Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Luke Bryan was named top new artist at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards.

Carrie Underwood was named Entertainer of the Year.

Now they’re in a tussle for the top spot on Billboard’s country music charts.

Luke currently holds the spot — and has for at least two weeks — with his hit “Rain Is a Good Thing.”

Carrie’s right behind in the number two spot with “Undo It.” The song was number three a week ago and has been in the top 10 for seven weeks now.

If “Undo It” makes it all the way to number one, it will be the third straight single from Carrie’s latest album to do so.

I’m guessing that’s just what will happen Thursday when Billboard releases its updated chart information.

Meanwhile, Carrie will take the stage Friday morning as part of the Today show’s summer concert series on NBC. Check in that day. If the Associated Press moves photos from the concert, I’ll be sure to post them here.

Now, for a look at how the other Idols are faring on the charts …

Kris Allen: “Live Like We’re Dying” is alive and well on Billboard’s adult contemporary chart, though it drops from number eight to number 10 this week.

Kelly Clarkson: “Already Gone,” one of three big hits off her 2009 album, disappeared from the Hot 100 chart months ago. But it’s still number six on Billboard’s adult contemporary chart.

Bucky Covington: The season five contestant’s new single, “A Father’s Love,” climbed as high as 23 on the country singles chart. This week, it heads in the other direction for the first time, dropping back to 25.

Daughtry: “Life After You” moves up from number 10 to number seven on the adult contemporary singles chart. “Leave This Town” drops from 66 to 98 on the Billboard 200. But the band’s debut album is also among the top 200, at number 191.

Fantasia: With the release of studio album number three now a month away, Fantasia’s first single from the album checks in at number 10 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart for the second straight week. It’s number 92 on the Hot 100, a move up of two spots.

Adam Lambert: “If I Had You,” the latest single from the architect of the Glam Nation Tour, continues to advance on the Hot 100, moving from 73 to 69. His previous single, “Whataya Want From Me,” is number 10 on the adult contemporary chart. And his album is number 95 on the Billboard 200, up one spot from last week.

Kimberley Locke: Her dance tune, “Strobelight,” cracked the top 25 on Billboard’s dance/club play chart five short weeks ago. Now it’s all the way up to number seven for Idol’s third-place finisher in season two.

Carrie Underwood: “Undo It” is also number 24 on the Hot 100, tops among Idol-related tunes. Last week, it was number 25. “Play On” is number five on the country album chart (down from 5) and number 35 on the Billboard 200 (down from 32).