Lack of 'Girl Power' on the charts
Country music is seeing a time when the charts are male dominated
It wasn't that long ago when there were multiple female country acts topping the charts, but lately it's almost been almost all men.
Remember when Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Lee Ann Womack where taking turns at the top of the country charts? Or before that, how about The Judds, Reba, and Tanya Tucker? Now, in the year 2007, country music is continuing to see a lack of "Girl Power' and a dominance from the guys.
If you look at the year 2006 in country music, only 3 female acts topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Granted one of those acts was Carrie Underwood, who alone spent 9 big weeks at the top with her two monster hits - "Jesus Take The Wheel" and "Before He Cheats," but outside of her, the only other female acts to boost a number one Billboard country song in 2006 was The Wreckers and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles.
By sharp contrast, the guys took all the glory. These are the male country music acts that hit the top of the charts in 2006: Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, George Strait, Brad Paisley, Josh Turner, Kenny Chesney, Rascall Flatts, Jack Ingram, Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Steve Holy, and Heartland. (That's right - neither Toby Keith or Tim Mcgraw hit number one last year.)
Do we see this trend changing in 2007? As of now, the answer is NO. Maybe Martina McBride will return to the top spot this year with her song "Anyway," and I'm sure Sugarland will hit the top at least once this year, probably more, but Carrie Underwood is going to have to carry the female touch for the immediate future. There's a lot of female newcomers, but it's going to be a while before they reach that superstar level. Acts like Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, The Wreckers, Kellie Pickler, and Ashley Monroe all sound promising, but they don't have the instant-star ability Carrie Underwood possessed after winning American Idol. Perhaps in four or five years, these new female singers while have reversed the trend.
Here's a look at 2007's top country songs:
January 6, 2007: Brad Paisley - She's Everything
January 13, 2007: Brad Paisley - She's Everything
January 20, 2007: Brad Paisley - She's Everything
January 27, 2007: Rodney Atkins - Watching You
February 3, 2007: Rodney Atkins - Watching You
February 10, 2007: Rodney Atkins - Watching You
