Garth Brooks remains country music’s highest paid

One of the hardest working people in show business, Garth Brooks, remains the world’s highest paid country music star.

US business magazine Forbes put him at #1 for 2017 on its annual Highest Paid Country Music Artists, with an estimated US$60 million.

It’s the fourth consecutive time he’s won.

With sales of 100 million albums behind him, the bulk of Brooks’ money comes from the road. His comeback began in 2014 and still going strong 300 dates later.

He’s also hinted at shows in Australia.

Brooks’ schedule works out to more than a show a day. That’s because he plays multiple arenas in a single city, changing his setlist. That is, he explained to Forbes, because there are some fans who come to every one of his shows.

“Those are what you build the whole show around,” Brooks said “That’s the person I want to walk out of here every night going, ‘You know what, they didn’t do that song [last] night.’”

Brooks has been married to country singer Trisha Yearwood since 2005, spends a lot of energy on charity, and is also a high profile supporter of gay rights and marriage equality.

Last year Brooks and Yearwoodsold their Malibu beach house for $6 million.

#2 on the Forbes list is Kenny Chesney ($42.5 million), who continues to be a major live drawcard and also makes money from his own Blue Chair Bay rum and endorsements with brands from Apple to Corona.

Third-ranked Luke Bryan ($42 million) makes his money from concerts and his TV reality series Buck Commander.

Dolly Parton ($37 million) is fourth, able to command high fees at her shows, and makes a fortune from continual sales of her back catalogue and her Dollywood theme park.

Rounding out the top five are Toby Keith and Florida Georgia Line (tied at $34.5 million). Both have crossed over into the pop charts.