If you're just counting digital sales, then Jason Aldean is the G.O.A.T.
That's what the good people over at the Recording Industry Association of America announced on Monday, anyway. The RIAA Gold & Platinum Awards have long been a way of celebrating some of the industry's best, and they gave Aldean the honor of 'Top Male Country Artist' based on Digital Single Certifications -- a system that includes song downloads and on-demand streams.
The best-selling male artist in history (in digital downloads), Aldean has racked up over 21.5 Certifications in his career.
CountyMusicIsLove.com reports that Aldean was pretty pumped.
"This is such a huge honor, and one that everyone on my team earned together," said Aldean. "I love country music, and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else...there was never a Plan B for me. I can't thank the RIAA or country music fans enough for helping us get to this level...it's unbelievable!"
Of course, the RIAA was also pretty excited about Alden's distinction. Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman kept it buttoned down, though.
"On behalf of myself and my RIAA colleagues, we are delighted to recognize Jason Aldean for this prestigious honor," Sherman said. "We congratulate Broken Bow Records and Jason on this singular achievement and look forward to many more years of great country music to come."
Since his debut in 2005, Aldean has managed nine No. 1 country hits, including 2014's "Burnin' It Down," a song that still claims the top spot on Billboard's download list.
"I've pretty much always gone with a really guitar-driven song that's pretty in your face, and this is more of a laid back thing with a really cool groove," he told Radio.com recently. "We played it live for the first time this weekend in Cleveland and Cincy at the stadium gigs, and I'm excited to see how it takes off from here."
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