Top Stories This Week

Related Posts

The best-selling country musicians of all time

Source: Business Insider

September 20, 2024

3 min.read

66ec83cdd17aa3c7b2b45596

Angle down icon
An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

Shania Twain is one of the best-selling female country musicians.

Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images

The best-selling country artists of all time include Elvis Presley, Tim McGraw, and Shania Twain.
We used RIAA’s data to compile this list based on total album units sold in the US.
Only three artists on this list debuted in the 2000s: Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, and Rascal Flatts.

Advertisement

Country music is one of the most popular genres in music, with its own set of stars, award shows, and hall of fame.

In fact, two of the top three best-selling musicians of all time are country music artists: Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks.

We used the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) list of best-selling artists, ranked by albums sold, to pick out the top 25 most successful country musicians of all time.

To qualify as a country star, a musician’s output had to primarily appear on country charts, or the artist had to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, nominated in the country genre at the Grammys, or received nominations at country award shows like the CMAs or the ACM Awards.

Advertisement

Here’s who made the cut, from No. 25 to No. 1.

Advertisement

25. Rascal Flatts — 18.5 million units

Musicians Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox, and Jay DeMarcus of the band Rascal Flatts onstage during the 43rd annual Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 18, 2008 — Rascal Flatts broke up in 2021 after 20 years together.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Rascal Flatts broke up in 2021 after 20 years together.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

24. Hank Williams Jr. — 19.5 million units

Hank Williams Jr. performs at Shoreline Amphitheatre on October 4, 1997 in Mountain View, California. — Hank Williams Jr. is the son of one of the most influential country musicians of all time, Hank Williams.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Hank Williams Jr. is the son of one of the most influential country musicians of all time, Hank Williams.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Advertisement

23. Brooks & Dunn — 21.5 million units

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn perform onstage for All for the Hall a concert hosted by Keith Urban and Vince Gill benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at Bridgestone Arena on December 05, 2023 — Brooks & Dunn were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Brooks & Dunn were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

22. Carrie Underwood — 22.5 million units

Carrie Underwood won “American Idol” in 2005.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood won “American Idol” in 2005.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Carrie Underwood

Advertisement

21. Jimmy Buffett — 23 million units

jimmy buffett — Jimmy Buffett died in 2023.

Getty Images

Jimmy Buffett died in 2023.

Getty Images

20. Kid Rock — 23.5 million units

Kid Rock performs in concert during day two of KAABOO Texas at AT&T Stadium on May 11, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. — Kid Rock was one of the first country rap artists.

Gary Miller/Getty Images

Kid Rock was one of the first country rap artists.

Gary Miller/Getty Images

Advertisement

19. Johnny Cash — 23.5 million units

American rock and country singer-songwriter Johnny Cash (1932 - 2003), circa 1965. — Johnny Cash is a country music legend.

Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Johnny Cash is a country music legend.

Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

18. Vince Gill — 24 million units

Singer/Songwriter Vince Gill performs at The OMNI Coliseum in Atlanta Georgia October 01, 1999 — Vince Gill is married to the “Queen of Christian Pop,” Amy Grant.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Vince Gill is married to the “Queen of Christian Pop,” Amy Grant.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Advertisement

17. Toby Keith — 25.5 million units

Toby Keith performs onstage for the BMI Icon Award during the 2022 BMI Country Awards at BMI on November 08, 2022 — Before his death in 2023, Toby Keith earned 20 No. 1 country songs.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

Before his death in 2023, Toby Keith earned 20 No. 1 country songs.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

16. Faith Hill — 25.5 million units

Musician Faith Hill performs during the Soul2Soul Tour at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 27, 2017 — Faith Hill has won five Grammy Awards.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Faith Hill has won five Grammy Awards.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Advertisement

15. Linda Ronstadt — 30 million units

American singer Linda Ronstadt performs on stage at the Poplar Creek Music Theater in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, July 26, 1981. — Linda Ronstadt’s music falls into many genres, including country.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

Linda Ronstadt’s music falls into many genres, including country.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

14. Willie Nelson — 31.5 million units

Musician Willie Nelson performs during the Georgetown to Austin March for Democracy rally on July 31, 2021 in Austin, Texas. — Willie Nelson is also an actor and has appeared in films like “Thief,” “Half Baked,” and “Blonde Ambition.”

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Willie Nelson is also an actor and has appeared in films like “Thief,” “Half Baked,” and “Blonde Ambition.”

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Advertisement

13. The Chicks — 33 million units

The Dixie Chicks perform at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden on February 23, 2003 — The Chicks removed “Dixie” from their name in 2020.

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

The Chicks removed “Dixie” from their name in 2020.

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

12. John Denver — 33.5 million units

American musician John Denver (1943 - 1997) performs on stage at Chicagofest, Chicago, Illinois, August 9, 1982. — John Denver died in a plane crash in 1997.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

John Denver died in a plane crash in 1997.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

Advertisement

11. Kenny Chesney — 35 million units

Kenny Chesney onstage during the 2023 BMI Country Awards at BMI Nashville on November 07, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. — Kenny Chesney won the Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year for four years in a row.

Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI

Kenny Chesney won the Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year for four years in a row.

Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI

10. Tim McGraw — 40 million units

Tim McGraw performs during the Windy City Smokeout on August 5, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. ( — Tim McGraw has released 17 studio albums.

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Tim McGraw has released 17 studio albums.

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Advertisement

9. Reba McEntire — 41 million units

Reba attends the 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. — Reba McEntire recently was a coach on “The Voice.”

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Reba McEntire recently was a coach on “The Voice.”

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images

8. Alan Jackson — 44.5 million units

Singer/Songwriter Alan Jackson performs at The OMNI Coliseum in Atlanta Georgia February 19, 1991 — Alan Jackson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Alan Jackson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Advertisement

7. Kenny Rogers — 47.5 million units

Kenny Rogers performing on stage, 1978. — Kenny Rogers had a decades-long friendship with Dolly Parton.

David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images

Kenny Rogers had a decades-long friendship with Dolly Parton.

David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images

6. Shania Twain — 48 million units

Shania Twain attends the 15th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 24, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. — Shania Twain is the most successful female country musician of all time.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM

Shania Twain is the most successful female country musician of all time.

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM

Advertisement

5. Alabama — 49 million units

Alabama is the best-selling country band of all time.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Alabama is the best-selling country band of all time.

Rick Diamond/Getty Images

4. Taylor Swift — 51 million units

Taylor Swift began her career as a country singer before transitioning to pop.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Taylor Swift began her career as a country singer before transitioning to pop.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Advertisement

3. George Strait — 69.5 million units

American Country musician George Strait plays guitar as he performs onstage at the Tweeter Center, Tinley Park, Illinois, May 5, 2001. — George Strait has a record-breaking 44 No. 1 country songs under his belt.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

George Strait has a record-breaking 44 No. 1 country songs under his belt.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

2. Elvis Presley — 146.5 million units

Rock and roll musician Elvis Presley performing on the Elvis comeback TV special on June 27, 1968. — Elvis Presley got his start in country music as a young boy in Mississippi.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Elvis Presley got his start in country music as a young boy in Mississippi.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Advertisement

1. Garth Brooks — 162 million units

Co-host Garth Brooks speaks onstage during the 58th Academy Of Country Music Awards at The Ford Center at The Star on May 11, 2023 in Frisco, Texas — Garth Brooks has released nine platinum albums, the most of any artist.

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Garth Brooks has released nine platinum albums, the most of any artist.

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Advertisement

Stay informed with diverse insights directly in your inbox. Subscribe to our email updates now to never miss out on the latest perspectives and discussions. No membership, just enlightenment.

Previous article

These Women Knew Their Genes Were Betraying Them

Next article

Shohei Ohtani 50th Home Run Ball Worth Over $300,000, Auction Experts Say

MORE STORIES