Gabby Barrett & Ingrid Andress Combine for a First in Country Airplay Chart’s Top 10
"Let's make this habit instead of history," says Warner Music Nashville's Kristen Williams.
Gabby Barrett and Ingrid Andress team up for an unprecedented feat in the top 10 of Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart (dated March 21).
Barrett’s debut single “I Hope” rises 11-9 on the ranking, up by 15% to 24.1 million audience impressions in the week ending March 15, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. The track becomes the first top 10 for the singer-songwriter, who finished third on ABC’s American Idol in 2018.
Meanwhile, Andress ranks at No. 10 with her maiden hit, “More Hearts Than Mine” (23.2 million, up 4%), a week after it reached its No. 9 high.
Thanks to both songs, the latest Country Airplay chart is the first to boast two women in the top 10 with solo debut hits in lead roles, dating to the list’s January 1990 launch.
“Wow, I feel so blessed to have a top 10 single,” Barrett tells Billboard. “[‘I Hope’] felt special from the beginning, and to see the reaction has been overwhelming in the best way. I can’t thank country radio, my fans and my team enough for believing in me. And, I’m so happy for Ingrid. It’s an exciting time.”
Says Andress, “Sharing ‘More Hearts Than Mine’ has been a dream come true. Thank you to everyone who’s helped this song continue climbing into the top 10 and beyond. We’re all part of changing history together, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next.”
Both Barrett and Andress record for Warner Music Nashville, although different promotion teams work each artist to radio. The combined effort is overseen by WMN senior vp promotion and streaming Kristen Williams. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of many artist achievements in my career, but this may be among the most impactful,” Williams says. “I’m incredibly proud of Gabby and Ingrid for delivering two bona fide hits, I’m proud of our team for fighting to make sure they continue to be heard, and I’m proud of country radio for embracing these artists as they deserve to be embraced. Let’s make this habit instead of history.”
While this week marks the first time that lead solo female debut hits have ranked in the Country Airplay top 10 simultaneously, the feat has been achieved via featured roles. Such a double-up last occurred on the chart dated Aug. 11, 2018, by Julia Michaels and Tori Kelly: Keith Urban’s “Coming Home” (featuring Michaels) placed at its No. 3 peak and Chris Lane’s “Take Back Home Girl” (featuring Kelly) ranked at No. 9, before reaching No. 8 the following week.
Plus, Maren Morris‘ “The Bones,” which led Country Airplay for two weeks beginning Feb. 15, marking her fourth leader, descends 4-7 (25.7 million in audience, down 8%).With Barrett, Andress and Morris all in the top 10, the chart is the first since the survey dated Oct. 20, 2012, to house three songs by solo women in the top tier simultaneously. That week, Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” ranked at No. 2; Jana Kramer’s “Why Ya Wanna” held the No. 4 spot; and Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl in Town” was steady at No. 9.
Notably, Barrett, Andress and Morris each co-wrote their respective current top 10s.
Country Airplay and all charts dated March 21 will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (March 17).