VOA标准英语2011--Country Music Album Sales Up in 2011

Country Music Album Sales Up in 2011

 

In 2011, Country album sales increased more than four percent over the previous year and a number of Country artists enjoyed crossover success on the pop charts.

In 2011, the Eli Young Band earned its first Number One Country hit with “Crazy Girl.” Although it took 38 weeks to reach the summit, the song was played on radio more than any competitor to make it the Number One Country single of the year. In 2011, the Eli Young Band moved to Republic Nashville Records. The two-year-old label’s roster¹ also includes Martina McBride, Sunny Sweeney and The Band Perry.

Sibling² trio The Band Perry had the biggest breakout success of any Country newcomer during the past year. “If I Die Young” was the most downloaded digital Country single of 2011. Eleven months after its Number One success on the Country chart, the song ascended³ to the top of the Adult Contemporary list. The Band Perry’s follow-up hit, “You Lie,” ranks at Number Five on Billboard⁴’s yearend Hot Country Songs chart.

In 2011, Lady Antebellum released its third album, “Own the Night,” but the trio was still riding high on the success of its previous release, “Need You Now.” “Need You Now” gave the group five Grammy Awards, and it was this year’s fourth best-selling Country album. “Own the Night” ranks two spaces lower at Number Six.

Two “American Idol” finalists made Billboard’s Top Five New Country Artists yearend list. First runner-up Lauren Alaina placed at Number Three. She says highlights of 2011 include the release of her first album “Wildflower,” making her Grand Ole Opry debut⁵, and performing at the White House for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Lady Antebellum, from left, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood pose backstage with the award for best record of the year at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Los Angeles.

“American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery is the year’s Number One New Country Artist. “The Trouble With Girls” was one of two hits from 18-year-old Scotty McCreery’s debut album, “Clear As Day.” Its Number One entry on the Billboard 200 and Country Albums charts made him the youngest male artist to open in the top spot. “Clear As Day” also had the highest first-week sales of any solo Country artist in 2011.

The Number One Male Country Artist of the year was 34-year-old Georgia native Jason Aldean. He earned his big break with his fourth album, “My Kinda Party.” The set has sold more than two million copies in the U.S. alone and ranks at Number Four on the all-genre Billboard 200 yearend chart. Two songs from the album reached Number One, including the Country-rap hit, “Dirt Road Anthem,” which also tops Billboard’s yearend Ringtones chart.

Jason Aldean’s fans showed their support by giving him six wins at the recent 2nd Annual American Country Awards…more than any other nominee⁶. Aldean is one of four Country artists listed among the Top 25 tours of 2011. The others include Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift, who had the year’s Number One Country tour and ranks at Number 5 overall.

Swift’s “Speak Now” album was the year’s Number One Country seller, and trailed only Adele on the Billboard 200 yearend chart. Swift also earned several industry awards throughout the year. They include being named the Country Music Association’s and Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year, the American Music Awards’ Artist of the Year, and Billboard’s Woman of the Year. At only 22, she’s the youngest recipient⁷ of Billboard’s prestigious⁸ honor.

Taylor Swift closes 2011 with one of the fastest-rising chart hits of her career, “Ours.”

1 roster   

n.值勤表，花名册

参考例句：

• The teacher checked the roster to see whom he would teach this year.老师查看花名册，想了解今年要教的学生。
• The next day he put himself first on the new roster for domestic chores.第二天，他把自己排在了新的家务值日表的第一位。

2 sibling   

n.同胞手足(指兄、弟、姐或妹)

参考例句：

• Many of us hate living in the shadows of a more successful sibling.我们很多人都讨厌活在更为成功的手足的阴影下。
• Sibling ravalry has been common in this family.这个家里，兄弟姊妹之间的矛盾很平常。

3 ascended   

v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He has ascended into heaven. 他已经升入了天堂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The climbers slowly ascended the mountain. 爬山运动员慢慢地登上了这座山。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

5 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

6 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

7 recipient   

a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器

参考例句：

• Please check that you have a valid email certificate for each recipient. 请检查是否对每个接收者都有有效的电子邮件证书。
• Colombia is the biggest U . S aid recipient in Latin America. 哥伦比亚是美国在拉丁美洲最大的援助对象。

8 prestigious   

adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的

参考例句：

• The young man graduated from a prestigious university.这个年轻人毕业于一所名牌大学。
• You may even join a prestigious magazine as a contributing editor.甚至可能会加入一个知名杂志做编辑。