Acoustic music is alive and well, as demonstrated by first-week chart action for Nickel Creek’s second album, This Side. The album debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, but more noteworthy perhaps is its performance on the Billboard 200 chart. This Side landed at No. 18 on the chart that includes all genres, putting Nickel Creek behind James Taylor’s October Road and Keith Sweat’s Rebirth to become third-highest debut of the week.

Little movement took place this week near the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Kenny Chesney clings to his sixth week at No. 1 with “The Good Stuff,” while the Dixie Chicks stay at No. 2 with “Long Time Gone.” Tim McGraw’s “Unbroken” and Darryl Worley’s “I Miss My Friend” remain at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Tracy Byrd’s “Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo” jumps from No. 8 to No. 5, with Sara Evans’ “I Keep Looking” climbing one notch to No. 6. Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” slides to No. 7, with Joe Nichols’ major label debut single “The Impossible” rising to No. 8. Diamond Rio enter the Top 10 this week with “Beautiful Mess” climbing to No. 9. Andy Griggs’ “Tonight I Want to Be Your Man” rounds out the final slot in the Top 10.

Also on the singles chart, Terri Clark scores a Hot Shot Debut with “I Just Want to Be Mad.” Other debuts include Trick Pony’s “On a Mission” and the title track from Nickel Creek’s This Side. Judging by increased airplay during the past three weeks, Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You” -- now at No. 11 -- is poised to crack next week’s Top 10.

On the country albums chart, Keith’s Unleashed is enjoying a fourth straight week at No. 1. Nickel Creek’s arrival at No. 2 edged out Chesney’s No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, which dips slightly to No. 3. The O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack drops to No. 4 while Alan Jackson’s Drive retains the No. 5 slot. Martina McBride’s Greatest Hits and Worley’s I Miss My Friend are at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively, for the second consecutive week. McGraw’s Greatest Hits and Chesney’s identically-titled album land at No. 8 and No. 9, respectively. Keith’s Pull My Chain stands at No. 10.

The recent celebration of the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death continues to drive sales for Elvis: Today, Tomorrow & Forever. The compilation jumps from No. 41 to No. 25 to receive Greatest Gainer status. Montgomery Gentry’s Carrying On receives the Pacesetter award just days before the release of the duo’s new album, My Town.

In addition to Nickel Creek, Deana Carter and comic Tim Wilson debut this week with “best of” compilations. The Deana Carter Collection enters the chart at No. 54, with Wilson’s Certified Aluminum, His Greatest Recycled Hits, Vol. 1 debuting at No. 62.