Ahh, country music. There may be people who talk of your music genre with complete disgust and content, but there are those who adore all that you represent. The lighthearted lyrics, twangy tunes, and deep, heartfelt emotions pour out of each country star and fans are forever thankful. With that being said, country singers are proof that there is a lucrative amount of fame and cash to be earned in the musical field, just take a look at this generous list.
Tammy Wynette – $900,000
During the 60s, Tammy Wynette was a household name. In 1969, she married George Jones and the couple created many albums together. Wynette’s biggest and best single was, “Stand by Your Man”. It’s important to note that she had 20 number 1 hits in her career, easily making her one a defining women in country music history, just like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn.
Tammy Wynette – $900,000
Ray Price – $5 Million
From 1948 to 2013, Ray Price was one of the best male voices in the world of country music because of his wide ranging baritone. As a country singer, songwriter, and guitarist, he had the total package.
Ray Price – $5 Million
Natalie Maines – $4 Million
In case you didn’t know, Natalie Maines is the lead singer of the greatest all female country band EVER, Dixie Chicks. This incredible band has been active since 1989 and has earned 13 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards, 9 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 6 Billboard Music Awards.
Natalie Maines – $4 Million
Rosanne Cash – $10 Million
Since 1991, Johnny Cash’s oldest daughter has dominated the country music world. To date, Rosanne has released 13 studio albums and six compilation albums. She has also written four books and has won 12 Grammy Awards.
Rosanne Cash – $10 Million
Sam Hunt – $5 Million
This cutie has earned 5 mil to date. However, before his own solo career kicked off, he wrote some of country’s biggest songs for huge artists such as Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire and Billy Currington.
Sam Hunt – $5 Million
Scotty McCreery – $3 Million
Scotty McCreery emerged on the scene as the winner of American Idol‘s 10 season back in 2011. His debut album, Clear as Day, was released in October of 2011 and went platinum.
Scotty McCreery – $3 Million
Alison Krauss – $16 Million
Alison Krauss’s country music whose career began at a rather young age. You see, by the time she was 14, she had already entered the recording studio and released her first single, back in 1987. Impressively, Krauss has won a whopping 27 Grammy awards from a total 42 nominations, currently, she’s tied with Quincy Jones for the most awarded living recipient. What’s even more impressive, when she won her first ever Grammy in 1991, she was actually the second youngest winner in history to do so.
Alison Krauss – $16 Million
Charley Pride – $3 Million
Charley Pride ~was~ the RCA’s best selling performer since Elvis Presley. In his career, he’s had 52 hits that reached the top 10 Billboard Country charts. Out of the 52 hits, 29 of the songs earned the number one spot. In 2000, Pride was also inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Pride is also one of just three African American country stars to be inducted to the Grand Ole Opry.
Charley Pride – $3 Million
Clay Walker – $8 Million
Clay Walker’s birth name is actually Ernest Clayton Walker Jr., (that’s just a fun fact!). When he started out, Walker signed with Giant Records back in 1993; his first two singles quickly reached number one on the Billboard country charts. So far, Walker has released a total of 11 albums, and four have gone platinum.
Clay Walker – $8 Million
Thomas Rhett – $5 Million
This dreamboat’s chart-topping career is credited to his wife, Lauren. She’s the inspiration for most of his extremely successful songs! Rhett’s single “Die a Happy Man” earned him a Grammy Award nomination, along with a nomination for Best Country Song during the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
Thomas Rhett – $5 Million
Waylon Jennings – $7 Million
When Waylon was just 8 years old, he started playing guitar and by the time he was 14, he landed his first radio performance. In 1958, the late Buddy Holly even helped Jennings to record his first couple songs, and later hired him to play bass. In 2001, Jennings was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Waylon Jennings – $7 Million
Darius Rucker – $14 Million
Everyone knows that Rucker first gained national fame as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Grammy Award winning rock band ‘Hootie & the Blowfish’. However in 2008, Rucker launched his solo album, and it was the song, “Wagon Wheel”, a song from his third solo album that reached the No. 1 spot in May 2013 on the Country Airplay chart. He also went on to win a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance.
Darius Rucker – $14 Million
Dierks Bentley – $24 Million
Dierks Bentley’s career took off in 2003 when he signed with Capitol Nashville, releasing his first album What Was I Thinking, which reached number one. In 2005 Bentley went on to win the Horizon award at the Country Music Awards and he was even asked to take part in the Grand Ole Opry. Since then, he’s gone on to rack in 24 mil so it’s safe to say, he’s doing pretty good.
Dierks Bentley – $24 Million
Eric Church – $10 Million
Church signed with Capitol Nashville in 2005 and went on to release five albums, gaining 6 number one hits! This year, he is focusing on his Holding My Own Tour. Church loves helping out, and he’s been donating money and time to various charities, the Chief Cares Fund was founded by Eric and his wife Katherine Church in 2013.
Eric Church – $10 Million
Josh Turner – $17 Million
In 2003, Josh Turner released his first album through MCA Nashville Records and a second in 2006. Back in 2012, Turner released his single Time Is Love, which quickly became the biggest hit of 2012 as per Billboard Year-End. He also said he will be releasing a new album in March of 2017, meaning two things. One, we’re counting down the hours! And two, his net worth is $17 million and counting.
Josh Turner – $17 Million
Kacey Musgraves – $10 Million
28 year old Musgraves certainly ruffled a few feathers with her individuality as her songs are just a bit more focused on equal rights, sensuality and recreational drug use. In 2014, she snagged, not one, but two Grammy awards. Since she signed with Mercury Records in 2012, she released three albums, reached a number one country single and has racked in a considerable amount of cash.
Kacey Musgraves – $10 Million
Keith Urban – $75 Million
To date, Urban has released nine studio albums, has charted 37 singles on the US Hot Country Songs, 18 of which climbed to number one. He’s won three Grammy Awards, is a coach for the Australian version of The Voice and before its final season, was a judge on American Idol. In 2006, he married to actress Nicole Kidman and in October 2013, he launched his own signature line of guitars and accessories.
Keith Urban – $75 Million
Kenny Chesney – $56 Million
Kenny Chesney may have loads of chart-topping albums and songs, but he’s also got a heart of gold. To date, he is working with the V Foundation, helping to find a cure for cancer and also help children affected by the disease.
Kenny Chesney – $56 Million
Lady Antebellum – $41 Million
Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood make up this trio. In 2006, they formed Lady Antebellum and have gone on to release 6 studio albums. By 2013, they had already sold over 12.5 million digital singles and 10 million albums. The trio also started a charity, LadyAID, which focuses and provided assistance to children that are in need.
Lady Antebellum – $41 Million
LeAnn Rimes – $38 Million
In 1996, LeAnn Rimes was 14 years old when her single ‘Blue’ went viral thus propelling her highly successful career. After her initial success in the country world, Rimes crossed over to pop music and her single, “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” from the film Coyote Ugly was a massive success. Currently, LeAnn is married to actor Eddie Cibrian.
LeAnn Rimes – $38 Million
Zac Brown Band – $32 Million
To date, the Zac Brown Band has released six studio albums, and their award winning single “Chicken Fried” still remains a massive hit.
Zac Brown Band – $32 Million
Willie Nelson – $15 Million
Willie Nelson is pretty much the Godfather of country music. He’s also a soft drugs advocate, a producer, an actor, a poet, and an activist. Over the years, Nelson has released hit after hit, has received many, many awards and has collaborated with numerous country artists.
Willie Nelson – $15 Million
Trace Adkins – $16 Million
In 1995, Adkins career started with the release of his debut album “Dreaming Out Loud”. Since then, he’s released ten additional albums. Over 20 of his singles have landed on the Billboard country music charts, including the number one single “No Thinking Thing”, “You’re Gonna Miss This”, and “Ladies Love Country Boys”.
Trace Adkins – $16 Million
Toby Keith – $47.5 Million
Since 1993, Toby Keith has released 17 studio albums, two Christmas albums, and four compilation albums. He’s also charted 61 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, which include 21 No. 1 hits and 21 top 10 hits.
Toby Keith – $47.5 Million
Tim McGraw – $85 Million
Tim McGraw is a country legend, and everyone knows it. 2010 was a busy and profitable year for McGraw, he released his album “Emotional Traffic”, had a successful and profitable tour, and also released his own cologne line. McGraw and Faith Hill are, like we said royalty, but they’re also philanthropists and organize tons of fundraisers for local Tennessee communities.
Tim McGraw – $85 Million
Sugarland – $18 Million
In 2004, this duo signed with Mercury Nashville Records and that’s really when their career kicked off. Their album, The Incredible Machine, went platinum just three months after release.
Sugarland – $18 Million
Luke Bryan – $70 Million
This country Prince has been making music for well over a decade now, which makes sense as he’s racked in a hefty 70 mil. In 2013, he received the award for Entertainer of the Year from the Academy of Country Music and in 2006, Artist of The Year and Male Vocalist of The Year.
Luke Bryan – $70 Million
Martina McBride – $38 Million
Ugh, we just love you, Martina! When McBride released her first studio album, The Time Has Come, back in 1992 under RCA Records, she’s gone on to sell over 14 million albums. She’s also won the Country Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year four times and also the award for Top Female Vocalist a total of three times. In 2016, McBride released the single “Reckless” from her new album and has started her new U.S tour “Love Unleashed”.
Martina McBride – $38 Million
Miranda Lambert – $40 Million
This goddess right here, took the world by storm in 2005 with her debut album “Kerosene”, going platinum in the United States. The hit singles from that specific album – “Me and Charlie Talking”, “Bring Me Down”, “Kerosene”, and “New Strings” – were ALL top 40 hits on the Billboard country music charts. Lambert has won Grammys, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the Country Music Association Awards. Atta girl!
Miranda Lambert – $40 Million
Randy Travis – $32 Million
Since 1985, Randy Travis has been killin’ it. The man’s recorded 20 studio albums and has had 50 singles storm the Bilboard Country music charts, 16 of which were number one hits! To date, Travis has sold over 25 million records, had six number one albums and six Grammy awards, and so many more that we can’t even name them all.
Randy Travis – $32 Million
Rascal Flatts – $21 Million
Since 1999, this trio has dominated the country charts. To date, 13 of their singles have gone to hit No. 1 on Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs.
Rascal Flatts – $21 Million
Blake Shelton – $60 Million
While most youngin’s nowadays recognize Shelton from The Voice and his blooming relationship with Gwen Stefani, he’s still a massive country star. In fact, Blake Shelton has charted 32 country singles, including 23 number ones, 17 of those were consecutive.
Blake Shelton – $60 Million
Bob Dylan – $180 Million
No one can deny that Bob Dylan is pure musical royalty, and not just in the United States. Dylan’s influence as a singer-songwriter has felt for over 50 years. The man’s sold 100 million records and has also received countless awards such as: 11 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2016, he even received the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Bob Dylan – $180 Million
Brad Paisley – $65 Million
Brad Paisley started making country tunes back in 1999, when he released his first song Who Needs Pictures?. Since that first hit, he’s released 10 studio albums which have all sold over 12 million copies, probably explains why he currently has an estimated net worth of $65 million. Fun fact: Brad is actually an active Freemason and also a member of the Hiram Lodge #4 in Franklin, Tennessee and the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
Brad Paisley – $65 Million
Faith Hill – $80 Million
Was there ever any doubt that Faith Hill wouldn’t end up on this list? Let’s see, she’s sold over 40 million albums, won 5 Grammy Awards, has her own fragrance line and starred in various films and T.V shows. Since 1996, Faith has been married to fellow country singer Tim McGraw, and together they are basically country music royalty.
Faith Hill – $80 Million
Florida Georgia Line – $50 Million
When these two emerged on the screen in 2008, they started one of the greatest bromances in history and have caused just about every fan to dance and sing along fearlessly to all their hits. Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley met on campus at Belmont University at a worship group and the rest, well the rest is just history.
Florida Georgia Line – $50 Million
Johnny Cash – $120 Million
While ‘The Man in Black’ may have passed away in 2003, his net worth is still growing! Johnny Cash is, and always will be, one of THE most influential and successful artists of the 20th century.
Johnny Cash – $120 Million
Carrie Underwood – $70 Million
In 2005, Carrie Underwood easily and quickly won hearts after winning season four of American Idol. Since then, she has gone to become one of the most successful country stars of her generation. Some of Carrie’s recent awards include an induction to the Grand Ole Opry and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Underwood has also gone on to win seven Grammy Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 American Music Awards, and 17 Billboard Music Awards.
Carrie Underwood – $70 Million
Garth Brooks – $280 Million
Brooks is currently embarking on a comeback tour, which is already into its second year with dates well into 2017. According to Forbes, this tour already has earnings into nine figures!
Garth Brooks – $280 Million
George Strait – $300 Million
Up next, the King of Country himself. George Strait is still widely considered one of the most popular and influential musical artists of all time. Strait seems to be a man of many talents, he’s a singer, songwriter, an actor and also a music producer. In the 80s, he was infamously credited with bringing country back to it’s roots and has received tons of recognition, which includes a plaque dedicated to him in the Country Music Hall Of Fame.
George Strait – $300 Million
Reba McEntire – $65 Million
You’re looking at country royalty right here! McEntire is easily regarded as one of country music’s most influential performers. She has even gone on to inspire other country artists such as Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson. She’s released 29 albums to dare, but even starred in her own television show Reba. She also launched her own record label, Starstruck Entertainment, with Narvel Blackstock, her ex-husband.
Reba McEntire – $65 Million
Kenny Rogers – $250 Million
Kenny Rogers is pretty much one of the most famous and richest country singers in history, no one can deny that. After just a decade with his band First Addition, in 1976, Rogers decided to go solo and signed a deal with United Artists. The rest is pretty much history! Don’t forget, Rogers is also a songwriter, producer, actor, photographer and owns his own business.
Kenny Rogers – $250 Million
Shania Twain – $350 Million
Country music has some serious girl power! This Canadian country singer slash songwriter has won five Grammy Awards and currently has an estimated net worth of $350 million! Twain has been in the music industry for almost 25 years now and has gone on to sell some 85 million albums. In fact, this makes her the best selling female artist in country music history and also one of the best selling music artists of all time.
Shania Twain – $350 Million
Dolly Parton – $500 Million
The number one spot of course goes to the one and only, Dolly Parton. She shattered beliefs of what woman in the country music world could and could not do. Parton has won numerous awards and has been inducted into every singe Hall of Fame that a country singer could be inducted into. We love you, Dolly!
Dolly Parton – $500 Million