Titans of Twang

AS NASHVILLE’S sound becomes ever more mainstream, our annual Cash Kings ranking finds country music’s top earners filling arenas once reserved for more traditional acts, collectively earning a half-billion dollars over the past year. His comeback tour, now in its second year, might well extend into 2017. Next album: Cosmic Hallelujah, an appropriate reaction to selling out summer stadium shows the way Taylor Swift or the Rolling Stones might. Ball-cap-clad Georgia native regularly grosses seven figures per city on tour. His red Solo cup runneth over: Keith has earned more than $450 million pretax since 2007. The only country star who has a stake in Jay Z’s Tidal music-streaming service. After completing its fourth major-label studio album last year, the Grammy-winning act hit the road and played 65 concerts in 12 months. Las Vegas headliner can fill up the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, a rare feat for a country artist. Onetime American Idol champ played 66 shows over the past year while tending to other interests: Calia clothing line and appearing in Olay skin care ads. Earned millions more from touring and his slot on The Voice than he did from his music. His latest album, Ripcord, debuted at No. 1 on the country charts in May. Still makes most of his money from touring and American Idol. Duo’s 69 shows as part of their Anything Goes tour grossed $29.5 million across North America. Even after decades together, the trio still has what it takes, pulling in upwards of $500,000 a night. Timeless star sings, plays guitar and owns a theme park, Dollywood, in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains. With 71 shows over our scoring period, the guitarslinging singer plucked his way onto the list again; his newest single is a collaboration with pop star Demi Lovato. Often opens for Kenny Chesney; tours on her own, too. Her endorsement deals include Red55 Wine, and she also has a clothing line, Pink Pistol.