Country musicians, like most musicians today, have been forced to market their craft in the digital age. Digital music sales surpassed physical sales for the first time in 2015, and social media is key to building and maintaining one’s popularity.
24/7 Wall St. has identified the most popular country music stars of today by looking at album sales, online followers, popular releases, and more. Some stars, such as 25-year old Hunter Hayes, have spent their entire careers working in this modern system. Others, such as the great Dolly Parton, have adapted to it, winning over a new generation of fans with their talents.
Social media popularity seems to come much easier for many younger artists compared to their older contemporaries. For example, country group Lady Antebellum – which released its first full-length album in 2008 – has 10.9 million Facebook likes. In comparison, Garth Brooks – the best-selling solo album artist of all time – has only 2.2 million likes. Leading the pack is Taylor Swift, who is known for her masterful usage of social media. Swift currently has 74.3 million likes.
Click here to see the 50 most popular country music stars.
To determine the most popular country music stars, 24/7 Wall St. constructed an index of various measures related to Billboard charts and internet presence. The number of times a respective artist’s album or albums appeared on Billboard’s year-end Top Country Albums chart for the years 2012 through 2016, the number of likes on an artist’s Facebook fan page as of 08/15/2017, the number of Spotify followers as of 08/15/2017, and the average daily Wikipedia page views from 08/14/2016 to 08/15/2016 were all given full weight. The position of an artist’s top charting album on Billboard’s year-end Top Country Albums chart from 2012 to 2016 was given half-weight. The positions of an artist’s top charting album every year from 2012 to 2016 were given quarter weight. For artists who toured in 2016 and were among the top 200 grossing North American tours, the total value of their 2016 ticket sales were given full weight in the cases that would boost their overall score. Data for gross ticket sales and the list of the 200 top grossing tours in North America came from Pollstar. Only artists who had an album on Billboard’s year-end Top Country Albums chart between 2012 and 2016 were considered.
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50. Aaron Lewis
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Sinner (#38 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,758
> Facebook likes: 634,989
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
49. Jana Kramer
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Thirty One (#55 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 4,542
> Facebook likes: 624,441
Source: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com
48. Billy Currington
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 4
> Top charting album: Icon: Billy Currington (#46 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 511
> Facebook likes: 2.2 million
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
47. Reba
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 1
> Top charting album: Love Somebody (#21 in 2015)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,889
> Facebook likes: 6.8 million
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
46. Kelsea Ballerini
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 1
> Top charting album: The First Time (#20 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,557
> Facebook likes: 337,748
Source: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
45. Hank Williams Jr.
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: It’s About Time (#37 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,810
> Facebook likes: 3.1 million
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Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
44. Jennifer Nettles
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: That Girl (#21 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,187
> Facebook likes: 693,642
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
43. Chase Rice
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Ignite The Night (#20 in 2015)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 459
> Facebook likes: 743,276
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
42. Kip Moore
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Up All Night (#27 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 349
> Facebook likes: 1.3 million
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Source: Dana Nalbandian / Shutterstock.com
41. Don Henley
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 1
> Top charting album: Cass County (#23 in 2015)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,923
> Facebook likes: 679,888
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
40. Joey + Rory
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Hymns (#2 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 729
> Facebook likes: 2.4 million
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Source: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com
39. Sturgill Simpson
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: A Sailor’s Guide To Earth (#18 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,823
> Facebook likes: 265,262
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
38. Brett Eldredge
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Illinois (#33 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 946
> Facebook likes: 984,981
Source: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com
37. Willie Nelson
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Band Of Brothers (#50 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 7,022
> Facebook likes: 5.4 million
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Source: Kobby Dagan / Shutterstock.com
36. Lee Brice
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Hard 2 Love (#25 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 329
> Facebook likes: 2.0 million
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
35. Dolly Parton
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Pure & Simple (#32 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 9,868
> Facebook likes: 4.1 million
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Source: Danny E Hooks / Shutterstock.com
34. Alan Jackson
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 4
> Top charting album: Thirty Miles West (#26 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,615
> Facebook likes: 4.9 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
33. Jake Owen
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Days Of Gold (#17 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 559
> Facebook likes: 1.9 million
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
32. Cole Swindell
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Cole Swindell (#11 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 813
> Facebook likes: 1.1 million
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
31. Kacey Musgraves
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Same Trailer Different Park (#14 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,094
> Facebook likes: 765,139
Source: Ga Fullner / Shutterstock.com
30. The Band Perry
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: The Band Perry (#11 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 938
> Facebook likes: 3.4 million
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
29. Justin Moore
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Outlaws Like Me (#30 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 499
> Facebook likes: 2.4 million
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Source: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com
28. Chris Stapleton
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 1
> Top charting album: Traveller (#1 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 3,616
> Facebook likes: 854,894
Source: Eugene Parciasepe / Shutterstock.com
27. Darius Rucker
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: True Believers (#15 in 2013)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,010
> Facebook likes: 2.5 million
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Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
26. Scotty McCreery
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Clear As Day (#8 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 710
> Facebook likes: 2.2 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
25. Hunter Hayes
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Hunter Hayes (#6 in 2013)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 835
> Facebook likes: 2.0 million
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Source: Dennis A. Crumrin / Shutterstock.com
24. Chris Young
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: I’M Comin’ Over (#13 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 659
> Facebook likes: 2.0 million
Source: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com
23. Brad Paisley
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Wheelhouse (#23 in 2013)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,075
> Facebook likes: 7.5 million
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
22. Rascal Flatts
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Changed (#17 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,089
> Facebook likes: 6.6 million
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Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
21. Toby Keith
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 4
> Top charting album: Clancy’s Tavern (#13 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,714
> Facebook likes: 5.5 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
20. Sam Hunt
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 1
> Top charting album: Montevallo (#1 in 2015)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,552
> Facebook likes: 1.0 million
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
19. Thomas Rhett
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Tangled Up (#7 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,070
> Facebook likes: 1.6 million
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
18. Dierks Bentley
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Riser (#12 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,182
> Facebook likes: 3.3 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
17. Brantley Gilbert
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Just As I Am (#5 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,059
> Facebook likes: 3.8 million
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
16. Keith Urban
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Ripcord (#9 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 5,750
> Facebook likes: 6.3 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
15. Miranda Lambert
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Platinum (#8 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 3,317
> Facebook likes: 8.5 million
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
14. Little Big Town
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Tornado (#7 in 2013)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,123
> Facebook likes: 2.2 million
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Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
13. George Strait
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 5
> Top charting album: The Cowboy Rides Away: Live From At&T Stadium (#19 in 2015)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,581
> Facebook likes: 7.7 million
Source: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com
12. Garth Brooks
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 2
> Top charting album: Blame It All On My Roots: Five Decades Of Influences (#2 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 5,313
> Facebook likes: 2.2 million
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Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
11. Florida Georgia Line
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Here’s To The Good Times (#2 in 2013)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,744
> Facebook likes: 4.1 million
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
10. Lady Antebellum
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 4
> Top charting album: Own The Night (#4 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,740
> Facebook likes: 10.9 million
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Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
9. Zac Brown Band
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 5
> Top charting album: Jekyll + Hyde (#3 in 2015)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,483
> Facebook likes: 6.5 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
8. Tim McGraw
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 5
> Top charting album: Two Lanes Of Freedom (#14 in 2013)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 3,755
> Facebook likes: 8.6 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
7. Eric Church
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 4
> Top charting album: The Outsiders (#4 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,818
> Facebook likes: 3.6 million
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Source: pasphotography / Shutterstock.com
6. Kenny Chesney
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 5
> Top charting album: Welcome To The Fishbowl (#12 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 2,698
> Facebook likes: 6.6 million
Source: Mat Hayward / Shutterstock.com
5. Carrie Underwood
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Storyteller (#4 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 5,156
> Facebook likes: 11.5 million
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Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
4. Jason Aldean
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 4
> Top charting album: Old Boots, New Dirt (#4 in 2015)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 1,837
> Facebook likes: 9.1 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
3. Blake Shelton
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 7
> Top charting album: If I’M Honest (#3 in 2016)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 7,690
> Facebook likes: 9.3 million
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
2. Luke Bryan
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 8
> Top charting album: Crash My Party (#1 in 2014)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 3,135
> Facebook likes: 8.7 million
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Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
1. Taylor Swift
> # of top Billboard albums in last 5 years: 3
> Top charting album: Red (#1 in 2012)
> Daily avg. Wikipedia page views: 14,084
> Facebook likes: 74.3 million
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