Alex Clare, Phillip Phillips and More Awarded Platinum Digital Single Awards

Seventeen musical acts earned their first Gold or Platinum digital single download awards from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in August and September, according to the RIAA's newest monthly G&P Program certifications reports. In addition to the new award highlights featured below, fans are encouraged to "Like" the RIAA's G&P Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GoldandPlatinum) for breaking news, artists' award photos, certification-inspired playlists, a historical timeline dating back to the program's 1958 launch and much more.

August and September's first-time Platinum award winners, recognizing the sales of more than one million downloads, include British singer-songwriter Alex Clare for "Too Close" (Universal Republic), Louisiana country artist Hunter Hayes' "Wanted" (Atlantic Records), The X Factor finalist Cher Lloyd's "Want You Back" (Epic), NY rapper Outasight's "Tonight Is The Night" (Warner Bros. Records), American Idol winner Phillip Phillips' "Home" (Interscope/Geffen/A&M), and Tennessee crooner Chris Young's "Tomorrow" (RCA Nashville). (See photos of RIAA's recent Platinum plaque presentation to Phillip Phillips here).

Gold certifications, representing more than 500,000 digital songs sold, were awarded to 11 first-time recipients. The Golden Group included rapper Ca$h Out for "Cashin' Out," Nashville starlet Jana Kramer's "Why You Wanna," country band Love And Theft's "Angel Eyes," lyricist Loverance's "Up," hip hop act Machine Gun Kelly's "Wild Boy," folk rockers Of Monsters And Men's "Little Talks," Georgia rapper Travis Porter's "Ayy Ladies," reggae band The Dirty Heads' "Lay Me Down," Colorado folk rock band The Lumineers' "Ho Hey," and punk troupe The Naked And Famous' "Young Blood."

In the album arena, popular summer records from two Florida rap stars received Gold certifications in August and September. Miami's Pitbull earned his second Gold for "Planet Pitt" (RCA Records), while Carol City act Rick Ross took home his fourth for "God Forgives, I Don't" (Def Jam).

Debut album releases by NYC-based Atlantic Records band Fun. and two-time Grammy award winning duo The Civil Wars, "Some Nights" and "Barton Hollow" respectively, earned the acts their first RIAA Gold album awards.

Platinum album certifications were awarded to Kelly Clarkson, Rihanna and Carrie Underwood for their respective latest releases "Stronger" (RCA Records), "Talk That Talk" (Def Jam), and "Blown Away" (19/Arista Nashville).

RIAA awarded 94 digital single and 19 album certifications in August and September. All certifications are calculated by Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can be accessed at www.riaa.com.

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