Update: James Wolpert indeed reached the top ten. As of press time, his “A Case of You” had ascended to number nine on the iTunes Singles Chart.
No other song had broken into the top 20, let alone the top 10. With voting closing at 11AM, Wolpert will almost surely be the only of Monday’s performers to receive the 5x iTunes multiplier.
===============
Often the source of confusion and debate, the official rules for NBC’s “The Voice” could not be clearer about one element of this year’s voting process:
“If any of the artists’ Eligible Songs from the live performances (airing beginning November 4, 2013) are in the top ten (10) of the iTunes “Top 200 Singles Chart” at the close of the episode’s applicable Voting Period, that artist will receive an “iTunes Bonus,” which multiplies the artist’s iTunes Votes for that Eligible Song by five (5).”
Stated quite explicitly, NBC’s rules leave no room for debate. If the recorded version of any performance, beginning with Monday’s portion of the Top 20 round, reaches the iTunes Top 10 during the voting period (which commences five minutes before the end of the episode and ends at 11AM ET the next day), the responsible contestant receive a 5X multiplier on his iTunes vote.
Following his compelling rendition of “A Case of You,” James Wolpert has a chance of securing that bonus.
At press time (4AM ET), Wolpert’s performance had advanced to number twelve on the iTunes chart. If it has even a hint of momentum remaining, it should easily advance into the Top 10 and secure the contestant the coveted bonus.
In addition to being the first season five “Voice” contestant to receive the bonus, Wolpert, if his song succeeds in advancing two more spots, will likely be the only Monday performer to claim the multiplier. With only a few hours left in the voting period, no other song looks ready to flirt with the upper echelon of the chart.
Tessanne Chin’s “Many Rivers to Cross,” the night’s next-best-selling download, had only reached #34 by 4AM. Austin Jenckes’ “She Talks to Angels,” Will Champlin’s “Secrets,” Cole Vosbury’s “Maggie May” and Ray Boudreaux’s “Home” followed at 44, 46, 47 and 48, respectively.
Farther down the ladder are Preston Pohl’s “Nothin’ On You” (95), Nic Hawk’s “Blurred Lines” (123) and Shelbie Z’s “Fancy” (129).
Grey’s “Still Into You” had not yet crossed into the top 200.
