Blown Away On The Mediabase Charts (Blown Away Era)

[cary78663]

ITA. IMO, Scotty and Lauren love singing country music. But they are too inexperienced and lack in-depth artistry. I wonder if they have had much performing experience as well as understand the art of constructing, writing, singing and performing a song.

When I think about what Carrie went through, she forged much of her musical skills and talent in her teen years through her performances (good and bad), trials, setbacks, gaining knowledge by really knowing so many songs from different genres, etc. All this has helped her become a superb artist and songwriter. It takes a lot of time for a person to become an artist. In hindsight, I wish Idol would increase the lower age limit for contestants because many Idol finalists and even winners are quite limited as an artist.

In my mind, Carrie wasn't all that far ahead of Scotty or Lauren when she won Idol. In some ways, Scotty and Lauren were more relaxed on stage than Carrie was when she won. But Carrie had one big advantage which was her voice. And that made her stand out from the crowd right from the start.

And that gave Carrie the time to do what she knew she had do to become an all around entertainer. She was willing to put in the hard work to grow and to evolve. She toured with the likes of Kenny, Brad and Keith, she studied them and learned performance skills from them. And it gave her time to work with great songwriters and hone her songwriting skills.

Finally Carrie is putting out songs that are different from anything else on country radio like BA. Now that is a risk and not everyone will like it. But love it or hate it, it will stand out. Plus with all the influences in her music, she hasn't fallen into the trap were every song she sing sounds the same.

All this has given Carrie her longevity where after 7 years, she has yet to have a single that peaked lower than #2.

I just do not see that kind of growth in Scotty or Lauren. And they need it more than Carrie did because they don't have that starting advantage the Carrie's voice gave her.

[NC State Carrie Fan]

Now now now! Nobody can be hatin on Scotty! That's my man! And I really don't think Scotty has lost his fanbase....His first album went Platinum and hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and his first single sold over 900,000 downloads and his second over 800,000.....sounds pretty banging to me.....although his last single flopped and sold right at 100,000 idk cause it was my favorite off his album......and everyone's gonna hate me for saying this but Lauren Alaina flopped because Eighteen Inches is an awful song.

[teesharky]

^ I love Scotty actually. I just think radio is not being all that kind to him. However- in all fairness- he needs to release more ipbeat songs next time as I think he overloaded radio with too many ballads. I want him to do something fun!

[Pitocco]

I agree with Cary, especially in terms of standing out. I think Lauren and Scotty are very talented, but let's face it, their albums are EXTREMELY safe and cookie-cutter. There's nothing that revolutionary or different than what is being released in similar artists' albums. Lauren's closest attempt is the awesome story in The Locket, but since that one likely will never see the light of radio, I don't see them making any further impact in the industry unless they completely regroup with a new album effort. (again, this is in no way an indication to their talent, rather their potential to stand out in the crowd)

[simonplay]

Great video from a country radio station ! Blown Away Tour






Carrie Underwood - Backstage with Cat Country 98.1 - YouTube

[supercarriefan]

I don't think it is just Idol contestants having that problem either. I never hear the Voice winners on the radio, ever. I never hear the X Factor winner, Melanie something, on the radio ever. And she got a $5 million dollar contract! But where is she??

It seems like Kelly, Carrie, and Daughtry are the only Idol winners I ever hear on the radio, ever. Phil Phillips is doing well with Home but it remains to be seen how he will do affter that. Adam Lambert got alot of radio airplay for What Do You Want from me, but nothing much after.

Jen Hudson is a huge star due to her Oscar and she has a great voice, but I never hear her on the radio- ever. So where are they?

Carrie, Kelly and Daughtry are the only consistent Idols who actually get radio play.

Sadly, X Factor doesn't get material from its winner out right away. Melanie did release a single a few weeks ago. It's called Love Me Now, and it is charting on the Urban AC format at #40. Unfortunately for Melanie, it was released with very little fanfare. Hopefully she will at least get to make an appearance on X Factor this season to promote it.
J-Hud also tends to chart on the Urban formats. Top 40 and HAC haven't taken to her songs as well.

^ I love Scotty actually. I just think radio is not being all that kind to him. However- in all fairness- he needs to release more ipbeat songs next time as I think he overloaded radio with too many ballads. I want him to do something fun!

The weird thing with Scotty is that his first two singles that were slower songs charted fairly well, while his uptempo third single failed to make a real impact at all. Scotty needs to find his identity with his singles. I believe there were stronger choices from his debut album, and the label just failed to pick them as singles. Write Your Number On My Hand would have been perfect for summer...it's beachy, fun and cute!

[teesharky]

I didn't find Water Tower town upbeat whatsoever. It was very slow and not that catchy for radio. I consider it a slow song to be honest, not upbeat at all.

He had one song on his album that was catchy and upbeat-- but I can't recall the name. It would have been perfect for radio.

EDIT: Write Your Number on My Hand is great-- you are right. I liked that song and one called "Better Than That." I loved that song!

[liveasong]

Now now now! Nobody can be hatin on Scotty! That's my man! And I really don't think Scotty has lost his fanbase....His first album went Platinum and hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and his first single sold over 900,000 downloads and his second over 800,000.....sounds pretty banging to me.....although his last single flopped and sold right at 100,000 idk cause it was my favorite off his album......and everyone's gonna hate me for saying this but Lauren Alaina flopped because Eighteen Inches is an awful song.

No. Eighteen Inches flopped because it was performed by Lauran Alaina. (I'm not saying this to take Carrie's defense)

[PRGuy79]

When compared to everyone else, Carrie was/is just "extra special." Pure and simple. But I also think that times have changed when it comes to reality programming like American Idol. When Kelly and Carrie won, AI was the dominant force in shows of its kind. There really weren't any other contenders. Now, in addition to having to compete with all the previous AI winners and runners-up (now more than 10 seasons worth), AI winners have to compete with a host of other reality shows and their crop of talent (X-Factor, The Voice, Nashville Star, and the list goes on and on). So, the novelty and uniqueness of AI has worn off since the days of Kelly and Carrie. The market is getting flooded with people who are finding fame through this channel. I'm not sure what that means for future winners, but I'm guessing it means that if they don't match that "extra special" quality that Kelly and Carrie clearly have, they will struggle. I'm not saying that Scotty and Lauren aren't special. I really like them both. I'm just saying that stars like Kelly and Carrie are not born every day or every year. Yes, Kelly and Carrie were fortunate to be discovered by AI, BUT AI was also fortunate to discover Kelly and Carrie.

[bigbluegrl23]

When compared to everyone else, Carrie was/is just "extra special." Pure and simple. But I also think that times have changed when it comes to reality programming like American Idol. When Kelly and Carrie won, AI was the dominant force in shows of its kind. There really weren't any other contenders. Now, in addition to having to compete with all the previous AI winners and runners-up (now more than 10 seasons worth), AI winners have to compete with a host of other reality shows and their crop of talent (X-Factor, The Voice, Nashville Star, and the list goes on and on). So, the novelty and uniqueness of AI has worn off since the days of Kelly and Carrie. The market is getting flooded with people who are finding fame through this channel. I'm not sure what that means for future winners, but I'm guessing it means that if they don't match that "extra special" quality that Kelly and Carrie clearly have, they will struggle. I'm not saying that Scotty and Lauren aren't special. I really like them both. I'm just saying that stars like Kelly and Carrie are not born every day or every year. Yes, Kelly and Carrie were fortunate to be discovered by AI, BUT AI was also fortunate to discover Kelly and Carrie.

I'm not even sure it has to do with that. Kelly and Carrie should have been signed a long time ago. Many people in the industry have said no, particularly about Carrie. AI was lucky to find them, not the other way around.
Becca

[NC State Carrie Fan]

Water Tower Town is not a slow song at all! haha and I love it and i also love Back On The Ground and Clear As Day and Dirty Dishes and Better Than That and really the whole album! and i am not in any way bashing Carrie but Eighteen Inches really isnt a good song and I think thats one reason Carrie didnt sing it and because it doesnt fit her type of country in a way but I loved One of Those Boys and The Locket and Georgia Peaches.....but I really think Scotty isnt a one hit wonder! You guys will see when his next album comes out (Not his Christmas album) lol.

[PRGuy79]

I'm not even sure it has to do with that. Kelly and Carrie should have been signed a long time ago. Many people in the industry have said no, particularly about Carrie. AI was lucky to find them, not the other way around.
Becca

You're right. AI was fortunate to discover them. That's what I was trying to say - that Kelly and Carrie rise above "special". They are "extra special". That level of superstar does not come along very often. So, I think the winners who follow from AI are often compared to the standards of success that were established by their "extra special" predecessors and they often can't live up to that unattainable standard. Combine that with the onslaught of new singing reality shows and their winners and it is easier for them to get lost in the shuffle. I think that may be part of why radio seems to be slower to embrace recent winners...

[bigbluegrl23]

Water Tower Town is not a slow song at all! haha and I love it and i also love Back On The Ground and Clear As Day and Dirty Dishes and Better Than That and really the whole album! and i am not in any way bashing Carrie but Eighteen Inches really isnt a good song and I think thats one reason Carrie didnt sing it and because it doesnt fit her type of country in a way but I loved One of Those Boys and The Locket and Georgia Peaches.....but I really think Scotty isnt a one hit wonder! You guys will see when his next album comes out (Not his Christmas album) lol.

as of right now, Scotty hasn't proven that he's connecting with anyone else other than idol fans. his singles have sold because of his young fans, but when it comes to actually charting on the country charts, he really didnt even have one hit.
Becca

[opry051008]

as of right now, Scotty hasn't proven that he's connecting with anyone else other than idol fans. his singles have sold because of his young fans, but when it comes to actually charting on the country charts, he really didnt even have one hit.
Becca

That's why it's smart to put out a Christmas album. It will keep his fans invested, he might pick up some new fans because Christmas albums are really popular and he'll have another chance to grow his audience with his second album.

[NC State Carrie Fan]

as of right now, Scotty hasn't proven that he's connecting with anyone else other than idol fans. his singles have sold because of his young fans, but when it comes to actually charting on the country charts, he really didnt even have one hit.
Becca

Well I know he hasnt done well with charting singles....but hes done well with selling them and for a 18 year old kid thats in college to have a Platinum album and two very sucessful singles in my book is a pretty good resume Carrie's had singles that went to #1 and didn't sell as much as his has. I just think people are highly underestimating him

[teesharky]

^ I still think Scotty can do well on his next album. He should have released Better then That or Clear as Day as singles. His only problem was releasing too many slow songs in a row.

I liked his ballads-- don't get me wrong- but he needed to wow people a bit more on the last single after 2 ballads in a row. Water Tower Town does not feel upbeat to me, not in the way his other songs do. Ie- Better Then That, etc.

[judes]

Carrie's first single Jesus Take the Wheel was a monster of a song - going to #1 and staying there for 6 weeks - it really started the ball rolling and it was nominated and won tons of awards followed by Don't Forget to Remember Me which then went to #1 on R&R, #2 on Billboard, but then another monster single !!! Before He Cheats which spent 5 weeks at #1 and picked up tons of awards- Carrie literally exploded onto the country scene and could not be ignored - she picked up Best New Artist for all genres at the Grammy's and won Billboard all genre Album of the Year - no other Idol had such a huge beginning. I think the key to Carrie's success then and now is due to two things - outstanding vocals and her ability to pick songs to record - all her songs so far have reached the top of the charts which is amazing! And along the way in her first two years she picked up a slew of new fans.

[cary78663]

BA (+102 spins, +0.603 million AIs) moves up a spot to #5 as it passes Josh Turner's TIL (-296 spins, -2.122 million AIs). BA continues to increase its lead on Easton Corbin's LYIF (+27 spins, +0.333 million AIs). In fact, BA outgained all the other top 10 songs. We will have to see what happens in the next few days, but Dustin Lynch's CAA (+14 spins, -0.066 million AIs) and Jana Kramer's WYW (+14 spins, +0.054 million AIs) are showing weakness right now. It is at least possible that neither will reach #1. And it is possible that Jason Aldean's TALR (+75 spins, +0.311 million AIs) could replace Hunter Hayes' Wanted (-73 spins, -0.272 million AIs) at #1 on both charts this week. So we now have the possibility of a scenario where BA takes over the #1 spot from TALR in 2 weeks. And for those interested, Brad Paisley's SCZ had 886 spins and 8.111 million AIs for its first day. And Taylor Swift's WANEGBT (-6 spins, +0.070 million AIs) is still basically stalled.

On Canadian Country, BA (+2 spins, +0.041 million AIs) remains at #2. BA is now only one spin behind Pontoon and it is 55 spins ahead of TALR.

[pandy]

Wow, Cary. Thank you for the update. Such a good GOOD update. Blown Away is on fire and Way to go Canada.

[thaifood]

Just to throw an opinion around. I NEVER, EVER, not even for the slightest of moments, considered Scotty as anything other than a second or third tier talent. I just never understood the Idol fandom other than he was yet another WGWG. I don't see his long term viability nor do I see him adding fans due to the release of a Christmas album. There are many others in Country music doing the same thing only so much better ( Josh Turner & Trace Adkins come immidately to mind). I wish the kid well, but he has some major headwinds to tackle.

As to Lauren, I'd like to see her step up her game, but with the malecentric industry that is Country music, it's going to take something rather spectacular. Even Kelli Pickler, whom I consider to be much more Country & a much better vocalist, is hanging on by her fingernails at the moment ( possibly because she is concentrating more on a new marriage for the time being) but regardless, new women in Country Music have to take the world by storm right out of the box in order to move forward.

By the way, stories are circulating that Steven Tyler wants back into Idol as a mentor, not a judge.