Photo: Brian Tipton

James Otto and Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood all shared similar excitement Wednesday morning (Sept. 10) after a special live edition of CMT Insider at Nashville's Sommet Center. In addition to announcing part of this year's CMA award nominations, they also shared their first CMA award nominations.

Otto and Lady Antebellum were both nominated in the new artist category alongside Kellie Pickler, Jason Aldean and Rodney Atkins. Lady Antebellum also picked up a nomination for vocal group of the year, a field that includes the Eagles, Emerson Drive, Little Big Town and five-time winners Rascal Flatts.

All three members of Lady Antebellum were clearly excited over their very first CMA nominations.

"When we had looked at the categories, that was one that we were just hoping so much we could get in," Kelley told CMT Insider just moments after the new artist category was announced. "I think of us to have everybody's stamp of approval on us, it just feels so amazing, and there's just great talent in there."

Scott agreed, noting, "There's just so many people, so many new artists, that have come out in the past year to two years that, I mean, it's almost like a new ... kind of freshmen class. So it's exciting to feel like we're a part of that."

"The way they did it," Kelley explained, "they each gave us a card to call out the nominees for different categories, and right before we went on stage, they gave us the last card -- I guess so while we were back there, nobody would peek at it. It happened to be one that ourselves as well as James Otto was in -- so I guess they didn't want us looking."

"And they definitely gave it to Charles on purpose," Scott laughed. "They didn't give it to me for a reason because I'd have been like, 'Ahhhh! Oh, my gosh!'"

"She wouldn't have gotten past our name," Kelley joked. "It was genuine shock. It was. It was very exciting."

The trio didn't expect to be in the vocal group category.

"The Eagles, they were my first concert ever -- when I was 10," said Haywood. "So to actually be in a category with them, that's pretty amazing. Yeah, the three of us were flipping out."

Otto has been in the music business for several years, so he knew better than to take a nomination for granted.

"Man, I'm sweating now actually thinking about just how crazy it is," Otto told CMT Insider. "It's amazing, man. This is a lifetime of work coming together. ... You know, there's a lot of people that have been in that category that have a lot more hits than I do and people that really deserve the award, so it feels amazing, man. And yes, nerve-racking for sure."

"I've been in Nashville for 11 years," he added. "This is not my first record deal, but the thing is, this is the first opportunity I've really gotten that was 100 percent about trying to make this happen for me, and I'm just really honored that people look at me as a new artist. I feel like a new artist. I feel like this is my first real shot at this, and I'm just very excited man, very excited."

"I honestly didn't let myself think about being nominated for this. This was something that I saw -- too many big names in the category -- people that are established and already are large stars. So I didn't really allow myself to think about the fact that we might actually make the short list like this."

Kenny Chesney received seven nominations -- more than anyone this year. With entertainer of the year and male vocalist nominations, he is also up for album, single and video of the year, along with two vocal event nominations for his work with George Strait and Reba McEntire.

"You never know how these things are going to go," Chesney said in a written statement. "We work so hard on this music, the tours, the videos. It's so much the focus of what I do, how I live. It's always a thrill to see that people are not just noticing but recognize what we're all trying to do."

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush received five nominations, including their first-ever entertainer of the year nod. Nominated for vocal duo of the year, their hit, "Stay," is up for single, song and video of the year, and they are in the musical event category for their recording of "Life in a Northern Town" with Little Big Town and Jake Owen. Additionally, Nettles received a sixth nomination -- for song of the year -- for writing "Stay."

"I almost spilt my tea this morning as I was watching and the nominations kept being added," Nettles said in a written statement. "Being in the entertainer of the year category is such an honor. We've been lucky enough to be out on the road with Kenny Chesney for a couple of tours over the last two years. Looks like rock by osmosis really does work."

Bush added, "I just finished watching the nomination announcements on TV from my sofa at home, and it is simultaneously humbling and encouraging to be in such amazing company as we are in all of the categories. It is one thing to play shows every week of the year and imagine ourselves striving to become entertainers of the year and another thing all together to have the voting members of the CMA believe that it is possible. Simply awesome."

Strait also received five CMA nominations, including entertainer of the year and male vocalist. His latest album, Troubadour, is nominated for album of the year, and "I Saw God Today" is on the list for single of the year. Strait's fifth nomination this year is in the musical event category for his collaboration with Chesney on "Shiftwork."

"I'm sitting down here in South Texas, bracing for Hurricane Ike," Strait said in a press release. "This really brightens my day. I look forward to a great celebration of our great music. Thanks to all involved!"

Trace Adkins picked up two CMA nominations -- his first in 10 years -- for his hit single, "You're Gonna Miss This." Nominated for single and music video of the year, it also resulted in a song of the year nomination for songwriters Lee Thomas Miller and Ashley Gorley.

"'You're Gonna Miss This' has been such a special gift for me this year, so I'm really thrilled that the CMA and the industry recognized the strength of that song," Adkins said. "Not only was it one of the biggest hits of my career, when we performed it on the season finale of The Celebrity Apprentice, it helped raise a lot of money for my charity, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. So yeah, I'm really proud of this song."

Carrie Underwood is the recipient of two nominations, too. Her mention in the female vocalist division is complemented by an album of the year nomination for her second project, Carnival Ride.

"This is awesome!" Underwood said. "As an artist, you always hope the music you record will touch people's lives. There is nothing more rewarding than to be recognized by your peers and to know your fans are enjoying the same ride."

Taylor Swift was ecstatic when Rascal Flatts read her name among the female vocalist nominations during a segment of Good Morning America broadcast from New York's Times Square.

"This was definitely a day worth getting up really early for," she said. "Hearing my name called in the female vocalist category was a dream come true."

CMT Insider's writer/producer Terry Bumgarner contributed to this story.

View photos from the CMA award nominee announcements in New York and Nashville.

• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Trace Adkins
• Jake Owen
• Sugarland

Mariah Carey's <i>E=MC²</i>
Photo: Island

Last week, pop songstress Mariah Carey was everywhere, getting the word out about her latest LP, E=MC². She appeared on "American Idol," made the cover of Us Weekly and starred in a series of commercial-esque vignettes that aired all weekend, as part of MTV's 52/52 campaign.

Needless to say, Mariah's fans were well aware that the singer's album landed in stores last week, and clearly, the public appearances and the media hoopla didn't hurt sales of her record. In fact, with close to 463,000 copies scanned during week one, Carey's 11th studio offering coasts to the top of next week's Billboard albums sales chart, with little — if any — competition.

E=MC² marks Carey's sixth album to top the charts and has outsold all of the singer's previous efforts' opening weeks, according to the latest SoundScan data. In 2005, The Emancipation of Mimi opened at #1 with only 403,800 sold. Much more than that, though, E=MC² has earned the distinction of becoming 2008's best-selling debut so far, trouncing the 374,600 turned out by Jack Johnson's Sleep Through the Static in February.

Mariah's was among 19 new releases to impact next week's top 200 and one of only two new albums to enter the chart in the top 10. The other, country artist Lady Antebellum's self-titled set, bows at #4, selling 43,400 units. The rest of the top 10 is made up of several regulars, with Leona Lewis' Spirit at #2 (with 94,800 scans), Miley Cyrus' Best of Both Worlds live record at #3 (with 47,300 sold) and the 27th installment in the Now That's What I Call Music! compilation series finishing at #5 (selling 39,000 copies).

George Strait's Troubadour follows at #6 (with 38,000 sold), and the soundtrack to "Alvin and the Chipmunks" comes in at #7 (with sales reported at 31,700). The "Juno" soundtrack climbed 38 spots to #8 (31,300), no doubt thanks to the movie's DVD release, while R.E.M.'s Accelerate fell four spots to #9 (30,000). Taylor Swift's self-titled debut comes in at #10, with 29,700 sold.

Thrice's The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV enters next week's chart at #17, selling 21,400 units. Rush's Snakes and Arrows: Live bows at #18, selling 21,000 copies. The Naked Brothers Band's I Don't Want to Go to School scanned 19,000 copies to open at #23, and Tristan Prettyman's Hello claims the #27 spot, with a reported 18,200 snatched up. The Kooks' Konk follows at #41, with 13,300 sold, while Insane Clown Posse offshoot Dark Lotus' Opaque Brotherhood sold 12,100 copies to enter the chart at #45.

Elsewhere on the chart, Jason Mraz's We Dance EP generated first-week sales of 11,300 to open at #52, Apocalyptica's Worlds Collide follows at #59 with 10,600 scans, and M83's Saturdays = Youth comes in at #107, on the strength of 6,300 in sales. Phantom Planet return at #119, selling 5,700 copies of their new one, Raise the Dead, and Worth Dying For's self-titled debut opens at #166, selling 4,100 copies.

• Mariah Carey's E=MC²: Track By Track
• Mariah Carey: A Look Back At Her MTV Interviews
• Are British Bands Hitting A Star-Spangled Ceiling?

• Mariah Carey
• George Strait
• Thrice
• Rush
• The Kooks

In the battle between booty-shaking and reckless driving, the edge still goes to rising star Carrie Underwood. For the fifth week in a row, "Jesus, Take the Wheel" clutches the No. 1 spot on Billboard's country airplay chart, as Trace Adkins' "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" apparently loses its shot at the top spot, falling from No. 2 to No. 3.

Both songs had a decrease in spins last week, which means that Brad Paisley's "When I Get Where I'm Going" -- No. 2 with a bullet -- is potentially poised to reach the summit next week.

Or maybe not. After 29 weeks on the chart, Josh Turner's "Your Man" continues its steady climb, now at No. 4 with a bullet. He's just ahead of Faith Hill's "Like We Never Loved at All" at No. 5, Keith Urban's "Tonight I Wanna Cry" at No. 6 and Sugarland's "Just Might (Make Me Believe)" at No. 7. Rounding out the Top 10 are Tim McGraw's "My Old Friend" at No. 8, Kenny Chesney's "Living in Fast Forward" at No. 9 and Billy Currington's "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right" at No. 10.

George Strait claims the week's highest debut with "The Seashores of Old Mexico," a cover of a Merle Haggard song, splashing in at No. 48. Other new singles include Neal McCoy's "The Last of a Dying Breed" at No. 52, Martina McBride's cover of Johnny Cash's "I Still Miss Someone" at No. 53, Underwood's "Before He Cheats" at No. 59 and new artist Eric Church's "How 'Bout You" at No. 60.

Underwood returns to No. 1 on the country albums chart, trading places with Turner. The Legend of Johnny Cash lives on at No. 3, followed by the latest albums from Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Urban, Chesney and Sugarland. Walk the Line settles in at No. 9, followed by Miranda Lambert's Kerosene, at No. 10

New albums hitting the chart include Jamey Johnson's The Dollar at No. 20 and Alabama's three-disc boxed set, Livin' Lovin' Rockin' Rollin': The 25th Anniversary Collection, at No. 28. Kenny Rogers also makes several appearances on the chart: 21 Number Ones at No. 11, Golden Legends: Kenny Rogers at No. 57 and 42 Ultimate Hits at No. 75.

• Carrie Underwood
• Trace Adkins
• Brad Paisley
• Josh Turner
• Faith Hill

Ying Yang Twins' <i>United State of Atlanta</i>
Photo: Michael Blackwell

In a way, history repeats itself on the next Billboard album sales chart. After three weeks of ruling record sales, Coldplay have been overthrown, and it took a honky-tonkin' American — country legend George Strait — to end the British band's reign over the albums chart.

Somewhere Down in Texas, Strait's newest offering, claims the chart's #1 spot, moving close to 245,000 copies its first week out. Strait's latest shelves Coldplay's run at the top, jostling the rockers' X&Y two spots to a fourth-week #3 finish; X&Y netted sales of more than 140,000 this time around, according to the latest SoundScan data.

United State of Atlanta, the fifth album from Hotlanta party rap duo the Ying Yang Twins, also bested X&Y in this week's record-sales showdown, opening as Billboard's new #2, thanks to debut-week scans of more than 201,000. The Ying Yangs were predicted to chart high, having crafted one of the nation's biggest radio singles in "Wait (The Whisper Song)."

Mariah Carey's The Emancipation of Mimi has emerged as one of chart's most consistent entries. Twelve weeks after its initial release, Mimi has shifted close to 2.3 million units, and continues its solid sales performance with more than 130,000 copies snapped up this week — enough to secure Mariah Billboard's #4 spot. That's quite a comeback.

After George and the Twins, this week's third-highest debut belongs to Philadelphia rapper Cassidy's I'm A Hustla. The MC, currently being held without bail on murder and weapons charges, opens at #5, having sold close to 93,000 copies of his new LP during its first week of release.

The Black Eyed Peas' latest, Monkey Business, checks in at #6, with week-four sales of close to 90,000, finishing just in front of In Your Honor, the newest album from Foo Fighters. The double disc from Dave Grohl and company takes the chart's #7 position, selling just under 88,000 copies at the end of its third week in stores.

America's first "Idol," Kelly Clarkson, takes the chart's #8 spot thanks to her disc Breakaway's 62,000-plus showing. Clarkson's album managed to clear the mark of 2.5 million sold after 31 weeks in stores. Kelly wasn't the only artist on the chart to hit 2.5 million this week: Gwen Stefani's Love, Angel, Music, Baby scored more than 60,000 scans during its 32nd week on the chart, and crossed the 2.5 million line while taking Billboard's #9 spot.

Country star Toby Keith's Honkytonk University caps off the top 10, edging out #11 finisher System of a Down's Mezmerize by less than 1,000 copies sold; Keith netted sales of just under 61,000, while System moved close to 60,000. Both albums first hit store shelves seven weeks ago.

Charlotte, North Carolina, soul singer Anthony Hamilton's Soulife— an album recorded several years ago but unreleased until now — debuts at #12 this week, with sales of 53,000 and change. Country trio Rascal Flatts finish as the chart's #13, falling just shy of 52,000 — only 55 scans more than 50 Cent's The Massacre, which takes this week's #14 and simultaneously hits 4 million in sales. Backstreet Boys claim the #15 spot with Never Gone, with over 51,000 scans.

For an in-depth feature on Coldplay, see "Coldplay: The Quiet Revolution." And check out "Mariah Carey: Free At Last?" for more on Mimi's Emancipation.

• Ying Yang Twins
• Coldplay
• George Strait
• Mariah Carey
• Cassidy

Cassidy's <i>I'm a Hustla</i>
Photo: J-Records

Cassidy will have to observe the release of his new album, I'm a Hustla, from behind bars.

The rapper, who turned himself in on June 17 for the murder of a 22-year-old man in Philadelphia, will be in jail, waiting for a July 19 preliminary hearing when his sophomore album (which features production by Swizz Beatz), hits stores. Cassidy was officially charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault and weapons charges.

Prior to his arrest, the rapper was also getting media attention for his beef with 50 Cent, who warned the MC on Hot 97 to watch his mouth. Fans of Cassidy might take a look at the most recent project from another jailed rapper who also had words for 50 if they're concerned about the future of Cassidy's career. Shyne recorded his entire album Godfather Buried Alive behind bars and saw it debut at #3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Out Tuesday, June 28:

• 1 Cause 1 Effect - Dropped the Axe (Bungalo)
• Arcana - Le Serpent Rouge (Projekt)
• Astral Doors - Evil Is Forever (Locomotive)
• A Band of Bees - Free the Bees (Astralwerks)
• Bering Strait - Pages (Universal South)
• Bizarre - Hannicap Circus (Sanctuary)
• Cassidy - I'm a Hustla (J-Records)

Read: "Swizz, Mary J. Keep Bangin' On Cassidy's 'I'm A Hustla' "
Buy Now: I'm a Hustla (J-Records)

• Bill Charlap - Plays George Gershwin: The American Soul (Blue Note)
• CKY - An Ånswer Can Be Found (Island)

Read: "CKY Line Up Fall Tour, Won't Have To Pack Any Shoes"
Buy now: An Ånswer Can Be Found (Island)

• Communic - Conspiracy in Mind (Nuclear Blast)
• Rita Coolidge - And So Is Love (Concord)
• Darkest Hour - Undoing Ruin (Victory)
• Debbie Davies - All I Found (Telarc)
• Raheem DeVaughn - The Love Experience (Jive)
  Buy Now: The Love Experience (Jive)
  
• DevilDriver - The Fury of Our Maker's Hand (Roadrunner)
• The Early November - The Acoustic EP (Drive Thru)
• Richard Elliot - Metro Blue (ARTizen)
• Esthero - Wikked Lil' Grrrls (Reprise)
• Fountains of Wayne - Out-of-State Plates (Virgin)
  Read: "Fountains Of Wayne To Spout 26-Song Rarities Collection, Tour In June"
• Sean-Gemini - Inner Me (Lightyear)
• Terry Gibbs - Feelin' Good: Live in Studio (Mack Avenue)
• Gorerotted - A New Dawn for the Dead (Metal Blade)
• Vivian Green - Vivian (Columbia)
  Buy Now: Vivian (Columbia)
  
• The Greencards - Weather and Water (DualTone)
• Anthony Hamilton - Soulife (Rhino)
• Hot Apple Pie - Hot Apple Pie (Dreamworks Nashville)
• Isle of View - Gentle Firefly Radio (Undecided)
• Clay Jones - Mountain Tradition (Rural Rhythm)
• Sean Jones - Gemini (Mack Avenue)
• Ladybug Mecca - Trip the Light Fantastic (Nu-Paradigm)

Read: "Rebirth Of Digable Planets Has Ladybug Mecca Tripping"

• Jamie Liddel - Multiply (Warp)
• A Life Once Lost - Hunter (Ferret)
• Lina - The Inner Beauty Movement (Red Urban)
• Little Barrie - We Are (Artemis)
• Longwave - There's a Fire (RCA)
  Buy Now: There's a Fire (RCA)
  
• Pat McGee Band - Save Me (Kirtland)
• Shannon McNally - Geronimo (Back Porch/EMI)
• David Mead - Wherever You Are (Eleven Thirty)
• Noiseshaper - Rough Out There (Sounds From the Roof)
• Open Road - Lucky Drive (Rounder)
• Joan Osborne - One of Us (Artemis)
• P$C - 25 to Life (Atlantic)
• The Posies - Every Kind of Light (Rykodisc)
  Buy Now: Every Kind of Light (Rykodisc)
  
• Ernest Ranglin - Surfin' (Telarc)
• Skeletons and the Girl-Faced Boys - Git (Ghostly International)
• The Soviettes - LP III (Fat Wreck Chords)
• John Stevens - Red (Maverick)
• George Strait - Somewhere Down in Texas (MCA Nashville)
• The String Cheese Incident - One Step Closer (SCI Fidelity)
• Throwdown - Vendetta (Trustkill)
• Thunderstone - Tools of Destruction (Nuclear Blast)
• Tsar - Band-Girls-Money (TVT)
• Vio-Lence - Eternal Nightmare (Megaforce)
• Patricia Vonne - Guitars & Castanets (CoraZong)
• Steve Walsh - Shadowman (33rd Street)
• John Williams -- "War of the Worlds" soundtrack (Decca)
• World Leader Pretend - Punches (Warner Bros.)

Read: "World Leader Pretend: Bluffing Their Way To The Top"
Buy Now: Punches (Warner Bros.)

• Ying Yang Twins - U.S.A. (United State of Atlanta) (TVT)

Read: "WYing Yang Twins Fly The Flag For The U.S.A. (United State of Atlanta)"
Buy Now: U.S.A. (United State of Atlanta) (TVT)

• Various artists - Spectral Sound, Vol. 1 (Spectral Sound)
• Various artists - Wendy Williams Brings the Heat, Vol. 1 (Virgin)
• Various artists -- "Devil's Rejects" soundtrack (Hip-O)
• DVD: Chicago/ Earth, Wind & Fire -- "Live at the Greek Theatre" (Image)
• DVD: Low -- "In Europe" (Plexifilm)
• DVD: Bette Midler -- "The Divine" (Shout! Factory)
• DVD: Niacin - "Live in Tokyo" (Eagle Rock)
• DVD: Lee Ritenour -- "Overtime" (Eagle Rock)
• DVD: Tom Russell - "Hearts on the Line" (HighTone)
• DVD: Keller Williams -- "Sight" (SCI Fidelity)
• DVD: Various artists -- "Eminem Presents the Anger Management Tour" (Aftermath/Interscope)

July 5:

• R. Kelly - TP3 Reloaded (Sony)
• Sufjan Stevens -- Illinois (Asthmatic Kitty)
• Various artists - "Fantastic Four" soundtrack (Wind-Up)

July 12:

• All-American Rejects - Move Along (Interscope)

Read: "All-American Rejects 'Had To Step It Up' On New LP — Or Else"

• Black Dahlia Murder - Miasma (Metal Blade)
• Bow Wow - Wanted (Sony)

July 19:

• DMX - Here We Go Again (Ruff Ryders)

Read: "Mase Advises DMX To Rap Again, Wait For The Lord's Call"
Buy Now: Here We Go Again (Ruff Ryders)

• Frank Black - Honeycomb (Back Porch)

Read "Frank Black Covers Elvis, Duets With Ex-Wife On Dylanesque Album"

• Cassidy
• Cky
• Ying Yang Twins
• Fountains of Wayne
• Ladybug Mecca

Mos Def (file)
Photo: Geffen

They don't call him "The Mighty Mos Def" for nothing.

The Brooklyn MC scored his highest-ever chart debut with his second solo album, The New Danger, selling more than 95,000 copies to open at #5 on next week's Billboard albums chart. Mos' last album, Black on Both Sides, bowed at #25 back in October 1999, selling more than 53,000 copies, according to SoundScan.

But Mos Def's best wasn't good enough to overtake Celine Dion, whose Miracle debuts at #4; the collaboration between Dion and photographer Anne Geddes sold more than 107,000 copies. Nelly's Suit jumps two spots to #3, selling more than 143,000 copies, while its counterpart, Sweat, holds steady at #12 on just over 62,000 copies.

The top two albums in the country remain unchanged. The ubiquitous Usher continues to benefit from the re-release of his Confessions album, which sold another 176,000 copies to stay at #2. And country's George Strait holds on to the #1 spot, as his greatest-hits collection, 50 Number Ones, sold more than 189,000 copies.

Hilary Duff's self-titled album holds at #6, selling more than 85,000 copies. And in a rare top-10 tie, SoundScan reports that Green Day's American Idiot and Good Charlotte's The Chronicles of Life and Death sold an identical 73,484 copies to share the #7 spot. Tim McGraw is #9 for a second straight week, moving more than 67,000 copies of his Live Like You Were Dying album.

Sum 41's semi-serious Chuck debuts at #10, selling more than 65,000 copies, giving the guys their highest-ever chart debut. But the taste of victory must be semisweet: Their last album, 2002's Does This Look Infected?, opened lower (at #32) but sold more (76,000 copies). Pop vets Duran Duran open at #17, selling more than 54,000 copies of their new album, Astronaut.

Other notable debuts on next week's chart include Amy Grant's Greatest Hits: 1986-2004 at #48; the emo-riffic Straylight Run's self-titled debut at #100; the soundtrack to Jennifer Lopez's "Shall We Dance?" at #184; and indie rockers Pinback's Summer in Abaddon at #196.

Nitpicking At Nelly's Numbers
Next week's chart will show the largest difference yet between Nelly's Suit and Sweat: nine places and more than 81,000 copies separate the two simultaneously released albums. While the sales of Sweat fall just slightly and the album retains its #12 position, Suit actually has increased its weekly total for the past two weeks, by 17 percent last week and 3 percent in the week prior. After both albums have been out for over a month, Suit's sales are nearing 1 million (more than 940,000), while Sweat's top out at more than 675,000, approximately 71 percent of its companion.

Hardcore Nelly fans probably own both halves of the St. Lunatic's musical double-feature, as evidenced by the albums occupying the top two places on the chart the week after their September 14 release. But even five weeks ago, Suit bettered Sweat by more than 50,000 copies.

However, less committed fans are probably finding more songs that they like on Suit, making it continually outshine Sweat.

As the titles imply, Sweat is the dirtier, grittier half, whose sexually suggestive first single, "Flap Your Wings," served as its introduction. Suit, meanwhile, is a smoother, more refined R&B affair, and, given Usher's success with Confessions, that seems to be the sure-shot formula in 2004. As such, Suit's two singles, "My Place," and "Over And Over," are outperforming Sweat's first two, "Flap Your Wings" and "Tilt Ya Head Back," at radio. It also doesn't hurt Suit's cause to have country superstar Tim McGraw on "Over and Over," giving the track that all-important crossover appeal. The tune is among the most-added at top 40 pop stations — and it's also the one receiving the biggest increase in spins by the stations that already have it on their playlists.

Besides McGraw, Suit also features contributions by Pharrell Williams, Jaheim, Snoop Dogg and Anthony Hamilton, a cast that packs more retail clout than Sweat's guest roster of Lil' Flip, Murphy Lee, Fat Joe and Christina Aguilera.

It's Beginning To Sound A Lot Like Christmas
It's not even close to Thanksgiving, the traditional start of the holiday season, and already Christmas albums have arrived on the chart. Perennial far-out favorites the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller just dropped Lost Christmas Eve and Christmas at #26 and #54, respectively. More holiday-themed albums will undoubtedly surface in the weeks to come, each looking to rank among the more successful ones, such as 1998's Home For Christmas by 'NSYNC, which sold more than 2.6 million copies, and Christina Aguilera's 2000 LP My Kind of Christmas.

On The Move
Velvet Revolver's recent newsmaking escapades — a rescheduled free show in Hollywood on Thursday that was supposed to take place last Tuesday (October 12), but city officials wouldn't allow them to play atop the Hustler Store — helped their debut, Contraband, jump up eight spots to #31. Sales should continue to bode well for the rockers throughout their five-week fall tour, which kicked off Saturday.

With a second single, "Mr. Brightside," following "Somebody Told Me," the Killers' Hot Fuss, will also make a significant stride from #45 to #35.

Hanging Out And Hanging On
Other than the Cinderella story that is Maroon 5's Songs About Jane, there aren't many albums able to reside in the Top 40 for more than a year after their release, but Switchfoot's Beautiful Letdown might give the funky fivesome some worry. After 76 weeks on the chart, the fourth album by the San Diego quartet will occupy the #33 spot, following previous positions at #36, #38.

The Black Eyed Peas' 69-week-old Elephunk, isn't much further behind, up one spot this week to #37.

This story updated on October 10 at 4:21 p.m. ET

• Mos Def
• Celine Dion
• Nelly
• Tim McGraw
• George Strait

George Strait (file)
Photo: MCA

Usher might be putting the cork back into his bottle of champagne: His Confessions will not be #1 on the Billboard albums chart next week after all.

The chart, released early Wednesday morning (October 13), initially showed Confessions at #1 and George Strait's 50 Number Ones at #2. But due to a reporting error from a mass merchant, SoundScan has recounted the chart, and 50 Number Ones will be the #1 album next week, based on more than 343,000 sales, while Confessions will be #2, with over 336,000.

Due to a second, unrelated error, R.E.M.'s Around the Sun will move up one spot as well, to debut at #13 on more than 61,000 copies sold.

According to a representative for SoundScan, the error was noted early Wednesday afternoon and the data was reprocessed soon after. The new tally adds approximately 13,000 sales to Strait's total and just 1,000 to Usher's. The representative also said that it is not uncommon for SoundScan to reprocess data, but it is very uncommon for the upper reaches of a chart to be affected.

Even though Strait is now celebrating his 51st #1, this week's sales show a big boost for Mr. Entertainment, spurred by his current headlining tour and by the re-release of Confessions, which now includes four bonus tracks.

Elsewhere on the chart, the boys in Good Charlotte saw their ambitious third album, The Chronicles of Life and Death, open at #3, selling more than 198,000 copies. They shouldn't hang their spiky heads, however: It's their highest-ever chart debut (their 2002 album, The Young and the Hopeless, debuted at #7 on more than 117,000 copies sold). Their hard-rock brethren Korn are next at #4, selling more than 129,000 copies of their Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 album. The imaginatively titled LP sold nearly twice as many copies as their last studio album, 2003's Take a Look in the Mirror, did in its first week out of the gates.

Nelly's Suit stays well-pressed, selling more than 122,000 copies to hold steady at #5 for the second week (his Sweat, however, is starting to get old, dropping all the way to #12). Hilary Duff sold more than 97,000 copies of her self-titled album, good enough for #6. Green Day's American Idiot moved over 86,000 copies to follow Duff at #7.

Meanwhile, last week's chart champs, Rascal Flatts, will fall to #8 on over 81,000 copies of Feels Like Today. And right behind them is Tim McGraw, whose Live Like You Were Dying refuses to give up the ghost, selling more than 66,900 copies and hanging tough at #9. "Goodie" girl Ciara rounds out the top 10, selling more than 66,100 copies of Goodies.

Albums from a trio of rock vets will make their debut in next week's top 30. R.E.M.'s 13th studio LP, the politically charged Around the Sun, will open at #13 (fittingly enough). Sacramento oddballs Cake land at #17 on more than 46,000 sales of their album Pressure Chief (a big drop from the debut of their 2001 album, Comfort Eagle, which sold more than 72,000 copies in its first week). And Tom Waits will score what has to be the biggest-ever opening for a "cubist-funk" album, topping 34,000 copies of his Real Gone.

The dubious honor for biggest drop of the week goes to New York's Interpol, who saw their album Antics fall 26 spots to #41. The Used are right behind them, though, as In Love and Death drops 20 places to #26. And Talib Kweli's The Beautiful Struggle slips from #14 to #32.

Other notable debuts on the chart include the radio-hits collection Totally Hits 2004, Vol. 2 at #19; the Christian-artist collection Wow Hits 2005 at #44; Raphael Saadiq's Ray Ray at #86, rap veterans De La Soul right behind him at #87 with Grind Date; reunited rock vets Helmet at #121 with Size Matters; and Fatboy Slim's Palookaville at #149.

• George Strait
• Usher
• R.E.M.

Entertainer of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw

Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley
George Strait

Female Vocalist of the Year
Terri Clark
Alison Krauss
Patty Loveless
Martina McBride
Dolly Parton

Vocal Group of the Year
Alabama
Diamond Rio
Dixie Chicks
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts

Vocal Duo of the Year
Bellamy Brothers
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sons of the Desert
The Warren Brothers

Horizon Award
Gary Allan
Buddy Jewell
Joe Nichols
Blake Shelton
Darryl Worley

Vocal Event of the Year (Awards presented to artists and producer(s))

• "Beer for My Horses"
Artists: Toby Keith duet with Willie Nelson
Record Label: DreamWorks

• "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"
Artists: Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
Record Label: Arista Nashville

• "Picture"
Artists: Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow
Record Label: Lava/Atlantic

• "Tears in the Holston River"
Artists: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band featuring Johnny Cash
Record Label: Capitol Nashville

• "The Truth About Men"
Artists: Tracy Byrd (with Andy Griggs, Montgomery Gentry and Blake Shelton)
Record Label: RCA

Album of the Year (Awards presented to artist(s) and producer(s))

• American IV: The Man Comes Around -- Johnny Cash
Producer: Rick Rubin
Record Label: Lost Highway

• Home -- Dixie Chicks
Producers: Dixie Chicks and Lloyd Maines
Record Label: Open Wide/Monument/Columbia

• Man With a Memory -- Joe Nichols
Producer: Brent Rowan
Record Label: Universal South

• Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors -- Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors
Producers: Byron Gallimore, Tim McGraw and Darran Smith
Record Label: Curb

• Unleashed -- Toby Keith
Producers: James Stroud and Toby Keith
Record Label: DreamWorks

Song of the Year (Awards presented to the songwriter(s) and publisher(s))

• "Beer for My Horses" -- Toby Keith duet with Willie Nelson
Writers: Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick
Publishers: Tokeco Tunes and Big Yellow Dog Music

• "Celebrity" -- Brad Paisley
Writer: Brad Paisley
Publishers: EMI April Music and Sea Gayle Music

• "Have You Forgotten?" -- Darryl Worley
Writers: Darryl Worley and Wynn Varble
Publishers: EMI April Music, Pittsburg Landing Songs and Warner-Tamerlane Pub.

• "Red Dirt Road" -- Brooks & Dunn
Writers: Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn
Publishers: Sony and ATV

• "Three Wooden Crosses" -- Randy Travis
Writers: Doug Johnson and Kim Williams
Publishers: Mike Curb Music, Sweet Radical Music, Sony and ATV Tunes

Single of the Year (Awards presented to artist(s)and producer(s))

• Beer for My Horses" -- Toby Keith duet with Willie Nelson
Producers: James Stroud andToby Keith
Record Label: DreamWorks

• "Celebrity" -- Brad Paisley
Producer: Frank Rogers
Record Label: Arista Nashville

• "Have You Forgotten?" -- Darryl Worley
Producers: Frank Rogers and James Stroud
Record Label: DreamWorks

• "Hurt" -- Johnny Cash
Producer: Rick Rubin
Record Label: Lost Highway

• "Three Wooden Crosses" -- Randy Travis
Producer: Kyle Lehning
Record Labels: Word, Curb and Warner Bros.

Music Video of the Year (Awards presented to artist(s) and director)

• "Beer for My Horses"
Artists: Toby Keith duet with Willie Nelson
Director: Michael Salomon

• "Celebrity"
Artist: Brad Paisley
Director: Peter Zavadil

• "Concrete Angel"
Artist: Martina McBride
Directors: Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV

• "Hurt"
Artist: Johnny Cash
Director: Mark Romanek

• "Red Dirt Road"
Artist: Brooks & Dunn
Director: Steven Goldmann

Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas -- Dobro
Paul Franklin -- steel guitar
Aubrie Haynie -- fiddle/mandolin
Brent Mason -- guitar
Randy Scruggs -- guitar

• Brooks & Dunn
• Kenny Chesney
• Alan Jackson
• Toby Keith
• Tim McGraw

Britney Spears
Photo: Jive

If you're a real chart geek, we invite you to tune in Friday night at 5 p.m. ET for "Bangin' the Charts," MTV News' weekly, in-depth look at what's charting where and why. Check out the Bangin' Web page for more info.

In this week's chart and sales analysis, we ponder Britney's mystery and Spears' (early) place in pop female history and join Linkin Park's extended rock and roll joyride on their debut album, Hybrid Theory. We also look at the artist whose top 10 SoundScan debut this week helps predict the next artist to be #1 and revisit the chart phenomenon that is Pink Floyd.

Britney: Building A Mystery

Even though it's #1 on next week's Billboard 200 chart, Britney is something of a mystery.

We aren't quite sure what to make of the first-week sales posted by the soon-to-no-longer-be-a-teen's new album. With its #1 chart debut (see "Oops! ... She Did It Again: Britney Spears Tops Albums Chart"), Britney becomes Spears' third straight album to perform that feat, equaling the previous accomplishments of her first LP, ... Baby One More Time, which entered the Billboard 200 at #1 in January 1999, and her second effort, Oops! ... I Did It Again, which landed atop the album charts in May 2000.

But the real puzzler is in the numbers. ... Baby sold some 120,000 copies during its first week in stores to just nudge NSYNC's self-titled album from the top spot, while Oops! moved a monstrous 1.32 million copies straight out of the gate to become the biggest debut by a female artist in the SoundScan era, which began keeping weekly sales records in May 1991. With 745,000 copies sold, Britney's first-week figures are good enough to be the second biggest sales debut by a female artist ever, but the numbers mark a dramatic sales plunge of 43 percent from the history-making first-week heights of Oops!...I Did It Again.

The reasons for such a dip leave us a bit mystified. Was it because of a better lead single for Oops!... I Did It Again (which tapped the title track) than Britney's "I'm a Slave 4 U?" Perhaps. Could it be some fans' fiscal response to Spears' sex-sational vamp makeover? Maybe. Whatever the case, don't blame it on a "sluggish economy" as some have suggested. Despite lingering fears of recession, the 200 albums comprising the new Billboard albums chart combined to sell more than 6.58 million copies last week, up 5.7 percent from this same week last year, when the top 200 albums sold a total of 6.22 million copies and featured the #1 debut of R. Kelly's TP-2.com (with 543,000 copies sold).

While we're not sure what to make of Britney's debut week, we'd like to go ahead and give her credit for some of the icon-like sales figures she's posted during her (gasp) three-year recording career. To date, Spears has SoundScanned a jaw-dropping 8.68 million copies of Oops!...I Did It Again and 10.22 million copies of ...Baby One More Time. Those numbers fare considerably well when stacked against milestone albums by female artists such as Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (6.01 million copies sold), Jewel's Pieces of You (6.95 million), Mariah Carey's Daydream (7.49 million), Celine Dion's Let's Talk About Love (9.1 million) and Falling Into You (10.42 million), and Whitney Houston's "The Bodyguard" soundtrack (11.68 million). In time, Spears' ...Baby debut could even rub sales shoulders with Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill (13.86 million copies sold) and Shania Twain's Come on Over (14.06 million).

As a special birthday present for Britney, who turns 20 on December 2, we'd also like to point out how far she has managed to outdistance fellow teen singer Christina Aguilera, whose eponymous 1999 debut has sold some 7.81 million copies, according to SoundScan. And with 19.6 million in career sales to date, Britney has already sold more LPs in just three years than Madonna has done in the last 10, with Mrs. Ritchie tallying just over 19 million in total album sales since January 1991.

Linkin Park's Extended Play

Linkin Park is in the midst of one hell of a chart and sales joyride. The group's debut, Hybrid Theory, is one of those rock and roll Horatio Alger stories that we just love. A little over a year ago, few outside of Los Angeles had heard of the Southern California group's hip metal mix. But thanks to a relentless series of radio singles ("One Step Closer," "Crawling" and "In the End") and a series of high-profile tour appearances, Hybrid Theory has sold more than 4.02 million copies since its release last October.

Linkin Park's debut album has never dipped beneath the #55 spot on the Billboard 200 chart during its run and has spent the last 25 weeks in the Top 20. With 4.02 million sold, Linkin Park has already nestled itself between recent debuts from Papa Roach, whose Infest has sold 3.10 million copies to date, according to SoundScan, and 3 Doors Down, whose The Better Life is currently at 4.63 million copies.

Considering that Hybrid Theory still sells at a clip of more than 100,000 copies a week, a surge in purchases during the upcoming seasonal sales period (which typically runs from the day after Thanksgiving through the first week of January) could easily put it in position to be one of the top three debut albums by a rock band during the last 10 years.

For the sake of argument (and historical accuracy), this designation does not take into consideration artists such as Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC. While both have undoubtedly posted some incredible sales numbers in their careers, neither could be legitimately referred to as a "rock band." The second these vocal pop groups become inseparable from their instruments, we'll consider reclassifying them, but we seriously doubt that's in the cards.

The "during the last 10 years" phrase is also an important qualifier, as it eliminates Pearl Jam's Ten, which was released in August 1991, so its 8.75 million copies sold falls just beyond the 10 year calendar range.

Regardless, with a decent enough sales push during the holidays, Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory should easily glide past such debuts as 3DD's The Better Life, Dave Matthews Band's first studio LP, Under the Table and Dreaming (4.27 million copies sold), Stone Temple Pilots' Core (4.59 million), Counting Crows' August and Everything After (5.57 million), Creed's My Own Prison (5.60 million) and Bush's Sixteen Stone (5.62 million).

It's highly unlikely — if downright impossible — that Linkin Park will usurp Hootie & the Blowfish's 1994 effort, Cracked Rear View (9.94 million sold, according to SoundScan), as the best-selling debut by a rock group in the last 10 years. However, they do have a realistic shot at eventually displacing the #2 rock debut during the same time period, Matchbox 20's Yourself or Someone Like You, which has sold 7.53 million copies since its release in October 1996.

Tropical Storm George & Hurricane Garth

Never count out the sales draw of country music on the Billboard 200. Country crooner George Strait nailed yet another top 10 debut with the release of his new studio album, The Road Less Traveled, which sold 120,000 copies during its first week in stores to comfortably mosey its way up to the #9 spot.

The Road Less Traveled becomes Strait's sixth consecutive studio album to debut in the top 10 (seasonal collections and compilations not included), a feat previously achieved by the singer's George Strait (which entered the charts at #7 in September 2000), Always Never the Same (#6 debut in March 1999), One Step at a Time (#2 debut in April 1998), Carrying Your Love With Me (#2 debut in April 1997), and Blue Clear Sky (#7 debut in April 1996).

As impressive as Strait's six pack is, it is only foreshadowing for the hefty chart numbers contemporary country maestro Garth Brooks is going to unload on the Billboard 200 next week with Scarecrow, his first new studio LP (as Brooks) since 1997's Sevens.

Of the six albums Garth has released since 1992 (also excluding his holiday albums), four have entered the charts at #1: The Chase (402,000 copies sold out of the gates in September 1992), In Pieces (404,000 in September 1993), Sevens (896,000 in November 1997) and Double Live (1.08 million in November 1998).

The only two Brooks LPs in the last 10 years that have failed to debut atop the Billboard 200 are Fresh Horses, which sold 480,000 copies in November 1995 to enter at #2 — behind the #1 debut of the Beatles' Anthology (and a staggering 855,000 copies sold) — and Brooks' In the Life of Chris Gaines alter-ego album, which debuted at #2 in September 1999 with 262,000 copies sold, just behind the #1 debut of Creed's Human Clay (with 315,000 copies sold).

With all due apologies to Jewel and Rob Zombie, look for country to be king on next week's sales chart.

Pink Floyd's Never-Setting Moon

The #2 debut of Pink Floyd's new compilation, Echoes, on the next Billboard 200 chart (with 214,000 copies sold) gives us a chance to revisit one of the greatest and longest-running chart phenomena of all time. We are, of course, referring to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

Originally issued in March 1973, Dark Side spent more than 700 total weeks on the Billboard 200, logging a mind-numbing 591 consecutive weeks on the albums chart from December 1976 to April 1988. At that time, Billboard then modified its chart format to distinguish between current albums and catalog releases.

But when SoundScan began providing audited weekly sales figures for albums and charts beginning in May 1991, Dark Side of the Moon immediately re-established itself as one of the perennial and premier catalog sellers. Since February 1992, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon has spent more than 500 straight weeks on Billboard's Top 200 Catalogue Albums chart.

Last week, Dark Side of the Moon sold more than 17,000 copies to hold on to #3 on the Catalogue chart, trailing only Lee Greenwood's American Patriot (28,000 copies sold) and Enya's Paint the Sky With Stars (20,000 sold). If the Catalogue Albums Chart were folded into the Current Albums chart, Dark Side of The Moon would still be in the Top 100 albums sold — coming in at #83, just behind Dream Street's self-titled debut and just ahead of the "Training Day" soundtrack.

This year alone, Dark Side of the Moon has sold more than 365,000 copies, according to SoundScan, and the record has sold more than 1.43 million copies in the last three years. "Time" meets "Money," indeed.

[In SoundScan we trust. All figures, unless otherwise noted, are according to SoundScan's audited sales numbers and reflect sales as of press time.]

• Britney Spears
• Linkin Park
• Pink Floyd
• George Strait
• Garth Brooks

George Strait
Photo: Sid Farbstein

NASHVILLE — In the wake of the attacks on September 11, many country songs have taken on new meaning and added power. Sunday night at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Diamond Rio's "One More Day" offered solace to a nation mourning the sudden deaths of thousands of loved ones. Martina McBride's "Independence Day" sounded a national vow to "Make the guilty pay." George Strait's "The Fireman" offered a peppy tribute to firefighters — those living and those who lost their lives in New York.

In a charity benefit unprecedented in country music annals, many of the genre's biggest stars donated their services to raise money for the Salvation Army Disaster Relief Fund in the Country Freedom Concert. The event was telecast live on CMT, CMT Canada and VH1 Country. Over 700 radio stations simulcast the signal across the U.S. and in Scotland, Greece and England. Standing ovations came frequently as the crowd responded to entreaties and pronouncements from the stage. (MTVi's parent company, Viacom, also owns CMT.)

The most radical re-purposing of a song came from Hank Williams Jr. "I got an old song that is now a new song I want to share with everyone tonight," he said by way of introducing "A Country Boy Can Survive," reworked as "America Can Survive." "We're all together now/ We've drawn the line/ Our flag is up, the stock market's down/ But now we're united from the country to the town," he sang in his trademark blues-inflected snarl. The song drew the most sustained applause of the evening.

Vince Gill wore a New York Police Department hat and a New York Fire Department shirt as he shared songs about healing. "You just never know/ How tomorrow will go," he sang. "So let's make sure we kiss goodbye."

Both in spoken segments and between songs in their sets, the country artists urged viewers and listeners to give to the cause. "It feels good to be able to help, doesn't it?" Strait asked the crowd.

Early selections set a celebratory tone for the evening. McBride, the first performer, began with an a cappella performance of the chorus of "Independence Day." She also performed "Blessed," in which she recounts her good fortune as a mother and the recipient of fulfilling love.

"You can never estimate music's power to heal," McBride said backstage. "There has to be an outlet for people to get together and express all these things we're feeling — grief, guilt, being scared, being uncertain. This is a way that we can all get together and let it out in a safe environment and make everybody go home feeling better."

Lonestar, who act as spokespeople for the American Red Cross, began with the uptempo "With Me," then followed with their chart-topping heart-tugger "I'm Already There." "On September 11, this song took on a whole new meaning," the group's frontman Richie McDonald said as he introduced the song. "We'd like to dedicate it to the victims and their families and let them know that in our hearts, they'll always be 'already there.' "

Toby Keith, in a filmed segment, described his disorientation and emotion during a visit to the ground zero site. "It leaves a hole in your soul, and it makes me very sad but very angry at the same time," he said. Travis Tritt, also on film, spoke with troops at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia, about their dedication to duty and their commitment to country.

Clint Black did two numbers from his 1997 release, Nothin' But the Taillights. "The Shoes You're Wearin' " struck a contemplative note, while the title track brought the mood up with its clap-along quality and its extended guitar coda.

He followed those songs with "America," a song he wrote following the September 11 tragedy. Its lyrics speak of the beauty of the flag, the pain of the recent tragedy and the country's resilient strength. "We'll teach 'em all right from wrong, America." Many in the audience waved red, white and blue glow sticks, while the American flag was projected on large screens. The song ended with the refrain, "How I love America."

Strait performed "The Fireman," and although its lighthearted theme is about a guy who goes around town "putting out old flames," it also has added meaning, as firefighters are extolled for their sacrifice in the face of tragedy.

Tim McGraw eschewed his own repertoire, instead performing Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" and Petra's gospel song "More Power to Ya."

While country's benefit concert did not have the throngs of police, firefighters, ironworkers and other emergency personnel who attended Saturday's Concert for New York at Manhattan's Madison Square Garden (see "McCartney, Jagger, Bowie, The Who Come To NY's Aid"), there were military guests from Fort Campbell in Kentucky, emergency workers from Memphis and volunteers and staff from the Salvation Army.

Ronnie Dunn told the audience that he had visited a Nashville firehouse on Friday, where he gave the city's firefighters 1,100 tickets to the concert. In turn, a third-generation firefighter gave Dunn an old fire helmet, asking him to have it signed by the artists who participated in the concert.

Brooks & Dunn, with help from Keith Urban on guitar, performed their #1 country hit "Only in America," and followed it with the old Youngbloods tune "Get Together." Dunn took care to point out that he was singing about "loving Americans" rather than the "bad guys."

Alan Jackson played a red, white and blue Buck Owens guitar and sang a hymn, "The Other Side of Life," and his "Where I Come From," a celebration of regional and national culture.

The experience surprised Sara Evans. "I didn't realize I would be so moved," she said after her performance. "It all started coming back to me why we're here. You go through all the hair and makeup and rehearsals, then once you get out there and the fans are out there and they're crying and they're holding up 'God Bless America' signs ... I was really, really proud to be here, and I'll never forget it as long as I live."

"I Hope You Dance" from Lee Ann Womack was like balm on a wound, and her "The Preacher Won't Have to Lie," about making moral choices that follow one through life, also sounded an uplifting note.

Eddie Montgomery dedicated Montgomery Gentry's "Tattoos & Scars" to veterans everywhere, and the duo also performed their "Hillbilly Shoes."

With trademark class, Trisha Yearwood capped the evening with a spare but wonderful reading of "America the Beautiful" and a grand gospel treatment — with help from a composite choir representing 25 Nashville-area churches — of Garth Brooks' "We Shall Be Free."

Scheduled performers George Jones and Earl Scruggs did not appear. Jones was fighting voice problems, which also forced him to cancel a Sunday night concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Keith Urban filled in for him. Scruggs became ill during the show itself and had to leave before his appearance.

Organizers — CMT and Clear Channel Entertainment — do not yet have figures on money raised for the Disaster Relief Fund.

• George Strait