How could a song have gone to #1, if it did not go to #1 on Billboard or Radio & Records?

Question

I probably badly worded that question. Anyway, this has been bothering me. One of my favorite artists, Gary Allan, had his single "Watching Airplanes" go to #1. It says so on his website, on his record label's website, and I heard it mentioned on the radio. However, there is no evidence that it ever went to #1 on Billboard or Radio & Records. How can this be possible?

Answer 1

Toucan Sam is right.. There are many places that people draw their number ones in count from... One place used a lot has been ipod sales over a period of time

But in Allan's case, it was from a chart done by Mediabase 24/7 /countryaircheck which is a new chart coming onto the scene.

Mediabase monitors airplay of radio stations and makes a list of hits off of that ...

Mediabase by the way is owned by Premier radio networks who own ratethemusic.com AND is a sister company of radio ownership conglomerate Clear Channel Communications.

However Mediabase is what some of the country chart counting shows have been using as of late

Answer 2

It might mean ALBUM SALES in total...

Not just how often the song was played on the radio...

I hope this is right!

Answer 3

Beacause Billboard and Radio & Records aren't the only ones who declare a "#1". Does it say exactly where the #1 came from? It could have come from a website somewhere or another source totally unrelated to the sources you mentioned. It sounds a little sketchy, because if it did go to #1 on Billboard or R&R, it would say so on the website. The fact it doesn't makes me think it was some third-party.