Tibi Puiu
Surprising a lot of people [tag]Josh Groban[/tag]’s Christmas centric LP Noel, went from being just another carol record 10 weeks ago, to now being the best selling album of the year 2007, with over 2.8 million copies sold (the majority in the last few weeks). Thus surpassing “High School Musical 2” soundtrack (which has sold just over 2.7 million units) and Daughtry, the 2006 self-titled debut by “American Idol” finalist Chris Daughtry‘s band, (2.3 million). Furthermore Noel holds the record for most weeks at the Billboard 200 number 1 position, with four, thus beating the previous record hold by Elvis Presley with his 1957 Elvis’ Christmas Album.
Behind Groban at #2 is [tag]Alicia Keys[/tag]’ As I Am, with sales reported at 292,300, and the [tag]Eagles[/tag]’ Long Road Out of Eden follows her at #3 with 241,000 scans. Meanwhile, the 26th addition to the Now That’s What I Call Music! compilation series comes in at #4 with 191,800 sold, and at #5, with 180,000 scans, it’s Mannheim Steamroller‘s Christmas Song. The aforementioned “High School Musical 2” soundtrack holds at the #6 position with sales of 178,000, and Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus trails in the #7 spot, having sold another 177,500 units. Country crossover artist Taylor Swift‘s self-titled debut climbs one spot to #8 with 138,700 sold, and Carrie Underwood‘s Carnival Ride falls two spots to #9 with sales of 137,500.
The 26-year-old Los Angeles native is currently in Europe promoting his CD, which has been certified-gold in France, four times platinum in Canada and Number One in South Africa. On the radio, “Noel” has been in the Number One slot on the BDS (Billboard) Main Stream Adult Contemporary Chart for four weeks, and remains the number one selling album on Amazon and all digital sales charts.
Groban, who has upcoming appearances on “Good Morning America” on December 22nd and 24th, “Larry King Live” on December 24th and the “ABC Disney Special” on the morning of December 25th, has been declared one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” on a recent “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
