul-inflected mid-tempo arrangements that highlight Houser’s rich voice, there’s likely a few more hits among its 15 tracks.” Rhapsody’s Linda Ryan adds, “How County Feels is a polished collection whose other gems include feel-good ‘Growin’ Younger’ and frivolous charmer ‘Absolutely Nothing.’ But Houser’s soulful voice shines brightest on the straight and sincere songs, like ‘The Singer,’ ‘Power of a Song’ and ‘Route 3 Box 250 D.’”
Annie Reuter, online reviewer for CBS New York, who attended his sold-out show in New York City at Mercury Lounge which was broadcast live on Sirius XM’s “The Highway” notes, “Randy segued effortlessly from the high energy numbers to the slower ones but just because he got quieter didn’t mean the crowd ever would. No doubt excited for his show, fans screamed requests and compliments throughout his set. ‘You play like there’s 18,000 of us. We love it!’ one fan screamed.’”
Houser will make yet another national appearance on CONAN on Tuesday, February 5 at 11 p.m. EST / 10 p.m. CST, where he will perform “How Country Feels.” Tune in to TBS to watch.
With a relentless tour schedule this year across the U.S., Houser will appear with Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley on the Locked and Reloaded Tour, A full list of tour dates can be found at randyhouser.com. Follow Houser on Facebook and Twitter @RandyHouser.
The Band Perry goes GOLD and PLATINUM
As anticipation builds for their Republic Nashville release on April 2, The Band Perry, reaches two major RIAA sales accolades. The sophomore project’s lead single, “Better Dig Two,” has been certified GOLD – selling over 700,000 – and marks their fastest-rising single to date at Country radio, Top 10-and-climbing. Additionally, “You Lie” – from their platinum-plus-selling, self-titled debut album – has now sold over one million copies, achieving PLATINUM status.
Throughout the spring, the family band will perform as special guests on Rascal Flatts‘ CHANGED TOUR. Their new show, which gives fans a preview of the upcoming music, will make stops this weekend in Sioux City, IA (1/17); Tulsa, OK (1/18) and Wichita, KS (1/19). Will you be going?
Congratulations to The Band Perry! We can’t wait to hear their new album. Will you be picking it up when its released?
Tim McGraw, Rodney Atkins & More Go Gold!
Blazing into the fourth quarter of 2012, Curb Records is celebrating some serious heavy metal success with a number of their top country stars striking gold and platinum status in digital sales. The latest stack of RIAA certifications adds to the decades of top awards and accolades for the label, which has just marked its 50th Anniversary as one of the industry’s leading independent music companies. The trail of gold and platinum albums for Curb dates back to 1962 when the company was founded by Mike Curb. Clearly a visionary, Curb has continually adapted to a changing music industry. The label looks forward to the last quarter of 2012 and into 2013 with a number of exciting new projects and releases.
The following records for Rodney Atkins, Tim McGraw, Lee Brice, Steve Holy and Hank Williams Jr. were recently certified:
RIAA Certified Platinum
Rodney Atkins “Take A Back Road” 1.3+ Million
Rodney Atkins “Watching You” 1.04+ Million
Rodney Atkins “Farmer’s Daughter” 1.04+ Million
Tim McGraw “My Little Girl” 1.03+ Million
RIAA Certified Gold
Rodney Atkins “These Are My People” 533k+
Lee Brice “Hard To Love” 567k+
Tim McGraw “I Need You” 722k+
Tim McGraw “Southern Voice” 667k
Tim McGraw “If You’re Reading This” 651k+
Tim McGraw “Something Like That” 569k+
Tim McGraw “Last Dollar (Fly Away)” 523k+
Steve Holy “Brand New Girlfriend” 518k+
Hank Williams Jr. “A Country Boy Can Survive” 776k+
Josh Turner Goes Double Platinum!
Congratulations to MCA Nashville artist Josh Thompson! Two of his singles have been certified platinum this week by the RIAA for selling more than one million copies digitally each since their release. The two lucky tunes are none other than “Your Man” and “Would You Go With Me,” and both appear on his 2006 album “Your Man.”
Josh feels pretty honored by his new achievement. He shares:
“’Your Man’ and ‘Would You Go With Me’ are both incredibly special songs to me. These songs gave me my first two #1 singles and I have great memories of the times surrounding both.”’
Josh also recently was awarded a gold certification from the RIAA for his number two Mediabase single “Time is Love.” He was given the certification for selling more than 500,000 copies digitally.
Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away Certified Platinum
Congratulations to Carrie Underwood and the team at Arista Nashville and 19 Entertainment! Her new album “Blown Away” has just been certified platinum by the RIAA for selling more than one million copies digitally since its release. The news comes the same week that Carrie found out she is nominated for the seventh time for the Country Music Association’s’ Female Vocalist of the Year Award. She’ll be hosting the award show once again alongside superstar friend Brad Paisley this November on ABC.
On Friday, September 14th Carrie will launch the North American leg of her “Blown Away Tour” in New Hampshire. Warner Music Nashville’s Hunter Hayes is the special guest of the tour. For a full list of tour dates, and to get your tickets before they sell out, visit Carrie’s official website.
