George Strait, Shania, Taylor Among Decade’s Top Stars

The 2000s were a great decade for country music. Three of country's biggest stars were among the top sellers of the past ten years, according to the RIAA -- the folks responsible for certifying gold and platinum selling discs and downloads.

George Strait holds the record for male artist with the most album certifications from 2000 to 2009. The top female artist in that category is Britney Spears, with Nickelback taking the top spot in the group category.

Shania Twain's album, 'Up,' was the highest-certified platinum album for a female artist, selling more than 11 million albums. The only other artists to achieve that many platinum certifications are the groups *NSYNC, with 'No Strings Attached,' and OutKast's 'Speaker Boxxx/The Love Below.' which both also had album sales in excess of 11 million. Usher had the highest-certified platinum album for a male artist, with more than ten million albums sold.

Taylor Swift, already named the top-selling digital artist in history, holds two distinctions since her breakout hit, 'Tim McGraw,' that only hit airwaves in 2006. In addition to being the female artist with the most song certifications, with 25, she beat out the group, Linkin Park, with 13, and her MTV Award nemesis, Kanye West, with 19.

Taylor also tied Lady Gaga as the female artist with the highest certified digital song, with her mega-hit, 'Love Story' matching Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance,' at more than four million downloads. Flo Rida's single, 'Low' beat the ladies with five million, while Coldplay came in just behind the pair at three million, with their smash single, 'Viva La Vida.'

All three country stars continue to shine in the new decade as well. Taylor is continuing on her worldwide, sold-out Fearless tour, as well as working on a new album. George Strait just released his 38th album, 'Twang,' which includes three songs George penned for the project. And Shania just spent time in the Caribbean, writing songs for an upcoming project.