There was little doubt that Scotty McCreery would have the No. 1 country album in America this week, but his fans may be surprised to learn that the 18-year-old is tops in all genres, by a wide margin. ‘Clear as Day’ was purchased by 197,000 fans in its debut week.

Billboard reports that McCreery is the youngest male ever to put a debut album at the top of the all-genre chart, and the first country act to debut at No. 1 on that chart with their first album. McCreery is also the first ‘American Idol’ winner since Ruben Studdard in 2003 to debut at No. 1. Last year’s winner, Lee DeWyze, only sold 39,000 copies of ‘Live It Up,’ and Kris Allen’s debut album sold just 80,000 in 2009.

This week’s Top 5 are rounded out by Adele‘s ’21′ (112,000), Tony Bennett‘s ‘Duets II’ (71,000), Lady Antebellum‘s ‘Own the Night’ (58,000) and J. Cole‘s “Cole World: the Sideline Story” (54,000).

Rodney Atkins‘ new album, ‘Take a Back Road,’ debuted at No. 8 overall and No. 3 on the country charts, with 35,000 copies sold. It’s his best first week showing since 2006′s ‘If You’re Going Through Hell.’

‘American Idol’ figures to hold a prominent position in next week’s charts as well, as runner-up Lauren Alaina has just released her debut album, ‘Wildflower.’

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