Comments on: Bluegrass goes No. 1

By: CD Review: Help is On the Way (Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver) | SouthernGospelBlog.com

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 00:38:33 +0000

[…] mixture of new and classic Gospel songs performed in a Bluegrass style. Despite posts like these two, I see no reason why fans of traditional convention-song quartet singing would dislike Quicksilver. […]

By: Trent

Trent — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:54:26 +0000

Well, it’s official now. The September SN chart is out (see SN website) and the DL&Q song is #1.

Karen Peck & New River’s song “Whispered Prayers” is roaring up the charts, jumping from #40 to #15.

By: cdguy

cdguy — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:25:53 +0000

Norm, No SGM charts based on sales? Check out New Day’s ad on pg 81 of the August SN (or pg 113 of the July issue, if you haven’t received August yet). It may not be all-encompassing sales list we desire, but it’s a pretty good representation of what’s happening at retail.

By: Norm Graham

Norm Graham — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:08:13 +0000

#20: Soundscan does have a way of tracking sales at product tables.

Billboard Magazine referred to it recently in an article about its new bluegrass music album charts as bluegrass artists sell a lot of product directly to fans.

Of course, I doubt SGM artists would go to the trouble of setting up the process (sounds complicated) considering there are no SGM charts based on sales.

By: Trent

Trent — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:47:11 +0000

Actually Ben, the last time I checked, which was about 6 months ago, the reporting stations for the Singing News charts total 72.

By: cdguy

cdguy — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:25:08 +0000

SoundScan is not a valid representation of s/g music sales, as the majority of s/g (even the biggest names) sales are done at the product tables. Retail stores do a minor percentage of the total s/g sales.

And SoundScan cannot track concert product table sales. If labels reported sales (which they don’t/won’t, except for royalty purposed — and some not even then accurately or timely), we might have a better tracking of sales.

So, don’t hold your breath.

By: Ben Harris

Ben Harris — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:47:43 +0000

Hi Tim, I do not have the total numbers of listeners for Solid Gospel, but I do know they have as many if not more stations than are reporting stations for Singing News. For instance, Singing News has some 120-130 stations that report to the charts. (This is a changing number as stations come and go) and Solid Gospel has at least that many throughout the nation, although, back then, their vote only counted as one reporting station. As to Sound Scan, our single was not even on Sound Scan’s radar, and even if it had been, it would not have made a bit of difference in the charts. As to sales, no nowhere close to millions, in fact several thousand might be a better number. My point is that the charts, sales and airplay have nothing to do with each other in SGM. It is a very interesting way to come up with a chart, that is for sure.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:12:04 +0000

I’d be curious as to the number of listeners that Solid Gospel has. Do you have any numbers for them?

The song that you mentioned as a #1 at Solid Gospel - how did it fair with SoundScan? Did it sell “millions” and still not chart?

My point goes beyond charting - I think that quality BG has a place in the SG format. It is one way to broaden listenership. This is a win - win for everyone involved.

It was interesting to see Les B write about a BG group in his column in Singing News. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new relationship. The stepchild has returned home and is being welcomed in.

By: Ben Harris

Ben Harris — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:09:11 +0000

Tim, that would be a wonderful thought except that the fans do not have one thing to do with the charts. It is possible to sell a million CD’s and not break into the charts, and it is possible to not sell a 1000 total and be number one. For instance we had a song that Solid Gospel reported for three months in a row as number one, but in Singing News it barely made it into the top 80. It di not matter that all the reporting stations in the nation combined, did not have the listeners of Solid Gospel. The charts have no bearing whatsoever on sales, or actual air play as a total. They have to do with a handful of reporting stations and what those handful report.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:40:41 +0000

If this song hits #1, I hope that it opens the eyes of radio programmers that they don’t have to play mediocre SG songs to fill the airwave.

Its possible to broaden your scope and include top notch bluegrass AND still hold the SG crowd.

By: Ron F

Ron F — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:05:47 +0000

Wow How about it we got Eddie Crook and Jim Stover. Both of you guys are awesome. Thanks for both of youchecking in.

By: Sissey

Sissey — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:45:32 +0000

Doye Lawson has a wonderful group. I miss Barry Scott in his group. Best Wishes to Doyle and his group.

By: music lover

music lover — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:35:42 +0000

is this the first group to have a #1 in singing news that doesn’t do just gospel???
could this be history making for singing news???

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:55:19 +0000

DL&Q’s tight harmonies and precision musicianship definetly make for a good performance. They sound live just as they do on recording which makes you wonder if part of their success on SG radio and venues is due in part to the live instrumentation at their concerts versus the many tracks and stacks being used by many of the major SG groups.

By: Trent

Trent — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:21:42 +0000

One thing that needs to be said in regards to the fans’ hunger for something unusual stylistically….I notice that in this year’s SN Fan Award nominations, nary a mixed group was nominated for the top artist award….it was all male trios & male quartets. Mind you, this particular category is the top award and any artist is eligible, whether it be a female or male, soloist or group.

The top 5 nominees for SG Artist of the Year are:

Booth Brothers
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Greater Vision
Inspirations
Triumphant Qt