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ASCAP CHARTS 2010'S MOST-PLAYED HOLIDAY SONGS ON COUNTRY RADIO

"Jingle Bell Rock" Tops List

New York, NY, December 2, 2010:  ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) – the leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing nearly 400,000  songwriters, composers and music publishers – has announced the top 5 holiday songs being played on Country radio, based on performance data tracked by radio airplay monitoring service Mediaguide.

Since November 1, 2010, "Jingle Bell Rock," co-written by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe, has aired 2,750 times, making it the most-played holiday song on Country radio stations so far this holiday season.  Numerous artists including Rascal Flatts, Brenda Lee, Randy Travis and Amy Grant have recorded the song, but the original recording by Bobby Helms is currently the most popular version being played on Country radio.

"This collection of songs brightens the holidays year after year," said Tim DuBois, ASCAP Vice President and Managing Executive, Nashville.  "There's a sense that people tend to gravitate towards tradition, especially at the holidays, and our list confirms this.  'Jingle Bell Rock' has consistently ranked high on ASCAP's holiday songs list, and I anticipate it will continue to receive significant airplay on Country radio this season."

The top 5 most-played ASCAP holiday songs on Country radio are listed below.  Each song includes songwriter credits, and cites the most popular artist version played to date.

1.              "Jingle Bell Rock" – played 2,750 times

Written by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe

            Performed by Bobby Helms

2.              "White Christmas" – played 2,524 times

Written by Irving Berlin

 Performed by Bing Crosby

3.            "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" – played 2,220 times

Written by Edward Pola and George Wyle

            Performed by Andy Williams

4.              "Sleigh Ride" – played 1,950 times

Written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish

            Performed by Leroy Anderson

5.            "A Holly Jolly Christmas" – played 1,752 times 

Written by Johnny Marks

            Performed by Burl Ives

* Note:  The list represents an aggregation of all different artist versions of each cited holiday song played on Country radio from 10/1/10 to 11/26/10.  Radio formats include Americana, Country and Country Oldies.