Based on an in-depth review by The NPD Group, many of this year's Grammy contenders also appear on the list of the most popular artists purchased and/or downloaded in 2006. The market research shows Grammy nominees are well represented in Top 10 CD Purchases, Legal Song Downloads, and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Song Downloads.

"Grammy nominated Rascal Flatts was one of many artists popular across CD and digital-music formats," said Russ Crupnick, VP and entertainment industry analyst for The NPD Group. "They were very popular among consumers purchasing CDs and those buying a la carte song downloads from services like iTunes, as well as among those who are illegally downloading music for free from P2P services."

Based on consumer surveys of CD purchases, the most popular artists for 2006 were as follows -- with the Grammy nominees denoted with an asterisk (*):
1. Rascal Flatts*
2. Nickelback
3. Beyonce*
4. Carrie Underwood*
5. Mary J. Blige*
6. Eminem*
7. Johnny Cash
8. Toby Keith
9. Red Hot Chili Peppers*
10. Jamie Foxx*

In 2006, the most popular artists judged by the number of digital downloads via paid digital music services were as follows -- with the Grammy nominees denoted with an asterisk (*):
1. The Fray*
2. Nickelback
3. George Carlin*
4. Justin Timberlake*
5. Rascal Flatts*
6. Linkin Park
7. Johnny Cash
8. Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. Pink*
10. The White Stripes

The most popular artists, judged by the number of song tracks downloaded via peer-to-peer (P2P) services by U.S. consumers in 2006 were as follows -- with the Grammy nominees denoted with an asterisk (*):
1. Eminem*
2. Ludacris*
3. Nickelback
4. 2Pac
5. The Beatles
6. Justin Timberlake*
7. 50 Cent
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers*
9. Beyonce*
10. Rascal Flatts*

» Story on Analyst Firm Website

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