HENLEY, STRAIT SET FOR TOP SALES ON ALBUM CHART AS FETTY FALTERS

Capitol's Don Henley appears to have the edge for the #1 spot on the HITS Album Sales Chart this week, running just ahead of MCA Nashville's George Strait.

Henley's country set, Cass County, which boasts guest stars like Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and Mick Jagger, has—not at all surprisingly—also generated considerable Grammy buzz.

It's virtually a photo finish between the two icons, with Henley expected to wind up with around 82k and Strait at about 80k.

The overperformance of both Cass and Strait's Cold Beer Conversation testifies to the continuing power of two career album artists whose work connects solidly with consumers several decades into their careers.

This reality will, however, not be reflected on the industry bible's chart next week, which will put Fetty Wap on top—despite that set's far lower than expected album sales.