Thursday news: win an autographed photo, grab a guitar and more (updated)

By request, Bucky Covington at an autograph signing session during this year's CMA Fest; photo by Aaron Crisler/ Music City Update.com. 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, WalMart Music 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.

Here's a little news while Bucky's recovering from his emergency dental surgery--get well soon, Bucky! You'll be missed in Boise tomorrow.

The contest to win an autographed photo of Bucky Covington has been extended-- now you'll have chances to be entered in the drawings all summer long. From Bucky's official MySpace blog:

"This was so much fun and there were so many 'entries', I decided that every Friday for the next 8 weeks starting on July 6th I will pick one new winner (that makes 8 more chances to win!). Keep adding your requests for 'A Different World' to the requesting blog and YOU could be the next winner!"

Entering is easy--head to Bucky's MySpace blog for the details, add him as a MySpace friend, request, and have fun!

And if you haven't entered the Cavender's contest to win an acoustic guitar signed by Bucky, time's running out--get over there today. One grand prize winner will take home that priceless guitar, and five additional winners will receive signed copies of Bucky Covington, his debut CD. The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. CDT Friday, June 29, 2007. Good luck, y'all! (Edited--the contest is long over, but there's still plenty of cool Western gear on offer at Cavenders.com.  Enjoy shopping!)

On the charts, Bucky's looking good for the third straight day at #13 spot on both the Mediabase weighted and Top 500 listings, and Bucky Covington, the CD, came in at #11 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart today. (Looks like it was tough sales week for CDs across the board, as Ken Barnes noted in his Idol Chatter blog yesterday at USA Today.) And here's a repeat chart note from last night: "A Different World" continues its steady climb on the Radio & Records/BDS Country singles charts, where it moves up a notch to #15 with a bullet.

Yes, this time between Top 15 and Top Ten is crazymaking! There are a million very sweet reasons for wanting Bucky's first single to officially be a Top Ten smash, but only one way to help make it happen: request "A Different World" at your favorite local and streaming country stations, and remember those local "Top X at X" countdowns and nationally syndicated country radio shows, too. We longtime fans won't be alone on those phones--new listeners are discovering (and enjoying) the song all the time, and Lyric Street's got Bucky's back, too, as this trade ad from a couple of days back makes clear.


Passion drives conversions, indeed! Keep calling and emailing, and hang in there--Top Ten's gonna feel so good...

On the touring scene, we're waiting for word about Bucky's next show, which happens Sunday, July 1 at the Carl Perkins Civic Centre in Jackson, TN. As of now, the venue lists the show as taking place as scheduled--but we'll repeat Bucky's official site's excellent advice to call the venue before traveling long distances. Also, please note that the radio station sponsoring the concert in Boise on Friday, 6/29 has listed Bucky's appearance as cancelled due to his emergency dental surgery. (Bucky won't be there, but Sawyer Brown, Memarie and Rodney Atkins will--it should be a great time.) Again, always consult with the venue before any long drive to a show--and here's to a very speedy recovery for Bucky.

More soon--have a terrific Thursday!