Miranda Lambert and Kellie: Chart History Comparison

robert1848 · 02-18-2008, 10:54 AM

I saw Miranda Lambert lament a little this week-end about her lack of air-time on Country Radio (on CMT Insider). She says that "things are a little better", although to my observation, I'm not so sure. With Carrie and Taylor constantly in the top 10, other female artists are taking a back seat.

Although Kellie's and Miranda's music and personality couldn't be more different, I was noticing that there have been some similarities between the chart history of Miranda and Kellie. Kelliefans take heart: Miranda's first album took two years to get it's platinum certification, with it's Gold certification coming in December 2005, nine months after release; Kellie reached gold after ten weeks (1/18/2007).

Kerosene, Miranda's first album, was released in 3/05. After three singles, all with music videos (so how much does that help?) had lack-luster chart performances (Me and Charlie #27, Bring Me Down #32, and New Strings #25), it wasn't until the fourth single, Kerosene, that Miranda broke into the top 20 on radio reaching #15.

Her next single, Famous in a Small Town, from her new album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend peaked at #14. CExGF was released two years after her debut album. According to RIAA search I just did, it is not yet gold although it may be close, and once again, it's been about nine months, similar to Kerosene.

One difference between 2005 and now is that music has been in a real slump in 2007. That would suggest that if STG had been released in 2005, Kellie may have done much better than she has.

Also, Miranda has had no lack of accolades, having won Best New Artist, and nominated, I think twice, for Best Female Artist. Her album has been selected on some of the best of 2007 lists. She has toured with all the big boys. And in spite of all of this, she still hasn't "broken out".

Just a few thoughts......not sure if it really means anything....

cary78663 · 02-18-2008, 11:17 AM

^Just one small correction.

Kerosene was the third single off of Mirnada's debut album. New Strings was the fourth single.

Young_br · 02-18-2008, 11:22 AM

i think Miranda is underappreciated, "Kerosene" is such a good album, i like almost every song and i don't know why Miranda is not very successful, i think their label don't make a good job picking the singles.
that's one of the reasons why i don't complain about Kellie's career, she's doing really well, she's growing as an artist.
i have a huge faith in Kellie's career, she's only beginning.
ps: i think "More Like Her" should be Miranda next single.

nkl · 02-18-2008, 11:33 AM

If Kellie and Miranda can earn a living in country music, they may be much better off with top 20's than the consistent number 1's like Carrie in the long run. Achieving mega sucess like Shania Twain did can result in being trapped in a mansion in New Zealand. Not a bad situation, but she gave up the freedom of having a normal life.

kelliesmostbiggestfanever · 02-18-2008, 11:41 AM

thanks for the post!

KellieCrazy77 · 02-18-2008, 12:10 PM

Yeah I kinda compared Kellie and Miranda on the charts too, but there personality is WAYY different
lol

CUFan7 · 02-18-2008, 12:17 PM

I think Miranda is underappreciated! As much as I love Carrie, I think that if her or Taylor release "Kerosene" or "Famous In A Small Town" they would've gone #1!

werss · 02-18-2008, 12:47 PM

I never felt Kellie's performance was lackluster. She's pretty much #3 in top country females right now and I'd say that's pretty darn good. Coming from #6 on a pretentious TV show to holding her ground on the country charts is pretty impressive. I'm more concerned that her music, voice, and sales continue to prosper than having a huge opening and fading out. Longevity is the key.

OldGoat34 · 02-18-2008, 01:08 PM

Kellie is not doing that bad I just watched her USO Diaries broadcast on GAC last night.She does need to connect with the right song.Who knew anything much about Gretchen Wilson till she got Red Neck Woman and she was around years before that.Kellie needs to perform on the CMT awards so a country audience sees her more performing.I think Kellie is more popular than Miranda.Miranda is known more as a country singer from Nashville Star and winning that show.Kellies Album went Gold that is not a bad start.

amanda_434 · 02-18-2008, 04:16 PM

Good observation Robert. I always thought it was kind of pointless to compare anyone with Carrie or Taylor because they are huge exceptions to country music. Also, both of them have crossed over to "pop" radio.
On the other hand, look at all the other semi-new female artists such as Miranda, Danielle Peck and others who are struggling to get into the top 10 even with great songs. Kellie is doing really well, its just tough for (most) female artists. Country music only seems to want to accept the women that have been around for years like Martina and Reba. Just think where Kellie could be ten years from now!

robert1848 · 02-18-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkl

If Kellie and Miranda can earn a living in country music, they may be much better off with top 20's than the consistent number 1's like Carrie in the long run. Achieving mega sucess like Shania Twain did can result in being trapped in a mansion in New Zealand. Not a bad situation, but she gave up the freedom of having a normal life.

AMEN!

Too much, too fast and the small intimate concerts will be history.

100 concerts per year at venues averaging 1500 at $40 per ticket is a gross of $6,000,000. At the least, the artist takes home 25%, and with these small concerts, the overhead, including all travel opening act, is closer to 50% rather than 75%. There are many venues around that hold 1500-2000 and I think Miranda or Kellie would be easily able to average 1500 attendees, at least by year 2 or 3.

This means the artist take home is probably somewhere between $1.5 mil and $3.0 mil, just from the concerts.

That's a nice living in anyone's book.

Waunice Windham · 02-18-2008, 04:43 PM

You are right and that will buy lots of shoes, the expensive kind.

robert1848 · 02-18-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cary78663

^Just one small correction.

Kerosene was the third single off of Mirnada's debut album. New Strings was the fourth single.

Thanks for that correction Cary.

I couldn't find exact release dates for the singles, but I wrongly assumed that the order of the singles listed on Billboard was from most recent to oldest, and New Strings is listed below Kerosene in the singles history.

Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Miranda Lambert