These 3 Country Legends Have the Most Chart Appearances in Music History

Many country musicians could care less about chart success and public reception. However, when a country musician does have a success on the charts it can’t help but feel good. Not only is it validating to see one’s name paired with other hit artists, but chart success is also quantifiable proof that one’s music is good. It’s an objective validation in an industry based on subjectivity. So, these types of concrete opportunities rarely come around in country music or any music for that matter.

Regardless of the differing attitudes surrounding the charts, it’s still a huge accolade to appear on them. Especially if artists have done it far more than just once. Which in country music, there are a handful of musicians who do and did do it regularly. That being so, here are three country musicians to have the most songs on the charts of all time.

1. George Jones

Despite being one of the most legendary country musicians of all time, it’s somewhat mind-boggling to believe that George Jones has the most songs to ever appear on the charts. One of the even more surprising elements of Jones’ chart success is that his career started prior to Billboard creating the Hot Country Songs chart in 1958. Nevertheless, in his career, Jones managed to send 131 songs to the charts’ top 50.

The overall impact of those 131 songs is unprecedented and invaluable, as Jones’ musical catalog acted as one of the cornerstones of popular country music. Out of those 131 songs, Jones managed to score 14 No. 1 hits which include “I Always Get Lucky with You,” “White Lighting,” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

2. George Strait

Now, this one comes as no surprise. George “The King of Country” Strait is often viewed as a pinnacle figure in Nashville’s transition to pop country. Even at 72-years-old, Strait is still one of the largest country music celebrities to this day and it’s partially thanks to the 103 songs he sent to the charts. Out of those 103 songs, 83 reached the top 10, and 44 of them received No. 1 status.

Like Jones, the impact of Strait’s chart appearances is insurmountable and difficult to robustly define. Some of the No. 1 hits adding to his overwhelming impact are “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” “Write This Down,” and “You Look So Good In Love.” “The King of Country” was not given his throne, instead, he took it with his downright musical talent.

3. Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard is one of the founding figures of the Outlaw Country genre, thus it seems he might be one of the individuals who could care less about chart success. Well, whether or not he actually cared he still got it, as Haggard had 96 songs appear on the charts during his career. Furthermore, one thing to keep in mind is that Haggard was a bit late to the game due to his incarceration in San Quentin.

Though, that did not slow him down. 38 of Haggard’s 96 songs rose to No. 1 on the charts, and in consequence, he helped birth the infamous sub-genre of country music. The songs that seemingly achieved this legwork were “Mama Tried,” “Fightin’ Side of Me,” and “Okie From Muskogee.”

Photo by David Redfern/Redferns