When the Billboard Hot Country chart was released today, Zach Bryan's duet with Kacey Musgraves was #1. He also occupied a bunch of other spots in the chart thanks to the release of his latest album. Those new songs pushed down previous #1s Rich Men to #4 and Try That to #9. When you're hot, you're hot. When you're not, you're not.
Meanwhile Zach has not had as much luck on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. His previous single peaked at #23. Why the disparity, you ask? Two different chart methodologies, and two different audiences. The Hot Country chart includes streaming, and the Airplay chart does not. A few months ago I went to a music conference where one panel featured a radio PD and a Spotify programmer. The Spotify programmer heralded Zach Bryan as the next big thing. The radio programmer said Zach's music tests poorly. Country radio has a target audience of 60% women 25-54. Streaming has not target, and really has no way of knowing who is streaming its music.
CMA Awards nominations will be released this Thursday. Don't be surprised if you see Zach Bryan get a few nominations. He was nominated last spring for ACM Awards. But the nominations likely won't change his situation with country radio.
Meanwhile Zach has not had as much luck on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. His previous single peaked at #23. Why the disparity, you ask? Two different chart methodologies, and two different audiences. The Hot Country chart includes streaming, and the Airplay chart does not. A few months ago I went to a music conference where one panel featured a radio PD and a Spotify programmer. The Spotify programmer heralded Zach Bryan as the next big thing. The radio programmer said Zach's music tests poorly. Country radio has a target audience of 60% women 25-54. Streaming has not target, and really has no way of knowing who is streaming its music.
CMA Awards nominations will be released this Thursday. Don't be surprised if you see Zach Bryan get a few nominations. He was nominated last spring for ACM Awards. But the nominations likely won't change his situation with country radio.