JM your US stats though interesting do not show a clear enough picture of the spread in the different genres. I would also state that IMO the British or European stats would be completeley different from these with Christian/gospel, folk and Country way way down at the bottom of the league table.

Please note that my comments are just opinions and they are not meant to insult.. I just state that some of us have different objectives, aspirations, goals, likes and dislikes and musical tastes are different in different locations and areas.

Marc I understand that you, like me, are only offering help and advice and that you have different musical tastes from myself.
That said you must take this on board.... that your way only applies to your genre and area of expertise namely Nashville and Country music. Whilst to you Nashville and Country music is the be all and end all other places have a different set up and a very different taste in music. Whilst you may not mean it you do come over as someone who thinks they know the proper way to do things and other opinions are somewhat less valid. Whilst this may be OK for country people whos centre of the universe is Nashville this may not apply to other music genres and geographical locations.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=687727&songID=5238055