The 'Idol' Radio Race

Ever wonder how your favorite American Idols are faring on the radio? Whose songs get played the most? Which Idols don't even make the cut? Well, thanks to a company called Mediabase, I can break it down for you right here. Mediabase monitors more than 1,800 radio stations in 180 U.S. and Canadian markets, 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Since American Idol first became a hit, the show has been responsible for over six million radio plays. What's surprising is how well the finalists have fared as opposed to the winners.

What they found is that Kelly Clarkson tops the heap and blows away the competition. Since her songs first began airing on radio stations after she won American Idol, they have been played over 3.3 million times. That's an average of about 750,00 plays a year.
A very distant second is Carrie Underwood whose songs have been spun about 725,000 times with an average of about 450,000 spins a year.

Josh Gracin, a fifth place finisher in season two has found much success in the country world. He follows close behind Carrie with just over 500,000 airplays.
Fantasia Barrino and Ruben Studdard have both done well in the urban market earning them spots at number four and five. It's no surprise that season two runner-up Clay Aiken made the list at number six with just over 200,000 airplays. It is surprising that following right behind is third place finisher Kimberly Locke, at number seven, with a difference of just 10,000 or so spins. Season five winner, Taylor Hicks whose CD arrived a few months ago didn't even make the Top 10, while fourth place finisher Chris Daughtry makes the list at number eight. Mario Vazquez who quit the show and is now accused of sexual harassment by a former "Idol" employee made the list at number nine, followed by Bo Bice at number 10.
When it comes to the top ten most played songs, Kelly Clarkson kills the competition with six of her songs making the list. "Breakaway" tops the list followed by "Because of You," "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes, "Walk Away" and "Miss Independent." Carrie Underwood has two songs, "Jesus Take the Wheel" and "Before He Cheats." The only other Idol to make this top ten list was Josh Gracin for his country song, "Nothin to Lose."