26 years and 700 bi-weekly charts, and here we are. The music business was very different in 1998; we probably have triple the amount of music available to us back then which was all before Napster and file sharing, MySpace and Soundcloud. The gate-keeping is about the same for major label artists, though artists themselves have more flexibility now as to when they want to let their fans in thanks to social media. Only Nile Rodgers and Vanessa Williams on this week’s new chart were around back then making music.
Unfortunately there are many independent artists who don’t know how to use social media properly, don’t have enough help to do it, and simply don’t engage enough with their fans, then wonder why the music doesn’t get traction. And there are others who don’t care about any of that and just release their music because they can. In 1998 you had to spend a lot of money to produce limited edition CD’s or cassettes to release your music.
Remember – my blog posts are all about DISCOVERY, so let the music in!!
Check out my ONLINE RADIO SHOWS below as they are now directly tied in with this blog. As most of you know, I host 3 online radio shows – The Big 20 and two iterations of Your Weekend New Music Mix – and produce 2 online radio segments – my new music and retro picks of the week – that are all pre-recorded. The Big 20 and the picks of the week are happily being syndicated and you can find the current schedule for all at the bottom of the home page of this blog.
It’s taking us right to the end of summer when I will see Sam perform in Toronto for the first time on September 21, and “Mi Amor” remains atop the BILLCS Top 30 for a third appearance at #1 for Sam, JVKE and Anitta. There are plenty of challengers for #1 just below it for the next chart two weeks from now, including “For Life” by Kygo, Nile Rodgers and Zak Abel which stays at #2, and Jubël & NOTD’s “Chocolate”, which holds at #3.
Benson Boone’s songs from Fireworks and Rollerblades have proved to be enduring, and the beautifully sung “Slow It Down” advances 7-5.
Making short work of the Top 10 is “For Life” (above) by Kygo, Zak Abel and Nile Rodgers, which zips up the chart 10-4. Kygo’s other chart entry, “Without You” (below) with previous chart-topper Hayla, climbs 27-21.
Kygo gets a second song in the Top 10 as “Without You” climbs 11-6, making it a third Top 10 entry for both him and vocalist/songwriter Hayla.
The Knocks obtain their 9th Top 10 entry and second this year with “Lover” featuring indie pop duo Dolores Forever, which moves up 13-8.
The Fastest Riser on the chart is the propulsive “Leo (Flicker)” by multi-producer collective Starsigns with UK vocalist/songwriter George Gleeson. It soars 20-9 and is part of the three-song EP called Fire Signs. It becomes the 5th Top 10 entry for Manila Killa as one third of Starsigns.
No artist has had more entries on the chart or Top 10 placements than Bright Light Bright Light! From his album Enjoy Youth, “Heartslap” (with Mykal Kilgore) becomes his 22nd Top 10 entry, rising 12-10.
I’ll be seeing Canadian duo Crash Adams in concert on September 15, and I’m looking forward to experience the energy of their releases in person! “Hotel Party” nudges the Top 10 as it moves up 14-11.
Jude York’s dance release “Monaco” is a real head-turner and it rises 18-12.
Alex Sampson has moved on to the semi-finals on “America’s Got Talent”, which airs on Wednesday when you can root for him. His retro-ballad release “Pretty Baby” climbs 23-15.
Zedd’s first album in 9 years, Telos, is an interesting package of beautifully produced tunes, including “Out of Time” (above) with Bea Miller, which rises 25-17. Check out his rework of Jeff Buckley’s “Dream Brother” (below), which features Jeff’s vocals and see what you think. Being a fan of Jeff, the vocals seem a bit out of place in an electronic setting that Jeff would never have even considered, but it’s an interesting idea and terrific of Zedd to bring back Jeff’s voice to a new generation.
“SuperFine” by NYC’s Fly By Midnight will breathe life into any pop playlist you might have so be sure to add it. This refreshing release moves up 24-19.
Arriving as the Highest Debut at #24 is “I Adore You”, the European dance hit by three producers, France’s Hugel, Germany’s Topic and Sweden’s Arash, with South African vocalist Daecolm, who sounds like a cross between The Weeknd and Bruno Mars. This one’s gonna go far. It’s Hugel’s second entry, following 2022’s “Madonna”.
The superstar duet of the year, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, debuts at #27 with the hypnotic “Die With A Smile”. It’s Lady Gaga’s 15th chart entry, but only Bruno’s 2nd, following his Silk Sonic project with Anderson.Paak and “Leave The Door Open” from 2021 (#4).
The third new entry at #28 is “Wrong Way”, a collaboration that really surprised me between blog regulars Two Friends and Toronto singer/songwriter Alexander Stewart. It’s Two Friends’ 5th chart entry and second this year, and Alexander’s second after last year’s “I Wish You Cheated” (#13).
ONLINE RADIO SHOWS
You can hear me and many of my blog choices on this growing list of online radio stations and features!
Listen to The Big 20 from 10pm to Midnight EST on Wednesdays as “The Musicman” James Rogers and I bring you the latest in new songs. The show also repeats on Saturday evening at 6 pm EST. You can hear recent episodes of The Big 20 at this link.
My New Music Pick of the Week debuts each week on The Big 20. It airs more than 25 times during the week and you can view its schedule by clicking here.
On Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm to Midnight EST I bring you “Your Weekend New Music Mix”, four hours of commercial-free music from the 2000’s including many song choices from this blog.
My Retro Pick of the Week airs each week on Russ Horton’s “Top 40 Timeline”, Saturdays at 4pm EST.
The 3D Variety Show by Planet Radio Canada
I’m now featured Tuesdays between 7 and 7:30 pm EST with my Retro Pick of the Week on the live online radio show “The 3D Variety Show”, now powered by both www.xstreamrockradio.com and Lil Rawkers with “The Musicman” James Rogers. I also join occasionally for looks at music from our past through some live segments. You can hear recent episodes of The 3D Variety Show at the following link: 3D Variety Show. The show repeats on Alberta’s www.katpowerhit.ca on Wednesdays at 6pm EST.
Energy885 in Miramichi, New Brunswick’s Energy885 now anchors Hunter Wilbur’s “Modern Hype” on Fridays at 6pm EST, and his new show “Pyjama Party” on Saturdays at 5pm EST, which both air my New Music Pick of the Week. Energy885 is also airing my Retro Pick Of The Week on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9:30 AM EST. You can hear past episodes of “Modern Hype” and “Pyjama Party” at the following link: DJ Hunter.
For other details about all of the shows, such as dates and times of broadcasts, go to my home page and scroll down to the bottom right side! Schedules are currently being updated.
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
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