When I was growing up in the 1970s, my uncle, a die-hard rock 'n roll fan, used to talk mad trash about the country music I listened to. He would swear that in order to be successful in country music, you just had to ...
A. Look good in a cowboy hat and have boots that were just dusty enough to suit without being dirty
B. Have several pair of suitably worn blue jeans
C. Be able to sing convincingly about pickup trucks, beer, heartbreak, your mom or your dog
And even then, according to the gospel of Uncle Chuck, you would still only make "a little beer money." Since the top country music earners of 2013 made a combined $370 million dollars, I'm thinking he may need to adjust his calculations and I'm wondering what 2014 will bring for these hard workin' money makers!
Toby Keith
(Photo : Show Dog / Universal Music)
Toby Keith
The top earner in country last year, Toby banked a cool $65 million. While he does look great in a cowboy hat, that cash flow came from more than just his look. Keith's album and tour sales, plus additional revenue from his restaurant franchise, I Love This Bar And Grill, his Wild Shot Mezcal liquor brand and the motorcycle shop he recently became co-owner of, Brass Balls Cycles, added to his bottom line. The chain, with 16 current locations, has three more coming to California, Idaho and Ohio this year. As for touring, Keith already has 27 shows lined up in the U.S. Canada and Australia.
Taylor Swift
(Photo : Big Machine Records)
Taylor Swift
Taylor had a huge tour in 2013 in support of Red. The income from that, plus endorsement deals with Diet Coke, Sony & Covergirl brought her in a cool $55 million! The European leg of her Red tour just kicked off, so 2014 is already looking profitable.
Kenny Chesney
(Photo : Sony Nashville)
Kenny Chesney
Kenny brought in $53 million in 2013. A big chunk of that came from the No Shoes Nation Tour, which hit 19 NFL stadiums and entertained 1.25 million fans. His own rum, Blue Chair Bay, with its three premium flavors, brought in another chunk.
Tim McGraw
(Photo : Big Machine Record)
Tim McGraw
A sold out tour helped bring in the $33 million that was Tim McGraw's bottom line in 2013. He started 2014 off by being named Favorite Country Music Icon at the People's Choice Awards. The summer Sundown Heaven tour, which kicks off in May, will help make 2014 another great year for McGraw.
Carrie Underwood
(Photo : Sony Nashville)
Carrie Underwood
For the American Idol alum, 2013 brought $31 million to the family coffers. Chances are good that 2014 will be even better since the news just came out that Carrie has a new Almay endoresement deal.
The remaining $133 million came from ...
- Brad Paisley $30 million
- Zac Brown Band $26 million
- Rascal Flatts $25 million
- George Strait $18 million
- Jason Aldean $17 million
- Luke Bryan $17 million
