Looking for fairly boring photos of Lady
Gaga is like a fun Internet scavenger hunt.

The never ending battle between pop and country-pop got interesting this week, as Lady Gaga pushed Taylor Swift from a formerly rather secure perch at the top of the countdown. Taylor tumbles to sixth place in the process, as the desperate scramble to fill up on tickets to her latest set of concert dates has subsided a bit, it seems. Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour is gearing up for a November 27th kick-off date, with a full calendar through April of next year.

Miley and Bon Jovi both move up a spot as the SEC Championship has a softer slide than Taylor, and the Big 12 Championship remains firmly in 5th place. Making his first appearance on the countdown is John Mayer, whose new album Battle Studies dropped on November 17th. Mayer is playing a couple dates in 2009 before his concert tour expands in January 2010.

Rounding out the Top 10 the Rose Bowl remains steady a 8, while the Longhorns peek in once more at 9. Buzz continues to build on the team for a spot in the Big 12 Championship and the BCS Bowl beyond. Finally, the WWE rushes in from the outside to interfere in the countdown title match and swipe the #10 belt. That will conclude the surprisingly smart mark commentary for this week.

There aren’t any CMAs left.

Merry Friday the 13th. Big split this week, with an all-returning Top 5, and an all-new Bottom 5. Taylor Swift, who I learned from last week’s Saturday Night Live is very tall, remains atop the countdown, again by a handy margin. Following Miss Swift is the 2009 SEC Championship, which has garnered quite a bit of interest over the past couple weeks. That interest exploded last weekend as Alabama basically clenched their appearance. Both Florida and Alabama are considered locks at this point.

Miley remains secure at #3, while Bon Jovi climbs to 4 and the Big 12 Championship, which is a bit murkier even now, falls to 5. That ushers in the bottom 5, where an odd mix of seasonal shows, side projects, college football, and comedy turns up. On the musical side, Not So Silent Night is an alt rock / punk rock ensemble show featuring Muse, AFI, Vampire Weekend, and more. According to Wikipedia, Puscifer is a side project of noted winemaker Maynard James Keenan, who, in his spare time not making wine, fronts a band named Tool.

Rounding out the Top 10 is our first taste of bowl fever, as The Granddaddy of Them All fittingly posts the first appearance of a bowl on the countdown. TCU fans also brought their team some recognition. Finally, Dane Cook is on tour and posts the first showing of a comedian ever on the countdown.

Miley Cyrus Returns

“Interesting Times” indeed. Not just the punchline of a purported ancient Chinese curse or a good read by Terry Prachett, it describes the movement on the top 10 in recent weeks nicely. Not that I mind, makes it easier to write these things. One thing certainly hasn’t changed, that’s Taylor Swift’s recent dominance, which continues handily through this week as well.

It is all about music and football this week. The football arrives courtesy of 2 upcoming and hotly anticipated conference championships, one for the SEC and one for the Big 12. The Big 12 is certainly anticipated locally, as Austin’s own Longhorns are a favorite to attend at this point. The SEC because, well, it’s the SEC which has a habit of producing college football’s top teams year after year.

Miley missed the countdown so much she returned at #3, while Aventura and Bon Jovi both dropped thanks to the Longhorns and their championship hopes. AC/DC makes an appearance. They’ve been on tour for a while now, but it took a show at the Frank Irwin Center to put them up on the big board. A veritable institution of rock, they’ve been touring in support of their most recent release, Black Ice, which is just over a year old at this point.

Make-Up Taylor Swift Pic For Last Week

A slightly premature Happy Halloween to all.  The shakeups continue, though Taylor Swift retains her commanding lead at #1, Miley Cyrus exits the countdown completely for the first time in a long time. Replaced by? Bon Jovi. The veteran pop rockers have a new album, The Circle, releasing in November, and a new tour to support it. The Circle Tour doesn’t kick off until February 2010, but long time fans are looking to get their seats early.

Aventura remains a steady 3, while the announcement of a new Garth Brooks show in Vegas put him back on the radar after his “retirement”. Interest is running high for his opening shows, though the engagement is for five years, so I wouldn’t worry too much if you’re not able to get in for the first few months. Like many Vegas acts, Garth is going to be there a while.

The World Series clocks in at #6, though maybe I should have just combined the numbers for it and the Yankees down at #8. The Turnpike Series is now tied 1-1 heading into Game 3. Squeezed in between is Notre Dame, who’s about engage to in the “San Antonio Showdown” with rivals Washington State this weekend. Tickets are still available for that game.

I could have gone with
a Taylor Swift photo, but how
boring would that have been?

Big changes this week. Taylor Swift, who hasn’t been absent the countdown for some time, rises to the very top as demand for her Fearless Tour is bigger now than ever before. The tour was recently extended to run through the middle of 2010, with additional dates in Austrailia and North America. Perhaps with a little girl power bump, Miley Cyrus takes the second spot, while Aventura climbs again to #3.

The Longhorns dip a bit, and right on their heels are the New York Yankees. I wonder why? Oh, right… the ALCS and their inability to shut the Angels down and get it over with. I’ve got a World Series Tickets page to update guys, so get it done so I can put that puppy to bed for 2009.

Finally, making her debut on the countdown at #9 is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, which is the really, really long way of saying Lady Gaga. Another in a long line of artists that no one you know will admit to liking yet sells millions of albums and sells out shows nationwide. The Lady is touring solo in support of her debut album, The Fame, after a planned joint tour with Kanye West fell through. On the whole, that was probably a plus for her.

The rumors have swirled, but today it was confirmed: Garth Brooks is back.  Arguably one of the most award-winning country artists, Garth makes a return to performing after more than eight years in retirement.  Brooks will start an ongoing show at the Encore Theatre at the Wynn in Las Vegas.  Why come out of retirement after nine years?  Apparently because Steve Wynn had the answers to all of Brooks’ objections.

Garth Brooks

Brooks and his wife, fellow country star Tricia Yearwood, had decided on his retirement in order to spend more time in Oklahoma with his daughters.  It’s not surprising that tours, performances, and travel can make family life and normalcy difficult.  So how did Wynn change Mr. Brooks’ and Ms. Yearwood’s opinion on family?  Apparently, he didn’t.  He simply showed Brooks how this could fit with his family life.  Apparently a gig in Sin City can work with a simple life in Oklahoma.  All you need is a private jet.  Word is Wynn is providing a private jet so that Brooks can travel to Las Vegas to perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on select weekends (about 15 a year), and be back in Oklahoma for the normal family and school routine on Monday mornings.  And you can’t blame Garth Brooks for thinking Mr. Wynn couldn’t afford him.  In fact he actually voiced that, but Mr. Wynn had that covered as well. (And to this point, note that ticket prices have not been disclosed yet.)

Like many Vegas shows, folks might expect the usual glitz and glam, as well as some of the big-time productions for which Brooks is popular.  But Wynn and Brooks have another idea.  A man and his guitar - stripped down, classic, country.  Aside from country, this might not seem like Garth’s style, but if you think about it, it makes sense.  Garth has already done some of the largest shows with the most over-the-top productions for the biggest crowds.  So you come out of retirement, and where do you go from there?  Nine years later, you’re unlikely to top yourself again, one would think.  But strip it down to the basics, to your roots, raw talent, for an honest, intimate performance – there’s potential there.

Brooks’ performances are said to be geared toward his roots and influences.  Some lucky fans may have already seen a sneak peek of what’s to come…  Garth referred to some previous shows where crowds outlasted the set list for a show and wanted more.  Never the one to let down a crowd, Brooks would head back out on stage and perform some of his favorite songs impromptu, obviously without the big production because one wasn’t planned.  That’s the type of show that’s expected at the Wynn; Garth performing a mix of his own hits along with some from artists that made a mark on him, including the likes of Bob Seger, Cat Stevens, Tom Rush, Merle Haggard and George Jones.  Some country influences you might expect and some that might surprise you.

Wynn Las Vegas

While the show is being described as simple and stripped-down, it wouldn’t be Vegas without some extravagance.  Appears plans are in place for a huge animated frog perched atop a video screen over the Wynn’s Lake of Dreams.  Of course the frog will be decked in boots and black hat singing what else but, ”I’ve Got Friends in Low Places.”   The first performance for Garth Brooks will be Friday, December 11, 2009 at the Encore Theatre at the Wynn.  Tickets are scheduled to go on sale Satruday, October 24, 2009 at 8am PT.

The Longhorns return to the top this week, though ACL hangs around at #2. Longhorn dominance was no doubt assured by the upcoming OU game this weekend. From what I’ve been told there’s something of a rivalry there. Rivalrous enough to be held on neutral ground in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, in fact.

U2 remains steady, while Aventura makes room for Taylor Swift’s climb back up the chart. The Cowboys also climb a little higher, holding on from last week, while KISS returns again, trading places with the WWE whose brief return to the chart was very brief indeed.

In the “out of nowhere” department, there’s Owl City. Thankfully, Owl City is notable enough for inclusion by the Wiki gods. As much as people are prone to malign Wikipedia, man is it useful in cases like this. Owl City is a synthpop/electronica project started in 2007, headed up (and solely manned) by a guy named Adam Young. He was apparently heavily influenced by 80’s synthpop and New Wave music, which, judging by his age, means his mother played it for him in the womb. Owl City is on tour, with dates throughout the New Year, so feel free to check him out.

It is with a slight sense of surprise I report ACL managed to hang onto the top spot this week. Propelled primarily by a strong showing over last weekend, ACL’s win wasn’t quite the all out domination of the previous week. The Longhorns were a much closer second this time. Will be interesting to see how long post-ACL fever lasts. The rain certainly didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of last minute ticket searchers. Next year’s festival is scheduled for October 8-10, and yes, you can line up your spot today on our ACL Tickets page.

Miley and Taylor once again find themselves in close proximity, after a steady U2 and a resurgent Aventura. The WWE makes a return appearance after a few months of absence. The Cowboys haven’t been absent quite so long, but weren’t around for the past few weeks. Which brings to the Twins, who appear in part due to their little pre-playoff playoff against the Tigers. The Twins and the Tigers finished their seasons tied and had an amazing 12 inning, 6-5 squeaker for the right to get steamrolled by the Yankees.

If you’re intersted in following the Twins, or a team with a shot at making it to the World Series, check out our MLB Playoffs Tickets page.

Current Rank Last Week Keyword Searched 1 1 ACL 2 5 Texas Longhorns 3 4 U2 4 10 Aventura 5 3 Miley Cyrus 6 8 Taylor Swift 7 - WWE 8 - Dallas Cowboys 9 - Minnesota Twins 10 7 Kings of Leon

It is with no sense of suspense I can announce that ACL once again topped the countdown in this, the week just prior to the festival. As the gray clouds gather, things are set to kick off in just a few hours time, in fact. Looks like it’s going to be a bit damp out there this weekend, so be sure to plan accordingly if you’re heading out there.

Journey pops into the countdown after a long absence. They were last seen back in June as their Revelation Tour was in full swing. Playing a date in Austin probably got them some additional interest on our site this week. Journey fans are quickly running out of dates, as only a few remain before the 2009 Revelation Tour is over.

The rest of the countdown features some of our usual suspects, with Miley Cyrus recovering from her dip last week, and U2 and the Longhorns battling it out for 4th and 5th. Kings of Leon once again appear, if only to let us wonder if they’ll manage to hang around longer than a week again. Aventura also manages to hang on to a spot in the top 10, but just barely, after tumbling from 2 to 10.

I say consistency requires she have pink hair.

After 2 weeks of total chart domination, Jay-Z vanishes without a trace, having entered and exited entirely at #1. Guess the fans are a bit fickle. Not surprisingly, the Austin City Limits Music Festival steps up to take his place. We still have passes available for those who want to go, but your options may quickly run out, as this has proven to be one of the most in-demand festivals of its reasonably short history.

Aventura climbs to number 2, while George Strait and the last concert of his 2009 tour bring him back into the spotlight at #3. Fans may have to wait until next year to see George live on stage again. The Longhorns remain on the countdown, though dropping to #4, while U2 holds steady at 5.

The bottom five brings this week’s countdown newcomer, Pink. Finding big success in the early part of this decade with her debut album and the follow-up, Pink’s star ebbed a bit in the mid… have we decided what this decade is called yet? 00’s… Aughts… Whatever… mid-Aughts. In any case, she released the album Funhouse in 2008 and in 2009 began an international tour in support of it. The Funhouse Tour hit North American shores in September.