Tucker Wetmore has achieved a significant career milestone, with his hit single "Brunette" ascending to the number one position on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart for the week of May 30. This marks the artist’s inaugural chart-topping single on the prestigious ranking, solidifying his growing presence in the country music landscape. The track’s impressive climb was fueled by a substantial surge in audience impressions, demonstrating its widespread appeal among radio listeners.
The breakthrough single garnered 30.8 million in audience impressions between May 15 and May 21, representing an 11% increase from the previous week, according to data compiled by Luminate. This surge in listenership propelled "Brunette" two positions higher, dethroning the previous chart leader and securing its coveted spot at the apex. The song’s journey to the top of the Country Airplay chart is a testament to its enduring popularity and the strategic efforts behind its promotion.
"Brunette" is now Wetmore’s third single to achieve a top 10 position on the Country Airplay chart. Previously, his tracks "Wind Up Missin’ You" and "3, 2, 1" both reached a peak of number two in January and December of the preceding year, respectively. These prior successes foreshadowed the eventual chart-topping potential of his music and highlighted a consistent ability to connect with the country music audience.
The songwriting credits for "Brunette" include a collaborative effort from Chris LaCorte, Coop McGill, Josh Miller, and Blake Pendergrass. The song’s ascent to number one comes in its 23rd week on the Country Airplay chart. A pivotal moment in its chart trajectory occurred when Wetmore performed the song live at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17. This high-profile performance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas likely served as a significant catalyst, re-energizing listener engagement and driving radio airplay. The ACM Awards, a cornerstone event in the country music calendar, celebrates the genre’s top artists and achievements, offering a prominent platform for artists to showcase their music to a national audience.
The pace at which "Brunette" reached the number one spot is noteworthy, particularly in the current radio landscape. While its 23-week journey to the summit is nearly on par with the chart’s 36-year historical average for ascensions, it stands out in the context of contemporary country music radio. In the last decade, number-one singles on the Country Airplay chart have averaged approximately 30 weeks to reach the pinnacle, with a considerable number, nearly two-thirds, taking even longer. This suggests that "Brunette" achieved its chart-topping status with remarkable efficiency, defying the trend of longer ascension times observed in recent years.
The success of "Brunette" has been attributed to a combination of factors, including strong audience reception and strategic radio promotion. Radio programmers have expressed enthusiasm for the track, citing its immediate connection with listeners and its inherent appeal.
Early Support and Radio Programmer Insights
Scott Roddy, Brand Manager for Audacy’s KSON in San Diego, shared his early observations that signaled "Brunette’s" potential. "It started when I saw the crowd’s reaction to ‘Brunette’ at two different concerts," Roddy told Billboard. "Then I saw the streams and immediately jumped on the opportunity." This organic fan engagement, observed in live settings, provided an early indicator of the song’s resonance. The subsequent strong streaming numbers further validated this initial assessment, prompting proactive radio promotion.
Tim Roberts, Audacy’s Country Format Captain and Program Director for WYCD Detroit, echoed this sentiment. "We had Tucker here on our WYCD Hoedown Festival show when he was brand new, so we could see how the audience was loving him from the beginning," Roberts stated. "And like Scotty, the immediate streaming data on the song was proof positive they were gonna eat it up! Besides, a tempo record less than three minutes is a gem." Roberts’ comments highlight the artist’s early appeal and the undeniable correlation between audience enthusiasm, streaming performance, and radio success. The mention of the song’s sub-three-minute duration as a "gem" points to its accessibility and potential for high rotation on radio playlists.
J. Love, Operations Manager for Connoisseur Media’s KBAY in San Jose, California, also emphasized the song’s immediate impact. "The record connected instantly with our audience," he said. "Honestly, my wife sings it every single time it comes on." This personal anecdote underscores the song’s catchiness and its ability to embed itself in listeners’ minds, a crucial factor for sustained radio play and chart success.
Streaming Data and Catalog Performance
Beyond radio airplay, "Brunette" has demonstrated significant commercial appeal through its streaming performance. To date, the track has accumulated over 203.1 million on-demand official U.S. streams. This impressive streaming figure contributes significantly to Wetmore’s overall catalog performance, which has generated a remarkable 1.7 billion streams globally. This broad digital consumption further solidifies "Brunette’s" position as a dominant force in the current country music landscape.
Luke Combs’ "Be by You" Climbs the Charts
In parallel developments on the Country Airplay chart, Luke Combs continues his impressive run with his latest promoted single, "Be by You." The track has now entered the top 20, moving from position 24 to 19. "Be by You" garnered 10.2 million in audience impressions, marking a significant 20% increase week over week. This upward movement positions the song as another potential hit for the established country superstar.
"Be by You" follows the immense success of Combs’ previous single, "Sleepless in a Hotel Room," which became his 20th career No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart in April and held the top position for five consecutive weeks. Both singles are featured on Combs’ latest album, The Way I Am, which also debuted at number one on the Top Country Albums chart in April. The Way I Am has already proven to be a powerhouse release, yielding multiple chart-topping and high-performing tracks, including the Country Airplay No. 1 "Back in the Saddle" and the No. 2-peaking "Days Like These." This sustained success further cements Combs’ status as one of country music’s most dominant artists.
The performance of both Tucker Wetmore’s "Brunette" and Luke Combs’ "Be by You" on the Billboard Country Airplay charts highlights the dynamic nature of the genre and the ongoing emergence of new talent alongside the continued dominance of established stars. The strong listener engagement and strategic promotional efforts behind both tracks underscore the vital role of radio and streaming in shaping the contemporary country music landscape. Wetmore’s first No. 1 single marks a significant moment in his burgeoning career, while Combs’ consistent chart performance reaffirms his enduring appeal.
