A Progressive History of Billboard's C&W Charts (1944-2024)

[WolfSpear]

In this thread, I'll be covering the history of Billboard's Country Songs and Country Albums charts beginning with their roots and bringing them both to present day. The origins of today's country charts began on January 8, 1944 when Billboard launched the "Most Played Juke Box Folk Records," designed to cover the most popular hillbilly, spiritual and cowboy songs. Along the way, a "Best Sellers" and "Jockeys" charts were added to the mix before the charts were merged into a single entity in 1958. Country music itself has a long history pre-dating the charts; the genre gained notority in 1927 with the legendary Bristol sessions, often regarded as the "Big Bang"of modern country music. It was these sessions that brought to light the music of Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family amongst many others. In the 1930's, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys introduced a new form of country called western swing, a style that blended jazz, blues and swing and emphasized the steel guitar as a defining instrument for the genre. Throughout the years, the sound of country music has changed, but it continues to maintain its place as the roots of American music.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
JUKE BOX/BEST SELLING/MOST PLAYED COUNTRY & WESTERN RECORDS (1944-1949)
HOT C&W SIDES (1944-1959)
HOT COUNTRY SINGLES (1944-1969)
HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS (1964-1969)
HOT COUNTRY SINGLES (1944-1979)
HOT COUNTRY LP's (1964-1979)
HOT COUNTRY SINGLES (1944-1989)
TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS (1964-1989)
HOT COUNTRY SINGLES & TRACKS (1944-1999)
TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS (1964-1999)
HOT COUNTRY SONGS (1944-2009)
TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS (1964-2009)
HOT COUNTRY SONGS (1944-PRESENT)
TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS (1944-PRESENT)

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Most Played Juke Box Folk (Country & Western) Records (January 8, 1944 - Present) [2-15]
Best Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records (May 15, 1948 - Present) [5-15]
Country & Western Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys (December 10, 1949 - Present) [8-10]

1944-1949

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
11: Eddy Arnold (1947-1949)
7: Al Dexter (1944-1946)
6: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1945-1947)
4: Ernest Tubb (1944-1949)
4: Red Foley (1944-1949)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
5 YRS, 3 WKS: Ernest Tubb (1944-1949)
Soldier's Last Letter - Slipping Around

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)
Anytime
Texarkana Baby
Bouquet Of Roses
Just A Little Lovin' (Will Go A Long Way)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ALL CHARTS
5: Al Dexter (1944-1945)
Rosalita
Pistol Packin' Mama
So Long Pal
Too Late To Worry, Too Blue To Cry
I'm Losing My Mind Over You

5: Eddy Arnold (1948-1949*)
Anytime
Bouquet Of Roses
Texarkana Baby
Just A Little Lovin' (Will Go A Long, Long Way)
A Heart Of Love (For A Handful Of Roses)
*Streak does not include B-sides

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION (ALL CHARTS)
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)
Anytime
Texarkana Baby
Bouquet Of Roses
Just A Little Lovin' (Will Go A Long, Long Way)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
21: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
19: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948)
16: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
16: Guitar Polka - Al Dexter (1946)
16: New Spanish Two Step - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1946)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
49: Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
86: Eddy Arnold (1947-1949*)
47: Al Dexter (1944-1946)
29: Jimmy Wakely (1948-1949)
24: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1945-1947)
20: Tex Ritter (1944-1946)
17: Red Foley (1944-1949)
*Record 56 consecutive weeks at #1 (1947-1948)

#1 HITS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1944-1949
Pistol Packin' Mama - Al Dexter (1943-1944)
Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) - Tex Ritter (1947)
Slipping Around - Margaret Whiting & Jimmy Wakely (1949)


MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
29: Eddy Arnold (1945-1949) 
29: Ernest Tubb (1944-1949)
20: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1945-1948)
19: Red Foley (1944-1949)
17: Gene Autry (1944-1948)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
29: Eddy Arnold (1945-1949)

MOST TOP 40 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
31: Ernest Tubb (1944-1949)
29: Eddy Arnold (1945-1949)
21: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1944-1948)
21: Red Foley (1944-1949)
17: Gene Autry (1944-1948)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
31: Ernest Tubb (1944-1949)
29: Eddy Arnold (1945-1949)
21: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1944-1948)
21: Red Foley (1944-1949)
17: Gene Autry (1944-1948)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
11: Eddy Arnold (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
53: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
41: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
40: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
38: It's A Sin - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
37: Anytime - Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
54: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
46: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
41: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
40: Tennessee Saturday Night - Red Foley (1948-1949)
39: Anytime - Eddy Arnold (1948)

[WolfSpear]

In the 1950's, honky-tonk dominates the country music landscape with artists such as Webb Pierce, Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell and Faron Young scoring a number of hits throughout the decade. Things begin to change after the passing of Hank Williams in 1953 and Elvis Presley's ascent to the top of the world in 1956. We see more crossover action as rockabilly takes over and soon enough, country will polish up with the "Nashville sound" in the 1960's. Like with the pop and R&B charts, Billboard will terminate the individual charts and merge them into a unified Country Singles chart on October 20, 1958.  

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Most Played Juke Box Folk (Country & Western) Records (January 8, 1944 - June 17, 1957) [2-15]
Best Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records (May 15, 1948 - October 13, 1958) [5-20]
Country & Western Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys (December 10, 1949 - October 13, 1958) [8-15]
Hot C&W Sides (October 20, 1958 - Present) [30]

1944-1959

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
21: Eddy Arnold (1947-1955)
13: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
11: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
10: Red Foley (1944-1954)
8: Elvis Presley (1956-1957)
7: Al Dexter (1944-1946)
6: Ernest Tubb (1944-1950)
6: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1945-1947)
6: Marty Robbins (1953-1959)
5: Lefty Frizzell (1950-1952)
5: Hank Snow (1950-1955)
5: Carl Smith (1951-1955)
5: Johnny Cash (1956-1959)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
9 YRS, 10 MOS: Red Foley (1944-1954)
Smoke On The Water - One By One (with Kitty Wells)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
5: Hank Williams (1953)
Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive
Your Cheatin' Heart
Kaw-Liga
Take These Chains From My Heart

5: Elvis Presley (1956)
I Forgot To Remember To Forget
Heartbreak Hotel
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
Hound Dog
Don't Be Cruel

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ALL CHARTS
9: Webb Pierce (1953-1956*)
It's Been So Long
There Stands The Glass
Slowly
Even Tho
More And More
In The Jailhouse Now
I Don't Care
Love, Love, Love
Why Baby Why
*Streak does not include B-sides

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION (ALL CHARTS)
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms)
Anytime
Texarkana Baby
Bouquet Of Roses
Just A Little Lovin' (Will Go A Long Way)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
21: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
21: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
21: In The Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce (1955)
20: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954)
20: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956)
19: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948)
17: Slowly - Webb Pierce (1954)
17: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (1956)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
50: Webb Pierce (1955)
49: Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
125: Eddy Arnold (1947-1955*)
111: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
82: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
53: Hank Snow (1950-1953)
47: Al Dexter (1944-1946)
40: Red Foley (1944-1954)
39: Ray Price (1956-1959)
37: Elvis Presley (1956-1957)
*Record 56 consecutive weeks at #1 (1947-1948)

#1 HITS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1950-1959
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry (1950)
Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy - Red Foley (1950)
Slow Poke - Pee Wee King (1952)
Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford (1956)
Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (1956)
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Elvis Presley (1956)
Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley (1956)
Young Love - Sonny James (1957)
All Shook Up - Elvis Presley (1957)
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley (1957)
Wake Up Little Susie - The Everly Brothers (1957)
All I Have To Do Is Dream - The Everly Brothers (1958)
Bird Dog - The Everly Brothers (1958)
The Battle Of New Orleans - Johnny Horton (1959)
The Three Bells - The Browns (1959)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
69: Eddy Arnold (1945-1959)
57: Ernest Tubb (1944-1958)
56: Red Foley (1944-1956)
39: Webb Pierce (1952-1959)
36: Hank Williams (1947-1955)
36: Hank Snow (1949-1959)
31: Carl Smith (1951-1959)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
57: Eddy Arnold (1945-1954*)
*67 consecutive top 10 hits between 1945-1956 when excluding holiday hits and B-sides

MOST TOP 40 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
74: Eddy Arnold (1945-1959)
65: Ernest Tubb (1944-1959)
60: Red Foley (1944-1959)
44: Webb Pierce (1952-1959)
42: Hank Snow (1949-1959)
41: Carl Smith (1951-1959)
39: Hank Williams (1947-1955)
38: Hank Thompson (1949-1959)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
74: Eddy Arnold (1945-1959)
65: Ernest Tubb (1944-1959)
60: Red Foley (1944-1959)
44: Webb Pierce (1952-1959)
42: Hank Snow (1949-1959)
41: Carl Smith (1951-1959)
39: Hank Williams (1947-1955)
38: Hank Thompson (1949-1959)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
11: Eddy Arnold (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
53: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
41: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
41: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
40: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
40: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954-1955)
40: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
40: Tennessee Saturday Night - Red Foley (1949)

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
54: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
52: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
46: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
45: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
43: I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash (1956-1957)
42: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949-1950)

[WolfSpear]

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Most Played Juke Box Folk (Country & Western) Records (January 8, 1944 - June 17, 1957) [2-15]
Best Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records (May 15, 1948 - October 13, 1958) [5-20]
Country & Western Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys (December 10, 1949 - October 13, 1958) [8-15]
Hot Country Singles (October 20, 1958 - Present) [30-75*]
*Expanded to a top 75 chart on October 15, 1966

1944-1969

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
28: Eddy Arnold (1947-1968)
19: Buck Owens (1963-1969)
13: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
13: Marty Robbins (1953-1968)
13: Sonny James (1957-1969)
11: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
11: Jim Reeves (1953-1967)
10: Red Foley (1944-1954)
10: Johnny Cash (1956-1969)
8: Elvis Presley (1956-1957)
7: Al Dexter (1944-1946)
6: Ernest Tubb (1944-1950)
6: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1945-1947)
6: Hank Snow (1950-1962)
6: Lefty Frizzell (1950-1964)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
21 YRS, 6 MOS: Eddy Arnold (1947-1968)
What Is Life Without Love - Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
5: Hank Williams (1953)
5: Elvis Presley (1956)
[4: Buck Owens (1964)
4: Buck Owens (1965)
4: Buck Owens (1966)*]
*Most in a single year between 1960 and 1969

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ALL CHARTS
15: Buck Owens (1963-1967*)
9: Webb Pierce (1953-1956*)
*Streak does not include B-sides

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION (ALL CHARTS)
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
[2: Buck Owens (1964)*]
*Most since chart merger in October 1958

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
21: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
21: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
21: In The Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce (1955)
20: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954)
20: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956)
19: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948)
19: Walk On By - Leroy Van Dyke (1961-1962)
17: Slowly - Webb Pierce (1954)
17: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (1956)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
50: Webb Pierce (1955)
49: Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
145: Eddy Arnold (1945-1968*)
111: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
82: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
80: Buck Owens (1963-1969)
63: Johnny Cash (1956-1969)
59: Marty Robbins (1953-1968)
58: Jim Reeves (1953-1967)
55: Hank Snow (1950-1962)
47: Al Dexter (1944-1946)
43: Sonny James (1957-1969)
40: Red Foley (1944-1954)
39: Ray Price (1956-1959)
*Record 56 consecutive weeks at #1 (1947-1948)

#1 HITS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1960-1969
El Paso - Marty Robbins (1959-1960)
Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean (1961)
Harper Valley PTA - Jeannie C. Riley (1968)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
90: Eddy Arnold (1945-1969)
58: Ernest Tubb (1944-1963)
56: Red Foley (1944-1956)
54: Webb Pierce (1952-1967)
44: Jim Reeves (1953-1969)
42: Hank Snow (1949-1965)
38: Johnny Cash (1956-1969)
36: Hank Williams (1947-1955)
34: Ray Price (1952-1968)
34: George Jones (1955-1969)
34: Buck Owens (1959-1969)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
57: Eddy Arnold (1945-1954*)
*67 consecutive top 10 hits between 1945-1956 when excluding holiday hits and B-sides

MOST TOP 40 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
104: Eddy Arnold (1945-1969)
81: Ernest Tubb (1944-1969)
79: Webb Pierce (1952-1969)
67: George Jones (1955-1969)
64: Carl Smith (1951-1969)
62: Hank Snow (1949-1969)
62: Johnny Cash (1955-1969)
60: Red Foley (1944-1959)
56: Faron Young (1953-1969)
55: Jim Reeves (1953-1969)
51: Marty Robbins (1952-1969)
45: Buck Owens (1959-1969)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
107: Eddy Arnold (1945-1969)
86: Ernest Tubb (1944-1969)
83: Webb Pierce (1952-1969)
75: Carl Smith (1951-1969)
72: George Jones (1955-1969)
65: Hank Snow (1949-1969)
64: Red Foley (1944-1969)
64: Johnny Cash (1955-1969)
58: Faron Young (1953-1969)
56: Jim Reeves (1953-1969)
53: Ray Price (1952-1969)
52: Marty Robbins (1952-1969)
46: Buck Owens (1959-1969)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
11: Eddy Arnold (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
53: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
41: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
41: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
40: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
40: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954-1955)
40: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
40: Tennessee Saturday Night - Red Foley (1949)
[30: Please Help Me, I'm Falling - Hank Locklin (1960)
30: Wings Of A Dove - Ferlin Husky (1960-1961)*]
*Most weeks in the top 10 between 1960 and 1969

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
54: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
52: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
46: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
45: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
43: I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash (1956-1957)
42: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949-1950)
[37: Walk On By - Leroy Van Dyke (1961-1962)*]
*Most weeks on the chart between 1960 and 1969

[WolfSpear]

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Hot Country Albums (January 11, 1964 - Present) [20-50]

1964-1969

MOST #1's: HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS - Record To Date
12: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
7: Glen Campbell (1968-1969)
5: Johnny Cash (1964-1969)
4: Jim Reeves (1964-1966)
4: Merle Haggard (1966-1969)

LONGEST #1 SPAN - ARTIST - Record To Date
5 YRS, 11 MO: Johnny Cash (1964-1969)
Ring Of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash - At San Quentin

MOST #1's: ARTIST - Single Year
6: Glen Campbell (1968)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST (IN SUCCESSION)
3: Buck Owens (1964-1965)
Together Again/My Heart Skips A Beat
I Don't Care
I've Got A Tiger By The Tail

2: Glen Campbell (1968)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS
20: Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell (1968-1969)
20: At San Quentin - Johnny Cash (1969)
17: My World - Eddy Arnold (1965-1966)
15: I've Got A Tiger By The Tail - Buck Owens (1965)
14: Ring Of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash - Johnny Cash (1964)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
30: Buck Owens (1965)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Record To Date
60: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
51: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
45: Johnny Cash (1964-1969)
45: Glen Campbell (1968-1969)
25: Jim Reeves (1964-1966)

#1 ALBUMS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1964-1969
Ode To Billie Joe - Bobbie Gentry (1967)
Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell (1968-1969)
At San Quentin - Johnny Cash (1969)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS
19: Buck Owens (1964-1969)
15: Johnny Cash (1964-1969)
15: George Jones (1964-1969)
13: Eddy Arnold (1964-1969)
12: Loretta Lynn (1964-1969)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS
17: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
15: Johnny Cash (1964-1969)

MOST TOP 40 HITS: HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS
26: George Jones (1964-1969)
23: Buck Owens (1964-1969)
18: Johnny Cash (1964-1969)
17: Eddy Arnold (1964-1969)
16: Loretta Lynn (1964-1969)
16: Jim Reeves (1964-1969)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS
26: George Jones (1964-1969)
23: Buck Owens (1964-1969)
18: Johnny Cash (1964-1969)
17: Eddy Arnold (1964-1969)
17: Loretta Lynn (1964-1969)
16: Jim Reeves (1964-1969)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - Single Year
6: George Jones (1964)

MOST WEEKS IN THE TOP 10: HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS
39: By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Glen Campbell (1968)
36: At Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash (1968-1969)
35: Gentle On My Mind - Glen Campbell (1968-1969)
33: The Best Of Jim Reeves - Jim Reeves (1964-1965)
33: The Best Of Eddy Arnold - Eddy Arnold (1967-1968)

MOST WEEKS CHARTED: HOT COUNTRY ALBUMS
96: The Best Of Eddy Arnold - Eddy Arnold (1967-1968)
88: Gentle On My Mind - Glen Campbell (1967-1969)
81: At Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash (1968-1969)
64: By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Glen Campbell (1967-1969)
51: Johnny Cash's Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 - Johnny Cash (1967-1968)

MOST #1 HITS - ALBUM
3: Open Up Your Heart - Buck Owens (1966)
Waitin' In The Welfare Line
Think Of Me
Open Up Your Heart

[WolfSpear]

The 1970's brings forth the rise of outlaw country, made popular by the likes of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. There's also plenty of new talent from the previous decade continuing to make waves into the 70's and beyond. Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette make a breakthrough for women, in a genre that was (and still is) heavily dominated by men. There's a surge in country music's crossover rate during the middle of the decade, but funk and disco's hold on mainstream would prevail by the end of the decade. One of the major trends on the Country Singles chart will be shorter runs at #1 and overall; the most weeks at the top was only 6 by three different songs! The shorter the runs, the higher the turnover rate... and by 1985, the top of the chart would become a revolving door. Fortunately, things will change when Nielsen takes over in 1990.

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Most Played Juke Box Folk (Country & Western) Records (January 8, 1944 - June 17, 1957) [2-15]
Best Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records (May 15, 1948 - October 13, 1958) [5-20]
Country & Western Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys (December 10, 1949 - October 13, 1958) [8-15]
Hot Country Singles (October 20, 1958 - Present) [30-100*]
*Expanded to a top 100 chart on July 14, 1973

1944-1979

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
28: Eddy Arnold (1947-1968)
28: Conway Twitty (1968-1979)
24: Merle Haggard (1967-1976)
23: Sonny James (1957-1974)
22: Charley Pride (1969-1979)
20: Buck Owens (1963-1972)
20: Tammy Wynette (1967-1977)
16: Marty Robbins (1953-1976)
16: Loretta Lynn (1967-1978)
13: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
13: Johnny Cash (1959-1976)
12: Ronnie Milsap (1974-1979)
11: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
11: Jim Reeves (1953-1967)
11: Dolly Parton (1971-1979)
10: Red Foley (1944-1954)
10: Elvis Presley (1956-1977)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
23 YRS, 9 MOS: Marty Robbins (1953-1976)
I'll Go On Alone - Among My Souvenirs

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
5: Hank Williams (1953)
5: Elvis Presley (1956)
5: Charlie Rich (1974)
There Won't Be Anymore
A Very Special Love Song
I Don't See Me In Your Eyes Anymore
I Love My Friend
She Called Me Baby

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ALL CHARTS
16: Sonny James (1967-1971)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION (ALL CHARTS)
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
[2: Buck Owens (1964)*]
*Most since chart merger in October 1958

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
21: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
21: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
21: In The Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce (1955)
20: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954)
20: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956)
19: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948)
19: Walk On By - Leroy Van Dyke (1961-1962)
17: Slowly - Webb Pierce (1954)
17: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (1956)
[6: My Hang-Up Is You - Freddie Hart (1972)
6: Convoy - C.W. McCall (1975-1976)
6: Luckenbach, Texas - Waylon Jennings (1977)*]
*Most weeks at #1 between 1970 and 1979

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
50: Webb Pierce (1955)
49: Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
145: Eddy Arnold (1945-1968*)
111: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
82: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
81: Buck Owens (1963-1972)
69: Johnny Cash (1956-1976)
66: Sonny James (1957-1974)
63: Marty Robbins (1953-1976)
58: Jim Reeves (1953-1967)
56: Hank Snow (1950-1974)
47: Al Dexter (1944-1946)
47: Ray Price (1956-1973)
*Record 56 consecutive weeks at #1 (1947-1948)

#1 HITS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1970-1979
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World - Charlie Rich (1973)
Before The Next Teardrop Falls - Freddy Fender (1975)
(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song - B.J. Thomas (1975)
Thank God I'm A Country Boy - John Denver (1975)
Rhinestone Cowboy - Glen Campbell (1975)
I'm Sorry - John Denver (1975)
Convoy - W.C. McCall (1975-1976)
Southern Nights - Glen Campbell (1977)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
90: Eddy Arnold (1945-1969)
58: Ernest Tubb (1944-1963)
57: George Jones (1955-1978)
56: Red Foley (1944-1956)
54: Webb Pierce (1952-1967)
50: Johnny Cash (1956-1979)
49: Jim Reeves (1953-1979)
47: Loretta Lynn (1962-1979)
46: Buck Owens (1959-1975)
45: Marty Robbins (1952-1978) 
44: Merle Haggard (1965-1979)
43: Hank Snow (1949-1974)
43: Ray Price (1952-1975)
43: Conway Twitty (1968-1979)
41: Faron Young (1953-1974)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
57: Eddy Arnold (1945-1954*)
*67 consecutive top 10 hits between 1945-1956 when excluding holiday hits and B-sides

MOST TOP 40 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
122: Eddy Arnold (1945-1979)
106: George Jones (1955-1979)
94: Johnny Cash (1955-1979)
82: Ernest Tubb (1944-1979)
80: Webb Pierce (1952-1971)
76: Marty Robbins (1952-1979)
74: Faron Young (1953-1978)
73: Ray Price (1952-1979)
71: Buck Owens (1959-1979)
68: Carl Smith (1951-1972)
66: Jim Reeves (1953-1979)
65: Hank Snow (1949-1975)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
137: Eddy Arnold (1945-1979)
113: George Jones (1955-1979)
107: Johnny Cash (1955-1979)
92: Carl Smith (1951-1978)
91: Webb Pierce (1952-1976)
90: Ernest Tubb (1944-1979)
84: Hank Snow (1949-1979)
81: Buck Owens (1959-1979)
80: Marty Robbins (1952-1979)
79: Ray Price (1952-1979)
79: Faron Young (1953-1979)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
11: Eddy Arnold (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
53: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
41: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
41: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
40: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
40: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954-1955)
40: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
40: Tennessee Saturday Night - Red Foley (1949)
[13: Kiss An Angel Good Mornin' - Charley Pride (1971)*]
*Most weeks in the top 10 between 1970 and 1979

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
54: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
52: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
46: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
45: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
43: I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash (1956-1957)
42: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949-1950)
[26: For The Good Times - Ray Price (1970-1971)*]
*Most weeks on the chart between 1970 and 1979

[mms82]

thanks for sharing this!!!

[WolfSpear]

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Hot Country LP's (January 11, 1964 - Present) [20-50]

1964-1979

MOST #1's: HOT COUNTRY LP's - Record To Date
13: Merle Haggard (1966-1976)
12: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
11: Charley Pride (1968-1974)
10: Loretta Lynn (1966-1976)
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
9: Glen Campbell (1968-1977)
9: Conway Twitty (1970-1977)
8: Johnny Cash (1964-1971)
8: Waylon Jennings (1975-1979)
7: Willie Nelson (1975-1979)
6: Elvis Presley (1973-1976)
6: Kenny Rogers (1977-1979)

LONGEST #1 SPAN - ARTIST - Record To Date
10 YRS, 1 MO: Loretta Lynn (1966-1976)
You Ain't Woman Enough - Somebody Somewhere

MOST #1's: ARTIST - Single Year
6: Glen Campbell (1968)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST (IN SUCCESSION)
3: Buck Owens (1964-1965)
3: Charlie Rich (1974)
There Won't Be Anymore
Very Special Love Songs
Behind Closed Doors

2: Glen Campbell (1968)
2: Charley Pride (1972)
2: Kris Kristofferson (1973)
2: Elvis Presley (1977)
2: Willie Nelson (1978)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: HOT COUNTRY LP's
23: The Gambler - Kenny Rogers (1979)
21: Behind Closed Doors - Charlie Rich (1973-1974)
20: Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell (1968-1969)
20: At San Quentin - Johnny Cash (1969)
17: My World - Eddy Arnold (1965-1966)
16: Charlie Pride Sings Heart Songs - Charley Pride (1972)
16: The Best Of Charley Pride, Vol. 2 - Charley Pride (1972)
15: I've Got A Tiger By The Tail - Buck Owens (1965)
15: Greatest Hits - Waylon Jennings (1979)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
42: Charley Pride (1972)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Record To Date
83: Charley Pride (1968-1974)
70: Waylon Jennings (1975-1979)
60: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
53: Johnny Cash (1964-1971)
51: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
51: Glen Campbell (1968-1977)
46: Willie Nelson (1975-1979)

#1 ALBUMS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1970-1979
Back Home Again - John Denver (1974)
If You Love Me, Let Me Know - Olivia Newton-John (1974)
Have You Never Been Mellow - Olivia Newton-John (1975)
Simple Dreams - Linda Ronstadt (1977)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: HOT COUNTRY LP's
37: Loretta Lynn (1964-1978)
29: Merle Haggard (1965-1978)
29: Conway Twitty (1966-1978)
27: Elvis Presley (1969-1979)
26: Buck Owens (1964-1974)
26: Johnny Cash (1964-1976)
24: George Jones (1964-1976)
24: Charley Pride (1967-1978)
22: Dolly Parton (1968-1979)
21: Sonny James (1965-1976)
20: Waylon Jennings (1966-1979)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: HOT COUNTRY LP's
17: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
17: Elvis Presley (1973-1978)

MOST TOP 40 HITS: HOT COUNTRY LP's
49: George Jones (1964-1978)
45: Loretta Lynn (1964-1979)
44: Buck Owens (1964-1976)
41: Conway Twitty (1966-1979)
40: Johnny Cash (1964-1979)
38: Merle Haggard (1965-1979)
37: Dolly Parton (1967-1979)
35: Sonny James (1965-1977)
35: Tammy Wynette (1967-1979)
35: Elvis Presley (1969-1979)
31: Waylon Jennings (1966-1979)
31: Charley Pride (1966-1979)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: HOT COUNTRY LP's
53: George Jones (1964-1979)
47: Loretta Lynn (1964-1979)
44: Buck Owens (1964-1976)
41: Conway Twitty (1966-1979)
43: Johnny Cash (1964-1979)
38: Sonny James (1965-1977)
38: Merle Haggard (1965-1979)
37: Dolly Parton (1967-1979)
36: Elvis Presley (1969-1979)
35: Tammy Wynette (1967-1979)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - Single Year
6: George Jones (1964)

MOST WEEKS IN THE TOP 10: HOT COUNTRY LP's
73: Behind Closed Doors - Charlie Rich (1973-1974)
60: Stardust - Willie Nelson (1978-1979)
54: The Gambler - Kenny Rogers (1978-1979)
51: The Best Of Charley Pride - Charley Pride (1969-1970)
47: For The Good Times - Ray Price (1970-1971)
42: At San Quentin - Johnny Cash (1969-1970)
42: When I Dream - Crystal Gayle (1978-1979)

MOST WEEKS CHARTED: HOT COUNTRY LP's
135: Greatest Hits - Linda Ronstadt (1977-1979)
121: Wanted! The Outlaws - Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessie Colter & Tompall Glaser (1976-1978)
120: For The Good Times - Ray Price (1970-1972)
120: Red Headed Stranger - Willie Nelson (1975-1979)
101: Ten Years Of Gold - Kenny Rogers (1978-1979)
100: Behind Closed Doors - Charlie Rich (1973-1975)

MOST #1 HITS - ALBUM
3: Open Up Your Heart - Buck Owens (1966)
Waitin' In The Welfare Line
Think Of Me
Open Up Your Heart

3: Cross Winds - Conway Twitty (1979)
Don't Take It Away
I May Never Get To Heaven
Happy Birthday Darlin'

[dawhite76]

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST (IN SUCCESSION)
3: Buck Owens (1964-1965)
3: Charlie Rich (1974)
There Won't Be Anymore
Very Special Love Songs
Behind Closed Doors

2: Glen Campbell (1968)
2: Charley Pride (1972)
2: Kris Kristofferson (1973)
2: Elvis Presley (1977)
2: Willie Nelson (1978)


You can add Olivia Newton-John to this list who had three consecutive (and ultimately total) #1 Country albums:

* Let Me Be There (2 weeks - 1974)
* If You Love Me Let Me Know (8 weeks - 1974)
* Have You Never Been Mellow (6 weeks - 1975)

[WolfSpear]

The 3 number ones is consecutively atop of the chart.

[WolfSpear]

There are a few things to take note of in this decade. First off, Billboard introduced the Hot Country Airplay and Hot Country Singles Sales charts on October 20, 1984. As with the Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts, these two components would make the Hot Country Singles chart until February 28, 1987. At that point time, Billboard continued to publish a top 30 Country Airplay chart through May 16, 1987, even though both charts featured identical rankings. The Singles Sales chart continued through January 14, 1989 before being dropped. Truth be told, sales in country music had dwindled considerably during the decade, and the circuit is more accurately represented through radio play.   

During the decade, the turnover rate at the top of the Country Singles chart reached an all-time high when 52 different singles hit #1 in 1986! Things would change come the 90's when Billboard switches over to Nielsen Broadcast Data System to power the chart.

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Most Played Juke Box Folk (Country & Western) Records (January 8, 1944 - June 17, 1957) [2-15]
Best Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records (May 15, 1948 - October 13, 1958) [5-20]
Country & Western Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys (December 10, 1949 - October 13, 1958) [8-15]
Hot Country Singles (October 20, 1958 - Present) [30-100]

1944-1989

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
40: Conway Twitty (1968-1986)
38: Merle Haggard (1967-1988)
35: Ronnie Milsap (1974-1989)
29: Charley Pride (1968-1983)
28: Eddy Arnold (1947-1968)
26: Alabama (1980-1989)
23: Sonny James (1957-1974)
23: Dolly Parton (1971-1989)
22: Willie Nelson (1975-1989)
21: Buck Owens (1963-1988)
20: Tammy Wynette (1967-1977)
20: Kenny Rogers (1977-1987)
18: Crystal Gayle (1976-1987)
18: Earl Thomas Conley (1981-1989)
18: George Strait (1982-1989)
17: Mickey Gilley (1974-1983)
17: Don Williams (1974-1986)
16: Marty Robbins (1953-1976)
16: Loretta Lynn (1967-1978)
16: Waylon Jennings (1974-1987)
16: Eddie Rabbitt (1976-1988)
16: The Oak Ridge Boys (1978-1988)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
29 YRS, 1 MO: Johnny Cash (1956-1985)
I Walk The Line - Highwayman (The Highwaymen)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
5: Hank Williams (1953)
5: Elvis Presley (1956)
5: Charlie Rich (1974)
[4: Ronnie Milsap (1980)
4: Alabama (1982)
4: Alabama (1985)
4: Rosanne Cash (1988)*]
*Most in a single year between 1980 and 1989

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ALL CHARTS
21: Alabama (1980-1987*)
16: Sonny James (1967-1971)
16: Earl Thomas Conley (1983-1989*)
*Streak does not include holiday hits or duos

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION (ALL CHARTS)
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
[2: Buck Owens (1964)
2: Willie Nelson (1982)*]
*Most since chart merger in October 1958

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
21: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
21: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
21: In The Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce (1955)
20: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954) 
20: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956)
19: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948)
19: Walk On By - Leroy Van Dyke (1961-1962)
17: Slowly - Webb Pierce (1954)
17: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (1956)
[3: Coward Of The County - Kenny Rogers (1980)
3: My Heart - Ronnie Milsap (1980)
3: Lookin' For Love - Johnny Lee (1980)
3: Forever And Ever, Amen - Randy Travis (1987)*]
*Most weeks at #1 between 1980 and 1989

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
50: Webb Pierce (1955)
49: Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
145: Eddy Arnold (1945-1968*)
111: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
82: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
82: Buck Owens (1963-1988)
69: Johnny Cash (1956-1976)
66: Sonny James (1957-1974)
63: Marty Robbins (1953-1976)
58: Jim Reeves (1953-1967)
57: Merle Haggard (1967-1988)
56: Hank Snow (1950-1974)
52: Conway Twitty (1968-1986)
*Record 56 consecutive weeks at #1 (1947-1948)

#1 HITS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1980-1989
Lady - Kenny Rogers (1980)
I Love A Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbitt (1981)
9 To 5 - Dolly Parton (1981)
Islands In The Stream - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton (1983)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
92: Eddy Arnold (1945-1980)
77: George Jones (1955-1989)
73: Conway Twitty (1968-1989)
71: Merle Haggard (1965-1989)
58: Ernest Tubb (1944-1963)
56: Red Foley (1944-1956)
54: Webb Pierce (1952-1967)
54: Dolly Parton (1968-1989)
52: Johnny Cash (1956-1985)
52: Waylon Jennings (1966-1987)
52: Charley Pride (1966-1989)
51: Jim Reeves (1953-1982)
51: Loretta Lynn (1962-1982)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
57: Eddy Arnold (1945-1954*)
*67 consecutive top 10 hits between 1945-1956 when excluding holiday hits and B-sides

MOST TOP 40 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
135: George Jones (1955-1989)
127: Eddy Arnold (1945-1982)
100: Johnny Cash (1955-1988)
82: Ernest Tubb (1944-1979)
81: Marty Robbins (1952-1983)
81: Merle Haggard (1963-1989)
81: Conway Twitty (1966-1989)
80: Webb Pierce (1952-1971)
80: Ray Price (1952-1982)
79: Waylon Jennings (1965-1989)
78: Willie Nelson (1962-1989)
78: Dolly Parton (1967-1989)
74: Faron Young (1953-1978)
74: Buck Owens (1959-1989)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
146: George Jones (1955-1989)
144: Eddy Arnold (1945-1983)
129: Johnny Cash (1955-1989)
106: Ray Price (1952-1989)
106: Willie Nelson (1962-1989)
95: Merle Haggard (1963-1989)
92: Carl Smith (1951-1978)
92: Webb Pierce (1952-1982)
92: Marty Robbins (1952-1983)
90: Ernest Tubb (1944-1979)
90: Buck Owens (1959-1989)
87: Conway Twitty (1966-1989)
85: Hank Snow (1949-1980)
84: Faron Young (1953-1989)
84: Dolly Parton (1967-1989)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
11: Eddy Arnold (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
53: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
41: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
41: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
40: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
40: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954-1955)
40: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
40: Tennessee Saturday Night - Red Foley (1949)
[9: Give Me Wings - Michael Johnson (1987)*]
*Most weeks in the top 10 between 1980 and 1989

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
54: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
52: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
46: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
45: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
43: I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash (1956-1957)
42: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949-1950)
[29: You Can't Stop Love - Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet (1986-1987)*]
*Most weeks on the chart between 1980 and 1989

[WolfSpear]

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Top Country Albums (January 11, 1964 - Present) [20-75*]
*Expanded to a top 75 chart on May 31, 1980

1964-1989

MOST #1's: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS - Record To Date
15: Merle Haggard (1966-1984)
15: Willie Nelson (1975-1986)
12: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
12: Charley Pride (1968-1980)
11: Waylon Jennings (1975-1986)
11: Kenny Rogers (1977-1986)
10: Loretta Lynn (1966-1976)
10: Alabama (1981-1989)
9: Johnny Cash (1964-1985)
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
9: Glen Campbell (1968-1977)
9: Hank Williams Jr. (1969-1989)
9: Conway Twitty (1970-1977)

LONGEST #1 SPAN - ARTIST - Record To Date
19 YRS, 11 MO: Hank Williams Jr. (1969-1989)
Songs My Father Left Me - Greatest Hits, Vol. 3

MOST #1's: ARTIST - Single Year
6: Glen Campbell (1968)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST
10: Alabama (1981-1989*)
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
*Streak does not include holiday albums

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST (IN SUCCESSION)
3: Buck Owens (1964-1965)
3: Charlie Rich (1974)
2: Glen Campbell (1968)
2: Charley Pride (1972)
2: Kris Kristofferson (1973)
2: Elvis Presley (1977)
2: Willie Nelson (1978)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
43: Always & Forever - Randy Travis (1987-1988)
28: Feels So Right - Alabama (1981-1982)
28: Mountain Music - Alabama (1982-1983)
25: Kenny - Kenny Rogers (1979-1980)
23: The Gambler - Kenny Rogers (1979)
22: Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson (1982)
21: Behind Closed Doors - Charlie Rich (1973-1974)
21: The Closer You Get... - Alabama (1983)
20: Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell (1968-1969)
20: At San Quentin - Johnny Cash (1969)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
42: Charley Pride (1972)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Record To Date
124: Alabama (1981-1989)
104: Willie Nelson (1975-1986)
98: Kenny Rogers (1977-1986)
85: Charley Pride (1968-1980)
76: Waylon Jennings (1975-1986)
76: Randy Travis (1986-1989)
60: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
54: Johnny Cash (1964-1985)
51: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
51: Glen Campbell (1968-1977)

TOP 10 ALBUMS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1980-1989 [CNTY/POP]
Kenny - Kenny Rogers (1979-1980) [#1/#5]
Greatest Hits - Kenny Rogers (1980-1981) [#1/#1]
Share Your Love - Kenny Rogers (1981) [#1/#6]
Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson (1982) [#1/#2]
The Closer You Get... - Alabama (1983) [#1/#10]
Eyes That See In The Dark - Kenny Rogers (1983) [#1/#6]
Trio - Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris & Linda Ronstadt (1987) [#1/#6]

LAST #1 COUNTRY ALBUM TO MISS BILLBOARD 200
What Am I Gonna Do About You - Reba McEntire (1986)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
39: Merle Haggard (1965-1988)
37: Loretta Lynn (1964-1978)
36: Willie Nelson (1966-1989)
33: Conway Twitty (1966-1985)
33: Dolly Parton (1968-1989)
30: George Jones (1964-1987)
29: Elvis Presley (1969-1981)
27: Johnny Cash (1964-1985)
27: Charley Pride (1966-1982)
27: Waylon Jennings (1966-1986)
26: Buck Owens (1964-1974)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
17: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
17: Elvis Presley (1973-1978)

MOST TOP 40 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
66: George Jones (1964-1989)
60: Conway Twitty (1966-1989)
59: Merle Haggard (1965-1989)
52: Willie Nelson (1966-1989)
52: Dolly Parton (1967-1989)
49: Loretta Lynn (1964-1982)
47: Waylon Jennings (1966-1989)
46: Johnny Cash (1964-1987)
45: Buck Owens (1964-1989)
45: Hank Williams Jr. (1964-1989)
39: Charley Pride (1966-1988)
39: Tammy Wynette (1967-1985)
39: Elvis Presley (1969-1983)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
72: George Jones (1964-1989)
63: Conway Twitty (1966-1989)
62: Merle Haggard (1965-1989)
58: Willie Nelson (1966-1989)
55: Loretta Lynn (1964-1988)
55: Dolly Parton (1967-1989)
51: Johnny Cash (1964-1989)
48: Waylon Jennings (1966-1989)
47: Hank Williams Jr. (1964-1989)
45: Buck Owens (1964-1989)
45: Tammy Wynette (1967-1989)
43: Charley Pride (1966-1989)
43: Elvis Presley (1969-1985)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - Single Year
6: George Jones (1964)

MOST WEEKS IN THE TOP 10: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
87: Greatest Hits - Waylon Jennings (1979-1981)
74: The Gambler - Kenny Rogers (1978-1980)
73: Behind Closed Doors - Charlie Rich (1973-1974)
73: Always & Forever - Randy Travis (1987-1989)
65: Mountain Music - Alabama (1982-1983)
62: Storms Of Life - Randy Travis (1986-1987)
61: Old 8x10 - Randy Travis (1988-1989)
61: Loving Proof - Ricky Van Shelton (1988-1989)
60: Stardust - Willie Nelson (1978-1979)

MOST WEEKS CHARTED: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
528: Stardust - Willie Nelson (1978-1988)
341: Greatest Hits (And Some That Will Be) - Willie Nelson (1981-1989)
292: Greatest Hits - Hank Williams Jr. (1982-1989)
269: Mountain Music - Alabama (1982-1988)
253: Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson (1982-1987)
215: Greatest Hits - George Strait (1985-1989)
214: My Home's In Alabama - Alabama (1980-1984)
206: The Closer You Get... - Alabama (1983-1988)

MOST #1 HITS - ALBUM
5: Diamonds & Dirt - Rodney Crowell (1988-1989)
It's Such A Small World (with Rosanne Cash)
I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried
She's Crazy For Leavin'
After All This Time
Above And Beyond

4: Don't Make It Easy For Me - Earl Thomas Conley (1983-1984)
4: Roll On - Alabama (1984-1985)
4: Why Not Me - The Judds (1984-1985)
4: Rockin' With The Rhythm - The Judds (1985-1987)
4: Lost In The Fifties Tonight - Ronnie Milsap (1985-1987)
4: Hang On To Your Heart - Exile (1985-1987)
4: Wheels - Restless Heart (1986-1988)
4: Always & Forever - Randy Travis (1987-1988)
4: King's Record Shop - Rosanne Cash (1987-1988)
4: The Heart Of It All - Earl Thomas Conley (1988-1989)

[WolfSpear]

Beginning with the January 20, 1990 chart, Hot Country Singles (& Tracks) would now be compiled through Nielsen by ranking songs based on estimated audience impressions (and later, on December 5, 1992, by total detections/spins). Previously, the charts were compiled by surveying retailers and disc jockeys around the nation via phone or FAX. The new methodology was initally met with skepticism but ultimately, Nielsen data improved the accuracy of the charts. Top Country Albums would follow suit on May 25, 1991, when it would powered by point-of-sales through Nielsen Soundscan. As with the Hot 100 and the Billboard, Top Country Singles and Albums will now have recurrent rules in play which will play with the time aspects of these charts.

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Most Played Juke Box Folk (Country & Western) Records (January 8, 1944 - June 17, 1957) [2-15]
Best Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records (May 15, 1948 - October 13, 1958) [5-20]
Country & Western Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys (December 10, 1949 - October 13, 1958) [8-15]
Hot Country Singles & Tracks (October 20, 1958 - Present*) [30-100]
*Incorporates data from Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems beginning January 20, 1990 
 
1944-1999

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
40: Conway Twitty (1968-1986)
38: Merle Haggard (1967-1988)
35: Ronnie Milsap (1974-1989)
35: George Strait (1982-1999)
32: Alabama (1980-1993)
29: Charley Pride (1968-1983)
28: Eddy Arnold (1947-1968)
24: Dolly Parton (1971-1991)
23: Sonny James (1957-1974)
22: Willie Nelson (1975-1989)
22: Reba McEntire (1983-1998)
21: Buck Owens (1963-1988)
20: Tammy Wynette (1967-1977)
20: Kenny Rogers (1977-1987)
18: Crystal Gayle (1976-1987)
18: Earl Thomas Conley (1981-1989)
18: Garth Brooks (1989-1998)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
29 YRS, 1 MO: Johnny Cash (1956-1985)
I Walk The Line - Highwayman (The Highwaymen)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
5: Hank Williams (1953)
5: Elvis Presley (1956)
5: Charlie Rich (1974)
[4: Garth Brooks (1991)
4: Garth Brooks (1993)*]
*Most in a year between 1990 and 1999

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ALL CHARTS
21: Alabama (1980-1987*)
16: Sonny James (1967-1971)
16: Earl Thomas Conley (1983-1989*)
*Streak does not include holiday hits or duos

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION (ALL CHARTS)
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
[2: Buck Owens (1964)
2: Willie Nelson (1982)*]
*Most since chart merger in October 1958

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
21: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
21: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
21: In The Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce (1955)
20: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954) 
20: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956)
19: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948)
19: Walk On By - Leroy Van Dyke (1961-1962)
17: Slowly - Webb Pierce (1954)
17: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (1956)
[8: Amazed - Lonestar (1999)*]
*Most weeks at #1 between 1990 and 1999

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
50: Webb Pierce (1955)
49: Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
145: Eddy Arnold (1945-1968*)
111: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
82: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
82: Buck Owens (1963-1988)
69: Johnny Cash (1956-1976)
66: Sonny James (1957-1974)
63: Marty Robbins (1953-1976)
58: Jim Reeves (1953-1967)
57: Merle Haggard (1967-1988)
56: Hank Snow (1950-1974)
*Record 56 consecutive weeks at #1 (1947-1948)

TOP 10 HITS ON COUNTRY & POP: 1990-1999 [CNTY/POP]
Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus (1992) [#1/#4]
It's Your Love - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill (1997) [#1/#7]
You're Still The One - Shania Twain (1998) [#1/#2]
This Kiss - Faith Hill (1998) [#1/#7]
From This Moment On - Shania Twain & Bryan White (1998-1999) [#6/#4]
Please Remember Me - Tim McGraw (1999) [#1/#10]
That Don't Impress Me Much - Shania Twain (1999) [#2/#5]
Amazed - Lonestar (1999-2000) [#1/#1]
Breathe - Faith Hill (1999-2000) [#1/#2]

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
92: Eddy Arnold (1945-1980)
78: George Jones (1955-1990)
75: Conway Twitty (1968-1991)
71: Merle Haggard (1965-1989)
60: George Strait (1981-1999)
58: Ernest Tubb (1944-1963)
56: Red Foley (1944-1956)
55: Dolly Parton (1968-1991)
54: Webb Pierce (1952-1967)
53: Waylon Jennings (1966-1991)
52: Johnny Cash (1956-1985)
52: Charley Pride (1966-1989)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
57: Eddy Arnold (1945-1954*)
*67 consecutive top 10 hits between 1945-1956 when excluding holiday hits and B-sides

MOST TOP 40 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
142: George Jones (1955-1999)
127: Eddy Arnold (1945-1982)
101: Johnny Cash (1955-1990)
86: Dolly Parton (1967-1995)
85: Conway Twitty (1966-1991)
82: Ernest Tubb (1944-1979)
82: Merle Haggard (1963-1990)
82: Waylon Jennings (1965-1991)
81: Marty Robbins (1952-1983)
80: Webb Pierce (1952-1971)
80: Ray Price (1952-1982)
79: Willie Nelson (1962-1990)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
161: George Jones (1955-1999)
144: Eddy Arnold (1945-1983)
132: Johnny Cash (1955-1998)
112: Willie Nelson (1962-1993)
106: Ray Price (1952-1989)
101: Dolly Parton (1967-1999)
98: Merle Haggard (1963-1999)
94: Conway Twitty (1966-1993)
92: Carl Smith (1951-1978)
92: Webb Pierce (1952-1982)
92: Marty Robbins (1952-1983)
90: Ernest Tubb (1944-1979)
90: Buck Owens (1959-1989)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
11: Eddy Arnold (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
53: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
41: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
41: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
40: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
40: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954-1955)
40: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
40: Tennessee Saturday Night - Red Foley (1949)
[21: Amazed - Lonestar (1999)*]
*Most weeks in the top 10 between 1990 and 1999

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
54: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
52: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
46: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
45: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
43: I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash (1956-1957)
42: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949-1950)
42: Just To See You Smile - Tim McGraw (1997-1998)

[WolfSpear]

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Top Country Albums (January 11, 1964 - Present*) [20-75]
*Incorporates data from Nielsen Soundscan beginning May 25, 1991

1964-1999

MOST #1's: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS - Record To Date
15: Merle Haggard (1966-1984)
15: Willie Nelson (1975-1986)
14: George Strait (1984-1998)
12: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
12: Charley Pride (1968-1980)
11: Waylon Jennings (1975-1986)
11: Kenny Rogers (1977-1986)
10: Loretta Lynn (1966-1976)
10: Alabama (1981-1989)
10: Garth Brooks (1990-1999)
9: Johnny Cash (1964-1985)
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
9: Glen Campbell (1968-1977)
9: Hank Williams Jr. (1969-1989)
9: Conway Twitty (1970-1977)

LONGEST #1 SPAN - ARTIST - Record To Date
19 YRS, 11 MO: Hank Williams Jr. (1969-1989)
Songs My Father Left Me - Greatest Hits, Vol. 3

MOST #1's: ARTIST - Single Year
6: Glen Campbell (1968)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST
10: Alabama (1981-1989*)
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
*Streak does not include holiday albums

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST (IN SUCCESSION)
3: Buck Owens (1964-1965)
3: Charlie Rich (1974)
2: Glen Campbell (1968)
2: Charley Pride (1972)
2: Kris Kristofferson (1973)
2: Elvis Presley (1977)
2: Willie Nelson (1978)
2: Garth Brooks (1990)
2: LeAnn Rimes (1997)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
48: Come On Over - Shania Twain (1997-1999)
43: Always & Forever - Randy Travis (1987-1988)
41: No Fences - Garth Brooks (1990-1991)
34: Some Gave All - Billy Ray Cyrus (1992-1993)
33: Ropin' The Wind - Garth Brooks (1991-1992)
31: Killin' Time - Clint Black (1989-1990)
29: Not A Moment Too Soon - Tim McGraw (1994-1995)
29: The Woman In Me - Shania Twain (1995-1996)
28: Feels So Right - Alabama (1981-1982)
28: Mountain Music - Alabama (1982-1983)
28: Blue - LeAnn Rimes (1996-1997)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
46: Garth Brooks (1991)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Record To Date
146: Garth Brooks (1990-1999)
124: Alabama (1981-1989)
104: Willie Nelson (1975-1986)
98: Kenny Rogers (1977-1986)
85: Charley Pride (1968-1980)
80: Randy Travis (1986-1990)
77: Shania Twain (1995-1999)
76: Waylon Jennings (1975-1986)
60: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
54: Johnny Cash (1964-1985)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
39: Merle Haggard (1965-1988)
38: Loretta Lynn (1964-1993)
38: Dolly Parton (1968-1999)
37: Willie Nelson (1966-1990)
33: Conway Twitty (1966-1985)
31: George Jones (1964-1999)
29: Waylon Jennings (1966-1991)
29: Elvis Presley (1969-1981)
28: Johnny Cash (1964-1990)
27: Hank Williams Jr. (1965-1992)
27: Charley Pride (1966-1982)
26: Buck Owens (1964-1974)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
17: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
17: Elvis Presley (1973-1978)

MOST TOP 40 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
75: George Jones (1964-1999)
62: Conway Twitty (1966-1993)
63: Willie Nelson (1966-1999)
62: Dolly Parton (1967-1999)
60: Merle Haggard (1965-1999)
54: Hank Williams Jr. (1964-1999)
51: Johnny Cash (1964-1999)
50: Loretta Lynn (1964-1993)
50: Waylon Jennings (1966-1991)
45: Buck Owens (1964-1989)
41: Tammy Wynette (1967-1995)
39: Charley Pride (1966-1988)
39: Elvis Presley (1969-1983)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
83: George Jones (1964-1999)
70: Willie Nelson (1966-1999)
67: Conway Twitty (1966-1995)
67: Dolly Parton (1966-1999)
66: Merle Haggard (1965-1999)
60: Johnny Cash (1964-1999)
58: Hank Williams Jr. (1964-1999)
56: Loretta Lynn (1964-1993)
55: Waylon Jennings (1966-1998)
48: Tammy Wynette (1966-1995)
47: Elvis Presley (1969-1998)
45: Buck Owens (1964-1989)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - Single Year
6: George Jones (1964)

MOST WEEKS IN THE TOP 10: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
131: Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks (1989-1992)
126: No Fences - Garth Brooks (1990-1993)
110: Come On Over - Shania Twain (1997-1999)
100: The Woman In Me - Shania Twain (1995-1997)
88: Killin' Time - Clint Black (1989-1991)
88: The Hits - Garth Brooks (1994-1996)
87: Blue - LeAnn Rimes (1996-1998)
87: Greatest Hits - Waylon Jennings (1979-1981)
81: Wide Open Spaces - The Dixie Chicks (1998-1999)

MOST WEEKS CHARTED: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
551: Stardust - Willie Nelson (1978-1991)
371: Greatest Hits (And Some That Will Be) - Willie Nelson (1981-1991)
342: Greatest Hits - Hank Williams Jr. (1982-1991)
299: Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks (1989-1995)
286: Greatest Hits - George Strait (1985-1991)
280: Brand New Man - Brooks & Dunn (1991-1997)
271: Greatest Hits - Alabama (1986-1991)
269: Mountain Music - Alabama (1982-1988)
253: Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson (1982-1987)

MOST #1 HITS - ALBUM
5: Diamonds & Dirt - Rodney Crowell (1988-1989)
4: Don't Make It Easy For Me - Earl Thomas Conley (1983-1984)
4: Roll On - Alabama (1984-1985)
4: Why Not Me - The Judds (1984-1985)
4: Rockin' With The Rhythm - The Judds (1985-1987)
4: Lost In The Fifties Tonight - Ronnie Milsap (1985-1987)
4: Hang On To Your Heart - Exile (1985-1987)
4: Wheels - Restless Heart (1986-1988)
4: Always & Forever - Randy Travis (1987-1988)
4: King's Record Shop - Rosanne Cash (1987-1988)
4: The Heart Of It All - Earl Thomas Conley (1988-1989)
4: Southern Star - Alabama (1989-1990)
4: Killin' Time - Clint Black (1989-1990)
4: No Fences - Garth Brooks (1990-1991)
4: Don't Rock The Jukebox - Alan Jackson (1991-1992)
4: Brand New Man - Brooks & Dunn (1991-1992)
4: I Still Believe In You - Vince Gill (1992-1994)
4: Alibis - Tracy Lawrence (1993-1994)
4: Who I Am - Alan Jackson (1994-1995)
4: The Woman In Me - Shania Twain (1995-1996)
4: Everywhere - Tim McGraw (1997-1998)

[WolfSpear]

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Most Played Juke Box Folk (Country & Western) Records (January 8, 1944 - June 17, 1957) [2-15]
Best Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records (May 15, 1948 - October 13, 1958) [5-20]
Country & Western Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys (December 10, 1949 - October 13, 1958) [8-15]
Hot Country Songs (October 20, 1958 - Present) [30-100]

1944-2009

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
44: George Strait (1982-2009)
40: Conway Twitty (1968-1986)
38: Merle Haggard (1967-1988)
35: Ronnie Milsap (1974-1989)
32: Alabama (1980-1993)
29: Charley Pride (1968-1983)
28: Eddy Arnold (1947-1968)
25: Dolly Parton (1971-2006)
25: Alan Jackson (1991-2009)
23: Sonny James (1957-1974)
23: Willie Nelson (1975-2003)
23: Reba McEntire (1983-2004)
22: Tim McGraw (1994-2007)
21: Buck Owens (1963-1988)
21: Kenny Rogers (1977-2000)
20: Tammy Wynette (1967-1977)
20: Brooks & Dunn (1991-2005)
19: Garth Brooks (1989-2007)
19: Toby Keith (1993-2009)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
35 YRS, 1 MO: Dolly Parton (1971-2006)
Joshua - When I Get Where I'm Going (with Brad Paisley)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
5: Hank Williams (1953)
5: Elvis Presley (1956)
5: Charlie Rich (1974)
[3: Toby Keith (2001)
3: Tim McGraw (2002)
3: Toby Keith (2002)
3: Tim McGraw (2004)
3: Kenny Chesney (2007)
3: Brad Paisley (2007)
3: Brad Paisley (2008)
3: Taylor Swift (2008)
3: Carrie Underwood (2008)
3: Keith Urban (2009)*]
*Most in a year between 2000 and 2009

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ALL CHARTS
21: Alabama (1980-1987*)
16: Sonny James (1967-1971)
16: Earl Thomas Conley (1983-1989*)
*Streak does not include holiday hits or duos

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION (ALL CHARTS)
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
[2: Buck Owens (1964)
2: Willie Nelson (1982)
2: Tim McGraw (2002)*]
*Most since chart merger in October 1958

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
21: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
21: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
21: In The Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce (1955)
20: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954) 
20: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956)
19: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948)
19: Walk On By - Leroy Van Dyke (1961-1962)
17: Slowly - Webb Pierce (1954)
17: Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley (1956)
[8: It's Five O'Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett (2005)*]
*Most weeks at #1 between 2000 and 2009

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
50: Webb Pierce (1955)
49: Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
145: Eddy Arnold (1945-1968*)
111: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
84: George Strait (1982-2009)
82: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
82: Buck Owens (1963-1988)
69: Johnny Cash (1956-1976)
66: Sonny James (1957-1974)
65: Tim McGraw (1994-2007)
63: Marty Robbins (1953-1976)
59: Kenny Chesney (1997-2009)
58: Jim Reeves (1953-1967)
*Record 56 consecutive weeks at #1 (1947-1948)

TOP 10 HITS ON COUNTRY & POP: 2000-2009
The Way You Love Me - Faith Hill (2000-2001) [#1/#6]
Long Time Gone - The Dixie Chicks (2002) [#2/#7]
Landslide - The Dixie Chicks (2002-2003) [#2/#7]
What Hurts The Most - Rascal Flatts (2006) [#1/#6]
Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood (2006-2007) [#1/#8]
Love Story - Taylor Swift (2008-2009) [#1/#4]
You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift (2008-2009) [#1/#2]
I Told You So - Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis (2009) [#2/#9]

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
92: Eddy Arnold (1945-1980)
80: George Strait (1981-2009)
78: George Jones (1955-1990)
75: Conway Twitty (1968-1991)
71: Merle Haggard (1965-1989)
58: Ernest Tubb (1944-1963)
56: Red Foley (1944-1956)
56: Dolly Parton (1968-2006)
54: Webb Pierce (1952-1967)
53: Waylon Jennings (1966-1991)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
57: Eddy Arnold (1945-1954*)
*67 consecutive top 10 hits between 1945-1956 when excluding holiday hits and B-sides

MOST TOP 40 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
144: George Jones (1955-2005)
127: Eddy Arnold (1945-1982)
101: Johnny Cash (1955-1990)
90: George Strait (1981-2009)
87: Dolly Parton (1967-2006)
85: Conway Twitty (1966-1991)
83: Merle Haggard (1963-2006)
82: Ernest Tubb (1944-1979)
82: Waylon Jennings (1965-1991)
81: Marty Robbins (1952-1983)
81: Reba McEntire (1978-2009)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
166: George Jones (1955-2005)
144: Eddy Arnold (1945-1983)
133: Johnny Cash (1955-2005)
118: Willie Nelson (1962-2008)
111: George Strait (1981-2009)
107: Dolly Parton (1967-2008)
106: Ray Price (1952-1989)
99: Merle Haggard (1963-2006)
95: Conway Twitty (1966-2004)
93: Reba McEntire (1976-2009)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
11: Eddy Arnold (1949)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
53: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
44: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
41: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
41: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956-1957)
40: Lovesick Blues - Hank Williams (1949)
40: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954-1955)
40: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
40: Tennessee Saturday Night - Red Foley (1949)
[20: Somebody Like You - Keith Urban (2002-2003)*]
*Most weeks in the top 10 between 2000 and 2009

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
54: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
52: Fraulein - Bobby Helms (1957-1958)
48: Right Where I Need To Be - Gary Allan (2000-2001)
46: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
46: Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams (1951-1952)
46: My Next Thirty Years - Tim McGraw (2000-2001)
46: Baby Girl - Sugarland (2004-2005)
46: Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood (2006-2007)

[WolfSpear]

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Top Country Albums (January 11, 1964 - Present) [20-75]

1964-2009

MOST #1's: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS - Record To Date
23: George Strait (1984-2009)
15: Merle Haggard (1966-1984)
15: Willie Nelson (1975-1986)
12: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
12: Charley Pride (1968-1980)
12: Garth Brooks (1990-2007)
12: Alan Jackson (1993-2008)
12: Tim McGraw (1994-2009)
11: Waylon Jennings (1975-1986)
11: Kenny Rogers (1977-1986)
11: Alabama (1981-2006)
11: Reba McEntire (1986-2009)
10: Johnny Cash (1964-2006)
10: Loretta Lynn (1966-1976)

LONGEST #1 SPAN - ARTIST - Record To Date
42 YRS, 6 MO: Johnny Cash (1964-2006)
Ring Of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways

MOST #1's: ARTIST - Single Year
6: Glen Campbell (1968)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST
10: Alabama (1981-1989*)
9: Eddy Arnold (1965-1968)
*Streak does not include holiday albums

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST (IN SUCCESSION)
3: Buck Owens (1964-1965)
3: Charlie Rich (1974)
2: Glen Campbell (1968)
2: Charley Pride (1972)
2: Kris Kristofferson (1973)
2: Elvis Presley (1977)
2: Willie Nelson (1978)
2: Garth Brooks (1990)
2: LeAnn Rimes (1997)
2: Taylor Swift (2008)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
50: Come On Over - Shania Twain (1997-2000)
43: Always & Forever - Randy Travis (1987-1988)
41: No Fences - Garth Brooks (1990-1991)
36: Fly - The Dixie Chicks (1999-2000)
35: O Brother, Where Art Thou? - Soundtrack (2001-2002)
34: Some Gave All - Billy Ray Cyrus (1992-1993)
33: Ropin' The Wind - Garth Brooks (1991-1992)
31: Killin' Time - Clint Black (1989-1990)
29: Not A Moment Too Soon - Tim McGraw (1994-1995)
29: The Woman In Me - Shania Twain (1995-1996)
29: Fearless - Taylor Swift (2008-2009)
28: Feels So Right - Alabama (1981-1982)
28: Mountain Music - Alabama (1982-1983)
28: Blue - LeAnn Rimes (1996-1997)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
46: Garth Brooks (1991)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Record To Date
154: Garth Brooks (1990-2007)
125: Alabama (1981-2006)
104: Willie Nelson (1975-1986)
98: Kenny Rogers (1977-1986)
96: Shania Twain (1995-2005)
85: Charley Pride (1968-1980)
80: Randy Travis (1986-1990)
76: Waylon Jennings (1975-1986)
70: Tim McGraw (1994-2007)
60: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
56: Johnny Cash (1964-2006)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
43: Willie Nelson (1966-2008)
42: Dolly Parton (1968-2008)
40: Merle Haggard (1965-2007)
39: Loretta Lynn (1964-2004)
35: George Strait (1983-2009)
33: Conway Twitty (1966-1985)
32: George Jones (1964-2001)
31: Johnny Cash (1964-2006)
31: Elvis Presley (1969-2008)
30: Hank Williams Jr. (1965-2009)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
23: George Strait (1984-2009*)
17: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
17: Elvis Presley (1973-1978)
*Does not include compilations or holiday releases

MOST TOP 40 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
82: George Jones (1964-2009)
81: Willie Nelson (1966-2009)
71: Dolly Parton (1967-2009)
66: Johnny Cash (1964-2009)
65: Merle Haggard (1965-2007)
63: Conway Twitty (1966-2004)
58: Hank Williams Jr. (1964-2009)
53: Waylon Jennings (1966-2008)
52: Loretta Lynn (1964-2004)
47: Elvis Presley (1969-2008)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
93: Willie Nelson (1966-2009)
92: George Jones (1964-2009)
91: Johnny Cash (1964-2009)
78: Dolly Parton (1966-2009)
77: Merle Haggard (1965-2007)
70: Conway Twitty (1966-2004)
64: Waylon Jennings (1966-2008)
63: Hank Williams Jr. (1964-2009)
61: Elvis Presley (1969-2009)
58: Loretta Lynn (1964-2005)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - Single Year
6: George Jones (1964)

MOST WEEKS IN THE TOP 10: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
151: Come On Over - Shania Twain (1997-2000)
131: Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks (1989-1992)
128: Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift (2006-2009)
126: No Fences - Garth Brooks (1990-1993)
117: Wide Open Spaces - The Dixie Chicks (1998-2000)
106: Some Hearts - Carrie Underwood (2005-2008)
100: The Woman In Me - Shania Twain (1995-1997)
95: Fly - The Dixie Chicks (1999-2001)
90: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem - Kenny Chesney (2002-2004)

MOST WEEKS CHARTED: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
551: Stardust - Willie Nelson (1978-1991)
371: Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be) - Willie Nelson (1981-1991)
342: Greatest Hits - Hank Williams Jr. (1982-1991)
299: Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks (1989-1995)
286: Greatest Hits - George Strait (1985-1991)
280: Brand New Man - Brooks & Dunn (1991-1997)
271: Greatest Hits - Alabama (1986-1991)
269: Mountain Music - Alabama (1982-1988)
253: Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson (1982-1987)
[164: Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift (2006-2009)*]
*Most weeks on chart between 2000 and 2009

MOST #1 HITS - ALBUM
5: Diamonds & Dirt - Rodney Crowell (1988-1989)
4: Don't Make It Easy For Me - Earl Thomas Conley (1983-1984)
4: Roll On - Alabama (1984-1985)
4: Why Not Me - The Judds (1984-1985)
4: Rockin' With The Rhythm - The Judds (1985-1987)
4: Lost In The Fifties Tonight - Ronnie Milsap (1985-1987)
4: Hang On To Your Heart - Exile (1985-1987)
4: Wheels - Restless Heart (1986-1988)
4: Always & Forever - Randy Travis (1987-1988)
4: King's Record Shop - Rosanne Cash (1987-1988)
4: The Heart Of It All - Earl Thomas Conley (1988-1989)
4: Southern Star - Alabama (1989-1990)
4: Killin' Time - Clint Black (1989-1990)
4: No Fences - Garth Brooks (1990-1991)
4: Don't Rock The Jukebox - Alan Jackson (1991-1992)
4: Brand New Man - Brooks & Dunn (1991-1992)
4: I Still Believe In You - Vince Gill (1992-1994)
4: Alibis - Tracy Lawrence (1993-1994)
4: Who I Am - Alan Jackson (1994-1995)
4: The Woman In Me - Shania Twain (1995-1996)
4: Everywhere - Tim McGraw (1997-1998)
4: A Place In The Sun - Tim McGraw (1999-2000)
4: Lonely Grill - Lonestar (1999-2001)
4: Set This Circus Down - Tim McGraw (2001-2002)
4: If You're Going Through Hell - Rodney Atkins (2006-2008)
4: Time Well Wasted - Brad Paisley (2007-2008)
4: Carnival Ride - Carrie Underwood (2007-2008)

[WolfSpear]

The dawning of a new era began on October 20, 2012, when Billboard introduced the new "hybrid" charts for R&B, country, rock etc. These charts are a stripdown of the Hot 100, selecting the songs they deemed to be "country" straight from the overall picture and reconstructing it as Hot Country Songs. This chart takes physical and digital sales and mixes it with airplay (from all formats) and streaming activity, therefore giving a major edge to crossover hits. The old County Songs continues to be published as Country Airplay. You'll notice a number of chart records have fallen, many have been completely shattered. That is the norm not only for this chart but for the Hot 100 as well. 

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Most Played Juke Box Folk (Country & Western) Records (January 8, 1944 - June 17, 1957) [2-15]
Best Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records (May 15, 1948 - October 13, 1958) [5-20]
Country & Western Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys (December 10, 1949 - October 13, 1958) [8-15]
Hot Country Songs (October 20, 1958 - Present*) [30-100]
*Incorporates sales, airplay from all formats and streaming data on October 20, 2012

1944-PRESENT*
*As of January 6, 2024

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
44: George Strait (1982-2009)
40: Conway Twitty (1968-1986)
38: Merle Haggard (1967-1988)
35: Ronnie Milsap (1974-1989)
33: Alabama (1980-2011)
29: Charley Pride (1968-1983)
28: Eddy Arnold (1947-1968)
26: Alan Jackson (1991-2010)
25: Dolly Parton (1971-2006)
25: Reba McEntire (1983-2011)
24: Tim McGraw (1994-2016)
23: Sonny James (1957-1974)
23: Willie Nelson (1975-2003)
23: Kenny Chesney (1997-2016)
23: Reba McEntire (1983-2004)
22: Tim McGraw (1994-2007)
21: Buck Owens (1963-1988)
21: Kenny Rogers (1977-2000)
20: Tammy Wynette (1967-1977)
20: Brooks & Dunn (1991-2005)
20: Toby Keith (1993-2011)

LONGEST #1 SPAN: ARTIST - Record To Date
35 YRS, 1 MO: Dolly Parton (1971-2006)
Joshua - When I Get Where I'm Going (with Brad Paisley)

MOST #1's: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - SINGLE YEAR
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
5: Hank Williams (1953)
5: Elvis Presley (1956)
5: Charlie Rich (1974)
[4: Morgan Wallen (2022)]
*Most in a year between 2010 and 2023

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ALL CHARTS
21: Alabama (1980-1987*)
16: Sonny James (1967-1971)
16: Earl Thomas Conley (1983-1989*)
*Streak does not include holiday hits or duos

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's - ARTIST - IN SUCCESSION (ALL CHARTS)
5: Eddy Arnold (1948)
[3: Morgan Wallen (2022)*]
*Most since chart merger in October 1958

MOST WEEKS AT #1: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
50: Meant To Be - Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line (2018-2019)
34: Body Like A Back Road - Sam Hunt (2017)
27: I Hope - Gabby Barrett (2020-2021)
25: Last Night - Morgan Wallen (2023)
24: Cruise - Florida Georgia Line (2012-2013)
24: Fancy Like - Walker Hayes (2021-2022)
21: I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms) - Eddy Arnold (1947-1948)
21: I'm Moving On - Hank Snow (1950-1951)
21: In The Jailhouse Now - Webb Pierce (1955)
21: 10,000 Hours - Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber (2019-2020)
20: I Don't Hurt Anymore - Hank Snow (1954)
20: Crazy Arms - Ray Price (1956)
[HOT COUNTRY AIRPLAY - 10: You Proof - Morgan Wallen (2022-2023)]

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
50: Webb Pierce (1955)
49: Eddy Arnold (1948)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
145: Eddy Arnold (1945-1968*)
111: Webb Pierce (1952-1957)
106: Florida George Line (2012-2019)
84: George Strait (1982-2009)
82: Hank Williams (1949-1953)
82: Buck Owens (1963-1988)
73: Tim McGraw (1994-2016)
72: Kenny Chesney (1997-2016)
69: Johnny Cash (1956-1976)
66: Sonny James (1957-1974)
65: Tim McGraw (1994-2007)
63: Marty Robbins (1953-1976)
60: Alan Jackson (1991-2010)
*Record 56 consecutive weeks at #1 (1947-1948)

MOST TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
92: Eddy Arnold (1945-1980)
85: George Strait (1981-2013)
78: George Jones (1955-1990)
75: Conway Twitty (1968-1991)
71: Merle Haggard (1965-1989)
60: Reba McEntire (1980-2020)
58: Ernest Tubb (1944-1963)
56: Red Foley (1944-1956)
56: Dolly Parton (1968-2006)
56: Tim McGraw (1994-2020)
55: Kenny Chesney (1995-2021)
54: Webb Pierce (1952-1967)
53: Waylon Jennings (1966-1991)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
57: Eddy Arnold (1945-1954*)
*67 consecutive top 10 hits between 1945-1956 when excluding holiday hits and B-sides

MOST TOP 40 HITS: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS
144: George Jones (1955-2005)
127: Eddy Arnold (1945-1982)
101: Johnny Cash (1955-1990)
100: George Strait (1981-2019)
90: Reba McEntire (1978-2021)
89: Dolly Parton (1967-2018)
85: Conway Twitty (1966-1991)
83: Merle Haggard (1963-2006)
82: Ernest Tubb (1944-1979)
82: Waylon Jennings (1965-1991)
81: Marty Robbins (1952-1983)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Record To Date
167: George Jones (1955-2011)
144: Eddy Arnold (1945-1983)
133: Johnny Cash (1955-2005)
122: George Strait (1981-2019)
121: Willie Nelson (1962-2019)
111: Dolly Parton (1967-2021)
106: Ray Price (1952-1989)
105: Reba McEntire (1976-2021)
100: Merle Haggard (1963-2015)
98: Kenny Chesney (1994-2023)
95: Conway Twitty (1966-2004)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - ALL CHARTS - Single Year
32: Morgan Wallen (2023)

MOST WEEKS/TOP 10: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
71: Meant To Be - Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line (2019-2021)
62: I Hope - Gabby Barrett (2020-2021)
60: You Proof - Morgan Wallen (2022-2023)
57: Something In The Orange - Zach Bryan (2022-2023)
55: Tequila - Dan + Shay (2018-2019)
53: Bouquet Of Roses - Eddy Arnold (1948-1949)
[HOT COUNTRY AIRPLAY - 27: Thinking About You - Dustin Lynch & MacKenzie Porter (2021-2022)]

MOST WEEKS ON CHART: SINGLE - ALL CHARTS
99: I Hope - Gabby Barrett (2019-2021)
75: Wasted On You - Morgan Wallen (2021-2022)
71: Meant To Be - Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line (2019-2021)
66: Tequila - Dan + Shay (2018-2019)
66: Cruise - Florida Georgia Line (2012-2013)
63: Something In The Orange - Zach Bryan (2022-2023)
61: Millionaire - Chris Stapleton (2017-2019)
60: You Proof - Morgan Wallen (2022-2023)

[kluen]

Country is indeed a genre where male dominates

[WolfSpear]

As with the Billboard 200, Top Country Albums adopted streaming into its formula, but that change didn't occur until February 11, 2017. As you may notice, chart spans have increased considerably, and that's understandable given the decreased market size for country music and redefining of the circuit in general. Artists like Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen have completely dominated the circuit with their modern country-pop music. It's hard to even fathom some of the numbers these men have put up, but it is a testimony to their popularity. Billboard would continue to publish a Country Album Sales chart through January 11, 2020, but diminishing sales rendered all genre-specific sales charts mute after this date.

CHART: DATES RESEARCHED [#POSITIONS]
Top Country Albums (January 11, 1964 - Present) [20-75]

1964-PRESENT*
As of January 13, 2014

MOST #1's: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS - Record To Date
23: George Strait (1984-2009)
18: Willie Nelson (1975-2017)
17: Garth Brooks (1990-2017)
17: Tim McGraw (1994-2020)
17: Kenny Chesney (2000-2020)
16: Merle Haggard (1966-2015)
14: Alan Jackson (1993-2015)
13: Reba McEntire (1986-2017)
12: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
12: Charley Pride (1968-1980)
12: Kenny Rogers (1977-2020)
11 Johnny Cash (1964-2014)
11: Waylon Jennings (1975-1986)
11: Alabama (1981-2006)
10: Loretta Lynn (1966-1976)

LONGEST #1 SPAN - ARTIST - Record To Date
50 YRS, 3 MO: Johnny Cash (1964-2014)
Ring Of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash - Out Among The Stars

MOST #1's: ARTIST - Single Year
6: Glen Campbell (1968)

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST
13: Kenny Chesney (2002-2020)
*Streak does not include holiday albums, live albums or compilations

MOST CONSECUTIVE #1's: ARTIST (IN SUCCESSION)
3: Buck Owens (1964-1965)
3: Charlie Rich (1974)
2: Glen Campbell (1968)
2: Charley Pride (1972)
2: Kris Kristofferson (1973)
2: Elvis Presley (1977)
2: Willie Nelson (1978)
2: Garth Brooks (1990)
2: LeAnn Rimes (1997)
2: Taylor Swift (2008)
2: Chris Stapleton (2017)
2: Luke Combs (2019)
2: Morgan Wallen (2023)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
97: Dangerous: The Double Album - Morgan Wallen (2021-2023)
50: Come On Over - Shania Twain (1997-2000)
50: This One's For You - Luke Combs (2017-2019)
43: Always & Forever - Randy Travis (1987-1988)
41: No Fences - Garth Brooks (1990-1991)
37: What You See Is What You Get - Luke Combs (2019-2021)
36: Fly - The Dixie Chicks (1999-2000)
35: O Brother, Where Art Thou? - Soundtrack (2001-2002)
35: Fearless - Taylor Swift (2008-2010)
35: One Thing At A Time - Morgan Wallen (2023-2024*)
34: Some Gave All - Billy Ray Cyrus (1992-1993)
33: Ropin' The Wind - Garth Brooks (1991-1992)
*Currently active streak as of January 13, 2024

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Single Year
46: Garth Brooks (1991)
42: Morgan Wallen (2023)

MOST WEEKS AT #1: ARTIST - Record To Date
173: Garth Brooks (1990-2017)
134: Morgan Wallen (2020-2024*)
125: Alabama (1981-2006)
107: Willie Nelson (1975-2017)
101: Taylor Swift (2006-2024)
99: Kenny Rogers (1977-2020)
97: Shania Twain (1995-2017)
88: Luke Combs (2017-2022)
85: Charley Pride (1968-1980)
80: Randy Travis (1986-1990)
76: Waylon Jennings (1975-1986)
76: Tim McGraw (1994-2020)
*Currently active streak as of January 13, 2024

MOST TOP 10 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
53: Willie Nelson (1966-2020)
49: Dolly Parton (1968-2023)
42: Loretta Lynn (1964-2021)
41: Merle Haggard (1965-2015)
41: George Strait (1983-2019)
39: Elvis Presley (1969-2024)
36: George Jones (1964-2013)
34: Johnny Cash (1964-2014)
33: Conway Twitty (1966-1985)
32: Hank Williams Jr. (1965-2016)

MOST CONSECUTIVE TOP 10 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
23: George Strait (1984-2009*)
17: Buck Owens (1964-1968)
17: Elvis Presley (1973-1978)
*Does not include compilations or holiday releases

MOST TOP 40 HITS: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
100: Willie Nelson (1966-2023)
90: George Jones (1964-2013)
80: Dolly Parton (1967-2023)
73: Johnny Cash (1964-2020)
68: Merle Haggard (1965-2015)
63: Hank Williams Jr. (1964-2022)
63: Conway Twitty (1966-2004)
60: Elvis Presley (1969-2024)
56: Loretta Lynn (1964-2021)
54: Waylon Jennings (1966-2012)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
113: Willie Nelson (1966-2023)
104: Johnny Cash (1964-2020)
100: George Jones (1964-2013)
87: Dolly Parton (1966-2023)
81: Merle Haggard (1965-2015)
76: Elvis Presley (1969-2024)
71: Conway Twitty (1966-2012)
70: Hank Williams Jr. (1964-2022)
68: Waylon Jennings (1966-2013)
67: Loretta Lynn (1964-2022)

MOST CHART ENTRIES: ARTIST - Single Year
6: George Jones (1964)

MOST WEEKS IN THE TOP 10: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
362: Traveller - Chris Stapleton (2015-2023)
316: This One's For You - Luke Combs (2017-2023)
204: If I Know Me - Morgan Wallen (2019-2023)
174: What You See Is What You Get - Luke Combs (2019-2023)
156: Dangerous: The Double Album - Morgan Wallen (2021-2024*)
151: Come On Over - Shania Twain (1997-2000)
133: Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift (2006-2010)
131: Garth Brooks - Garth Brooks (1989-1992)
126: No Fences - Garth Brooks (1990-1993)
124: Montevallo - Sam Hunt (2014-2018)
*Currently active streak as of January 13, 2024

MOST WEEKS CHARTED: TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS
551: Stardust - Willie Nelson (1978-1991)
453: Traveller - Chris Stapleton (2017-2024*)
388: California Sunrise - Jon Pardi (2016-2014*)
419: Greatest Hits... So Far - Zac Brown Band (2014-2023)
396: Number One Hits - Tim McGraw (2010-2024*)
387: Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits - Blake Shelton (2015-2023)
374: Crash My Party - Luke Bryan (2013-2023)
371: Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be) - Willie Nelson (1981-1991)
366: Greatest Hits: Decade #1 - Carrie Underwood (2014-2024*)
364: The Greatest Hits Collection - Brooks & Dunn (1997-2024*)
362: 50 Number One Hits - George Strait (2004-2024*)
*Currently active streak as of January 13, 2024

MOST #1 HITS - ALBUM
6: Kill The Lights - Luke Bryan (2015-2017)
Kick The Dust Up
Strip It Down
Home Alone Tonight-with Karen Fairchild
Huntin', Fishin', & Lovin' Every Day
Move
Fast

5: Diamonds & Dirt - Rodney Crowell (1988-1989)
5: Based On A True Story - Blake Shelton (2013-2014)
5: Crash My Party - Luke Bryan (2013-2014)
5: Life Changes - Thomas Rhett (2017-2019)
5: This One's For You - Luke Combs (2017-2019)
5*: What You See Is What You Get - Luke Combs (2019-2021)
*Does not include deluxe editions of the album