Proving he “isn’t afraid to do things his own way” (Forbes), Thomas Rhett has earned this week's No. one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with “Die A Happy Man” from his sophomore album TANGLED UP (The Valory Music Co.), marking five consecutive No. One's. While continuing to hold its place on the iTunes all-genre Top 10 chart, "Die A Happy Man" earns a Platinum certification by the RIAA.
“It's been really cool to see a song that is so personal to me and Lauren become something so many other people can relate to,” shares Thomas Rhett. “This year has been wild and I can't really think of a better way to close it out."
Dubbed by Noisey as “one of country [music’s] perennial next big things,” Thomas Rhett also closes out 2015 with attention from critics, landing on year-end lists including Billboard’s 10 Best Country Songs of 2015 for "Die A Happy Man." This year's Tangled Up and previous Platinum selling chart-topper "Crash And Burn" were handpicked by Rolling Stone for their Best Country Albums of 2015 and Best Country Songs of 2015 lists respectively, as the former was one of only two country tracks on SPIN’s all-genre 101 Best Songs of 2015.
This year's CMT ON TOUR marked Thomas Rhett's first headlining tour where he proved critics have "no doubt he's on his way to superstardom" (Patriot Ledger). He will continue in the momentum as direct support on Jason Aldean’s WE WERE HERE 2016 TOUR kicking off in January. For more information and for a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.thomasrhett.com.
Mark
Thanks for the clarification! Does the industry tend to weight both charts equally? Billboard obviously has the well-known public brand, but I'm wondering if country music professionals consider it "official" in the same way.
Matt B
Yes, they do. "Billboard" cache is more for marketing purposes only though a #1 is a #1 to the industry of writers, label execs and artists and, most of all, fans (the ones who don't watch the charts).
Matt Bjorke
Yes, the industry views them the same way. One isn't 'weighted' more than the other by the industry (though one is 'easier' to get than the other).
Matt
Yes, this song and "Burning House" split #1 chart positions this week. This one attained the Billboard #1 while "Burning House" earned the Mediabase #1. Both are essentially #1 hits for country music labels. Both may have a life at Adult Pop radio stations too.
Liz
Mark - it hit number 1 on the Mediabase chart
Mark
There's also a story saying "Burning House" is #1 at country radio. Did that song hit the top on MediaBase or some other radio chart?
Brian C. Cole
Cam led in spins and hit #1 on MB. Rhett led in audience and hit #1 on BB.
Brian C. Cole
I think DAHM had the audience lead and BH led in spins. So both can claim #1. I would think Cam is #1 on MB and Rhett is #1 on BB given the above scenario, but Matt knows better.