In the United States the RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America – awards artists with gold, platinum, multi-platinum, and diamond awards for song, album, and video sales.
But other countries have their own version of the RIAA. And while Hall of Fame entertainer Dolly Parton has not performed live lately, her music continues be played and sold around the world.
If there was ever any doubt about the talent and reach of this country girl from the Smokey Mountains…
Over the past few years 14 of those countries have presented new certification awards to Parton for her music…a total of 82 certifications!
Dolly Parton certification awards:
Albums:
“The Real… Dolly Parton” – Gold (United Kingdom)
“Better Day” – Silver (United Kingdom)
“A Holly Dolly Christmas” – Silver (United Kingdom)
“Greatest Hits” – Gold (United Kingdom)
“Greatest Hits” – Gold (Finland)
“Greatest Hits” – Platinum (Australia)
“Diamonds & Rhinestones – Greatest Hits” – Platinum (Netherlands)
“Diamonds & Rhinestones – Greatest Hits” – Gold (United Kingdom)
“Diamonds & Rhinestones – Greatest Hits” – Gold (Finland)
“The Very Best Of: Tour Edition” – Platinum (New Zealand)
“Jolene” – Gold (Netherlands)
“Jolene” – Gold (New Zealand)
“Jolene” – Gold (Canada)
“9 to 5 and Odd Jobs” – Gold (Netherlands)
“9 to 5 and Odd Jobs” – Gold (New Zealand)
“The Very Best of Dolly Parton” – Platinum (Netherlands)
“The Very Best of Dolly Parton” – Platinum (Australia)
“The Very Best of Dolly Parton” – 2x Platinum (Sweden)
“The Very Best of Dolly Parton” – Gold (Finland)
“Dolly Parton 20 Great Songs” – Gold (Sweden)
“Dolly Parton Greatest Hits” – Gold (Sweden)
“The Essential Dolly Parton” – Platinum (Netherlands)
“The Essential Dolly Parton” – Gold (Sweden)
“Love Songs” – Gold (Australia)
“Once Upon a Christmas” (with Kenny Rogers) – 4x Platinum (Norway)
“Once Upon a Christmas” (with Kenny Rogers) – Gold (South Africa)
“Once Upon a Christmas” (with Kenny Rogers) – 7x Platinum (Canada)
“Ultimate Dolly Parton” – Platinum (Netherlands)
“Pure & Simple” – Platinum (Netherlands)
“Dolly: Live from London” – Platinum (Netherlands)
“Live and Well” – Platinum (Netherlands)
“Coat of Many Colors” – Gold (Netherlands)
“Something Special” – Gold (Netherlands)
“Rockstar” – Gold (Netherlands)
“Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – Gold (Finland)
“Dolly (The Seeker/We Used To)” – 9x Platinum (South Africa)
“14 Greatest Hits” – Gold (South Africa)
“The Best of Dolly Parton” – Platinum (South Africa)
“White Limozeen” – Gold (Canada)
Singles:
“Jolene” – Diamond (Netherlands)
“Jolene” – 3x Platinum (United Kingdom)
“Jolene” – 2x Platinum (Denmark)
“Jolene” – Gold (Greece)
“Jolene” – Gold (Spain)
“Jolene” – Gold (Germany)
“Jolene” – 4x Platinum (New Zealand)
“Jolene” – Gold (Mexico)
“Jolene” – Diamond (Canada)
“Jolene” – Platinum (Finland)
“Jolene” – 3x Platinum (Norway)
“Jolene” – Platinum (Austria)
“Jolene” – 7x Platinum (Australia)
“Jolene” – Platinum (South Africa)
“Coat Of Many Colors” – Silver (United Kingdom)
“Coat Of Many Colors” – Platinum (Canada)
“Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers) – Platinum (Netherlands)
“Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers) – 3x Platinum (United Kingdom)
“Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers) – 6x Platinum (New Zealand)
“Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers) – Platinum (Denmark)
“Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers) – Platinum (Austria)
“Here You Come Again” – Gold (United Kingdom)
“Here You Come Again” – Gold (New Zealand)
“Here You Come Again” – 2x Platinum (Canada)
“Here You Come Again” – Platinum (Australia)
“I Will Always Love You” – Gold (United Kingdom)
“I Will Always Love You” – Gold (New Zealand)
“I Will Always Love You” – 3x Platinum (Canada)
“I Will Always Love You” – Platinum (Australia)
“Faith (feat. Mr. Probz)” – Platinum (Canada)
“9 to 5” – Platinum (Netherlands)
“9 to 5” – 3x Platinum (United Kingdom)
“9 to 5” – Platinum (Denmark)
“9 to 5” – 4x Platinum (New Zealand)
“9 to 5” – Gold (Mexico)
“9 to 5” – Gold (Finland)
“9 to 5” – Diamond (Canada)
“9 to 5” – 3x Platinum (Norway)
“9 to 5” – Platinum (Austria)
“9 to 5” – 7x Platinum (Australia)
“9 to 5” – Platinum (South Africa)
“Hard Candy Christmas” – Gold (Canada)
“Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” – Gold (Canada)
In the United States, according to the RIAA:
15 gold – 12 albums and three singles
Single “Jolene” – 3X platinum
Single “9 to 5” – 3X platinum
Single “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers – 3X platinum
Single “There was Jesus” with Zach Williams – platinum
Single – “Here You Come Again” – platinum
Single – “I Will Always Love You” – platinum
Album – “Slow Dancing with the Moon” – platinum
Album – “Eagle When She Flies” – platinum
Album – “Once Upon a Christmas” – platinum
Album – “Greatest Hits” – platinum
Album – “Here You Come Again” – platinum
Each country has their own standards for the number of sales required to reach the certifications. Smaller countries have much smaller requirements. In the U.S., an artist needs 100,000 units sold to have a record certified gold, one million for platinum, and 10 million for Diamond.