THE BEST-SELLING MUSIC OF THE DECADE: 

Nielsen SoundScan . . . the company that compiles the data for the Billboard charts . . . has released their lists of the best-selling music of the decade.

–The lists reflect sales numbers from January 1st of 2000 to November 1st of 2009.  (–It’s odd that they didn’t just wait until the REAL end of 2009 to release this list.  I mean, they’ve already waited almost 10 years . . .)

–Overall, EMINEM was the Best-Selling Artist of the Decade.  He moved more than 32.2 million albums in the 2000s.  But THE BEATLES had the Best-Selling Album of the Decade.  Their greatest hits compilation, “1″, sold almost 11.5 million copies.

–Here are The 10 Best-Selling Albums of the Decade:

#1.)  “1″,  THE BEATLES . . . 11,499,000 copies
#2.)  “No Strings Attached”,  ‘N SYNC . . . 11,112,000 copies
#3.)  “Come Away with Me”,  NORAH JONES . . . 10,546,000 copies
#4.)  “The Marshall Mathers LP”,  EMINEM . . . 10,204,000 copies
#5.)  “The Eminem Show”,  EMINEM . . . 9,799,000 copies
#6.)  “Confessions”,  USHER . . . 9,712,000 copies
#7.)  “Hybrid Theory”,  LINKIN PARK . . . 9,663,000 copies
#8.)  “Human Clay”,  CREED . . . 9,491,000 copies
#9.)  “Oops!  I Did It Again”,  BRITNEY SPEARS . . . 9,185,000 copies
#10.)  “Country Grammar”,  NELLY . . . 8,461,000 copies

(–Interesting Fact:  The most recently released album on that list is Usher’s “Confessions”.  It came out in 2004.  That probably says something about album sales over the past five years.)

–Here are The 10 Best-Selling Digital Songs of the Decade . . . (–or at least since 2003, when Nielsen finally began tracking digital sales):

#1.)  “Low”,  FLO RIDA . . . 5,214,000 downloads
#2.)  “Just Dance.”,  LADY GAGA . . . 4,690,000 downloads
#3.)  “I’m Yours”,  JASON MRAZ . . . 4,619,000 downloads
#4.)  “Apologize”,  TIMBALAND (featuring ONE REPUBLIC) . . . 4,439,000 downloads
#5.)  “Boom Boom Pow”,  BLACK EYED PEAS . . . 4,349,000 downloads
#6.)  “Crank That”,  SOULJA BOY . . . 4,315,000 downloads
#7.)  “Poker Face”,  LADY GAGA . . . 4,200,000 downloads
#8.)  “Viva La Vida”,  COLDPLAY . . . 4,140,000 downloads
#9.)  “Love Story”,  TAYLOR SWIFT . . . 4,005,000 downloads
#10.)  “Hot N Cold”,  KATY PERRY . . . 3,945,000 downloads

(–Interesting Fact #2:  The oldest digital single on that list is Soulja Boy’s “Crank That”.  It came out in May of 2007.  That also says something about music sales over the past five years.  And I don’t think it’s something good.)

“ROLLING STONE’S” READERS POLL: 

“Rolling Stone” has published the results of a recent poll, which asked readers to vote on their favorite singles, albums and artists of the decade.  Here are the final rankings.

–The Top Ten Favorite Singles of the Decade:

#1.)  “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”,  GREEN DAY
#2.)  “Single Ladies”,  BEYONCÉ
#3.)  “Beautiful Day”,  U2
#4.)  “Toxic”,  BRITNEY SPEARS
#5.)  “We Belong Together”,  MARIAH CAREY
#6.)  “Stronger”,  KANYE WEST
#7.)  “Welcome to the Black Parade”,  MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
#8.)  “Complicated”,  AVRIL LAVIGNE
#9.)  “Since U Been Gone”,  KELLY CLARKSON
#10.)  “Seven Nation Army”,  THE WHITE STRIPES

(–For the complete list, along with audio of the songs, hit up this LINK . . .)

AVON – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

BLOOMINGTON – 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 31

BROWNSBURG – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

Also in Brownsburg: October 24, 5:00 to 8:00 pm – West District YMCA (party will be held at Williams Park, 940 S. Locust Lane, Brownsburg). Join us at our Halloween Extravaganza Bonfire. This will be a fun family event for all ages. Free and open to the public. For more information call 317-484-9622.

CARMEL – 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

CICERO – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

CRAWFORDSVILLE – 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

DANVILLE – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

DELPHI – 6:00 to 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 31

FISHERS – 6:00 to 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 31.

Also in Fishers: October 23, 5:00 to 6:00 pm, 6:00 to 7:00 pm and 7:00 to 8:00 pm: Fishers YMCA 9012 E. 126th Street, Fishers – Celebrate Halloween at the best family party in Fishers! Come dressed in your favorite costume and join the fun! Enjoy arts and crafts, snacks, trick-or-treating through Mudsock Woods, fun, song-filled hayride (weather permitting) and a camp fire with marshmallows. Open to the public at $6 per person. Cost is $3 per person for YMCA members. Ages 2 and under free. For more information call 317-595-9622.

FORTVILLE – 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

FRANKLIN – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

GREENCASTLE – 5:00 TO 8:00 pm on Saturday October 31

GREENFIELD – 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

GREENWOOD – 6:00 to 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 31

GENEVA – Limberlost State Historic Site presents: Spooktacular! Oct. 24, 2009; 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

No brute beasts or menacing monsters will be present – just creatures that sneak, slink and slither in the night! A few of the animals featured include rats, hissing cockroaches, a Patagonian Cavy and snakes. Dare to embrace these slithery creatures of the night. Discover the behaviors of these wild animals while creating a scary creature of your own. Children can participate in Halloween games and win prizes and candy.

Children in costume will receive goodie bags from the Swamp Monster. Cost is $3. For more information about Limberlost State Historic Site, click here or call the site at 260.368.7428.

INDIANAPOLIS – 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31.

Please note the following events for Indianapolis:

Safe Night Halloween: Oct. 31 in the South Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Hours: 5 to 7 p.m. Admission: free; children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Contact: State Fairgrounds Events (317) 927-7524.

October 23, 6:30 to 8:30 pm: Baxter YMCA, 7900 S. Shelby Street, Indianapolis – Parents and children are invited to dress in their favorite costumes and will enjoy games, treats, fun and more! Pictures will be provided by Green Photography. Ages 2 and under free. Ages 3 and up cost $3 per person. Open to the public. Call 317-484-9622 for more information.

October 23, 6:30 to 8:30 pm: Benjamin Harrison YMCA, 5736 Lee Road, Indianapolis – Open to the public and cost $6 per person for anyone over 2 years old. Cost is $15 per family of five for YMCA members. For more information call 317-547-9622.

October 23, 6:30 to 8:30 pm – Jordan YMCA, 8400 Westfield Blvd., Indianapolis. Join us for stories, bonfire with s’mores, hayrides, games, arts and crafts and more! Open to the public at $6 per person. Cost is $3 per person for YMCA members. Ages 2 and under free. For more information call 317-253-3206.

October 23, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Pike YMCA, 7114 Lakeview Parkway West Drive, Indianapolis – Deck out the trunk of your car with a spooky theme and join us at the Pike YMCA for some trick-or-treating fun! Don’t forget to dress up and bring treats to share. Awards will be given for the best costume and trunk design. This event is free to the community. Registration required by October 22, 2009. Call 317-297-9622.

October 23 – Ransburg YMCA, 501 N. Shortridge Road, Indianapolis – Come to our Halloween Extravaganza. You’ll enjoy fun, games and we’ll even have a costume contest. Open to the public. Cost is $15 for family of five. Ages 10 and up is $5 per person. Ages 3 to 9 are $3 per person. Ages 2 and under are free. For more information call 317-357-8441.

October 31 – Families, kids and special groups are invited to attend the second annual Halloween Bash at Fort Harrison State Park, by Delaware Lake on October 31 from noon to 8 p.m.

This event is open to the public; anyone may attend. Featured events include a scavenger hunt, pumpkin painting, hayrides, a costume contest for kids and dogs, and a bonfire/weenie roast. All participants are encouraged to dress up! A haunted hayride, the Soldier’s Haunt, will conclude the evening. Since seating is limited, the Soldier’s Haunt is on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees should bring blankets and chairs for bonfire seating–provided seating may be limited.

All events are free of charge, although the weekend DNR gate fee of $5/carload for in-state vehicles and $7/carload for out-of-state vehicles applies. More information is available by calling (317) 591-0122, Wednesday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

KOKOMO – 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31.

LAPEL – 6:30 to 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 31

LAWRENCE – 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

LEBANON – 6:30 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

MCCORDSVILLE – 5:30 to 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 31

MOORESVILLE – 6:30 TO 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

MUNCIE – 5:00 to 8:00 pm; Muncie Mall – 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

NEWCASTLE – 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

NEW PALESTINE – 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

NEW WHITELAND – 6:00 to 9:00 pm pn Saturday, October 31

NOBLESVILLE – 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

PITTSBORO – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

PLAINFIELD – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

SHELBYVILLE – 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

SHERIDAN – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

SPEEDWAY – 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

THORNTOWN – 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Saturday, October 31.

WESTFIELD – 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

WHITESTOWN – Trunk or treat at Traders Point Christian Church’s parking lot at 6590 S. Indianapolis Road, Saturday, October 31, 5 to 8 p.m. To participate, children must be accompanied by an adult and are encouraged to dress in non-scary costumes.

ZIONSVILLE – 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS:

Children Should
• Go only to well-lit houses and never enter the home
• Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult
• Have their name, address, and phone number attached to the inside of their costume
• Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them
• Use costume accessories that are flexible, not rigid or sharp

When walking in neighborhoods, they should
• Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards
• Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars
• Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant
• Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can obstruct a child’s vision)
• Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes
• Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street

Parents and adults should
• Supervise the outing for children under age 12
• Have children of all ages follow the established curfew
• Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings
• Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children
• Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it

Parents and adults should ensure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters
• Drive slowly and be mindful of the increased pedestrian traffic
• Watch for children in the street and on medians
• Exit driveways and alleyways carefully
• Have children get out of cars on the curb side, not on the traffic side

The Smiley Morning Show Z99.5 PUMPKIN DROP will be Halloween EVE (friday, the 30th) at CONNER PRAIRIE.  take a kids out of school and miss a little work for this one…..we’ll drop the pumpkin around 8 or 8:30AM that morning!