Chesney, Flatts, and Toby Are Country’s Highest Earning

Just another reason Chesney loves Corona...

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.