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Career Highlights

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TOP 15 COUNTRY HITMAKERS 1960-1979


ARTISTS & #1 HITS


ARTISTS & WEEKS AT #1


Conway Twitty:28Sonny James:57
Merle Haggard:24Buck Owens:44
Sonny James:22Merle Haggard:43
Charley Pride:22Charley Pride:41
Buck Owens:20Conway Twitty:37
Tammy Wynette:20Tammy Wynette:37
Loretta Lynn:16Johnny Cash:33
Marty Robbins:10Marty Robbins:30
Waylon Jennings:10Waylon Jennings:26
Dolly Parton:10Bill Anderson:23
Johnny Cash:8George Jones:22
George Jones:8Loretta Lynn:21
Bill Anderson:7Eddy Arnold:20
Eddy Arnold:7Jim Reeves:19
Jim Reeves:6Dolly Parton:13

ARTIST & BILLBOARD RANKINGS


ARTIST & TOP 10 HITS


George Jones:7237Loretta Lynn:47
Buck Owens:6019George Jones:46
Johnny Cash:5833Buck Owens:45
Merle Haggard:5353Merle Haggard:44
Sonny James:5207Conway Twitty:43
Loretta Lynn:5204Charley Pride:38
Conway Twitty:4989Sonny James:37
Bill Anderson:4866Tammy Wynette:35
Tammy Wynette:4253Bill Anderson:35
Charley Pride:4107Marty Robbins:32
Waylon Jennings:4102Johnny Cash:31
Dolly Parton:4100Waylon Jennings:30
Eddy Arnold:4033Dolly Parton:30
Marty Robbins:4031Jim Reeves:29
Jim Reeves:3984Ray Price:25

On August 30th of 2006, the day it was announced Sonny James was to be an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kix Brooks (Brooks And Dunn) probably said it best, “This is an artist who really dominated his time in history.”

Similar accolades from fellow entertainers began early in James’ career… Elvis Presley, from the best seller book “Elvis, Word for Word” was asked “who do you think’s the greatest country and western singer that’s alive today” his reply, “I like Sonny James”.

Friend Kris Kristofferson presents plaque to Sonny commemorating
James’ Induction Into the Country Music Hall Of Fame

Capitol Records released his signature song “Young Love” in late 1956. This giant hit became one of the most recognizable songs ever recorded. It was the first Traditional Country/Teen cross over record. Followed by fellow Capitol artist Ferlin Huskey’s “Gone” and later Marty Robbin’s “White Sport Coat”.

YouTube Playlist:

The 26 #1 Hits of Sonny James

[Courtesy of Richard Custer]

Learn how Nat King Cole’s collaboration with Sonny James in 1963 at Capitol Studios in Hollywood became the formula for the greatest streak of Consecutive #1 Singles the recording industry has ever known in any genre from a solo artist before or since.

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