1 February 2016

The Official Charts Company and the UK Americana Music Association have teamed together to launch the UK’s first chart dedicated to Americana music.
The Official Americana Albums Chart was revealed on Bob Harris’ BBC Radio 2 Country broadcast and published on OfficialCharts.com. It will highlight the UK’s thriving Americana scene. Providing a UK-relevant twist to the new albums rundown, based on sales and streams, the chart will also feature artists whose work is influenced by Americana. “I am so pleased to see the founding of a new Americana chart,” says Bob Harris. “It is important and appropriate that the popularity of this wonderful, vibrant and creative genre is acknowledged in this way.” “We are always looking for ways to spotlight specific areas of music consumption in the UK,” adds Official Charts Company Chief Executive Martin Talbot, “and Americana is a genre that is thriving in terms of new artists and events across the country. The launch of the Americana Albums Chart will provide a fresh and official insight into yet another fascinating genre.” “Given the integrity and authority of Official Charts Company, I couldn’t be more thrilled that a new Americana chart will be produced by this prestigious outfit,” says Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “Americana is a vital and thriving musical art form. Its influences are global. It’s no surprise to me that the UK have recognised the expansion and legitimacy of the Americana genre before any of the American chart services, given their appreciation for music and the arts as culturally important.” The Official Americana Albums Chart will be published every Friday on OfficialCharts.com. The announcement of the chart comes in advance of the UK Americana Music Association’s festival, conference, and first awards show. Official Best-Selling Americana Albums of 2015 1. STAY GOLD First Aid Kid (Columbia) 2. TRACKER Mark Knoplfer (British Grove) 3. SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT Bob Dylan (Columbia) 4. SONIC SOUL SURFER Seasick Steve (There’s A Dead Skunk/Caroline) 5. SOUND & COLOR  Alabama Shakes (Rough Trade) 6. LOST IN THE DREAM War On Drugs (Secretly Canadian) 7. CARRIE & LOWELL Sufjan Stevens (Asthmatic Kitty) 8. BEFORE THIS WORLD James Taylor (Concord) 9. ISLANDS BEAR’S DEN (Communion/Caroline) 10. I LOVE YOU HONEYBEAR Father John Misty (Bella Union)   Official Americana Albums Chart – Week 1 via OfficialCharts.com 1. LOVE STUFF Elle King (Columbia) 2. THE GHOSTS OF HIGHWAY 20 Lucinda Williams (Highway 20) 3. GAMBLE FOR A ROSE King Charles (Buffalo Gang) 4. STAY GOLD First Aid Kit (Columbia) 5. CARRIE & LOWELL Sufjan Stevens (Asthmatic Kitty) 6. NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Stax/Caroline) 7. ISLANDS BEAR’S DEN (Communion/Caroline) 8. 1989 Ryan Adams (Columbia) 9. I LOVE YOU HONEYBEAR  Father John Misty (Bella Union) 10. POND SCUM Bonnie Prince Billy (Domino Recordings)