Kenny Chesney performs at the VAULT Concert Stage at LP Field in Downtown Nashville Sunday, June 14 during the 2009 CMA Music Festival. Photo courtesy of the Country Music Association.
June 26, 2009 — Three of the Top 12 money-makers in music last year came out of country music, according to a new Forbes study, and Kenny Chesney — who ranks fifth among all musicians — is tops in the genre.
Kenny grossed $65 million since June 2008, according to the financial publication’s estimates, thanks in large part to more than 1 million annual sales of concert tickets and to several endorsement deals. Currently on his Sun City Carnival Tour, Kenny’s tally is impressive, though it lags far behind top-seeded Madonna, who brought in $110 million. Celine Dion, who ranked No. 2, pulled in $100 million, making her the only other artist to reach the nine-figure plateau.
Kenny placed just behind Bruce Springsteen, who generated $70 million; and just ahead of Rascal Flatts, who tied with Coldplay and AC/DC for No. 6 at $60 million. Toby Keith ranked No. 10, and the dozen acts on the chart also feature several other artists with some degree of country connectivity: country-rock band the Eagles are No. 9; Bon Jovi, which topped the country charts by collaborating with Jennifer Nettles, is No. 11; and Dave Matthews, who sits with Willie Nelson on the board at Farm Aid, brings his band in at No. 12.
The details on Forbes’ country money-makers:
• Kenny Chesney, No. 5, $65 million
• Rascal Flatts, No. 6 (tied), $60 million
• Toby Keith, No. 10, $52 million
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