Vince Gill doesn’t sell the sizzle, he sells the album. The proof? We’ve got 24 million pieces of proof.
Compiling the Top 20 Best-Selling Country Artists of All Time list sounded like a fun way to pass the time over the next 20 weeks. At least it gives us a chance to listen to some iconic tunes. And with Vince Gill, there are plenty of those.
Here’s our list based on the research from the good folks as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The RIAA certifies domestic album sales with their precious-sounding designations: Gold (500,000 units), Platinum (1 million units), Multi-Platinum (2 million units and more), and Diamond (10 million units and more).
No. 18: Vince Gill
- 24 Million Units Sold
- 6 Multi-Platinum Album
- 5 Platinum Albums
- 2 Gold Albums
The case can be made that Vince Gill is the greatest—let me finish—total package in the history of country music: musician/singer/songwriter/producer. Yeah, that’s a big statement. Yeah, it’s debatable. But as far as total packages go, Vince Gill’s pick, voice, pen, and ear are otherworldly.
Vince’s Best-Selling Album: ‘I Still Believe in You’
Vince’s 1992 album, I Still Believe in You, is the Oklahoma native’s best-selling body of work. The album has been certified 5X Platinum by the RIAA for moving 5 million units.
While I Still Believe in You was Vince’s fifth studio album, the 10-song offering featured his first chart-topping single. Actually, the album featured four No. 1 singles. The title track ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard chart in 1992, while the sophomore single, “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away,” followed suit later that year. But Vince wasn’t finished. After the album’s third single, “No Future in the Past,” reached No. 3, he scored back-to-back No. 1 singles with “One More Last Chance” and “Tryin’ to Get Over You.”
By the end of 1992, Vince had won his second consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year trophy at the CMA Awards (he won five in a row). In addition, Vince earned two 1993 Grammy Awards for “I Still Believe in You,” including Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance – Male. At the 1993 CMA Awards, Vince was named Entertainer of the Year.
Album Celebration
Vince Gill sell albums. He has six Multi-Platinum albums, five Platinum albums, and two Gold albums. However, amazingly, he has never registered a Gold single as a solo artist, according to the RIAA, despite topping the singles chart numerous times.
Instead, Vince can hang his hat on his six Multi-Platinum albums: I Still Believe in You (5X), When Love Finds You (4X), Souvenirs (3X), When I Call Your Name (2X), Pocket Full of Gold (2X), and Let There Be Peace on Earth (2X).
In Defense of Vince
22. Yes, 22. Vince Gill has won 22 Grammy Awards. That’s not a typo. Obviously, that’s the most for a solo male country artist. In addition, 22 wins puts Vince in the Top 10 on the All-Time List with the likes of Stevie Wonder (22), Alison Krauss (27), and Beyoncé (28).
Vince won Best Country Song for “When My Amy Prays” at the 2021 Grammy Awards to bring his lifetime haul to 22. Vince could misplace 21 Grammy Awards and still have more than Kenny Chesney, Patsy Cline, and Dierks Bentley . . . combined.
