Strait’s ‘Latest’ Hits No. 2, but Can’t Topple Santana

George Strait debuts on the nation’s album chart by roping in the No. 2 spotwith “Latest Greatest Straitest Hits,” his fourth greatest-hits collection. The album sold 182,000 copies out of the gate last week, but was still a distant second to the top seller, Santana’s “Supernatural.”

The newest Strait career survey features hits such as “Lead On,” “Adalida” and “We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing This.” It’s getting extra sales juice by the inclusion of two new songs, including “The Best Day,” which currently is the third most played song on country radio, according to Billboard magazine’s weekly survey of U.S. airplay.

Strait’s tradition-bound music may seem at odds with the glossy, pop-inflected sound that has dominated country music in recent years, but he has solidified his spot within the genre with his annual George Strait Music Festival tour.

The newest edition of the massive stadium showcases (this time featuring Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney and others) kicks off next month in North Carolina. Last year, the festival was among the Top 10 grossing tours in North America.

That accomplishment also defies an alarming trend in the genre’s live shows--country music concert grosses were down 16% and attendance plummeted by 28% in 1999, according to Amusement Business, a concert industry trade publication.

A different kind of boost is helping Santana hold on to No. 1. Veteran rock guitarist Carlos Santana was the toast of the Grammys last month, winning a record-tying eight awards, and “Supernatural” has been No. 1 ever since. The album sold 343,000 copies last week, earning it the No. 1 spot for the 11th time since its release in June.

New York rapper Black Rob’s first album of gritty, street-life tales, “Life Story,” debuts at No. 3 with 178,000 copies. The Top 5 was rounded out by two other rap discs, Dr. Dre’s “Dr. Dre 2001” and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “BTNHResurrection,” respectively.

The only other debut in the Top 40 belonged to R&B; singer Gerald Levert, whose album “G” sold 122,000 copies to claim the No. 8 spot on the charts, which are compiled each week by SoundScan, a company that tracks U.S. music retail sales. The No. 1 single for the week: “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child.