All the information since the earliest Billboard charts were originally compiled in 1942 is gathered into this one essential reference on country music that has been updated and expanded to capture today's top recording artists and their biggest songs. Original.

Alphabetically and chronologically lists popular country music recordings from 1944 through 1996 and includes country music facts, biographies, and trivia

The Essential Reference Guide to America’s Most Popular Songs and Artists Spanning More than Fifty Years of Music Beginning with Bill Haley & His Comets’ seminal “Rock Around the Clock” all the way up to Lady Gaga and her glammed-out “Poker face,” this updated and unparalleled resource contains the most complete chart information on every artist and song to hit Billboard’s Top 40 pop singles chart all the way back to 1955. Inside, you’ll find all of the biggest-selling, most-played hits for the past six decades. Each alphabetized artist entry includes biographical info, the date their single reached the Top 40, the song’s highest position, and the number of weeks on the charts, as well as the original record label and catalog number. Other sections—such as “Record Holders,” “Top Artists by Decade,” and “#1 Singles 1955-2009”—make The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits the handiest and most indispensable music reference for record collectors, trivia enthusiasts, industry professionals and pop music fans alike. Did you know? • Beyoncé’s 2003 hit “Crazy in Love” spent 24 weeks in the Top 40 and eight of them in the #1 spot. • Billy Idol has had a total of nine Top 40 hits over his career, the last being “Cradle of Love” in 1990. • Of Madonna’s twelve #1 hits, her 1994 single “Take a Bow” held the spot the longest, for seven weeks—one week longer than her 1984 smash “Like a Virgin.” • Marvin Gaye’s song “Sexual Healing” spent 15 weeks at #3 in 1982, while the same song was #1 on the R&B chart for 10 weeks. • Male vocal group Boyz II Men had three of the biggest chart hits of all time during the 1990s. • The Grateful Dead finally enjoyed a Top 10 single in 1987 after 20 years of touring. • Janet Jackson has scored an impressive 39 Top 40 hits—one more than her megastar brother Michael!

A descriptive list of top 40 hits with information on the performers, the names of their hits, number of weeks on the charts, and accompanying record labels.

"Covers the entire history of Billboard magazine's Country "Records"/"Singles"/"Songs" charts from 1944-2012, listing nearly 20,000 charted hits and nearly 2,600 artists."--P. 7.

The Billboard Guide to Writing and Producing Songs that Sell unveils the secrets to climbing the charts and reaching success in today’s ultracompetitive music industry. Eric Beall supplies his firsthand knowledge of today’s record business, as well as interviews with successful writers, producers, and executives from the worlds of pop, hip-hop, country, adult contemporary, and R&B. The result: a proven approach to constructing songs that open doors, create careers, and communicate to listeners around the world. Key areas explored include: •How does a song become a hit? •What makes a song a single? •Is there a formula for creating a hit? Fun and practical exercises provide opportunities to hone skills and expose specific talents, helping songwriters combine their unique voices to the demands of the commercial marketplace. Filled with fresh ideas that will spark beginners and veterans alike, this book will lead the way toward the industry’s ultimate challenge: the creation of that chart-topping hit song.

(Book). In this comprehensive artist-by-artist listing, you'll find the more than 2,300 artists and 17,800 songs that debuted on Billboard's country singles charts from 1944-2005. Not only does it cover the complete chart careers of legendary country greats such as Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, and Reba McEntire, it also introduces fresh country voices like Gretchen Wilson, Bobby Pinson, Keith Anderson and others. This unique country compilation is a priceless gold mine of stats and facts, all presented in a handy, easy-to-use format!

(Book). An all-encompassing, artist-by-artist listing of every artist and song that's made Billboard 's "Hot Country Songs" charts. Over 2,400 country artists and over 19,000 songs represent 64 years of country chart hits! Complete chart data shows peak position and total chart weeks. Indicates awards that the song won, as well as a bio on every artist listed. A special section includes an alphabetical song title section and handy list of Top Artists, Top Hits and Record Breakers.

A group of resourceful kids start "solution-seekers.com," a website where "cybervisitors" can get answers to questions that trouble them. But when one questioner asks the true meaning of Christmas, the kids seek to unravel the mystery by journeying back through the prophecies of the Old Testament. What they find is a series of "S" words that reveal a "spectacular story!" With creative characters, humorous dialogue and great music, The "S" Files is a children's Christmas musical your kids will love performing.