Without any label—mainstream or independent—with no major distribution and virtually no radio play or push in the media, the first of two new album from country music artists Cody Jinks called After The Fire has gone #1 in country music in pure album sales, #2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart when factoring in streaming numbers, and #3 in all of music in pure album sales. The title also appears at #33 on the all-genre Billboard 200 where sales and streaming are combined.

Released on October 11th, After The Fire sold 12,661 physical copies and downloads. Combined with 2.5 million streams of the songs on the record, that brings the total equivalent sales for the record to 14,980.

The album marks the second time Cody Jinks has come in at #2 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. His 2018 album Lifers came in at #2 (24,000 copies), while his 2016 album I’m Not The Devil debuted at #4 (11,300 copies). One difference this time is that vinyl sales were not factored into the numbers for After The Fire, since vinyl copies will not be shipped out until December 7th. When vinyl copies go out, they will be factored into Cody’s total sales numbers at that time. Jinks also did not take advantage of ticket bundling for this release, meaning selling albums with ticket packages which is a tool many artists use to boost 1st week sales.

After The Fire was only bested on the Billboard Country Albums chart by This One’s For You by Luke Combs. Released now nearly 2 1/2 years ago (June 7th, 2017), the Combs album continues to sell and stream remarkably well. Baby Metal’s Metal Galaxy, and Superm’s self-titled album beat out After the Fire in pure album sales in the all-genre numbers. Cody Jinks released a second new album called The Wanting on October 18th. It may face some slightly stiffer competition since both Chris Janson and Maddie & Tae also released new titles on the same date.

Cody Jinks has previously been signed to Thirty Tigers and Rounder Records, but chose to handle the release of his two new records totally in house this time through his management company, True Grit Presents. Cody Jinks is commonly named in the group of independent-minded artists that continue to prove that country music can be made and supported without the aid of mainstream radio or major labels. Jinks regularly sells out his concert dates, including a performance this summer at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.