Saturday 5 August 2017

Country Billboard Chart News July 31, 2017

Country Billboard Chart News July 31, 2017

RIAA Certifications

Multi-Platinum = 2,000,000 plus units
Platinum = 1-million units
Gold = 500,000 units
Note: For ALBUM certifications the RIAA base their figures on the number of units SHIPPED together with, track sales and on demand audio/ video stream units and NOT based purely on traditional retail sales.
1,500 on-demand audio and/or video song streams = 10 track sales = 1 album sale.
150 on-demand streams = 1 track download

Gold singles:
Maren Morris 80s Mercedes released Nov 6, 2015 | Gold July 13, 2017 0.5 Million
Kane Brown What Ifs (Feat. Lauren Alaina) released Dec 2, 2016 | Gold July 17, 2017 0.5 Million
Michael Ray - Kiss You In the Morning
Michael Ray - Think a Little Less released April 25, 2016 | Gold July 25, 2017 0.5 Million
Steve Holy - Good Morning Beautiful
Dustin Lynch - Seein' Red June 24, 2016 Gold | July 14, 2017 0.5 Million
Dustin Lynch - Small Town Boy released Feb 17, 2017 | Gold July 21, 2017 0.5 Million
Josh Turner - Hometown Girl released May 13, 2016 | Gold July 17, 2017 0.5 Million
Josh Thompson - Way Out Here released Feb 23, 2010 | Gold July 21, 2017 0.5 Million
Blake Shelton - Gonna released Aug 3, 2015 | Gold July 25, 2017 0.5 Million

Platinum single:
Cole Swindell - Middle of a Memory released May 6, 2016 | Platinum | July 25, 2017 1 Million

3x Platinum single:
Sam Hunt - Body Like a Back Road released date Feb 1, 2017 | 3x Multi-Platinum July 27, 2017 3 Million units

2x Platinum album:
Luke Bryan - KILL THE LIGHTS released Aug 7, 2015 | 2x Multi-Platinum July 17, 2017 2 Million

In Brief: Billboard Country Charts (Chart issue week of August 12, 2017)

Country Album Chart ** No.1 (8 non-consecutive weeks) From A Room: Volume 1 Chris Stapleton
Hot Country Songs ** No.1 (25 weeks) ** “Body Like A Back Road” Sam Hunt
Country Airplay ** No.1 (1 week) “Do I Make You Wanna” Billy Currington
Country Digital Songs ** No.1 (25 non-consecutive weeks) ** “Body Like A Back Road” Sam Hunt

Billboard Top 200 / Country Album Chart News (Chart issue week of August 12, 2017)

The Billboard 200 chart measures multi-metric album consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

Lana Del Rey Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart, Tyler, The Creator and Meek Mill Bow at Nos. 2 & 3
Lana Del Rey scores her second No.1 album on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart (BB200), as LUST FOR LIFE bowed atop the Aug. 12-dated tally. The set, which was released on July 21 through Polydor/Interscope Records, earned 107,000 equivalent album units in the week ending July 27, according to Nielsen Music. Of that sum, 80,442 were in traditional album sales.
Further, this week marked the first time in 2017 where the top three albums are debuts that each earned more than 100,000 units. It last occurred on the Dec. 10, 2016-dated list, when Metallica’s Hardwired… To Self-Destruct debuted at No. 1 with 291,000 units, followed by Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic at No. 2 (231,000) and Miranda Lambert’s The Weight of These Wings at No. 3 (133,000).

Billboard Top Country Albums (Chart issue week of August 12, 2017)
Top Country Albums now ranks the most popular country albums of the week, as compiled by Nielsen Music, based on multi-metric consumption (blending traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA), and streaming equivalent albums (SEA)).
10 digital track sales from an album = 1 track equivalent album (TEA) “sale”
1,500 on demand song streams from an album to one streaming equivalent album (SEA) “sale”.
Nielsen Music compiles the sales and streaming data. Billboard continues to publish pure album sales charts (subscription to billboard biz ), exclusively comprising Nielsen’s sales data.

Another One-Two for Stapleton
Chris Stapleton with From A Room: Volume 1 (Mercury/Universal Music Group Nashville) held at #1 for a 8th non-consecutive week (#23-37 Billboard 200) selling 10,246 copies (down 18%; 12-week total 465,100). It was the biggest selling country album this chart frame.
Stapleton’s TRAVELLER (MERCURY/ UMGN) rose 3-2 (30-38 BB200) selling 6,859 copies (down 13%, 117-week total 2,023,600).

Luke Combs with THIS ONE’S FOR YOU (River House/Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville) rose 4-3 (#36-43 BB200) selling 4,718 copies (down 4%; 8-week total 75,330).

Sara Evans with WORDS (Born to Fly Records) made a debut at No.4 (#46 BB200). Now on her own label the 46-year old Missouri native (with 1.75 million Facebook Followers) opened with 9,874 copies sold.
I keep calling it the album of my lifetime because I’m that proud of this collection of songs and hope that it takes you on a journey of happiness, tears, and just enjoying good music” shared Sara.

CHART HISTORY:

Her last non-seasonal studio album SLOW ME DOWN (RCA) released March 11, 2014 started at No.9 on the BB200 (#2 Country) selling 26,509 copies.

STRONGER (RCA) released March 8, 2011 debuted at #6 on the BB200 (#1 Country) selling 55,193 copies which was a successful comeback after a 5-year absence.
REAL FINE PLACE released October 4, 2005 debuted at No.3 on the BB200 (#1 Country) selling 69,486 copies.
RESTLESS (RCA) released in Aug 19, 2003 was certified platinum by the RIAA (Dec 3, 2004), it debuted at No.20 BB200 (#3 Country) selling 44,283 copies in its first week.


Critical reception for Sara Evans’ Words:
14 Tracks/ Time: 51:55 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

Many musicians like to say their work is deeply personal but Sara Evans may have taken that a step further in her new, impressive album…brimming with confidence and using her immensely appealing voice on a batch of very strong songs, ‘Words’ captures an artist in full musical flight…artistic freedom has never sounded so good.” Associated Press Washington Post

Full of songs that address head-on life’s rawest emotional experiences.” - USA Today / The Tennessean
She made every word count for her eighth studio release.” - CMT

Sara Evans is swinging for the fences on her new album, Words…offering fans a surprise or two with an album that is not only satisfying to discover for the first time, but will hold up well and reveal new facets over repeat listenings.” - Taste of Country

Sounds Like Nashville Chuck Dauphin (Very Positive) “A huge statement from a singer who is ready to take things to a whole new level.
Roughstock (Rating: Positive) On some ways, you could listen to Sara Evans new, independently-released Words album and feel like she's chasing a train she'll never catch but the reality is that this is a record for a fans and if she does get some mainstream radio success, awesome, but if not,  that's OK too because, hits or not, Words is the record of her career. -

Allmusic: (Rating; 4/5 STARS) Sara Evans titled the first album she released on her own Born to Fly Records Words because that's where she wants the listener to focus -- the stories these songs tell, not the melodies that sell the narrative....What gives Words its strength is how it never flaunts its diversity; instead, its eclecticism is casual, with Evans
sliding from stripped-back country-folk to breezy modern pop with ease....Her cool confidence, sometimes tempered by impressive flaunting of her range, does lead the listener to lean into the lyrics of these 14 songs, and while the stories are compelling, the tale the non-verbal elements of Words tell is equally absorbing. By taking its time, concentrating on a cozy interplay to buttress the singer, Words offers a sharp and welcome contrast to the bustling digital era.

Entertainment Focus (Rating: 5/5) Featuring a handful of co-writes from Evans, Words pools together a wealth of songwriting talent including Ashley Monroe, Jaida Dreyer and Hillary Lindsey. The album is rich with variety whilst managing to always stay distinctively Evans. Unlike many artists, Evans doesn’t get lost in the production and puts her stamp on everything she does......Everything Evans does is worth your time but there’s something about Words that feels truly special. It’s a record that has been put together with love and passion, and that shines through in every track. Evans has never sounded better and in years to come this record will likely rank as one of her finest. There’s a real sense of freedom and happiness that resonates from the record and that makes it all the more enjoyable to listen to. Words is an album you simply have to listen to and Evans remains a vital force in Country music.

Keith Urban with RIPCORD (Hit Red/Capitol Nashville) held at #5 (#41-48 BB200) selling 3,961 copies (down 14%; 64-week total 632,000).
Lady Antebellum with HEART BREAK (Capitol Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville), fell 6-7 (43-55 Billboard 200) selling 6,090 copies (down 19%; 7-week total 103,791).
Brett Young with self-titled debut (BMLG) held at #8 (#52-56 BB200) selling 3,270 copies (down 1%; 24-week total 111,000).
Florida Georgia Line with DIG YOUR ROOTS (BMLG) held at #9 (#56-57 BB200) selling 1,607 copies (48-week total 411,200).
Jon Pardi with California Sunrise held at #10 (69-69 BB200) selling 1,768 copies. 

Outside the Top 10
Kane Brown with self-titled KANE BROWN (Zone 4/RCA Nashville) held at #11 (#75-78 BB200) selling 2,528 copies (up 3%; 34-week total 173,600).

Lucas Hoge with DIRTY SOUTH (Rebel Engine) made a debut at No.12 (#88 BB200) selling 7,103 copies.

I was the third best selling country album in this chart frame.

Critical reception for Lucas Hoge’s - Dirty South:
10 tracks/ Time: 34:22 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

Roughstock (Rating: Positive) : With a pleasant vocal style and a genuine talent for selecting songs that suit his voice, Lucas Hoge has steadily been growing into his career as a major artist at a time when it’s not exactly easy to do so. With 10 tracks, Dirty South, Lucas’ third album and first for Rebel Engine Entertainment, finds the artist tackling multiple stories and sounds that are as classic sounding as they are freshly current...It is only 10 songs deep but Dirty South is the kind of pleasant brand of music that country music has often been known for. These are ten good songs with no real ‘fat’ to be found. Here’s hoping the album finds a wider audience.

Various Artists with Now That's What I Call Country Volume 10 (Universal Music Group) fell #13-15 (#84-112 Billboard 200) selling 6,138 copies (down 14%; 7-week total 70,225).

Zac Brown Band with WELCOME HOME (Southern Ground/Elektra/Atlantic Group) fell 2-16 (98-25 BB200) selling 3,898 copies (down 71%; 11-week total 245,500).

Maren Morris with HERO (Columbia Nashville) fell 18-19 (#141 non-mover Billboard 200) selling 1,558 copies (down 7%; 60-week total 240,000).

Parmalee with 27861 (Stoney Creek | BBMG) made at debut at #22 (#146 BB200) selling 3,786 copies.
“We love eastern North Carolina,” Matt Thomas, lead vocalist and guitar player for Parmalee says. “It’s a big part of our sound, which comes from the music we grew up hearing and listening to. And the people we grew up around are just as much a part of this music as we are.”
In 2016, Parmalee was nominated for ACM’s “New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year.” Their debut album, Feels Like Carolina, earned the group three Top 10 singles: “Carolina,” “Close Your Eyes,” and “Already Callin’ You Mine.” The band recently released “Sunday Morning,” the new single from their upcoming album, 27861.
In a band tweet, the group gave background on the importance of the album title, "We all have 27861 tattooed on us. It's the zip code to Parmele, NC where we started this band."

Critical reception for Parmalee’s 27861:
12 Tracks/ Time: 36:43 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

Sounds Like Nashville (Rating: Positive)…With their latest album, 27861, Parmalee has a refreshed perspective and sound like they’re ready to take on the modern world of country music. Though the 12-track album is filled with entertaining party songs, it’s clear that the group is moving in a new direction that allows them to be modern while staying true to their roots....While they’ve always been a quality act, Parmalee show they belong in the current country format with 27861, creating a project that is perfect for the now, but is sure to keep their fans listening for years to come.

Your Life In A Song (Rating: Mixed): The first thing to note is that many of the songs on ‘27861’ follow that popular modern pattern of programming where the verses are relatively quiet but the choruses huge. Lead single ‘Sunday Morning’ is a prime example of that. It is a strong song with a good melody but ultimately predictable in what it does. ...Nowhere on the album is that current trend for the 70’s more in evidence than on ‘Mimosas’. It’s an interesting song but I can’t help but feel I’ve heard it all before....I can’t put my finger on who started this current obsession with 70’s programming in modern Country music but it’s becoming a well-trodden and over used technique....There are flaws here though and generic touches that pervade across the album, leaving ‘27861’ an admirable yet confusing listen….

Outside the Top 25

Miranda Lambert with THE WEIGHT OF THESE WINGS (Vanner/ RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville) fell 23-26 (160-169 BB200) selling 1,746 copies (down 10%; 36-week total 374,200).

Billboard Hot Country Songs (Chart issue week of August 12, 2017)
On Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart - which blends:
a) All-format airplay, as monitored by BDS
b) Sales, as tracked by Nielsen SoundScan and
c) Streaming, (tracked by Nielsen BDS from such services as Spotify, Muve, Slacker, Rhapsody, Rdio and Xbox Music, among others) according to BDS it results in:

Sam Hunt with “Body Like a Back Road” (MCA Nashville) rewrote the mark for the most weeks spent atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, as it earns its 25th frame at No.1 on the Aug. 12 survey.
Back Road” one-ups the 24-week reign of Florida Georgia Line’s debut single, “Cruise,” in 2012 and 2013.












Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs
Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist, Date Reached No. 1
25, "Body Like a Back Road," Sam Hunt, Feb. 25, 2017
24, "Cruise," Florida Georgia Line, Dec. 22, 2012
19, "Walk On By," Leroy Van Dyke, Sept. 25, 1961
18, "H.O.L.Y.," Florida Georgia Line, May 21, 2016
17, "Die a Happy Man," Thomas Rhett, Nov. 14, 2015
16, "Love's Gonna Live Here," Buck Owens, Oct. 19, 1963

Universal Music Group Nashville president Cindy Mabe said, “I don’t think breaking the record at the top of the Hot Country Songs chart was the goal” when Hunt released the song. “But as summer met Sam’s 15 in a 30 Tour, combined with the pent-up demand for new music, this record has become part of [the] culture and [a] sexy soundtrack for the summer. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s coming for Sam Hunt.”
For now, “Back Road” — co-written by Hunt, Zach Crowell, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne — is a stand-alone single following Hunt’s debut full-length, 2014’s Montevallo, which has sold 1.3 million copies in the United States to date, according to Nielsen Music.
“Back Road” likewise led Country Streaming Songs (15.9 million U.S. streams, down 5%, in the week ending July 27) and Country Digital Song Sales (42,000 downloads sold, down 9%) for a 25th week each.
On the latter list, “Back Road” tied “Cruise” for the most weeks at No.1. On Country Airplay, “Back Road” ruled for three weeks beginning on the chart dated May 6; as a recurrent, it drew 34.1 million in country radio audience in the tracking week ending July 30.
Hot Country Songs blends radio airplay, streaming and sales data. The chart launched as an all-encompassing genre survey in October 1958. It has been purely airplay-based, powered by Nielsen Music, since 1990; in 2012, it transitioned to its current multi-metric methodology.

Kane Brown with “What Ifs,” featuring Lauren Alaina (Zone 4/RCA Nashville), rose 11-10 on Hot Country Songs, marking Brown’s first top 10 on the tally. The track surged 8-3 on Country Digital Song Sales (16,000 sold, up 13%), bulleted at No. 4 on Country Streaming Songs (7 million U.S. streams, up 2%) and lifted 20-18 on Country Airplay (15.6 million in audience, up 18%). “What Ifs” is Alaina’s second Hot Country Songs top 10, following “Road Less Traveled,” which reached No.8 (and became her first No. 1 on Country Airplay) in April.

Hot County Songs
** No.1 (25 weeks) ** “Body Like A Back Road” Sam Hunt
Hot Shot Debut No.50 “Like I Loved You” Brett Young

Billboard Country Airplay (Chart issue week of August 12, 2017)

Billy Currington with “Do I Make You Wanna” (Mercury) jumped 4-1 in its 36th week on Country Airplay, gaining by 10% to 43.8 million audience impressions in the tracking week. 

On Hot Country Songs, it returned to its No.8 peak. “Wanna,” written by Zach Crowell, Ashley Gorley, Matt Jenkins and Jerry Flowers, marked Currington’s 11th Country Airplay leader and the third of four singles released from his Summer Forever LP. 

Lead track “Don’t It” led the list dated June 6, 2015, and “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” reigned for two weeks beginning Oct. 15, 2016. (Second single “Drinkin’ Town With a Football Problem” hiked to No.30 in November 2015.)

The song was a strong contender [for first single] for me and I think other people at the label,” said Billy. “It’s just got that laid-back thing, and easy to sing and just a really, really cool song. A cool vibe, that’s definitely what I’d say about this. It’s got that vibe.”
It was a really simple idea that you’re in a relationship, at the beginning of the relationship, and in my case, the girl is saying, she just wants reassurance, and I thought I’d love to hear that in a song where the girl says really simple things, like ‘What if I fall?’ And the guy’s like, ‘I won’t let you fall?’ ‘And if I cry?’ ‘I’ll never make you cry.’ ‘And if I get scared?’ The guy says, ‘I’ll hold you tighter, and when they’re trying to get to you, I’ll be the fighter.’ I just liked the simplicity of all that, because that’s been my experience. More often than not, the more real, simple scenario is pretty universal.”

Dustin Lynch with "Small Town Boy” (Broken Bow) climbed 12-10 on Country Airplay (31.4 million, up 13%), becoming his sixth top 10.

Country Airplay
*** No.1 (1 week) *** "Do I Make You Wanna” Billy Currington 43.764 million audience (+4.074 million) / 7,674 radio plays (+794)
** Hot Shot Debut/ Most Increased Audience/ Most Added ** No.33 “Unforgettable” Thomas Rhett +5.400 million audience gain thanks to 49 fresh radio commitments (ADDS)
Debut No.52 “Road Trippin’ Dan + Shay

Billboard Country Digital Singles Chart 
(Chart issue week of August 12, 2017)

Sam Hunt with Body Like a Back Road” (MCA Nashville) held at No.1 (#5-6 Digital Songs; 42,000 sales; down 9%; 26-week total 1,430,000) leading the chart for a 24rd non-consecutive week.
It was five places behind Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber with "Despacito" which dominated the Digital Song Sales chart for a record-tying 13th week, with 102,000 downloads sold (down 13%) in the week ending July 27, according to Nielsen Music; the remix with Bieber accounted for 77% of the song's sales for a third consecutive week (in line with its breakdown in prior weeks). "Despacito" equalled the 13-week Digital Song Sales reigns of The Chainsmokers' "Closer," featuring Halsey (2016); "Uptown Funk!" (2015); and Flo Rida's "Low," featuring T-Pain (2007-08).

Dustin Lynch with “Small Town Boy rose 4-2 (#32-31 Digital Songs).
Kane Brown feat. Lauren Alaina with “What If’s” rose 8-3 (#38-32 Digital Songs).
Lady Antebellum with “You Look Good” rose 9-4 (#40-42 Digital Songs).
Brett Young with “In Case You Didn’t Know” held at #5 (#33-43 Digital Songs)
Keith Urban with “The Fighter,” featuring Carrie Underwood (Hit Red/Capitol Nashville), rose 7-6 (#35-45 Digital Songs).
Midland with “Drinkin’ Problem” fell 6-7 (#34-49 Digital Songs).
Thomas Rhett feat. Maren Morris with “Craving You” rose 10-8.
Jon Pardi with “Heartache On The Dance Floor” (Capitol Nashville) climbed 12-9.
Dylan Scott with “My Girl” retreated 2-10.  

Country Aircheck MEDIABASE Chart

31 July 2017
Congrats to Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Royce Risser, Bobby Young, David Friedman and the Capitol promotion staff, who narrowly – tie-breaker narrowly – edged out Billy Currington, Royce Risser, Damon Moberly, David Friedman and the Mercury promo crew, to take the No.1 spot moving (5-1) with “The Fighter.”
The first chart-topping points tie in Country Aircheck history resorted to the tie breakers which are, in order, plus-or-minus points, spins and plus-or-minus spins.
“The Fighter” is the fifth-consecutive No.1 from Ripcord. Songwriters are Urban and Busbee. It followed the success of “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “Wasted Time,” “Break on Me” and “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.” It’s also his 23rd single to reach the top of the country chart.

LW TW Artist/Title (Label) Total Points +/- Points Total Plays +/- Plays Audience +/- Aud Stations
5 1 KEITH URBAN f/C.UNDERWOOD The Fighter (Capitol) 24098 +3053 8125 +1038 52.763 +6.235
4 2 BILLY CURRINGTON/Do I Make You Wanna (Mercury) 24098 +2281 8064 +764 53.305 +4.144


















Kudos to George Briner and the Valory crew on notching 83 adds for Thomas Rhett’s Unforgettable”. The song topped the "Most Added" board this chart week.

Artist/Title (Label)/TW /Total Historic Adds
THOMAS RHETT/Unforgettable (Valory) 83 83  
LEVON/Ms. Marianne (Columbia)           20 22   
BRETT YOUNG/Like I Loved You (BMLGR) 17 86         
CHRIS JANSON/Fix A Drink (Warner Bros./WAR) 15 146           
WALKER HAYES/You Broke Up With Me (Monument/Arista) 13  58        
AARON WATSON/Outta Style (Big) 12 93         
ADAM CRAIG/Just A Phase (Stoney Creek) 11
 
In honor of Valory Music Co.’s Thomas Rhett being most-added at Country radio this week with his new single, “Unforgettable,” All Access delivered bagels to the Big Machine Label Group office. Valory Music Co. Coord./Promotion Lauren Simon (l) and Dir./Southeast Promotion Brooke Nixon (r) accepted the treats on behalf of the Valory team to celebrate an ‘unforgettable’ week.
























For a detailed report check out Country Aircheck Weekly Issue 561 - July 31, 2017 [PDF File] Magazine View
For the very latest up to the minute Mediabase Chart (Past 7 Days) go here - www.mediabase.com

Billboard Boxscores (Selective Country concerts)

Rank Artist: #47
Event Venue City/State: Florida Georgia Line, Nelly, Chris Lane, Morgan Wallen Amphitheater at the Wharf Orange Beach, Ala.
Dates: July 14-15, 2017 Gross Sales: $938,852 Attend: 18,182/ 18,182
Shows/ Sellouts: 2/2 ** SOLD OUT ** Prices: $81.75, $20
Promoters: Red Mountain Entertainment

Rank Artist: #49
Event Venue City/State: Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Chris Janson XFINITY Center Mansfield, Mass.
Dates: July 22, 2017 Gross Sales: $912,847 Attend: 19,928/ 19,928
Shows/ Sellouts: 1/1 ** SOLD OUT ** Prices: $60.75, $26
Promoters: Live Nation

Rank Artist: #96
Event Venue City/State: Miranda Lambert, The Cadillac Three, Tucker Beathard Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion Gilford, N.H.
Dates: June 2-3, 2017 Gross Sales: $451,924 Attend: 7,893/ 14,225
Shows/ Sellouts: 2/0 (6,332 unsold tickets) Prices: $75, $33
Promoters: in-house

Rank Artist: #139
Event Venue City/State: Jason Isbell, Strand of Oaks St. Augustine Amphitheater St. Augustine, Fla.
Dates: July 22, 2017 Gross Sales: $132,455 Attend: 3,177/ 3,971
Shows/ Sellouts: 1/0 (794 unsold tickets) Prices: $55, $35
Promoters: NS2

Rank Artist: #208
Event Venue City/State: Billy Currington, Seth Ennis Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage Richmond, Va.
Dates: May 19, 2017 Gross Sales: $32,364 Attend: 823/ 1,141
Shows/ Sellouts: 1/0 (318 unsold tickets) Prices: $40.50, $19.25
Promoters: NS2
Latest Billboard Boxscore Chart


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