Weekly Chart Notes: Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Beyonce

THE START OF SOMETHING 'BIG': After a one-year break, the annual "American Idol" coronation single returns to the Billboard Hot 100's top 15.

Newly-crowned "Idol" champion Scotty McCreery's "I Love You This Big" blasts in at No. 11, making the country singer the ninth of the Fox series' 10 winners to launch their debut track at No. 15 or higher. Lee DeWyze snapped the streak last year when his cover of U2's "Beautiful Day" debuted and peaked at No. 24.

Here is a recap of how each "Idol" victor has fared on the Hot 100 with their introductory singles:

Year, Peak Pos., Artist, Title
2002, No. 1 (two weeks), Kelly Clarkson, "A Moment Like This"
2003, No. 2, Ruben Studdard, "Flying Without Wings"
2004, No. 1 (one week), Fantasia, "I Believe"

2005, No. 1 (one week), Carrie Underwood, "Inside Your Heaven"
2006, No. 1 (one week), Taylor Hicks, "Do I Make You Proud"
2007, No. 15, Jordin Sparks, "This Is My Now"
2008, No. 3, David Cook, "The Time of My Life"
2009, No. 11, Kris Allen, "No Boundaries"
2010, No. 24, Lee DeWyze, "Beautiful Day"
2011, No. 11, Scotty McCreery, "I Love You This Big"

As previously reported, McCreery scores the highest debut on Country Songs for a new artist since the chart converted to Nielsen BDS data in 1990. The 17-year-old also manages his first Billboard No. 1, as "Big" begins atop Country Digital Songs.

ADORIN' LAUREN: 2011 runner-up Lauren Alaina likewise translates her "Idol" exposure to residence on multiple charts, as her "Like My Mother Does" enters the Hot 100 at No. 20 and Country Digital Songs at No. 2.

Alaina logs the highest Hot 100 arrival since 2005 for a runner-up's single released alongside an "Idol" finale:

Year, Peak Pos., Artist, Title
2002, n/a, Justin Guarini (no single released)
2003, No. 1 (two weeks), Clay Aiken, "This Is the Night"

2004, n/a, Diana DeGarmo (no single released)
2005, No. 2, Bo Bice, "Inside Your Heaven"
2006, No. 60, Katharine McPhee, "My Destiny"
2007, n/a, Blake Lewis (no single released)
2008, No. 60, David Archuleta, "In This Moment"
2009, No. 72, Adam Lambert, "No Boundaries"
2010, No. 57, Crystal Bowersox, "Up to the Mountain"
2011, No. 20, Lauren Alaina, "Like My Mother Does"

(Lambert, Archuleta and McPhee each charted higher on the Hot 100 with tracks other than their official finale singles, while DeGarmo started at No. 14 with "Dreams," the lead single from her first album, "Blue Skies," shortly after the 2004 "Idol" season).

'YOUNG' LOVE: As Lauren Alaina scores her own chart success, the 16-year-old adds an assist on the continued chart path of the Band Perry's "If I Die Young."

Six months after topping Country Songs, "Young" debuts on the Pop Songs radio airplay chart at No. 36. While Universal Republic has been promoting the song to pop stations since the beginning of the year, Alaina boosted its profile when she sang the ballad on "Idol" May 16.

"Young," which concurrently bows on Adult Contemporary at No. 29, is the 15th former Country Songs leader to cross to Pop Songs and just the fifth by a group. Lonestar reached No. 7 with "Amazed" in 2000, followed by Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home" (No. 30, 2006), Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most" (No. 22, 2006) and Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" (No. 2, 2010).

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Scotty McCreery Makes Historic Start, Lauren Alaina Bows On Country Songs

by Gary Trust  |   May 30, 2011 11:05 EDT

After winning the 10th season of "American Idol" Wednesday (May 25), Scotty McCreery blasts onto Billboard's Nielsen BDS-based Country Songs chart at No. 32 with coronation track "I Love You This Big."

McCreery performed the song after hearing host Ryan Seacrest announce his victory, as well as the night before (May 24), on "Idol."

Scotty McCreery Wins 'American Idol' Season 10

The bow marks the highest for a brand new artist's first single since the chart converted to BDS data the week of Jan. 20, 1990.

Among new artists (unaccompanied by established acts), another musical reality program champion previously held the mark for highest Country Songs launch on an initial try. Brad Cotter, winner of the second season of "Nashville Star," charged in at No. 42 with "I Meant To" the week of May 22, 2004. The song peaked at No. 35 that August.

(Counting new artists arriving with previously-charted acts, Toby Keith's daughter Krystal debuted at No. 41 with her father on their duet "Mockingbird" on the Nov. 27, 2004, chart. The song reached No. 27. Like McCreery, the younger Keith was 17 at the time of her bow).

'Idol' Q&A: Scotty McCreery on His 'Crazy Ride,' Debut Album

"Big" begins with 3.2 million audience impressions on 76 of the 127 stations that report to Country Songs. Unsurprisingly, WQDR in Raleigh, N.C. - six miles north of McCreery's hometown of Garner, N.C. - led all panelists with 24 plays in the chart's tracking week. In the aftermath of its local hero's victory, the station has dubbed itself "Scotty 94.7" (complete with an "Idol"-inspired logo).

McCreery isn't the only "Idol" finalist from this season to translate four months of exposure on the series to a Country Songs appearance. Runner-up Lauren Alaina likewise bows at No. 49 with "Like My Mother Does." The 16-year-old also premiered her ballad on last Tuesday's finale showdown against McCreery.

'American Idol' Finale: The 10 Best Performances (Video)

The airplay for "Big" and "Like" will further fuel the songs' expected debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 to be released Thursday (June 2) on Billboard.com. As previously reported, McCreery's song could flirt with a top 10 entrance, while Alaina's could arrive in the top 20, thanks primarily to strong first-week digital sales sums.

All charts will be refreshed Thursday (June 2) on Billboard.com.

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'American Idol' Runner-Up Lauren Alaina: 'I Knew Scotty Was Gonna Win'

L auren Alaina may have lost "American Idol" -- but she still feels like a winner after singing with Carrie Underwood.

"Carrie has been my Idol since she was on this show in Scotty's position," Alaina told reporters in the press room after Wednesday night's show in which Scotty McCreery was crowned the new Idol; a record 122 million votes were cast for the finale. Underwood won season 5 of the Fox hit.

Scotty McCreery Wins 'American Idol'

Photos: 'American Idol' Season Finale Highlights

Performing with Underwood "was a dream come true," continued Alaina. "I love Carrie -- she is amazing, I got to sing with her that makes me feel pretty awesome." 

What did Underwood whisper in her ear? "She said, 'Wow, that was incredible. We should take that on the road,'" Alaina said. 

'American Idol' Finale: The 10 Best Performances (Video)

Now that the show is over -- but the tour has not yet begun -- what are Alaina's plans? "I get to sleep and eat unhealthy food," said the country singer, who dropped 20 pounds while competing. On second thought: "Actually, I'm not gonna do that."

'American Idol' Awards: The Best & Worst of Season 10

Competing was an eye-opening experience with Alaina. "Every day I learned something new about myself. I learned that I cry a lot. I didn't cry tonight because I was happy," she said. "How could I be unhappy with second place? There's a million people out there that would love to be in my position and I'm blessed."

"Life is a journey and you have to go with each step, stumbles only makes you stronger. I feel like things happen for a reason and God has a pan for me and his plan was to give me second place," she added. (Not hurting the situation either? She'll get a Ford - as the company is a sponsor - as a prize as well. Her choice? "Maybe a GT.")

Photos: Lauren Alaina's 'American Idol' Journey

She had nothing bad to say about the judges, especially Steven Tyler. "Steven was really nice to me," Alaina told reporters. Alaina also said earlier that night that she was sure McCreery would take the top prize.

"I knew Scotty was gonna win," she said. "I knew in my heart and I accepted it. ... I couldn't pick a more perfect person to get second place to. I know that's cheesy, but he's my best friend."

'American Idol' Bounces Back with Smart Shake-Ups, Young Talent

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