CMT News

Toby Keith has been named Billboard's top country artist and songwriter of the decade. Keith came in third on the list of artists on the decade's all-genre Billboard 200 chart, with Eminem at No. 1 and Britney Spears at No. 2. In descending order, Keith is followed in the country artist category by Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and George Strait. Following Keith in the country songwriter category are Alan Jackson, Craig Wiseman, Brad Paisley and Jeffrey Steele. Billboard has also recognized Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban for their accomplishments during the decade. Underwood's Some Hearts tops the country albums list, followed by the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, the Dixie Chicks' Fly and Home and Faith Hill's Breathe. Urban's "Somebody Like You" is No. 1 on the country singles list, followed by Mark Wills' "19 Somethin'," Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett's "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere," Toby Keith's "How Do You Like Me Now?!" and Kenny Chesney's "The Good Stuff." The country record producer of the decade honor went to Dann Huff, whose production credits include projects with Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Martina McBride and many others.