Top Earners: Kenny Chesney And Toby Keith

L-R: Chesney, Keith

Forbes’ just released list of Top-Earning Musicians includes Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith from the country set. Chesney ranked No. 9 on the Top 10 list, by bringing in $50 million between June 2009 and June 2010. Like most of the other top money makers, a significant portion of his earnings came from the box office, where he raked in about $1.6 million per show, according to the magazine. He also scored with Mastercard and Corona sponsorships.

Keith came in at No. 10 with $48 million for the 12-month period. He too made big bucks on the road, as well as through his restaurant chain, and publishing royalties. Forbes asked his manager, T.K. Kimbrell, how serious is Keith about making money? Kimbrell’s answer: “You’d get a severe head injury dropping a nickel around him.”

Leading the superstar tally is U2, who netted an estimated $130 million, followed by AC/DC ($114 million), No. 3 Beyonce ($87 million), No. 4 Bruce Springsteen ($70 million) and No. 5 Britney Spears ($64 million). Full story here.