Internet Top 40 Show

There are several different sets of charts available. We explored several of these way back in the very first article. Some of them, like Billboard and Radio & Records, have national syndicated radio shows that review each week's chart through music and interviews - American Country Countdown and Country Countdown USA, respectively. This month, we're going to look at an Internet-based chart site that broadcasts its show using RealAudio streaming.

Rhythmicity - The Internet Weekly Top 40 Countdown Show

Top 40 Countdown maintains charts in three different formats: Country, Dance, and Adult Contemporary. Along with each chart is a "radio" show hosted by Don Steel. Each show lasts almost three hours and covers the top 40 songs in each of the genres covered on a weekly basis. An ex-college linebacker, Don spent many years as a DJ on a variety of radio stations. Don still hosts an afternoon show on mainstream radio, but feels the Internet medium gives him a way to reach a wide variety of people around the world.

The charts are compiled using data from a variety of sources. Tracking online requests, music trends, and sales stats from their online music supplier, CD World, the charts are updated and each show is produced by Kelsey Creek Productions. What is amazing is that the shows are free of charge, with the site supported by advertising revenues. The advertising is encountered both as banners on the web site and audio ads incorporated into the shows. To hear any of the shows, all one needs is a 28.8 kbps connection to the Internet and the RealAudio plug-in. Once the show is launched, surfers can continue to go to other sites while the show plays in the background. Each show is broadcast in 16-bit stereo.

There are some other features at the site worth exploring. Each of the genres has a separate chat room. And there is a "funstuff" section that has jokes (I liked the parrot joke) and games. There is also a link to the Pollstar tour database. The "Power Links" section has a variety of sites in the different genres. This site is definitely worth a bookmark and a weekly visit.

Running a web site, you get lots of e-mail from people who want to exchange links or look at their site. Occasionally you find something that's really worth exploring. Here are three of the more recent ones from local artists.

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