In the case of the BU chart, DJ’s are asked to submit their top 10 list each month ranked in order from 1 to 10. However, this may not necessarily be reflective of which songs received the most airplay. At least that was the case when I was a contributor.

Additionally, there is no differentiation between syndicators and single market broadcasters. So a syndicator with 100 stations for example would count as only one vote. As a result, the chart cannot accurately reflect the amount of airplay given to any individual track. Lastly, the BU chart is published monthly (not weekly), and there is lag time until publication.

The Bluegrass Today chart was created to give a realistic and up to date snapshot by tracking actual spin counts at both terrestrial and satellite radio and reporting the data in a timely manner.

At present we have over 100 DJ’s in our roster. Each week they receive an electronic survey request and are asked to record the actual number of spins given to each song. Each station in a syndicators’ lineup is counted too. The data is then compiled and sorted electronically to produce our weekly and monthly charts.

The results sometimes vary significantly from week to week, but it is reflective of what is actually occurring at radio. As one would expect, less fluctuation occurs at the macro level on our monthly chart.

I hope that helps explain the differences you are seeing between the BU and BT charts. Again, thanks for your observation and question!

It’s mildly interesting to note that there’s only 9 tunes common to both charts for 2012.

My Cobbled together BU chart, with the BT posn at the end:-

1 – Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice – A Far Cry From Lester & Earl (-)
2/3 – Blue Highway – Sounds Of Home (17)
2/3 – Carolina Road – A Light In The Window, Again (-)
4 – Dale Ann Bradley – Somewhere South Of Crazy (23)
5 – Dale Ann Bradley – Come Home Good Boy (-)
6/7 – Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme out – Pretty Little Girl From Galax (-)
6/7 – Donna Ulisse – Let It Rain (-)
8 – Blue Highway – Bluebird Days (-)
9 – Russell Johnson – Anytime, Anyplace, But Only You (-)
10 – Blue Highway – I Ain’t Gonna Lay My Hammer Down (-)
11 – Lou Reid & Carolina – Carolina Moonshine Man (2)
12/13 – Dailey & Vincent – Living In The Kingdom Of God (-)
12/13 – Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme out – If Your Heart Should Ever Roll This Way Again (-)
14/15 – Darin & Brooke Aldridge – Lonely Ends Where Love Begins (-)
14/15 – Rhonda Vincent – When You’re Holding Me (9)
16/17 – Gibson Brothers (with Ricky Skaggs) – Singing As We Rise (-)
16/17 – Chris Jones & The Night Drivers – Final Farewell (1)
18 – Cedar Hill – I’ve Got A Thing About Doors (-)
19 – Tommy Webb – From Rock ‘N’ Roll To Bill Monroe (-)
20 – Gibson Brothers – Walkin’ West To Memphis (-)
21 – Spinney Brothers – Memories (-)
22 – Larry Sparks – Almost Home (-)
23 – Steep Canyon Rangers – Nobody Knows You (6)
24 – Lonesome River Band – Close The Door Lightly When You Go (10)
25 – Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme out – Old Kentucky Farmers (-)
26 – Grascals – Life Finds A Way (8)
27 – Ronnie Bowman – The Story In Your Eyes (-)
28 – Alison Krauss & Union Station – Dust Bowl Children (-)
29 – Johnny Williams – Chilly Winds (-)
30 – Special Consensus – Monroe’s Doctrine (4)