With more than 220,000 units scanned since the release of his chart-topping debut CD, Bucky Covington takes the lead as this year’s best-selling debut country artist.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, Covington has scanned an average of 16,000 units each week and has remained inside the top 12 on the Top 75 Country Albums Chart since its release in April.

The lead single, “A Different World,” has climbed to #7 on the Billboard chart and is quickly charging towards the top 5 and beyond. The tune is currently reaching a weekly audience of over 23.5 million listeners.

It’s been a busy year for this American Idol favorite, whose touring schedule has kept him on the road for most of it. Tomorrow, Bucky will take a brief break from his touring with a visit to Idol Camp in Northfield, Massachusetts. At Idol Camp, a summer camp for aspiring performers ages 12-15, Bucky will participate in a Q&A session and perform for the attendees.

Following his visit to Idol Camp, Bucky’s upcoming tour dates include Charlotte, Milwaukee and St. Louis, plus additional shows opening for Sawyer Brown in Dekalb, Illinois, Hutchinson, Kansas and at the Detroit Lakes WE Fest.

Covington’s self-titled CD debuted at #1 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Country Top 75 Chart with not only 2007’s biggest unit debut from a new country artist, but also the best first week sales and highest Top 200 debut for any new male country artist since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.