AITOO Eyes Top 20

Am I the Only One has continued its march up the charts in the past two weeks, and now sits just outside the Top 20 on both charts: #21 on Mediabase, and #22 on Billboard. 

The song is poised to jump into the Top 20 on both charts this week (I'm guessing #19 on Mediabase and #20 on Billboard), and is hot on the heels of a few songs in front of it. An interesting note about making it into the Top 20: On last week's Billboard chart, the difference in audience between 18th and 19th was 5 million! That indicates that songs 1-18 have been in the top 18 for a while, garnering more airplay at radio, whereas #19 and #20 are fairly new additions, so are just starting to reap the rewards of being in the Top 20. 

Additionally, the (hilarious) Am I the Only One video made its debut on CMT's Top 20 countdown at #13 this week, which helps add to the songs exposure! 

Now that the song is firmly within the Top 30, it will be on all surveys, so make sure you sign up at Rate The Music and Nashville Country Club and make sure radio knows you LOVE the song and you're NOT tired of hearing it. And, of course, text, tweet, call, and email your DJs and let them know you're not the only one who wants to get your good time on ... in the car! 

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Am I the Only One Continues Fast Rise

Dierks Bentley's latest single, Am I the Only One, continued its march up the charts this week, moving up 4 spots to #33 in its 3rd week on Billboard, and moved to #34 (also up 4 spots) on Mediabase in its 2nd week. Additionally, it was on 21 new Billboard-monitored stations, and 19 new Mediabase-monitored stations. Across the broad spectrum of all country stations (some of which are not monitored and therefore don't report), there are only about 50 stations that aren't playing it. After 3 weeks, I don't think that's half bad. (It's already out-performed Draw Me a Map.) 

Am I the Only One is likely to move into the Top 30 next week, so for those of you whose radio stations are a "top 30 only" format, your time should come soon! Top 30 will also mean syndicated spins on the weekly countdown shows, as well as being added to radio surveys such as Rate The Music. Another great survey you might be interested in signing up for is over at Nashville Country Club, and those survey results are actually used in a chart that is included with the Billboard release every week, so in a few weeks we'll be able to get a sense of the survey audience reaction toward the song, as well. 

And CMT's news that the new video (featuring Jake!) will debut during their Big New Music Weekend April 22-24 should be welcome, too, and will only help add to the exposure for the song. 


If your station is one of the few still not playing the song, don't stop calling, tweeting, texting, and emailing your DJs to let them know you're ready to get your good time on with Dierks! Surely they don't want to be the only one not playing it! 

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

Holding the "Map" Steady

This week, Dierks Bentley's latest single "Draw Me a Map" holds steady on the charts, at #34 on Billboard, and #36 on Mediabase. It's now on 182 of approximately 220 stations, so it seems as though more stations are in fact playing it, I just don't think they are "quality" spins (meaning a lot of it's current airplay is likely in the overnight hours, rather than during the morning/evening drives and workday). However, in spite of not moving on the charts this week, it *is* still seeing modest growth in both its audience and spins, which indicates that radio hasn't quite given up on this one.

Billboard's update includes the Callout America chart, which is a music opinion chart similar to that of RateTheMusic.com (though RTM only panels people online). The difference, so far as I can tell, is that RTM gets opinions on the top 30 songs on Mediabase (so start looking for "Map" on your surveys soon!) whereas Callout compiles a list of the top 35 songs based on opinions. Last week, "Map" was #31, and this week, it moves to #27, with only .9% of the sample (450 persons) saying they "strongly dislike" the song. Roughly 51% said they like the song, and 35% are "neutral" on the song -- which could indicate that they aren't that familiar with it. "Map" is already higher on this chart than "Ridge" was, and I suspect that as more and more people become more familiar with it, it should go higher. Many program directors use charts like Callout America to get the "pulse" of what listeners want (though, personally, I think they could use it a bit more), and can use it to help determine what new music to play, etc. I'm optimistic that the higher "Map" can go on the Callout chart, the more it will help the song climb the charts as well.

Keep pushing for the Top 30, Congress. I'm fairly certain we should get there within the next few weeks. Aside from the fact that the song will then get more exposure on syndicated countdown shows, it will also be a part of the RateTheMusic surveys, and should get more exposure just by being a Top 30 song (the current difference between between #34 and #30 is 1.5 - 2 million people). We are oh-so-close!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

VOTE FOR UP ON THE RIDGE ON RATE THE MUSIC AND ENTER TO WIN!

Do you want to help Dierks Bentley's, Up On The Ridge single to move up the charts? Here's your chance to make a difference! UOTR is one of the songs in this week's Rate The Music survey and every vote counts! Just go to ratethemusic.com and login or register (it only take 30 seconds!) and then take the "Country" Survey!

Dierks is about halfway through the 30 or so songs this week.


Make sure you click:

1-"Yes, I am familiar with the song
2- "Like it a lot"
3-"NO, I am not tired of hearing it on the radio!"

Remember to take a picture of yourself voting or a screen shot and email it to me and you will be entered in the DB Congress Contest to win a prize pack!

Our primary campaign right now is to get Up On The Ridge to the Top 20 on Billboard! Let's give it all we've got to give, 'congrass!' Ask your family and friends to vote, too!

Ronna
DB Congress Chair
Ronna@dbcongress.com

THAT'S HOW ME MOVE "UP" ON THE CHARTS

In its 8th week, Dierks Bentley's latest single "Up on the Ridge" moved up 3 spots to #25 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. It is up to #19 on Billboard's "Country Indicator" chart for smaller markets, which could be indicative of its future growth on the major charts. While it experienced both positive growth in audience and spins, it held steady on Mediabase at #28.

Aside from the positive growth, this should be a good week for the song. Not only is it release-week for the album (FINALLY, YAY!), it's also CMA Fest, which means lots of great opportunities for Dierks to promote the song/album. And not only THAT, but thanks to Takara (DBC Rep from Missouri) for the heads up that Dierks will be joining Crook & Chase on their countdown show next week -- for the entire 4 hours! And, because UOTR is #28 on the chart, it will get a very large syndicated spin during the show (and during other countdown shows as well).

I also encourage everybody to sign up at Rate the Music to take part in their music surveys. They survey the top 30 songs, which means that UOTR is now part of the survey. Be sure to choose that you love the song and are NOT tired of it! Positive feedback equals greater longevity for songs!

For those of you going to CMA Fest/LCB, I wish you safe travels and I hope you all have a great time and bring back lots and lots of stories to share with those of us who are there in spirit!

PS. Don't forget to vote for UOTR on GAC and CMT! (I included the links so you can't tell me it's too hard!)

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

NEW DBC CAMPAIGN COMMENCES MONDAY

Thanks to all the dedicated Dierks fans for voting for our president on a daily basis! Through your efforts, DB's I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes is making headway--here's this week's results:

CMT Top 20 - #17 (LW #16)

CMT Pure 12-Pack - NA

GAC Top 20 - NA (LW#16)

Rate The Music #6

BillBoard - #14 (Call, email, or click on radio station websites!)

There's a new campaign to add to our daily DB list. Country Music Gone Wild hosts a Top 20 fan voted list every week and Dierks is at #6 this week! According to CountryMusicGW on Twitter, "Voting always starts on Monday and ends at 5:00pm EST on Friday. Thanks for your hard work in promoting Dierks and the Top 20 Gone Wild."

I am confident DB Congress reps will dedicate an extra 10 seconds every day to vote for I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes on CountryMusicGoneWild, in addition to the campaigns above! We need all the exposure we can get for Dierks--gotta move the song to the top 10 on the BillBoard charts!

Got a lotta votin' left to do! Git 'er done, congress!

#18 -- AND A LULLABY?

To celebrate the entrance of "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes" into the Top 20 this week, Ronna and I are excited to share a story and different perspective of the song with our fellow Congress members.

Most who read this are familiar with the story of honorary Congress member Bud, and familiar with his love of our President, Mr. Dierks Bentley. Recently, his mom (MOM-NOS) wrote a blog about "Close Your Eyes" and Bud's interesting take on it. As she writes:

Bud actually has a different vision for "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes." Last week as he was getting ready for bed, we were talking about songs and the emotions they convey. (I've found that this is an especially useful tool to help my little music fan try to adopt another person's perspective to sort out how that person feels and why s/he might feel that way.) We were making our way through Feel That Fire tracks ("Life on the Run" is angry and maybe afraid... "Sideways" is happy, but the "HEY! now" in the lyric might be a little surprised...) when Bud asked "And what kind of song is 'I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes?'"

"Well," I said, "It's a love song."

"No," Bud replied. "It's a lullaby."

"A lullaby?"

"Yes," he said. "Dierks sings it to Evie when she needs to go to sleep."

I reviewed the lyrics in my head - the ones that, up until that moment, could only be about one thing - and suddenly I could see how, when taken from Bud's perspective, they could also be describing a daddy getting his baby ready for bed:

Girl I've been waiting on this long hard day to get over
So I can rest my head right here on your shoulder
I just wanna lay here and feel you breathe
Listen to the rhythm of your heartbeat ...
We're wide awake but, girl, I wanna make you close your eyes

What a fabulous, refreshing, and heartwarming take on the song! I should mention that Bud is, so far, 2-for-2 on "his" songs from "Feel That Fire" going to #1 on the charts, and 3-for-3 for choosing the singles from "Feel That Fire." It's a good thing he likes "Close Your Eyes" so much, because he's sure to hear a lot of it in the near future.

IWMYCYE is currently 4th in increased spins, both for the published (charting) stations, and all country stations. It's just about doubled it's spins from where it was just one week ago, up nearly 800 new plays! It is 4th on RateTheMusic.com in the "People 25-54" demographic (the largest demographic). It is 7th in overall audience gain (which you'll remember is what the charts are based on). With the amount of plays it's picking up, that audience number is sure to follow soon.

Based on that information, as well as at least one song moving to recurrent status next week, it appears IWMYCYE will move to #16. That's a conservative estimate ~ it's highly possible that it could be as high as #14, though quite a lot of things would need to fall into place for that to happen. Regardless, our Prez has a bona-fide hit on his hands -- not that we're surprised!

For those of you heading to Nashville this weekend for Miles and Music, I hope your travels are safe and your times are good!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

EYES ON TOP OF RATE THE MUSIC

Dierks Bentley's "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes" is #8 in the Rate The Music top ten songs. Be a part of the Music Advisory Panel! If you are not already a member, you can sign up for free here. Rate The Music is the internet's first music rating website where your opinions really do count.

If you're a Dierks fan, I know you will want to help move 'Close Your Eyes' into the number one position both on RTM and on the Billboard Charts! So let's go DB Congress! Let's 'wierk' together to make this campaign a success!

WEEK 10: "EYES" SETS SIGHT ON TOP 20

In its 10th week on the charts, Dierks Bentley's "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes" moved up one spot to #21, just shy of the elusive top-20 (next week, Congress. Next week!).

This week, I've been focusing on what could be considered "the little things" that go into moving a song up the chart, and I figured I'd give you a bit more of a technical look at the charts. (I found new charts to play with this week hehe.)

IWMYCYE was 6th overall in audience increase this week, which is the highest for a song *out* of the Top 20. It's audience increased by 2.4 million. If it grows at only half that this week, it will most definitely move into the top 20 next week. There are also at least 2 songs between 11 and 19 on the chart that are looking to fall into recurrent status in the next few days, which should mean an easy shift upward.

I now have access to RateTheMusic.com results. This really excites me, because it is a great indicator of how the public is reacting to a song. Here is some data as of today (10/1/09) at 2:24 PM:

For People (Men and Women) ages 25-54:
IWMYCYE is #9 of 15, with a rating of 3.96 (out of 5). 81% of that demographic is familiar with the song, and a low 10% are "burned out" -- or tired of -- the song.

For Women ages 25-54:
#7 of 15, with a rating of 4.04 (out of 5). 80% are familiar, and only 9% are tired of it.

For Women ages 25-34 (one of the key demos for Country Radio):
#12 of 15, with a rating of 4.03 (out of 5). Only 73% say they are familiar, though, and only 8% are burned out.

For Men ages 25-34:
#6 of 15, with a rating of 4.05 (out of 5). 88% are familiar, and 8% are tired of it. (Interesting note: for Men ages 25-54, it's not even in the top 15!)

I thought that was interesting. The highest rated songs overall right now are "Do I" by Luke Bryan, "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum, and "Gettin' You Home" by Chris Young, pretty much across the board. No song is rated higher than 4.36 (Lady A). Sort of puts a bit more weight on those surveys that we do every few weeks, and it's interesting to see the contrasts between how a song is rating and how it's faring on the charts. (Also, RateTheMusic surveys are compiled based on the Top 30 songs.)

Keep doing what you're doing, Congress! I'll be back next week with more fun information, I'm sure. :)

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter - NC)

MAKING GAINS: IWMYCYE JUMPS

Dierks Bentley's third single from "Feel That Fire" is starting to make some serious gains on country radio. "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes" jumped a healthy FIVE positions to #22 this week, and its star is definitely starting to shine brighter! It's just a tick shy of the top 20, and I'm fairly confident it should make the jump next week. It's currently neck-and-neck with the current Trace Adkins single, but Dierks is garnering more airplay on a day-to-day basis. Slowly but surely, the sexy song is climbing its way up the charts.

I know we're all doing our part, and our efforts are certainly paying off. To echo what we posted a little bit ago about RateTheMusic.com, I definitely want to encourage everybody to sign up. I would also encourage you to check out your local country station's website(s). Many stations have some sort of a listener advisory board that you can join, and they typically get feedback from surveys through RateTheMusic or something similar. I can say first-hand that the results of the surverys are important. WKKT here in Charlotte has the "Music Mafia" and utilizes RateTheMusic survey results to compile its daily "Charlotte's Most Wanted" countdown. "Close Your Eyes" has been a staple on Most Wanted every day since the station debuted it -- therefore it's resonating with the public. It was even #1 last Friday (it's been #2 all this week). To put it in perspective, not even Carrie Underwood's "Cowboy Casanova" has been on there consistently. Radio stations do care what we have to say! Sign up today!

I will see you all again next week, hopefully with a Top-20 chart position!

~ Carrie S. (DBC Rep/Chart Reporter ~ NC)

RATE THE MUSIC

Thanks to Mona, DBC rep in Iowa, and Director of Promotions for DBC shirts, we know that Dierks Bentley's, "I Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes" is on this week's Rate The Music survey. You just need to register (it's free) and then select:

YOUR CURRENT SURVEYS (Available to Complete)
Click on the survey name to take a survey:
Country-September 11, 2009 NEW!
(ends on September 17, 2009)

You will be presented about 20 songs to "rate", and Close Your Eyes is one of them. Make sure you click "Like a lot" and "No" I am NOT tired of hearing it on the radio!

We need your help to get IWMYCYE into the top 10 for the Rate The Music Top 10 Country songs! Every little bit helps!

Click here to register, or login in and take the survey. It only takes about 5-7 minutes!

Thank you, DB Congress!

~Ronna

DBC Chair