Chesney, Flatts, and Toby Are Country’s Highest Earning
Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Toby Keith are the only Country stars on Forbes’ new list of the year’s top-earning musicians. Endorsements and album sales gave a significant boost to every artist on the list of 12. But it was touring that sent earnings into the stratosphere.
With a $65 million profit between June 08 and June 09, Chesney can thank his one million concert-going fans for making him the top-grossing country act on tour again this year. A new album and endorsement deals with Cruzan Rum and Corona also kept the party going—all the way to the bank.
Raking in $60 million, Rascal Flatts came in second among the Country artists, and tied at No. 6 on the overall list with Coldplay and AC/DC. The group grossed $56 million on the road, had lucrative endorsement deals with JCPenney and Hershey’s, and released a hit new album.
At No. 10 on the all-genre rankings, Toby Keith scored $52 million to come in third among his Country peers. He did this by expanding his brand including a restaurant/venue chain, grossing $31 million on the road, earning a Gold album and continuing his longtime partnership with Ford.
A sold-out monster international tour helped Madonna dance her way into the top spot on the list with $110 million in profits. Celine Dion also raked in the moola on the road, coming in at No. 2 on Forbes’ rankings with $100 million. The remainder of the list reads: No. 3 Beyonce Knowles with $87 million; No. 4 Bruce Springsteen with $70 million; No. 9 Eagles with $55 million; No. 11 Bon Jovi with $50 million , and No. 12 Dave Matthews Band with $45 million.
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