Big Voices and Big Bank Accounts: The Top Five Country Music Earners of 2008
There is no doubt that country music’s biggest stars not only sell millions of records and sell even more concert tickets, they are also celebrities who have the power to snare multi-million dollar endorsement deals from major brands positioning themselves in the “country market.” When all of these add up, we could begin to understand the main reasons why country stars earn millions of dollars every year.
According to Forbes Magazine, topping the list this year is country crooner Kenny Chesney whose estimated earnings of $65 million allowed him to depose last year’s number 1, Toby Keith. This year is said to be Chesney’s year, whose “Poets and Pirates” tour in 2008 stunned critics when he sold over 1 million tickets, even surpassing ticket sales for Madonna’s much vaunted “Sticky and Sweet Tour.” His success could be attributed to the fact that he often mingles with his fans and is viewed as easily accessible. In fact, this mass appeal even led to his endorsement deal with popular beer brand, Corona.
Coming in at the second spot is Rascal Flatts. In 2008, they had estimated earnings of about $60 million, primarily brought about by their high-grossing tour from last year. Critics attribute their success to their crossover appeal and uncanny ability to wow both country and mainstream fans—a feat which is not easily achieved within the industry. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, this group has indeed come a long way since they first had their hit, “Prayin’ for Daylight” back in 2000. More importantly, what pushed these guys to the second spot is their huge endorsement deal for popular apparel brand, JC Penney, whose American Living line of clothes has recently been launched in a massive tri-media campaign featuring Rascal Flatt’s “American Living.”
Third on the list is former No.1 Toby Keith. In 2008, he posted estimated earnings of around $52 million. Certainly, one cannot accuse Keith of slacking, what with the numerous ventures he has launched in recent years—his own apparel line (Toby Keith’s TK Steelman), a thriving acting career, his own record label, and even a chain of restaurants called “Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill.” Earning a string of awards since 2002, Keith is certainly one of the most hardworking and prolific artists of his time.
The fourth top-earning artist is the only female to have broken through the top five, and she is just in her teens. Of course we are talking about Ms. Taylor Swift who rose from anonymity to superstardom in such a short career span. Earning $18 million as the biggest selling solo artist of 2008, all eyes will be on Swift to see if she can duplicate her initial success in the coming years.
Rounding off the list are Brooks & Dunn and Tim McGraw, both of whom have dominated the country music charts for many years. Brooks & Dunn’s “Cowboy Town” tour grossed almost $12 million and helped usher them to a fifth-place tie with Mc Graw. McGraw earned around $16 million mainly due to the strength of ticket sales for his latest tour.
