It’s no question that money talks and people love to talk about money, especially when the lists for net worth include celebrities. Some of the biggest stars in country music are earning top dollar, according to ledgernote.com. But a few names in the 2023 list may come as a surprise.
Country artists, these days, are going beyond the pen and paper and recording studio, making their bucks with new business ventures, endorsem*nt deals, acting roles, and clothing lines. These artists are also more than willing to give back to the community with the charitable efforts that they have started.
From Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks to Alan Jackson and Shania Twain, check out the list below to see if your favorite artists made the top ten wealthiest artists in country music for 2023.
1. Dolly Parton
Net Worth: $675 million
Topping out at the number one spot is Dolly Parton. The artist with the top net worth is considered by many to be the “Queen of Country.” From her humble beginnings growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains to her 1967 debut album aptly named Hello, I’m Dolly, Parton has been working to grow her career and country music ever since. 63 studio albums and several acting credits later, including her acting debut in 9 to 5, Dolly has become one of the foremost entertainers in the world. Her renowned theme park, Dollywood, has also been cemented in pop culture as the cornerstone tourist destination in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Known for her Philanthropy, Dolly has been able to give back through the Dollywood Foundation. Her literacy program Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has, for years, given children a chance to receive books since 1995.
2. Garth Brooks
Net Worth: $430 million
It’s no question that there has never been a performer quite like Garth Brooks. His stadium and arena shows have redefined the expectations of country music concerts worldwide. Hits like “The Dance,” “Friends in Low Places,” and “Rodeo,” to name a few, have defined his legendary career as he continues to release new music year after year. Brooks’ passion for performing has never waned as he preps for his Garth Brooks/PLUS ONE residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV, later this year.
The seven-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner has nine Diamond-Certified albums to his name, and he’s the second highest-selling artist of all time, behind The Beatles. In 2014, Brooks launched his music streaming service with GhostTunes. In 2022, he announced a plan to launch Garth Channel 2.0 following the demise of The Garth Channel, featured on Channel 55 on SiriusXM. Along with many other ventures, Brooks has spent time, during Spring Training, playing with various Major League Baseball teams – most recently with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019.
3. Shania Twain
Net Worth: $410 million
Shania Twain, known to many as the “Queen of Country Pop,” can be credited for being the first artist that bridged the gap between country to mainstream pop music, which she did with ease. Her third album, Come on Over, became a benchmark for crossover artist success as it spawned multiple hits and broke records, including becoming the biggest-selling studio album by a solo female artist. Twain’s songs “Any Man of Mine”, “That Don’t Impress me Much,” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” are still girl power anthems that resonate with music listeners today. The Canadian-born songstress’s residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas was well received by her fans as well as her own fragrance Shania by Stetson.
Twain is one of the highest-selling female artists in the world, having sold over 100 million albums, and she is still going strong. In February, she released her sixth studio album Queen of Me and will start her album titled tour in April.
4. Toby Keith
Net Worth: $370 million
Toby Keith burst onto the scene in 1993 with his self-titled album and released an instant classic with his first charttopping hit, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” Since then, the Oklahoma-born artis hasn’t looked back. He released a new album every year from 1993 to 2000, but it was tunes like “How Do You Like Me Now,” “I Wanna Talk About Me,” and “I Love This Bar” that made him a fan favorite in his genre. All three tracks went No. 1 for Keith, who, despite previously announcing his stomach cancer in June of 2022, has continued to fuel his passions.
Aside from being a country superstar, the BMI Icon Award recipient is a songwriter, actor, and record producer. He has ventured into the business world too. Not only does he have his franchise of restaurants called I Love This Bar & Grill and his clothing line TK Steelman, but in 2004, he purchased a 10% stake in Big Machine – a label that went on to sign major acts like Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift.
5. George Strait
Net Worth: $300 million
“The King of Country Music,” George Strait, has had a profound career that has earned him his moniker. His 1983 album Strait from the Heart spawned hits like “Fool Hearted Memory,” “Amarillo by Morning,” and “A Fire Can’t Put Out.” From there, Strait would have 60 number-one hits spanning 30 years. He has sold 70 million albums worldwide and is a three-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner.
The Country Music Hall of Famer’s last album, Honky Tonk Time Machine, was released in 2019, and he has acted in multiple roles, such as Pure Country and Grand Champion in 1992. Straight has business ventures with the Wrangler National Patriot program for wounded veterans. He also owns a Gulfstream G450 business jet company.
6. & 7. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Net Worth: $200 million (combined)
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have been married since 1996. The stars, who are still going strong, first built commercial success separately as solo acts before tying the knot. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Hill’s “This Kiss,” “The Way You Love Me,” and “Breathe” were all top ten hits. She also scored more than 10 No. 1 hits. Hill is also a five-time Grammy Award winner. McGraw took the top of the charts with songs like “It’s Your Love,” “Just to See You Smile,” and “Something Like That.” To date, McGraw has released 16 albums, 10 of which reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums Chart.
Both McGraw and Hill have also grown their wealth as a power couple. Aside from releasing countless duets together, the pair have completed successful runs on their joint Soul2Soul Tour, Soul2SoulII Tour, and Soul2Soul World Tour. The lovebirds also are costars on the ultra-popular television series and Yellowstone prequel, 1883, on Paramount+. McGraw has also appeared in other roles, including in the movie The Blindside,The Shack, Tomorrowland, and Four Christmases.
8. Kenny Chesney
Net Worth: $180 million
Kenny Chesney has continued to redefine himself year after year with over 30 No. 1 hits spanning four decades. Songs, including “She’s Got It All,” “The Good Stuff,” “Summertime,” and “Never Wanted Nothing More,” have made him a household name and allowed him crossover success. Chesney’s latest album, Here and Now, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts and is one of 20 projects released to date.
A four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year winner, Chesney is still one of the biggest tour draws. In March, he will take the road as part of his I Go Back 2023 Tour, featuring Kelsea Ballerini as a supporting act .
9. Alan Jackson
Net Worth: $160 million
With an album released every decade since the ’80s Alan Jackson has become one of the mainstays in country music. To date, he has released 18 studio albums. He has also won numerous awards and accolades. Armed with hits like “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “It Must be Love,” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” Jackson went on to earn inductions in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jackson has struck up multiple business deals, namely, with Ford Trucks, NAPA Auto Parts, and Cracker Barrel. Although he previously revealed he has been diagnosed with a non-life-threatening neurological condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Jackson still occasionally performs during awards shows to the gratitude of his fans.
10. Luke Bryan
Net Worth $160 million
Luke Bryan has entered the final slot on the list of wealthiest country artists. He is also the youngest artist in the Top 10. The Georgia native quickly earned recognition with his debut single “All My Friends Say” from his 2007 I’ll Stay Me album. The tune landed in the Top 5 on Billboard‘s US Hot Country Songs Chart. Since then, Bryan has enjoyed continued success, winning several awards throughout his career, including multiple Entertainer of the Year titles.
Bryan’s other ventures have included entrepreneurship with the construction of his bar Luke’s 32 Bridge,located on Broadway in Nashville. He is also a judge on American Idol, alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie on ABC.
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