Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Tuesday news: not so banned in Boston, chart moves and more...

(Photo © 2007 Grand Ole Opry; photo by Billy Kingsley, Hollo Photo- graphics.)

Bucky Covington's debut CD is in stores now, and his music video is available for online viewing at CMT.com and Yahoo Music. You can buy Bucky's album at Amazon, Best Buy , iTunes and Target, hear the full version of his single "A Different World" at CMT and GAC, or enjoy samples of songs from the CD at Bucky's official MySpace. An autographed copy of Bucky Covington can be ordered while supplies last at his official site or via his official fan club.

Rumor has it that all 10 of last year's finalists will be on hand for tomorrow's big American Idol finale extravaganza. The only reason this rumor seems a bit doubtful is that one year after Taylor Hicks' big win, they're so successful and busy that it's hard to imagine them all in one place again! If you'd like to know what the media has to say as Season Six comes to a close, here's a typically skeptical look at the overall Idol picture by Joanna Weiss of the Boston Globe, who gives Bucky an interestingly conflicted mention:

By now it's clear that the show is about the elevator ride, represented visually in the opening credits. It's the journey from obscurity to instant fame, the understanding that, in a saturated media landscape, having name recognition is half the battle -- and the whole entertainment industry is ready to capitalize. Within a day of leaving "American Idol" last year, eighth-place finisher Bucky Covington was approached by Mark Miller, the frontman for the country band Sawyer Brown. Before long he had been signed to Lyric Street Records , the country-music division of Disney, which also signed second-season "Idol" finalist Josh Gracin. Covington's debut album, released last month, is now on the Billboard Top 10 country charts.

Hmmm. On the one hand, I'd quibble with any implication that it's mere name recognition that made Bucky Covington a success--I think Bucky and Mark put together an excellent rockin' country album that's catching fire far beyond Bucky's Idol fandom, and the month it's spent in the Top 10 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart is an indicator that the buzz is good among people who simply like enjoyable current country music. (Besides, we're only on the first of what will likely be a string of strong singles!) On the other hand...the bare facts of Bucky Covington's success got a nice meaty mention in the Boston Globe's notoriously cynical-but-fun entertainment section--something that not many of the paper's readers would have anticipated a year ago today, and something that might inspire the curious to check out his CD (which can be heard at CMT.com, by the way) and see what the fuss is all about. We'll call it a win.

Other than finale rumors, it's a relatively quiet time on the general scene today. But the turbulence is in full swing on the charts, where Bucky's "A Different World" and the song one rung above it continue their furious fight for fifteenth place. (Remember the same topsy-turvy moves when both hit Top 20? Like that...) The Mediabase weighted and Top 500 charts both list Bucky's single at #16 this morning. This is definitely one of those weeks when requests and votes make all the difference! Keep requesting "A Different World" at your favorite local and streaming country stations, and if syndicated shows like Lia and Blair Garner's After Midnite are part of your area's airwaves, call up or log in and put in a good word for Bucky there, too.

Remember to hit the curiously addictive Hits Daily Double this morning--the second and last day of automatically-updating album sales estimates for this week starts shortly. Hang in there for another wild ride!

We'll stick those handy voting links to the CMT Pure 12-Pack and GAC Top Twenty ballots right here, as well--"A Different World" is burning up the video charts, so tune in later this week to see how your votes counted...

Finally, be sure to stop in at Team Covington today--Kathy's got the scoop on Bucky's upcoming appearances out West in beautiful California, where his devoted fans have been waiting patiently to see him again. You can catch up with Bucky's entire tour schedule at his official site.

More soon--have a terrific Tuesday!

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:17 PM

    HDD is done....Bucky dropped out of the top 50 after the last update. His last numbers I saw were 9,113 @ 67% reported. There is still a good chance that Bucky is still in the Top 10 for country albums. There are 9 country in the top 50. I guess we have to wait till tomorrow.

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  2. Yep, noticed that too..was sorry to not see his name in the Top 50 this week. I am hoping that he might still be in the Top 10 on the Top Country Albums chart when Billboard releases their numbers Thursday.

    I also couldn't help but notice that Elliott Yamin and Taylor Swift both got nice bumps that cane presumably be linked to two good primetime network TV appearances (Idol and the ACMs, respectively.) I would love it if Bucky got a chance to sing his heart out on primetime TV, too!

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  3. Anonymous1:58 PM

    Bucky could be only a stones throw out of the top 50. Hopefully still on the top 100. The only other country artist that was close to him was Sugarland and they were below him. I also understand that the last jump of sales is Walmart and Ive heard that alot of the stores didn't even has his cd. That could be a factor too. (Come on Lyricstreet ship some CDs)

    Things could all change once Idol is over. And Bucky has all his fairs and festivals. Plus he still has GMA. I see Bucky back in the top 50 again. Im not worried. And "A different World" is starting to take off and headed for the top 10.

    Its still "Good to be us"

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  4. OOOO I am so going to go investigate this Idol thing! If so it's about time they show Bucky.:)

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  5. Anon, I am with you--he'll definitely be bouncing back into the Top 50 soon! And both GMA and the fairs and festivals will have an impact.

    I also agree that the CD should be as easy to buy as possible! Hope every part of the country is fully stocked...

    Oh, yeah--it's good to be us, and getting better all the time. :)

    And Kathy--you and me both! So curious--I wonder what's in store this week!

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  6. Winnie-- back from my hunt! lol Ok I thought too how could they all be free?? lol But I checked all 10's sites (Paris's myspace) and none of them are showing anything the 23rd (now what are the odds of that unless there is a secret lol)except Elliot whose myspace says..... Kodak Theater AI Wrap Party. WOOT! Our luck they will be sprinkled through out the audience if they are there.

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  7. Anonymous2:48 PM

    I just did a little checking, Allaccess is pretty close in % for all the other country artists this week. if they are right or even close Bucky's sales should of been around 11,683 -33%. Still alright for a top 100 finish. (I hope they are close with those estimates) I hate not knowing where he finished after watching HDD for 2 days.

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  8. Kathy,I swear you should work for ET or E. You are good! :) Sounds like we should invest in some popcorn and have those DVRs, Tivos and VCRs on standby for tomorrow night... :D

    And Anon, thanks for the All Access info! 11,600 would definitely be Top 100. It is indeed really rfeistariting to watch HDD for the whole estimate period and then not have the info you were watching for! Sigh.

    It'll be interesting to see what the next few weeks bring, with GMA (and the primetime ABC special from Fan Fair/CMA Fest later that month, which I am assuming will be various performers--could he be performing as part of that one?) in the mix. Hmmm...

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  9. Although Taylor Kat Chris and Kellie were probably already so I am not holding my breath but I would sure love Bucky to get some idol time lol

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  10. ROFL! My apologies, Anon. It's been a very long day, and I have no idea what "rfeistariting" might mean! (I think I was trying to type "frustrating"...)

    Kathy, it would be sooooooo good for Bucky to get some Idol time! Honestly, that would be the best surprise of the season, and I so hope it comes to pass. I have the feeling TPTB at Idol have a few mixed emotions about how well he's done--and I'm sure they wish they'd signed him.

    But there seem to be mutually good feelings, as well--he does lend weight to the claim that solid talent is discovered on the show--so it'll be very interesting to see how things play out...

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  11. Anonymous8:45 PM

    Oh Bucky looks so passionate in the photo today! Sexy too!

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  12. That's one of the most-requested shots around here! Hmmmm... ;)

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