Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney Make ‘Forbes’ Wealthiest Musicians List
Toby Keith sure knows how to make a buck. After ranking as Forbes‘ highest-paid country artist this past July, the established entrepreneur/entertainer lands at Number 10 on the financial magazine’s end-of-year highest-paid musicians list. Keith’s estimated haul: a solid $65 million.
Stadium filler Kenny Chesney came in at Number 22, with $44 million, while hot album sellers Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan arrived at Numbers 24 and 28 respectively (Aldean made $37 million; Bryan $34 million.) Taylor Swift, who made the transition to pop with her album 1989, was Number 11 with $64 million. Hip-hop/headphones impresario Dr. Dre was in the top slot with $620 million.
While his country peers make the bulk of their salaries through touring, merchandise and record sales, Keith’s portfolio is bolstered by his chain of I Love This Bar & Grill restaurants, the Wild Shot mescal line, a partnership with Ford and his stake in the Show Dog record label. Chesney has followed suit in the booze business, however, launching his own Blue Chair Bay rum.
Keith recently released the new single “Drunk Americans,” co-written by Brandy Clark. It currently resides at Number 30 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. On January 9th, he’ll headline CMT’s Ultimate Kickoff Party, a live concert from the College Football Playoff National Championship in Dallas, airing live on CMT.