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50 Greatest Country Albums Of All Time
The Warped Vinyl Aficionado offers its opinion about the "50 Greatest Country Albums of All Time" with the understanding that music is very personal and subjective to the listener. Our opinion is based on many factors, and we'd be lying if we did not admit that bias plays a role. Bias plays a role in every list compiled anywhere. However, we balanced our bias through the consideration of other factors such as commercial success, influence on the industry, creative breakthroughs, the social and political era in which the music was recorded, quality of the performance, song writing, others’ opinions (i.e., Rolling Stone, Acclaimed Music, All About Jazz, AllMusic, Billboard, Spin, Wikipedia, etc.), the ability to withstand the test of time, and more.
We ask that you consider the list below and if anything piques your interest, give it a listen. You just may find a gem that you overlooked or did not give the time of day because your own biases got in the way. Release your biases, no matter how they were created, as you ponder the list and stretch yourself to explore something new and quite possibly amazing. Want to learn more about other genres? Visit The 200 Greatest Albums of All Time.
1. Red Headed Stranger: Willie Nelson
1975 Columbia Records
Red Headed Stranger was Willie Nelson's eighteenth studio album and one that Nelson maintained complete creative control over from conceptualization to release. Red Headed Stranger was Nelson's seminole work and his greatest commercial success at the time. The album was certified multiple-platinum, with "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" reaching number-one on the singles chart. Red Headed Stranger is ranked on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and number one on CMT's 40 Greatest Albums in Country Music. In 2010, it was inducted to the National Recording Registry.
2. At Folsom Prison: Johnny Cash
1968 Columbia Records
At Folsom Prison was the first live album that Johnny Cash released. Driven by the success of his song "Folsom Prison Blues", Cash was motivated to record a performance at a prison. Looking to turn his career around after several years of drug abuse and mild commercial success, he convinced June Carter, Carl Perkins, and the Tennessee Three, to perform two shows at Folsom State Prison in California. The album reached number one on the country charts and rose to the top 15 on the album chart. The live version of "Folsom Prison Blues" reached the top 40 on the single chart. It has gone on to exceed 3 million copies sold in the U.S. and subsequently certified triple platinum.
3. Jolene: Dolly Parton
1974 RCA/Victor Records
Dolly Parton established herself as a country music singer and songwriter while working with Porter Wagner and through the release of her critically acclaimed record Coat of Many Colors. Jolene was her thirteenth studio album and the title track her second number-one country single as a solo artist. "I Will Always Love You" also became a number-one country single. Upon its release, Billboard offered a positive review, which followed with Jolene becoming one of greatest commercial successes.
4. Modern Sounds of Country & Western Music: Ray Charles
1962 ABC/Paramount Records
Ray Charles released Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music as a departure from the rhythm and blues music Charles had recorded earlier in his career. The album features country, folk, and Western music standards rearranged by Charles in a form popular at the time. Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music achieved immediate commercial success and critical acclaim. The album brought Charles increased attention and recognition in the mainstream market, as well as airplay on radio stations of multiple genres. It is considered his best studio record and a landmark recording in American music. The album has been recognized as one of the greatest albums of all time by multiple publications.
5. Honky Tonk Heroes: Waylon Jennings
1973 RCA/Victor
Waylon Jennings, one of the originals in the formation of the outlaw country music genre, released Honky Tonk Heroes in 1973 and shortly after the release of his commercially successful album Lonesome, On'ry and Mean. The album is considered to have been instrumental in the revival of honky tonk music. Honky Tonk Heroes received a moderately positive critical reception upon its srelease. It reached number 14 in Billboard's Top Country albums chart. The album is listed in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
6. American Recordings: Johnny Cash
1994 American Records
Johnny Cash released his 81st album in 1994 and triggered a career resurgence. Widely recognized as an icon in the country music genre, American Recordings not only injected life into his slumping record sales, it brought him back to the forefront of country music and exposed new generations to his massive catalog.
The record was the first solo album of Cash's career without any accompanying musicians. American Recordings was critically acclaim by critics upon its release. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Rolling Stone magazine placed the record on the its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Country Music Television (CMT) ranked it at number 27 on tits list of the top 40 greatest country albums.
7. Ocean Front Property: George Strait
1978 MCA Records
George Strait released Ocean Front Property as his seventh studio and his first to debut t number 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. It is ranked number 5 on Country Music Television's list of 40 Greatest Albums in Country Music. Strait's neotraditional country style (aka, Texas country, Western swing, or honky-tonk) relies on traditional instrumentation (fiddle and pedal steel guitar). Over his recording career Strait has achieved 61 number-one songs on all country charts and has more number-one hits than any other artist in a single genre. Strait has also sold more than 68 million records and has 13 multiplatinum, 33 platinum, and 38 gold albums.
8. Showcase: Patsy Cline
1961 DECCAa/MCA Records
Showcase was released by Patsy Cline as a studio album in 1961. Accompanied by the Jordonaires, it was Cline's second studio album and produced two hit singles on the Billboard country and pop charts. "I Fall to Pieces," became her first number one single on Billboard's country chart. It also reached Top 20 status on the pop Top 100 chart. The album reached number 73 on the Billboard 200, after her death. Cline is considered by many music critics as one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and one of the first country music artists to cross over into pop music.
9. Coal Miner’s Daughter: Loretta Lynn
1971 Decca Records
Coal Miner's Daughter was Loretta Lynn's sixteenth solo studio album and features her trademark song of the same name. Coal Miner's Daughter was included by Rolling Stone magazine on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country albums chart and number 81 on the Billboard Top albums chart. The album's single, "Coal Miner's Daughter", peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, and at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
10. Guitars, Cadillacs, etc., etc.: Dwight Yoakam
1986 Reprise Records
Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. was Dwight Yoakmaa's debut studio album the first time he would work with long-time collaborator, record producer-guitarist Pete Anderson. Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. was the first of three consecutive albums by Yoakam to reach number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Heavily influenced by the Bakersfield sound, typified by the likes of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, his musical direction and songwriting reflected that influence. Three of the album's tracks reached the top 40 on the Hot Country Singles chart. Yoakam was nominated for two Grammy awards for Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. He won Top New Male Vocalist at the 1986 Academy of Country Music Awards.
11. Big City: Merle Haggard
1981 Epic Records
Big City was Merle Haggard's thirty-third studio album and a his debut for Epic records. Backed by his band the Strangers, Big City peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Country Album chart. Inspired by the struggles of the working man, Big City, as AllMusic stated in its review of the album, "stands among his finest—and most lasting—recordings." The album produced two number 1 songs and one number 2 song on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
12. Coat of Many Colors: Dolly Parton
1971 RCA/Victor Records
Coat of Many Colors was Dolly Parton's eighth studio album and her first to be nominated for Album of the Year at the 1972 CMA Awards. Time magazine included it in its list of the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time and at Rolling Stone magazine included it on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. On a list of the 50 best Dolly Parton songs, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Here I Am" at number 25, "My Blue Tears" at number 24, and "Coat of Many Colors" at number 2.
13. American IV: The Man Comes Around: Johnny Cash
2002 American Recordings
Johnny Cash released the American Recordings over the course of 16 years between 1994 and 2010. Hailed by critics as some of Cash's best work, American IV: The Man Comes Around was his sixty-seventh and final studio album released during his lifetime. The album is considered to possess some of his finest work and was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. American IV: The Man Comes Around was Cash's first non-compilation album to achieve gold record status in more than thirty years. The album won "Album of the Year" award at the 2003 CMA Awards.
14. No Fences: Garth Brooks
1990 Capitol Records - Nashville
Garth Brooks released No Fences as his second studio album. The album reached number 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and number 3 on the Billboard 200. No Fences stayed in the top 40 for 126 weeks. It remains as Garth Brooks' best-selling studio album with 18 million copies sold. The album reached Number 1 on the British country music charts. Possessing many of Brooks' most popular songs, No Fences was named Album of the Year by the ACM in 1990.
15. Killin' Time: Clint Black
1989 RCA Records - Nashville
Clint Black released Killin' Time as his debut studio album in 1989. Fueled by four hit singles, the album rocketed to the top of the Billboard Country Album chart. Following the influence and style that George Strait made popular, Black received positive critical acclaim, with some comparing him to Merle Haggard and George Strait. The album reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and number 31 on the Billboard 200, with four singles from the album reaching number 1 and one reaching number 3.
16. Come On Over: Shania Twain
1997 Mercury Records
Canadian born Shania Twain released Come On Over as her third studio album and is in many ways a country pop album with pop and rock influences. Utilizing typical country instrumentation, as well as rock n' roll style riffs and electric guitars, she successfully bridged the country and pop charts. The album produced 12 singles, including three Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles. The album reached number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. As is to be expected from a crossover album, Come On Over received mixed reviews from music critics. Many rejected the classification of the album as country. However, at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in 1999, Come On Over was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Country Album. Come On Over has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and is recognized as the biggest-selling studio album of all time by a solo female artist.
17. Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound: Hank Williams, Jr.
1979 Curb Records
Hank Williams Jr. released Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound as his thirtieth studio album. The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and was his second consecutive Top 5 album. Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound spawned two hit singles, one of which was the title track that has become one of his most popular songs. In 2006, CMT ranked it #16 on its list of the top 40 albums in country music history.
18. I Am What I Am: George Jones
1980 Epic Records
I Am What I Am was released by George Jones in 1980 and followed a six year drought of producing chart topping songs. At this point in Jones' career he was losing fans and a critic attention due to his drug use and repeated no shows. However, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" shot to number one on the country charts and remained there for 18 weeks. Jones earned the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1980 and the Academy of Country Music awarded the "He Stopped Loving Her Today" Single of the Year and Song of the Year. The song also became the Country Music Association's Song of the Year in both 1980 and 1981.
19. Storms Of Life: Randy Travis
1986 Warner Bros. Records - Nashville
Storms of Life was Randy Travis' debut studio album. It was certified Multi-Platinum for achieving three million copies sold. The album featured three hit singles, two of which peaked at number 1 "On the Other Hand" and "Diggin' up Bones". Over his career, Travis has produced more than 50 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including 16 that reached number 1.
20. Golden Ring: George Jones & Tammy Wynette
1976 Epic Records
George Jones and Tammy Wynette released Golden Ring as their seventh studio album. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Album chart and produced two hit singles, "Near You" and "Golden Ring", both of which reached number 1 on the Country Singles chart. Received well critically, Golden Ring, was perceived by many as a reflection of Jones and Wynette's real life together.
21. Okie From Muskogee: Merle Haggard and The Strangers
1969 Capital Records
Okie from Muskogee was Merle Haggard and the Strangers' first live album. Performed at the Civic Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma the day before the studio version of "Okie from Muskogee" hit the national country charts, peaking at number 1 on the Billboard country albums chart and number 46 on the pop chart. The record won the Academy of Country Music award for Album of the Year in 1969. It also received the CMA Award for Album of the Year in 1970. Haggard also won Single of the Year for "Okie from Muskogee" as well as Top Male Vocalist. e from Muskogee" became the biggest hit of Haggard's career.
22. Traveller: Chris Stapleton
2015 Mercury Records - Nashville
Traveller is Chris Stapleton's debut studio album. It was named Album of the Year by the Country Music Association. Traveller was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, winning Best Country Album. The song "Traveller" also won Best Country Solo Performance. At the 2016 Academy of Country Music Awards it won Album of the Year, with the song "Nobody to Blame" also winning Song of the Year. Traveller won the Billboard Music Award for Top Country Album in 2016 and 2017. Traveller reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart.
23. Bean Blossom: Bill Monroe
1973 MCA Records
Bill Monroe (William Smith Monroe) is known as the father of the bluegrass music genre. The genre taking its name from his band, the Blue Grass Boys, who named their group for the bluegrass of Monroe's home state of Kentucky. Monroe described the genre as "Scottish bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin'. It's Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It's blues and jazz, and it has a high lonesome sound." Bean Blossom is a recording of a live performance from the Bean Blossom Music Festival in southern Indiana. The double LP features performances by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys from the festival.
24. Dreaming My Dreams: Waylon Jennings
1975 RCA/Victor Records
Waylon Jennings was taken from us way too soon. Viewed by many as the father of outlaw country music, he was really the savior of country music. Country had begun to slide into becoming a generalized genre with all other non distinct music until Waylon, with the support of Willie, provided the commercial recognition necessary for other great artists of the time and of similar style to be recognized. Not since Hank and Johnny had an artist provided a lift to the genre. Outlaw country continues to thrive with those true to the art pushing boundaries and owing their outlaw roots to the likes of Willie, Merle and their outlaw leader, Waylon. Dreaming My Dreams is the shining example of what country music is and was always meant to be.
25. Strait from the Heart: George Strait
1982 MCA Records
George Strait released Strait from the Heart as his second studio album in 1982. The album included Strait's first Billboard Hot Country Singles chart number 1, "Fool Hearted Memory." It also included three other top 10 singles, "Marina del Rey", "Amarillo by Morning" and "A Fire I Can't Put Out." The album peaked at No. 18 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album at 19 on its list of the 100 Greatest Country Albums of All Time.
26. A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love): Alan Jackson
1992 Arista Records
Alan Jackson released A Lot about Livin' (and a Little 'bout Love) as his third studio album in 1992. The album generated the hit singles, "Chattahoochee", "She's Got the Rhythm (and I Got the Blues)", "Tonight I Climbed the Wall", "(Who Says) You Can't Have It All", and "Mercury Blues". Two of which reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Chattahoochee", and "She's Got the Rhythm (and I Got the Blues), while three others reached the Top 5 ("Tonight I Climbed the Wall", "(Who Says) You Can't Have It All", and "Mercury Blues"). A Lot about Livin' (and a Little 'bout Love) peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, making it Jackson's first number 1 country album.
27. Moanin' the Blues: Hank Williams
1952 MGM Records
Hank Williams released Moanin' the Blues as his second album in 1952. The album features a number of hit singles, such as "Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Honky Tonk Blues," "Moanin' the Blues" and "I'm a Long Gone Daddy." All of which achieved top 10 status, while three reached number 1 ("Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Honky Tonk Blues"). Ironically, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," which is recognized asWilliams' songwriting masterpiece, did not chart.
28. Home: Dixie Chicks
2002 Monument/Columbia Records
The Dixie Chicks (The Chicks) released Home as their sixth studio album. Noted for its acoustic bluegrass sound, it stands in contrast to their two previous releases which followed more of a pop country style. The album was the last before the group took a break due to controversy surrounding comments made by lead singer Natalie Maines regarding then U.S. President George W. Bush. Her criticism led many stations to implement a still-standing boycott of the Chicks' music. Despite the controversy around Maines comments, the album achieved Multi-platinum status. At the 45th Grammy Awards the group took home four Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album, Best Recording Package, Best Country Instrumental Performance, and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Long Time Gone". The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.
29. Seven Year Ache: Rosanne Cash
1981 Columbia Records
Seven Year Ache was Rosanne Cash's third studio album. It reached number 1 on the Billboard country album chart and number 26 on the Billboard 200. It produced three charting singles, "Seven Year Ache," My "Baby Thinks He's a Train," and "Blue Moon with Heartache."
30. American II: Unchained: Johnny Cash
1996 American Records
Johnny Cash released American II: Unchained as the second album in Johnny Cash's American Recordings series. The album earned a Grammy for Best Country Album. Unlike the first album in the series, which Cash played alone, he is supported by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The album also features guest appearances by Marty Stuart; Flea, Lindsey Buckingham, and Mick Fleetwood. The songs on Unchained are primarily covers, with only three songs being Cash's own compositions. The album reached number 170 on the Billboard 200 and number 26 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
31. Roses in the Snow: Emmylou Harris
1980 Warner Bros. Records
Roses in the Snow was Emmylou Harris' seventh studio album. Roses in the Snow found Harris taking a different direction with her music than on her two previous releasees. The album features bluegrass-inspired music. Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Willie Nelson and Tony Rice made guest appearances. The album was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards.
32. Chief: Eric Church
2011 EMI Records - Nashville
Eric Church released Chief as his third studio album in 2011. The album produced five hit singles, of which two became Church's first chart topping hits on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart ("Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen"). Two others, "Creepin'" and "Like Jesus Does," reached top 10 chart status.
The album was nominated for Best Country Album at the 54th Grammy Awards and won Album of the Year at the CMA Awards and ACM Awards. Rolling Stone magazine included Chief in their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart.
33. Ramblin Man: Waylon Jennings
1974 RCA/Victor Records
The Ramblin' Man was Waylon Jennings most commercially focused album. While slightly more commercial sounding, Jennings remains true to his outlaw country style. The album was released at the height of the outlaw country music movement. The album peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. During the 1970s, Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser and Jessi Colter drove the outlaw country movement and recorded country music's first platinum album, Wanted! The Outlaws. It was followed by Jenning's album, Ol' Waylon, which became country music's second platinum album and a first for any solo artist in country music.
34. Breathe: Faith Hill
1999 Warner Bros. Records
Faith Hill released Breathe as her fourth studio album. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Country Album. It has sold more than eight million copies in the US. As such, Breathe remains one of the most successful country/pop albums to date. The album includes the singles "Breathe", "The Way You Love Me", both of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. "Breathe" also peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200.
35. Wanted!: The Outlaws
1976 RCA/Victor Records
When Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser came together it is likely that they did not anticipate the record breaking success their collaboration would have. Released in 1976, Wanted! The Outlaws is a compilation album that consists of previously released material and four new songs. Wanted! The Outlaws became the first country album to reach one million copies sold. The album reached number 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart. The single "Good Hearted Woman" peaked at number 1.
36. For My Broken Heart: Reba McEntire
1991 MCA Records
For My Broken Heart was Reba McEntire's seventeenth studio album and the first studio album recorded after an airplane crash that killed most of the members of her touring band. The album became her highest-charting album on the Billboard 200 chart at that time, peaking at number 13. It is also one of McEntire's biggest-selling studio albums, selling 4 million copies. It stayed in the Top Ten for 20 consecutive weeks. It was the first album by a female country artist to be certified double platinum.
37. Van Lear Rose: Loretta Lynn
2004 Interscope Records
Van Lear Rose was Loretta Lynn's forty-second solo studio album. The album was produced by Jack White of white Stripes fame. The album received widespread critical acclaim and praised peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 24 on the Billboard 200. The album was nominated and won Album of the year at the 2005 Grammy Awards. The song "Portland Oregon" won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.
38. Stand by Your Man: Tammy Wynette
1969 Epic Records
Tammy Wynette released her fifth album, Stand by Your Man, during the peak of her musical career. The title track of the album was the most commercially successful song of Wynette's career, becoming her signature song. The album received positive critical reviews, garnering a five-star rating from AllMusic. Rolling Stone magazine included Stand by Your Man among the "50 Country Albums Every Rock Fan Should Own". The title track, "Stand by Your Man," reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100chart. The album, Stand by Your Man, peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and reached number 43 on the Billboard 200. It became Wynette's highest-peaking album on the Billboard 200.
39. In Search of a Song: Tom T. Hall
1971 Mercury Records
In Search of a Song was Tom T. Hall's fifth studio album. While Hall is most known for his song writing prowess, having written multiple hit songs for other artists, such as "Harper Valley PTA" and "I Love", which reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. He is included in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. In total, Hall wrote 12 No. 1 hit songs, with 26 more that reached the Top 10. In Search of a Song reached number 8 on the Billboard Country albums Chart and the song "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died" became a number 1 song on the Billboard Country Singles Chart. The album also reached number 137 on the Billboard 200.
40. Pontiac: Lyle Lovett
1987 Curb Records
Pontiac was Texan Lyle Lovett's second studio album, which was preceded by his critically acclaimed self titled debut. Pontiac was ranked in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the "500 Best Albums of All-Time" German edition. Recognized as one of the best albums of the 80s, it is also one of 300 albums listed in the book 50 Years of Great Recordings. Pontiac reached number 12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart and number 117 on the Billboard 200.
41. Fearless: Taylor Swift
2008 Big Machine Records
Fearless was Taylor Swift's second studio album and has since been rerecorded by Swift and rereleased as Fearless: Taylor's Version. All songs were predominantly written by Swift during the time she was promoting her self-titled debut album. Fearless is a country pop album that spawned five hit singles, including "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me". Fearless remained atop the Billboard 200 for 11 weeks. Fearless won Album of the Year at both the Country Music Association Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards, and Album of the Year and Best Country Album at the Grammy Awards in 2010. Rolling Stone magazine included it in its list of the 100 Greatest Country Albums of All Time.
42. Carnegie Hall Concert: Buck Owens and His Buckaroos
1966 Capital Records
Buck Owens and His Buckaroos released the Carnegie Hall Concert in 1966. Buck Owens and his Buckaroos became only the second country band ever to perform at Carnegie Hall. AllMusic recognized the album as a "Stellar Performance" and one that opened the doors for other non traditional acts to perform at Carnegie Hall. the album reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and number 114 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.
43. Mountain Music: Alabama
1982 RCA Records - Nashville
Mountain Music was Alabama's sixth studio album and remains their most commercially successful. It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and number 14 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified 5 times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Songs "Mountain Music,"
"Take Me Down," and "Close Enough to Perfect' all reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart.
44. Why Not Me: The Judds
1884 RCA Records
Why Not Me was the debut studio album by The Mother and daughter duo known as The Judds. The album reached number 1 on the Billboard Country albums chart. Why Not Me peaked at number 71 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The record went on to become the Judds' most successful studio release. The album received positive critical reviews with many praising the album's production detail and the duo's vocal harmonies. AllMusic called the album a "bona fide classic."
45. Mama Tried: Merle Haggard
1968 Capital Records
Mama Tried was Merle Haggard's seventh studio album. Backed by his band, The Strangers, the album went on to reach number 4 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. The title track became Haggard's signature song and one of his biggest hits. The Album received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. With the release of Mama Tried, Haggard continued his run of commercially successful releases.
46. The Gambler: Kenny Rogers
1978 United Artists Group
The Gambler was Kenny Rogers sixth studio album. The title track was Rogers' most commercially successful single, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart. The album remains one of his most popular, and helped cement Rogers as one of the most successful artists of the 70s and 80s. The album has sold over 5 million copies. The Gambler reached number 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and number 12 on the Billboard 200.
47. Hello Darlin: Conway Twitty
1970 Decca Records
Conway Twitty (Harold Lloyd Jenkins) started his musical career as a part of the 1950s rockabilly scene. However, he is best known as a country music singer and songwriter. Twitty achieved stardom with hit song after hit song, eventually racking up 40 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. A record that was surpassed by none other than George Strait. Hello Darlin's title track was the album's first hit single and Twitty's fourth number 1 song on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The song was named the number 1 song of 1970. Hello Darlin became a country standard and Twitty's signature song. The record was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
48. Behind Closed Doors: Charlie Rich
173 Epic Records
Charlie Rich released Behind Closed Doors in 1973. It was Country Music Association's Album of the Year. The title track was named CMA's Single of the Year. The CMA also awarded Charlie Rich the Best Male Vocalist for his performance on the album. He won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Rich also won four Academy of Country Music awards for the album. Country Music Television ranked "Behind Closed Doors" No. 37 on its list of the 40 greatest albums in country music.
49. I’m a Lonesome Fugitive: Merle Haggard and the Strangers
1967 Capital records
I'm a Lonesome Fugitive was the third studio album by Merle Haggard and The Strangers. The album and its title track solidified Haggard's status as a country music star. I'm a Lonesome Fugitive reached number 3 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and number 165 on the Billboard Pop Album Chart. With the exception of Jimmie Rodgers "Rough and Rowdy Ways," Haggard wrote all of the songs on the album.
50. Golden Hour: Kaycee Musgrave
2018 MCA Nashville
Golden Hour was country music singer/songwriter Kaycee Musgrave's fourth studio album. Like Musgrave's three previous records, Golden Hour is viewed as a country pop record even though it has a few tracks that lean more country than pop. Golden Hour received widespread critical acclaim and immediate commercial success. It was nominated and won 4 Grammy Awards for Album of the Year, Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance for "Butterflies", and Best Country Song for "Space Cowboy". Golden Hour also won the Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year.
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