Toby Keith has done it again, topping Forbes' list as the highest-paid country star in America.
Forbes Magazine released rankings Monday of the world's highest-paid country act, and reported that the 53-year-old singer earned an estimated $65 million last year. This is the second year in a row that the "Red Solo Cup" singer has found himself on top of the pack.
"Keith doesn't get as much mainstream acclaim as Diddy or Jay Z, but out-earned both this year with the help of a bevy of entrepreneurial ventures including his Show Dog label, a growing list of I Love This Bar And Grill restaurants, a multimillion-dollar endorsement deal with Ford, and his own Wild Shot mescal," Zack O'Malley Greenburg of Forbes Magazine wrote.
A majority of Keith's profits stem from his I Love This Bar and Grill restaurant chain, an endorsement deal with Ford Trucks and the acts he signs to his Show Dog label. Keith has accumulated an estimated $335 million over the past six years.
Coming in second place is singer Taylor Swift, who earned $64 million due to her endorsement deals with Diet Coke, Keds and Cover Girl, along with her recently wrapped Red Tour. Country legend Kenny Chesney came in third with $44 million, which primarily stemmed from his "No Shoes Nation Tour".
Rounding out the top five are Jason Aldean with $37 million and Luke Bryan with $34 million - both country stars reportedly helped "country [music] move toward the mainstream," according to Forbes. Absent from this year's list are high earners Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.
"When it comes to commercial success, country acts are outpacing the biggest names in mainstream pop music," Greenburg wrote. "Luke Bryan was the No. 2 best-selling artist of 2013 behind only Justin Timberlake, while Florida Georgia Line's 'Cruise' was the No. 4 most downloaded song."
Also on the list this year are Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, and George Strait. Florida Georgia Line made the list for tenth place after accruing $24 million over the past year.
"I think country is just getting bigger in general," Brian Kelley, Florida Georgia Line's co-frontman said. "Pop music isn't really a sound, it's just what's popular."
Find out who else made the list here.
