Country music arose from a combination of American folk music, blues, cowboy western, and a variety of Southern church music in the early 1900s. By the 1940s, it was an established genre and has evolved into one of the most popular and top selling kinds of music.
As it has evolved musicians have fused country with other genres such as pop, rock, and hip-hop, giving birth to new sounds that continue to top the charts.
To determine the best selling country albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on certified U.S. album sales from the Record Industry Association of America. Country albums — albums identified as country by the RIAA or that have charted on Billboard magazine’s Top Country Albums chart — were ranked based on lifetime U.S. unit sales. Data on certification also came from the RIAA.
This list is mostly dominated by albums from the 1990s and 2000s but there are some more recent records. The 90s and 00s were a golden era for country stars. Legends like Garth Brooks and Shania Twain pumped out megahits and cleaned up on the best-selling albums of all time.
Taylor Swift also scored several hits on the list with her modern fusion of country and pop. While the sounds of the 90s and 00s have transformed, country music is very much a living and growing genre. These are the 50 most popular country music stars right now.
Many of the artists whose work makes this list are some of the best-selling musicians in any genre. Most of the albums on this list reached the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 and a few stayed there for several weeks.
Two of the albums are movie soundtracks, one from fictional band The Soggy Bottom Boys from “O Brother Where Art Thou?” The movie is a classic for country and non-country fans alike. If you’re looking for some other movies connected to country music — this is our list of the movies for country music fans.
Click here to see the best selling country albums of all time
60. Hank Williams Jr., “Greatest Hits”
> Release date: September 17, 1982
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: October 2, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 152 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 15
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59. Alabama, “For The Record: 41 Number One Hits”
> Release date: August 25, 1998
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: June 19, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 13 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 33
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58. Garth Brooks, “Scarecrow”
> Release date: November 13, 2001
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: January 26, 2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 28
57. Alabama, “Greatest Hits”
> Release date: January 27, 1986
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: April 1, 1996
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 24 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 38
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56. Reba McEntire, “Greatest Hits Volume Two”
> Release date: September 28, 1993
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: August 10, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 94
55. Willie Nelson, “Stardust”
> Release date: April 19, 1978
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: April 20, 2002
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 30 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 117
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54. Wynonna, “Wynonna”
> Release date: March 31, 1992
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: January 10, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 86
53. Randy Travis, “Always & Forever”
> Release date: May 5, 1987
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: August 7, 1996
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 19 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 103
52. Kenny Chesney, “Greatest Hits”
> Release date: September 26, 2000
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: August 9, 2018
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 13 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 105
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51. Deana Carter, “Did I Shave My Legs For This?”
> Release date: September 3, 1996
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: January 14, 2000
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 86
50. Waylon Jennings, “Greatest Hits”
> Release date: April 10, 1979
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: March 27, 2002
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 28 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 115
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49. Brooks & Dunn, “Hard Workin’ Man”
> Release date: February 23, 1993
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: July 23, 2002
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 99
48. Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler”
> Release date: September 30, 1978
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: August 27, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 12 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 112
47. Vince Gill, “I Still Believe In You”
> Release date: September 1, 1992
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: May 10, 2000
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 100
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46. Alabama, “Mountain Music”
> Release date: February 25, 1982
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: February 12, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 14 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 114
45. Gretchen Wilson, “Here For The Party”
> Release date: May 11, 2004
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: October 20, 2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 102
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44. Rascal Flatts, “Feels Like Today”
> Release date: September 28, 2004
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: January 31, 2008
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 105
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43. Bonnie Raitt, “Nick Of Time”
> Release date: March 15, 1989
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: April 3, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 185
42. Zac Brown Band, “The Foundation”
> Release date: November 18, 2008
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 5 million
> Certification date of 5 millionth album sale: August 8, 2016
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 294
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41. Alan Jackson, “Greatest Hits Volume II”
> Release date: August 12, 2003
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: April 14, 2005
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 19 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 61
40. Elvis Presley, “Elv1s: 30 #1 Hits”
> Release date: September 24, 2002
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: March 8, 2018
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 118
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39. The Chicks, “Home”
> Release date: August 27, 2002
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: March 18, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 56
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38. Tim McGraw, “Greatest Hits”
> Release date: November 21, 2000
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: September 2, 2008
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 106
37. Faith Hill, “Faith”
> Release date: April 21, 1998
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: October 6, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 7 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 99
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36. Alan Jackson, “The Greatest Hits Collection”
> Release date: October 24, 1995
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: October 20, 2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 104
35. George Strait, “Pure Country (Soundtrack)”
> Release date: September 15, 1992
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: November 10, 1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 6 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 129
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34. LeAnn Rimes, “Blue”
> Release date: July 9, 1996
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: March 24, 1999
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 97
33. Tim McGraw, “Not A Moment Too Soon”
> Release date: March 14, 1994
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: October 2, 2008
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 115
32. Brooks & Dunn, “Brand New Man”
> Release date: August 13, 1991
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: October 31, 2002
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 153
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31. Alan Jackson, “A Lot About Livin’ (And A Little ‘Bout Love)”
> Release date: September 30, 1992
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: July 16, 1995
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 13 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 122
30. Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
> Release date: October 25, 2010
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 6 million
> Certification date of 6 millionth album sale: December 11, 2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 139
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29. Eagles, “Long Road Out Of Eden”
> Release date: October 30, 2007
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million
> Certification date of 7 millionth album sale: January 7, 2008
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 75
28. George Strait, “50 Number Ones”
> Release date: October 5, 2004
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million
> Certification date of 7 millionth album sale: December 13, 2007
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 182
27. Sheryl Crow, “Tuesday Night Music Club”
> Release date: August 3, 1993
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million
> Certification date of 7 millionth album sale: February 4, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 100
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26. Taylor Swift, “Red”
> Release date: October 22, 2012
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million
> Certification date of 7 millionth album sale: July 23, 2018
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 170
25. Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift”
> Release date: October 24, 2006
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 7 million
> Certification date of 7 millionth album sale: December 11, 2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 275
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24. George Strait, “Strait Out Of The Box”
> Release date: September 12, 1995
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million
> Certification date of 8 millionth album sale: July 29, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 43 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 54
23. Garth Brooks, “Fresh Horses”
> Release date: November 21, 1995
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million
> Certification date of 8 millionth album sale: February 14, 2020
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 66
22. Faith Hill, “Breathe”
> Release date: November 9, 1999
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million
> Certification date of 8 millionth album sale: April 8, 2003
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 103
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21. Soundtrack, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
> Release date: December 5, 2000
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million
> Certification date of 8 millionth album sale: October 10, 2007
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 112
20. Carrie Underwood, “Some Hearts”
> Release date: November 15, 2005
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 8 million
> Certification date of 8 millionth album sale: October 24, 2016
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 157
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19. Billy Ray Cyrus, “Some Gave All”
> Release date: May 19, 1992
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million
> Certification date of 9 millionth album sale: July 16, 1996
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 17 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 97
18. John Denver, “John Denver’s Greatest Hits”
> Release date: November 15, 1973
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 9 million
> Certification date of 9 millionth album sale: May 23, 2001
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 176
17. Patsy Cline, “Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits”
> Release date: February 14, 1973
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million
> Certification date of 10 millionth album sale: September 22, 2005
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: N/A
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: N/A
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16. Garth Brooks, “Sevens”
> Release date: November 1, 1997
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million
> Certification date of 10 millionth album sale: November 1, 2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 58
15. Garth Brooks, “The Chase”
> Release date: September 14, 1992
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million
> Certification date of 10 millionth album sale: January 23, 2020
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 64
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14. Garth Brooks, “In Pieces”
> Release date: August 31, 1993
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million
> Certification date of 10 millionth album sale: August 14, 2020
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 76
13. Garth Brooks, “The Ultimate Hits”
> Release date: November 6, 2007
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million
> Certification date of 10 millionth album sale: September 21, 2016
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 137
12. Garth Brooks, “The Hits”
> Release date: December 1, 1994
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million
> Certification date of 10 millionth album sale: November 11, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 110
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11. Garth Brooks, “Garth Brooks”
> Release date: April 12, 1989
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million
> Certification date of 10 millionth album sale: November 1, 2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 13 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 224
10. Taylor Swift, “Fearless”
> Release date: November 11, 2008
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 10 million
> Certification date of 10 millionth album sale: December 11, 2017
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 261
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9. Shania Twain, “Up!”
> Release date: November 19, 2002
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million
> Certification date of 11 millionth album sale: September 23, 2004
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 93
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8. The Chicks, “Fly”
> Release date: August 31, 1999
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 11 million
> Certification date of 11 millionth album sale: March 5, 2020
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 131
7. Kenny Rogers, “Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits”
> Release date: October 18, 1980
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million
> Certification date of 12 millionth album sale: August 27, 1997
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 161
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6. Shania Twain, “The Woman In Me”
> Release date: February 7, 1995
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 12 million
> Certification date of 12 millionth album sale: December 1, 2000
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 107
5. The Chicks, “Wide Open Spaces”
> Release date: January 23, 1998
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 13 million
> Certification date of 13 millionth album sale: March 5, 2020
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 134
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4. Garth Brooks, “Ropin’ The Wind”
> Release date: September 2, 1991
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 14 million
> Certification date of 14 millionth album sale: September 23, 1998
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 18 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 132
3. Garth Brooks, “No Fences”
> Release date: August 27, 1990
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 18 million
> Certification date of 18 millionth album sale: February 14, 2020
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 224
2. Shania Twain, “Come On Over”
> Release date: November 4, 1997
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 20 million
> Certification date of 20 millionth album sale: November 15, 2004
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 151
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1. Garth Brooks, “Double Live”
> Release date: November 17, 1998
> Certified U.S. unit sales: 21 million
> Certification date of 21 millionth album sale: November 1, 2006
> Peak position on Billboard 200 chart: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Billboard 200 chart: 56
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