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100 Most Popular Country Music Albums

100 Most Popular Country Music Albums

Country music is an irreplaceable part of American culture, dating back generations. And while the genre has undoubtedly changed throughout the years, fans continue to seek it out for its strong melodies, musicianship, and storytelling.

Since 1967, the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards have been recognizing excellence in country music. Each year, more than 7,400 industry professionals — including executives, publicists, songwriters, and musicians — vote on the year’s best song, album, entertainer, and more. This year’s ceremony is scheduled to air live Wednesday, Nov. 13, on the ABC Television Network with Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire hosting.

While not always the case, the music that is recognized by the CMA often coincides with what fans of the genre enjoy the most. This is every Album of the Year as chosen by the CMAs since 1967.

In anticipation of this year’s ceremony, 24/7 Tempo has identified the 100 most popular country albums of all time based on album sales and performance on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

As anyone who has tuned into country radio recently knows, pop country is extremely popular. Artists who appeal not only to country fans but also the average listener of pop music are much more in demand than more traditional country artists. The success of crossover artists such as Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, and Sam Hunt is a testament to this.

This is not to say that musicians who work strictly within the confines of country cannot be exceptionally successful as well. Artists including George Strait, Clint Black, and Dolly Parton have all dominated the Country Albums chart at times and sold millions of albums. These are the most popular country music stars.

To determine the most popular country albums of all time, 24/7 Tempo generated an index based on weeks spent in the No. 1 position on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and lifetime album sales. Both components of the index were given equal weight.

An artist’s total certified U.S. album sales came from the Recording Industry Association of America. The RIAA tracks album sales released in the U.S. market with at least 500,000 units sold. For an album to be considered for our ranking, it must have at least 1,000,000 certified sales.

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

100. 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs
> Artist: Dolly Parton
> Year: 1980
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 10
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images

99. Live Like You Were Dying
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Year: 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 3
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

98. Old 8×10
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Year: 1988
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Marianna Massey / Getty Images

97. Kill the Lights
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Year: 2015
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images

96. Greatest Hits Volume Two
> Artist: Reba McEntire
> Year: 1993
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 1
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images

95. Carrying Your Love with Me
> Artist: George Strait
> Year: 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: George De Sota / Getty Images

94. Set This Circus Down
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Year: 2001
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: Tony Russell / Getty Images

93. Galveston
> Artist: Glen Campbell
> Year: 1969
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

92. Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
> Artist: Ronnie Milsap
> Year: 1985
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

91. Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be)
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Year: 1981
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 4
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Theo Wargo / Getty Images

90. Tailgates & Tanlines
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Year: 2011
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 4
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

89. Hope Floats
> Artist: Soundtrack
> Year: 1998
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Michael Buckner/AMA / Getty Images

88. Taking the Long Way
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Year: 2006
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Beth Gwinn / Getty Images

87. Put Yourself in My Shoes
> Artist: Clint Black
> Year: 1990
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

86. Blown Away
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Year: 2012
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

85. City of New Orleans
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Year: 1984
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 12
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: Cooper Neill / Getty Images

84. Kane Brown
> Artist: Kane Brown
> Year: 2016
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 12
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: Keystone / Getty Images

83. Moody Blue
> Artist: Elvis Presley
> Year: 1977
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 10
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

82. Unchained Melody: The Early Years
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Year: 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 10
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

81. Here’s to the Good Times
> Artist: Florida Georgia Line
> Year: 2012
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 10
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

80. Wynonna
> Artist: Wynonna Judd
> Year: 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 3
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Dave Hogan / Getty Images

79. Storms of Life
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Year: 1986
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

78. Ol’ Waylon
> Artist: Waylon Jennings
> Year: 1977
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

77. Sweet Sixteen
> Artist: Reba McEntire
> Year: 1989
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: John Shearer/Country Rising / Getty Images

76. Own the Night
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Year: 2011
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

75. Pure Country
> Artist: George Strait
> Year: 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 1
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

74. Kickin’ It Up
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Year: 1994
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

73. Drive
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Year: 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Michael Putland / Getty Images

72. Waylon & Willie
> Artist: Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
> Year: 1978
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Rusty Russell / Getty Images

71. Feels Like Today
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Year: 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 4
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

70. Montevallo
> Artist: Sam Hunt
> Year: 2014
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: Jack Kay / Getty Images

69. Rose Garden
> Artist: Lynn Anderson
> Year: 1970
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 14
> Copies sold: 1 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

68. Unleashed
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Year: 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Ebet Roberts / Getty Images

67. No Holdin’ Back
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Year: 1989
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 12
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

66. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Alabama
> Year: 1986
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 5
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

65. Coyote Ugly
> Artist: Soundtrack
> Year: 2000
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Beth Gwinn / Getty Images

64. The Greatest Hits Collection
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Year: 1995
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 4
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: Beth Gwinn / Getty Images

63. You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Year: 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

62. 40-Hour Week
> Artist: Alabama
> Year: 1985
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 14
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Gary Knapp / Getty Images

61. Scarecrow
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 2001
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: William Campbell / Getty Images

60. A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ’bout Love)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Year: 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 5
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: David Warner Ellis / Getty Images

59. Back Home Again
> Artist: John Denver
> Year: 1974
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

58. Everywhere
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Year: 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

57. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Year: 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

56. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Year: 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

55. Eyes That See in the Dark
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Year: 1983
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Terry Wyatt / Getty Images

54. Here for the Party
> Artist: Gretchen Wilson
> Year: 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

53. My Kinda Party
> Artist: Jason Aldean
> Year: 2010
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 12
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

52. My World
> Artist: Eddy Arnold
> Year: 1965
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 17
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty Images

51. 50 Number Ones
> Artist: George Strait
> Year: 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 5
> Copies sold: 7 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

50. Roll On
> Artist: Alabama
> Year: 1984
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

49. John Michael Montgomery
> Artist: John Michael Montgomery
> Year: 1995
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Anna Webber / Getty Images

48. Shock’n Y’all
> Artist: Toby Keith
> Year: 2003
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

47. Crash My Party
> Artist: Luke Bryan
> Year: 2013
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Michael Putland / Getty Images

46. Stardust
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Year: 1978
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

45. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Year: 2000
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 9
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: pasphotography / Shutterstock.com

44. When the Sun Goes Down
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Year: 2004
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 14
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Mick Hutson / Getty Images

43. Fresh Horses
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 1995
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 7 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

42. Long Road Out of Eden
> Artist: Eagles
> Year: 2007
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 7 million

Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

41. Me and My Gang
> Artist: Rascal Flatts
> Year: 2006
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 15
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

40. Wichita Lineman
> Artist: Glen Campbell
> Year: 1968
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 20
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

39. Breathe
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Year: 1999
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 8 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

38. Greatest Hits Volume II (And Some Other Stuff)
> Artist: Alan Jackson
> Year: 2003
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

37. The Ultimate Hits
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 2007
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 2
> Copies sold: 10 million

Source: George Rose / Getty Images

36. In Pieces
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 1993
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 8 million

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

35. Johnny Cash At San Quentin
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Year: 1969
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 20
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

34. Speak Now
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Year: 2010
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: Tom Hill / Getty Images

33. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Waylon Jennings
> Year: 1979
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

32. Red
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Year: 2012
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

31. The Closer You Get…
> Artist: Alabama
> Year: 1983
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 21
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

30. Behind Closed Doors
> Artist: Charlie Rich
> Year: 1973
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 22
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

29. Always on My Mind
> Artist: Willie Nelson
> Year: 1982
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 22
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Evening Standard / Getty Images

28. Kenny
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Year: 1979
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 25
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: Dave Hogan / Getty Images

27. Up!
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Year: 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 6
> Copies sold: 11 million

Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty Images

26. Home
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Year: 2002
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 19
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images

25. Traveller
> Artist: Chris Stapleton
> Year: 2015
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 29
> Copies sold: 2 million

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

24. The Gambler
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Year: 1978
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 23
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: enjoyeverysandwich / Flickr

23. Wide Open Spaces
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Year: 1998
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 7
> Copies sold: 12 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

22. Feels So Right
> Artist: Alabama
> Year: 1981
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 27
> Copies sold: 4 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

21. Sevens
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 13
> Copies sold: 10 million

Source: Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

20. The Chase
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 9 million

Source: Porter Gifford / Getty Images

19. Killin’ Time
> Artist: Clint Black
> Year: 1989
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 31
> Copies sold: 3 million

Source: Lester Cohen / Getty Images

18. Mountain Music
> Artist: Alabama
> Year: 1982
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 28
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

17. Greatest Hits
> Artist: Kenny Rogers
> Year: 1980
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 11
> Copies sold: 12 million

Source: Cooper Neill / Getty Images

16. The Hits
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 1994
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 16
> Copies sold: 10 million

Source: Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images

15. Taylor Swift
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Year: 2006
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 24
> Copies sold: 7 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

14. Blue
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Year: 1996
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 28
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: Jason Kempin / Getty Images

13. Not a Moment Too Soon
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Year: 1994
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 29
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

12. Need You Now
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Year: 2010
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 31
> Copies sold: 6 million

Source: Erika Goldring / Getty Images

11. Some Hearts
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Year: 2005
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 27
> Copies sold: 8 million

Source: Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures

10. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
> Artist: Soundtrack
> Year: 2000
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 35
> Copies sold: 8 million

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

9. Always & Forever
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Year: 1987
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 43
> Copies sold: 5 million

Source: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images

8. Some Gave All
> Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
> Year: 1992
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 34
> Copies sold: 9 million

Source: Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

7. The Woman in Me
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Year: 1995
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 29
> Copies sold: 12 million

Source: Lisa Lake / Getty Images

6. Double Live
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 1998
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 8
> Copies sold: 21 million

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

5. Fearless
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Year: 2008
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 35
> Copies sold: 10 million

Source: ShowBizIreland / Getty Images

4. Fly
> Artist: Dixie Chicks
> Year: 1999
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 36
> Copies sold: 10 million

Source: David Redfern / Getty Images

3. Ropin’ the Wind
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 1991
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 33
> Copies sold: 14 million

Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

2. No Fences
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Year: 1990
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 41
> Copies sold: 17 million

Source: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Getty Images

1. Come On Over
> Artist: Shania Twain
> Year: 1997
> Weeks spent at No. 1: 50
> Copies sold: 20 million

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