ONE-DAY SALES: THREE FOR FIGHTING

Looks like the #1 spot on next week’s album chart will be closely contested. But it won’t be about debuts, it’ll be about staying power.

Indeed, three undeniably strong albums in a soft market—Bruce Springsteen’s The Rising (Columbia/CRG), Nelly’s Nellyville (Fo’ Reel/Universal) and Eminem’s The Eminem Show (Aftermath/Interscope), which make up this week’s #1, 2 and 3—look like they’ll be duking it out for the top spot, according to early reports from national accounts.

Bruce, of course, has been #1 for two weeks now, his moving set of songs reflecting on events of 9/11 striking a national chord. Nelly held down #1 for three weeks beginning at the top of July, while Eminem stood on it for five weeks beginning at the end of May. Who’ll be the boss next week? Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, national singing/songwriting treasure James Taylor released his 10 millionth album Tuesday. Early reports indicate October Road (Columbia/CRG) is on track to sell upwards of 100k. That could very well give everybody’s beloved churnin’ urn of burnin’ funk a Top 10 debut.