Overseas People
King And Queen Of Country Top Charts
Shania Twain
This has been quite a year for country music, sales-wise. Not only have country stars dominated the country charts (what else?), but many top country acts have hit the top of the "cross-over" mainstream Billboard charts.
The music-tracing company says Shania Twain and George Strait continue to rule the top of the charts in both categories. Twain's "Up!" CD has spent its fifth consecutive week at the top of the Billboard 200 charts. Sales of the compilation were up more than 20 percent over the holidays. Meanwhile, Strait's latest project, "Leave You With a Smile," is at the top of the Billboard Hot Country charts. Additionally, Twain is in the top ranks of the country world. Her "Up!" CD is a unique one, featuring two separate disks, one with the songs done in country style, the other in contemporary style. By the way, during a time when the total record industry saw a bad sales year (down by 9 percent), country music sales were up 11 percent.