20. Various Artists - 'Country Strong' Soundtrack
Images courtesy of Sony Records
Gwyneth Paltrow's movie about an on-the-rocks country singer spawned a hit soundtrack featuring songs performed by Lee Ann Womack, Faith Hill, co-star Tim McGraw, and Paltrow herself.
Release Year: 2010
Peak Country Chart Position: #2
RIAA Certification: n/a
19. Miranda Lambert - 'Revolution'
Image courtesy of Columbia Nashville Records
Miranda Lambert's 2010 album continued to move off the shelves into the next year, thanks to #1 hits like "The House that Built Me" and "Heart Like Mine."
Release Year: 2010
Peak Country Chart Position: #1
RIAA Certificaiton: Platinum
18. Zac Brown Band - 'The Foundation'
Images courtesy of Atlantic Records
There's no slowing Zac Brown whose 2008 album The Foundation continues to draw big sales with the help of songs like "Chicken Fried," "Free," and "Toes."
Release Year: 2008
Peak Country Chart Position: #2
RIAA Certification: 2 X Platinum
17. Blake Shelton - 'Red River Blue'
Image Courtesy of Warner Bros.
This was a big year for Blake Shelton, who married Miranda Lambert, opened up the CMA awards with a performance of "Footloose," and released this sixth album to strong sales.
Release Year: 2011
Peak Country Chart Position: #1
RIAA Certificaiton: Gold
16. Blake Shelton - 'Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton'
Image courtesy of Reprise Records
Ah, but it appears Blake Shelton's biggest competition has been himself. With his surfeit of TV exposure, including a hosting gig on the reality show The Voice, many listeners turned to this greatest hits package to see what the country singer is all about.
Release Year: 2010
Peak Country Chart Position: #4
RIAA Certification: Gold
15. Eric Church - 'Chief'
Image courtesy of EMI Nashville Records
Eric Church's single "Homeboy" led the way for Chief's climb up the charts, making it the singer's biggest seller to date. "We sold these albums on word of mouth," Church said in my interview with him, "the ultimate test for this record will be where the word of mouth takes us from here."
Release Year: 2011
Peak Country Chart Position: #1
RIAA Certification: Gold
14. Luke Bryan - 'Tailgates & Tanlines'
Image courtesy of MCA Nashville Records
Three times was the charm for Luke Bryan whose Tailgates & Tanlines was his first #1 country album.
Release Year: 2011
Peak Country Chart Position: #1
RIAA Certification: Gold
13. Tim McGraw - 'Number One Hits'
Image courtesy of Curb Records
People still like to listen to Tim McGraw apparently. Or they really, really needed a "dance mix" of "Indian Outlaw." Either way, this double-CD set was a steady seller.
Release Year: 2010
Peak Country Chart Position: #6
RIAA Certification: Gold
12. Scott McCreery - 'Clear as Day'
Image courtesy of Mercury Nashville Records
American Idol winner Scott McCreery held down both the country and pop charts with his debut album.
Release Year: 2011
Peak Country Chart Position: #1
RIAA Certification: Gold
11. Brad Paisley - 'This Is Country Music'
Image courtesy of Sony Nashville Records
Brad Paisley went head-to-head with Lady Gaga on the pop charts and.. lost. All the same, he went number one on the country album charts and went number one with the singles "Remind Me" and "Old Alabama."
Release Year: 2011
Peak Country Chart Position: #1
RIAA Certification: Gold
