Ever wondered why you like the music that you like, or why you buy the CDs that you do? Is it your own personal taste or is it radio and television that controls the music that you listen to? To find out just how much Starkville’s musical tastes correlate with those of the rest of the country, The Reflector investigated the differences and similarities between the Billboard charts and local sales trends at Bebop Records.
According to billboard.com, the top album in country music this week is Elvis: 30 #1 Hits, and in R&B/Hip-Hop, the top album is Voyage to India by India.Arie. Falling behind Elvis on the country charts is Home by the Dixie Chicks, Unleashed by Toby Keith and Strong Enough by Travis Tritt. In R&B/Hip-Hop, Universal Soldier by Pastor Troy is in second with The Lost Tapes by Nas and Nellyville by Nelly right behind.
At Bebop, the top sellers include Elvis, Beck, Ryan Adams and Incubus. While Bebop patrons may contribute to these acts’ multi-platinum success, they are just as quick to buy local CDs.
“We have also been selling a lot of Puerto Rican Rum Drunks, a local band that is doing really good right now,” manager Eric Barksdale said.
Bebop’s top rap artists include Lil Flip, Pastor Troy and Nelly.
“In our pop section we are selling a lot of Keith Sweat and India.Arie,” Barksdale said. “In the last three to four weeks we’ve constantly been selling copies of these albums.”
While Bebop may take pride in distributing local flavor, the store’s record sales also coincide with Billboard’s top sales. The Dixie Chicks’ album, Home, which debuted at No. 1, is also a big seller at Bebop.
“We have sold a lot of copies of the Dixie Chicks’ new album,” Barksdale said. “They’ve got it going on.”
The top singles on billboard.com right now include “A Moment Like This” by American Idol star Kelly Clarkson, “Dilemma” by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland, “Gangsta Lovin'” by Eve featuring Alicia Keys and “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne.
Billboard’s top country singles are “Beautiful Mess” by Diamond Rio and “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban.
The top Modern Rock singles are “Aerials” by System of A Down, “By the Way” by Red Hot Chili Peppers and “Warning” by Incubus.
Barksdale attributed Bebop’s album sales to radio play and people simply hearing what they like. To cater to music lovers in Starkville, Bebop will have a “Rocktober” sale from the middle of October until the beginning of November with 20 percent off the whole store except sale items.