As 2017 comes to a close, Chris Stapleton owns more than just three-fifths of the Billboard Top Country Albums' top five. TouchTunes, a company with digital jukeboxes in 65,000 bars and hotels across the nation, crowned Stapleton this year's king of America's jukeboxes. In addition to being the most played artist across all genres, Stapleton's cover of George Jones' "Tennessee Whiskey" played to more barflies this year than any other song.
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Stapleton tops all artists played, with the remainder of the top ten dominated by country and classic rock artists. Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Johnny Cash and George Strait cracked the top 10. Other high-ranking artists include barroom jukebox standbys AC/DC, the Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Country hits representing different eras and stylistic approaches top the overall songs list. Keith Urban's "Blue Ain't Your Color," Sam Hunt's radio mega-hit "Body Like a Back Road," Jon Pardi's "Dirt on My Boots," Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road" and the greatest barroom anthem of the modern era, "Friends in Low Places," rank right right behind "Tennessee Whiskey."
The new name on that list, Stapleton's fellow traditionalist Jon Pardi, tallied enough overall plays to claim top-played newcomer honors.
As for the maintained success of "Tennessee Whiskey," bar bands not performing it already should start practicing the beer drinker's choice.
Top 5 Played Artists
1. Chris Stapleton
2. AC/DC
3. Eric Church
4. Lynyrd Skynyrd
5. Bruno Mars
Top 5 Played Songs
1. "Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton
2. "Blue Ain't Your Color" by Keith Urban
3. "Body Like A Back Road" by Sam Hunt
4. "Dirt On My Boots" by Jon Pardi
5. "Copperhead Road" by Steve Earle
