Carrie Underwood is riding on an all time high. The famous country singer is perhaps the most successful graduate of the American Idol Franchise. After successfully hosting the CMA Awards this year, a Best Selling Artist for 2009 recognition, Carrie adds another feather in her cap with her chart-topping album, “Play On”.

This is the second album of Carrie’s that has gone to number one in the Billboard charts in the last two years. In 2005, Carnival Ride, her debut album, soared to the charts establishing her as a singer to watch for.

Following Play On is the soundtrack from the greatest of legends’ last performance, Michael Jackson. This Is It stayed on number one for one week only to be out-seated by Carrie Underwood.

(more…)

According to Billboard Magazine, Grammy Award winning duo Mary Mary, now holds the record for the longest climb to the top 10 in the chart’s 67-year history as their #1 single, “God In Me” jumped from 11-10 in it’s 42nd week on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Mary Mary are now the only gospel act to have at least two top 10s this decade, “Shackles (Praise You)” peaked at No.9 in 2000.

“God In Me” is currently celebrating its 7th consecutive week at the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart.

The Sound occupied the #1 slot on the Billboard Gospel Album chart for more than six months since its release in October 2008 and was #1 for 15 consecutive weeks beginning April 19. The Sound has also spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

Featuring Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, “God In Me,” perhaps the first gospel record to deploy an auto-tune, continues Mary Mary’s visionary blending of urban, hip-hop, soul, funk and pop elements with the power and conviction of their Christian message.

Mary Mary performed “God In Me,” with guest artist Queen Latifah, at the 2009 BET Awards, where the pair was named this year’s Best Gospel Artist.

2009 has been a banner year for Mary Mary. “Get Up,” the lead single from The Sound, earned the duo 2009’s Best Gospel Performance Grammy (their second overall) and a 2009 Dove Award (the pair’s seventh to-date) for Urban Recorded Song of the Year. Mary Mary also took this year’s NAACP Image Award for Best Gospel Artist (Traditional or Contemporary).

(Source) Press

THE BLACK EYED PEAS make history with the longest successive stay at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart with 20 consecutive weeks at #1. “I Gotta Feeling” holds at #1 for an eighth week and “Boom Boom Pow” spent 12 weeks at #1. This is the longest consecutive stay for an artist in the Billboard chart’s 51 year history.

“The Black Eyed Peas record-breaking feat is a phenomenal achievement that underscores will.i.am’s ability to craft songs that instantly resonate with music fans,” said Steve Berman, President, Marketing & Sales, Interscope Geffen A&M. “From the moment I met will, I knew his unique artistry would make lasting impressions.”

“With this kind of success your ego wants to take all the credit but your heart reminds your soul that it was your heart that had you slaving and creating in the studio making the music; breaking through comfort zones and tradition. In the fight between heart and ego my heart always wins,” said will.i.am. “Without everyone doing their part, the stars never would have aligned. This was a group effort, thank you to everyone who helped to keep these songs on top,” said Fergie.

“I Gotta Feeling,” the second single from The E.N.D., is currently in its second week at #1 on the Top 40 chart. Since its release eight weeks ago, “I Gotta Feeling” has sold over 2 million digital downloads. Their first single “Boom Boom Pow” spent seven weeks at #1 on the Top 40 chart and has sold over 3.8 million digital downloads. “Boom Boom Pow” is the #1 track on the Nielsen Soundscan’s Year To Date digital tracks chart for 2009.

THE E.N.D., the fifth release from the three-time Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum Interscope recording artist, The Black Eyed Peas, entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #1 with the group’s highest debut of their career with 304,109 in first-week sales. The E.N.D. is currently # 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.

Press