The reliably astounding George Strait has done it again. This week his new album, Twang,
tops not only Billboard's country chart but also the trade magazine's all-genre Billboard 200 list. Twang
sold just over 155,000 copies its first seven days out, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Another prize performer, Taylor Swift, enjoys her second week at No. 1 on Billboard's country
song chart via her co-penned "You Belong With Me."
Newcomer
Justin Moore scores a very impressive debut with his self-titled CD. It screeches in
at No. 3. The week's third and final new album is Willie Nelson's Lost Highway,
which bows at No. 29.
There are five first-time songs: Lady Antebellum's "Need
You Now" (popping in at No. 50), Jamey Johnson's "My Way to You" (No. 56),
Big Kenny's "Long
After I'm Gone" (No. 57), Steel Magnolia's "Keep
On Lovin' You" (No. 58) and Blaine Larsen's "It Did" (No. 59).
Albums returning
to the chart are Bill Gaither Presents: Country Bluegrass Homecoming volumes one and two resurfacing at No. 49 and
No. 52, respectively, Jimmy Wayne's Do You Believe Me Now (No. 70), Ronnie
Milsap's Then Sings My Soul: 24 Favorite Hymns and Gospel Songs (No. 72) and Hank
Williams III's Damn Right Rebel Proud (No. 74).
Rounding out this week's Top 5 albums are Swift's Fearless
(No. 2), Sugarland's Live on the Inside (No. 4) and the Zac
Brown Band's The Foundation (No. 5).
The No. 2 through No. 5 songs, in that order, are Darius
Rucker's "Alright," Jason
Aldean's "Big Green Tractor," Rascal
Flatts' "Summer Nights" and Billy
Currington's "People Are Crazy."




