“Tuskegee” Tops Mid-Year Album Sales

Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee, which was released March 26, is the best-selling album released in 2012 for the first half of the year.

Tuskegee sold approximately 912,000 copies, more than any other album released in 2012, by the mid-year point that ended July 1. It comes in second only to Adele’s 21 for total sales of all albums for the first half of this year.

With sales now topping 934,000, it claimed the No. 1 spot on the overall Billboard Top 200 albums chart for two consecutive weeks and sat atop the Billboard Country Albums chart for four weeks. It was certified platinum in five weeks.

“What a year!” Richie says. “This album has taken me on an unforgettable journey filled with new friends, new jokes and new musical inspirations. I am overwhelmed and humbled by the success of Tuskegee and am thrilled by how it has been embraced by music lovers of all ages and backgrounds around the world.”

The album features duets of 13 of Richie’s hits with Jason Aldean, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Shania Twain.

Richie will appear on the E! Network’s Chelsea Lately tonight (7/18). He is also performing shows throughout the United States, including July 28 at Detroit’s Comerica Park, and will embark on a European tour in the fall.