COUNTRY'S NEW KING

Since his debut album, This One’s for You (River House/Columbia Nashville), arrived in mid-2017, Luke Combs has dominated Country charts. The album received an extra boost in 2018 with the re-release of the deluxe version, This One’s for You, Too. Combs’ milestone LP not only occupies the #14 slot on our YTD albums chart—easily the highest-charting Country album—it has generated 3 million in total activity since release.

Just as significantly, Combs has become the streaming champion of the genre, amassing north of 3.5 billion streams with his debut set. Led by smash single “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” 2019 EP The Prequel has already racked up 400m streams—a stunning feat considering it consists of just five tracks. The Prequel now holds the record for the biggeststreaming week for a country artist ever.

Along with streaming, Combs’ path to superstardom has included a remarkable run at Country radio. His LP has earned six consecutive #1s at the format, with a seventh on the way. One of these chart-toppers, “Beautiful Crazy,” is up for Song of the Year at this year’s CMA Awards, where Combs is also up for Male Vocalist of the Year. The monumental track is on pace to hit 4m in total activity before the end of the year.

Combs’ sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get—which dropped Friday—is a lock to set country streaming records, debut at #1 and stretch its legs deep into 2020.

THE HITS LIST TURKEY TROT
...with all the trimmings (11/22a)
AN AWARD-WINNING CMA GALLERY
Cowboy hats and funny caps (11/21a)
NEAR TRUTHS: WITCHING HOUR
It's not easy being green. (11/21a)
NEAR TRUTHS: REALIGNMENT AND RECOGNITION
Underscoring the year's biggest stories (11/19a)
NEAR TRUTHS: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Nervous time in the music biz and beyond. (11/16a)
NOW WHAT?
We have no fucking idea.
COUNTRY'S NEWEST DISRUPTOR
Three chords and some truth you may not be ready for.
AI IS ALREADY EATING YOUR LUNCH
The kids can tell the difference... for now.
WHO'S BUYING THE DRINKS?
That's what we'd like to know.
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country