45 Richest Country Singers in the World

It’s often said that country music can be defined simply as "three chords and the truth." Hundreds of highly talented musicians have since aimed to make a living singing country, and some have made a rather decent living at it.

A very, very few have become multimillionaires in the process. In fact, at least one country recording artist is worth a half-billion.  

These are the richest country singers out there. Now maybe they’ll write new songs about being such ballers.

45. Jon Pardi

Birthdate: May 20, 1985

Born in: Dixon, California

Net worth: $8 million

Bottom Line: Jon Pardi

"Outlaw" country has a vaunted history in the Golden State, thanks to the likes of Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakam (more on him later). Jon Pardi moved to Nashville to pursue his muse after working on his sound in Northern California, eventually signing with Capitol Nashville. 

In Pardi's early years, he opened for Dierks Bentley and Alan Jackson while trying to get his name out there.  It’s working out well thus far, but Pardi never forgot his origins. His 2016 album was called "California Sunrise."

44. Randy Travis

Birthdate: May 4, 1959

Born in: Marshville, North Carolina

Net worth: $9 million

Bottom Line: Randy Travis

Randy Travis, best known for his neotraditionalist country and gospel sound, first hit the country music scene in 1978. He became a pivotal figure in the genre, charting over 50 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart with 16 hitting number one.

His breakthrough album, "Storms of Life," was released in the mid-1980s, and his rich, baritone vocals kept his name on the charts for over a decade. He later began recording more Christian music, but his country songs remain his greatest claim to fame.

He sadly suffered a stroke in 2013, requiring prolonged rehabilitation to restore his voice and ability to play the guitar, which never fully returned to normal. Even with the setback, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016, but he lost most of the money he earned in his career.

43. Patsy Cline

Birthdate: Sept. 8, 1932

Born in: Winchester, Virginia

Net worth: $10 million 

Bottom Line: Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline was known for her strong vocal and emotional ballads, such as "Walkin' After Midnight," Crazy" and "I Fall To Pieces." She and Loretta Lynn were contemporaries and best friends. They were on the same trajectory, but Cline's time was cut short. She died in a plane crash at just 30 years old in 1963. 

She is considered one of the most important and successful country singers of all time. Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr., Janis Joplin, Linda Ronstadt, KD Lang, Emmylou Harris and Lee Ann Womack have all cited her influence. 

42. Porter Wagoner

Birthdate: Aug. 12, 1927

Born in: West Plains, Missouri

Net worth: $10 million 

Bottom line: Porter Wagoner

Known for his1960s series,  "The Porter Wagoner Show," his flamboyant Nudie suits, and hit songs like "A Satisfied Mind" and "Green, Green Grass of Home," Wagoner is best recognized for his discovery of Dolly Parton, who first appeared on his show in 1967.

When she left to strike out on her own, she informed him she was doing so in "I Will Always Love You," the smash song Whitney Houston later covered. 

When Wagoner heard it, according to Parton, "He started crying. When I finished, he said, 'Well, hell! If you feel that strong about it, just go on—providing I get to produce that record because that’s the best song you ever wrote."

Wagoner, who also was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002. He died in 2007 at the age of 80.

39. Wynonna Judd (Tie)

Birthdate: May 30, 1964

Born in: Ashland, Kentucky

Net worth: $12 million

Bottom Line: Wynonna Judd

In the 1980s, Wynonna Judd rose to fame as one half of the mother-daughter duo, the Judds. Together, they sold over 20 million albums and struck gold with numerous hit songs, including "Mama He's Crazy," "Why Not Me" and "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)."

The Judds retired as a duo in 1991, and Wynonna successfully struck out on her own, releasing several hit albums and songs, including "She Is His Only Need," "No One Else on Earth" and "To Be Loved by You." She is widely regarded as one of the most successful country singers of all time and continues to tour and perform today. 

39. LeAnn Rimes (Tie)

Birthdate: Aug. 28, 1982

Born in: Jackson, Mississippi

Net worth: $12 million

Bottom Line: LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes had a recording contract before her 14th birthday, making her the youngest country star since the days of Tanya Tucker. Rimes' first album "Blue" hit the top spot on the country charts, with the title track absolutely burning up the airwaves that summer of 1996. 

In addition to her income from music, Rimes also has gone Hollywood, appearing in TV movies like "Holiday in Your Heart," and she even had a small part in "Coyote Ugly."

More recently, she appeared in costume on the show "The Masked Singer."

39. Chris Stapleton (Tie)

Birthdate: April 15, 1978

Born in: Lexington, Kentucky

Net worth: $12 million

Bottom Line: Chris Stapleton

Kentuckian Chris Stapleton initially went to Nashville for his education (imagine that), and enrolled at Vanderbilt as an engineering major. However, he dropped out of classes to chase his dreams down Broadway, home to Nashville’s famous row of honky-tonks. 

Stapleton fronted various groups before striking out on his own, releasing the appropriately titled single "What Are You Listening To?" in 2013. He has since sold several million records and continues to be very much in demand as a country singer.

38. Eric Church

Birthdate: May 3, 1977

Born in: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Net worth: $14 million

Bottom Line: Eric Church

The church of Church is going swimmingly well for the North Carolinian, who started composing his own songs as a teen, and was performing around local bars before he was even old enough to order a drink at one. 

Eric Church graduated college with a degree in marketing, which has served him well as he’s watched his star rise up the country music charts. "Drink in My Hand," "Smoke a Little Smoke" and "Stick That in Your Country Song" are just a few of his popular songs that have gone gangbusters. 

37. Darius Rucker

Birthdate: May 13, 1966

Born in: Charleston, South Carolina

Net worth: $17 million

Bottom Line: Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker has seen success in not one but two music genres. You may remember him as the lead singer for the 1990s band Hootie & the Blowfish, whose hit tracks include "Hold My Hand," "Let Her Cry" and "I Only Wanna Be With You."

In 2008, Hootie took a hiatus, so Rucker could pursue a solo career in country music. He has since released several successful country albums, with hit songs such as "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," "It Won't Be Like This for Long" and "Wagon Wheel."

In 2009, he was the first African American artist to win a New Artist of the Year award from the Country Music Association (CMAs).

36. Lee Ann Womack

Birthdate: Aug. 19, 1966

Born in: Jacksonville, Texas

Net worth: $20 Million

Bottom Line: Lee Ann Womack

Music was in little Lee Ann’s blood early on thanks to her father, a DJ who often asked his daughter to help him choose a playlist. That early education helped Womack when she moved to Nashville, where she at first pursued a career on the business side of the record biz. 

She was soon performing her own songs around town, and producers took notice. Womack got a significant boost in popularity by reaching pop audiences with her bonanza of a crossover hit, "I Hope You Dance" from 2000 (released on the album of the same name).  

35. Hillary Scott

Birthdate: April 1, 1986

Born in: Nashville

Net worth: $25 million

Bottom Line: Hillary Scott

As the co-leading singer of Lady A, Nashville native Hillary Scott also has built up quite a war chest for herself thanks to being one of the band’s main songwriters.

In addition to their own compositions, including the radio mainstay "Need You Now," their songwriting credits include "Better Than This" for Hunter Hayes and Miranda Lambert’s "Love Song."

Scott and Lady A remain one of the most recognizable groups in country music, so much so that in 2020 they rebranded themselves from "Lady Antebellum," which bore unfortunate connotations of the Jim Crow South. 

34. Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line

Birthdate: Jan. 31, 1987; Aug. 26, 1985

Born in: Monroe, Georgia; Ormond Beach, Florida

Net worth: $25 million each

Bottom line: Florida Georgia Line

Bandmates Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of the duo Florida Georgia Line are each worth a cool $25 million — one for each side of the said state dividing line. (Hubbard is from Georgia, and Kelley is a Floridian.) 

The windfall has been rather kind to the two singers thanks to hit songs such as "H.O.L.Y.," "Round Here" and "Get Your Shine On." 

And despite some recent breakup rumors, the duo is continuing to write and record new music.  

33. George Jones

Birthdate: Sept. 12, 1931

Born in: Dixon, California

Net worth: $30 million 

Bottom Line: George Jones

Jones began his career in the 1950s, over which he recorded iconic songs, including "White Lightning," "She Thinks I Still Care," "The Race Is On" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today." 

He was equally known for his hard-living lifestyle, which included a years' long battle with substance abuse and several contentious marriages (including one to fellow country legend, Tammy Wynette.)

Jones was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992 and continued to perform and record until his death in 2013. Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Vince Gill and Dwight Yoakam have all cited him as a major influence. 

32. Trisha Yearwood

Birthdate: Sept. 19, 1964

Born in: Monticello, Georgia

Net worth: $40 million

Bottom Line: Trisha Yearwood

Georgia’s favorite peach of a crooner burst onto the scene in 1991, with her massive hit "She’s in Love With the Boy." That instant attention paved the way for Yearwood’s self-titled debut album to rocket to platinum status. 

And who could forget "How Do I Live" from the 1997 flick "Con Air"?  There’s been no turning back since for the songstress.  

Yearwood has a rather hefty collective household fortune when combined with her husband’s, whom you also may have heard of (keep reading). 

29. Zac Brown (Tie)

Birthdate: July 31, 1978

Born in: Atlanta

Net worth: $45 million

Bottom Line: Zac Brown

Fans of such acts as the Dave Matthews Band and the Jimi Hendrix Experience know that it makes great sense to put your name at the top of your own band, lest anyone forget.

Zac Brown took note when he named his band after himself. It currently boasts eight members, though we challenge you to name any other than Brown without resorting to Wikipedia.

Their 2010 album "You Get What You Give" sold 2 million copies, and they’ve released several since. In 2017 alone, they generated $10 million just from touring.  

29. Miranda Lambert (Tie)

Birthdate: Nov. 10, 1983

Born in: Longview, Texas

Net worth: $45 million

Bottom Line: Miranda Lambert

The pride of Texas attempted to follow in LeAnn Rhimes’s path by appearing on "Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue," so crucial to Rhimes’s early career.

After an early trip to Nashville didn’t work out, Lambert returned to the Lone Star State and released her first album there. Shortly thereafter, she appeared on a TV competition show called "Nashville Star."

A music exec liked what he saw and signed the then-20-year-old to a record deal. She’s since sold more than 7 million records in the United States alone.  

29. Dwight Yoakam (Tie)

Birthdate: Oct. 23, 1956

Born in: Pikeville, Kentucky

Net worth: $45 million 

Bottom Line: Dwight Yoakam

His music was once considered too downmarket for the somewhat snooty A&R reps of Nashville, so Yoakam hit the road west to California, where the so-called "hillbilly" country market was more receptive to his unique sound. 

Los Angeles proved a rather fertile ground for Yoakam’s artistic sensibilities, so much so that the Kentucky native also ventured into acting. You can even watch his unseemly character get murdered by Billy Bob Thornton in "Sling Blade," which Thornton both wrote and directed.  

27. Blake Shelton (Tie)

Birthdate: June 18, 1976

Born in: Ada, Oklahoma

Net worth: $60 million

Bottom Line: Blake Shelton

Some guys have all the luck, and then there’s the incomparably fortunate Blake Shelton. From the days of his early album "Austin," country fans have been all too happy to transfer their money into Shelton’s pockets. 

Oh, and he’s been rather lucky in love too: He and fellow country star Miranda Lambert were married for four years before calling the whole thing off in 2015. However, he and No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani tied the knot in 2021, making him once again among the luckiest SOBs out there.  

27. Emmylou Harris (Tie)

Birthdate: April 2, 1947

Born in: Birmingham, Alabama

Net worth: $60 million

Bottom Line: Emmylou Harris

Most famous during the 1980s, the silver-haired Emmylou Harris was both a solo artist and a backup vocalist for over a dozen acts. She started out as part of a trio with Gerry Mule and Tom Guidera before branching out on her own, becoming a prolific singer-songwriter in her own right.  

She performed with huge names like Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash, and won 14 Grammy Awards out of the 48 she was nominated for, including Best Country Vocal Performance, Female and Best Contemporary Folk Album.

26. Loretta Lynn

Birthdate: April 14, 1932

Born in: Butcher Hollow, Kentucky

Net worth: $65 million

Bottom Line: Loretta Lynn

At 89 years young, the original coal miner’s daughter has been a mainstay of the country music scene for well over a half-century. Loretta Lynn's longevity might have something to do with the hearty stock of the gene pool she came from in Butcher Hollow, but more likely it’s Lynn’s hard work. 

In addition to her 54 albums, the Queen of Country has also written several books and has had other sources of income in addition to her touring revenue. 

All hail the queen.

23. Keith Urban (Tie)

Birthdate: Oct. 26, 1967

Born in: Whangarei, New Zealand

Net worth: $75 million

Bottom Line: Keith Urban

Proving that country music’s appeal extends far beyond America’s shores, Kiwi crooner Keith Urban has been entertaining fans on both sides of the Pacific Ocean since 1991.

His 2002 album "Golden Road" alone has sold over 3 million copies, and Urban has parlayed his fame into judging work on “The Voice” and "American Idol." 

He also retails his own signature line of guitars, which has certainly kept him in the chips. Oh, and he’s also married to Nicole Kidman, so he’s clearly doing all the right things.  

23. The Chicks (Tie)

Birthdate: The trio was born between 1969 and 1974

Born in: Dallas, Texas

Net worth: $75 million

Bottom Line: The Chicks

The Chicks, previously known as the Dixie Chicks, are actually a trio rather than a solo artist, but they're too good not to include.

The group is composed of lead singer Natalie Maines and sisters Martie Maquire and Emily Strayer. They formed their band in 1989 and have been active ever since, winning 13 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Grammy Award for Song of the Year. As of 2020, the Chicks had sold 33 million records. 

The country trio didn't shy away from controversy either, openly criticizing the actions of then-U.S. President George W. Bush in 2003. 

23. Willie Nelson (Tie)

Birthdate: April 29, 1933

Born in: Fort Worth, Texas

Net worth: $75 million

Bottom Line: Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson is a living legend. Even today in his late 80s, Nelson is one of the most recognizable figures in country music. His most famous works include the album "Shotgun Willie" in 1973 and songs "Red Headed Stranger" and "Stardust."

He also was one of the pioneers of outlaw country music, a subgenre that broke away from the conservative restrictions of the broader genre. 

The multitalented wonder also coauthored multiple books, acted in dozens of films and became an activist supporting the legalization of marijuana.

21. Jason Aldean (Tie)

Birthdate: Feb. 28, 1977

Born in: Macon, Georgia

Net worth: $80 million

Bottom Line: Jason Aldean

In an era when streaming has all but killed the notion of a blockbuster album, Jason Aldean proved otherwise with his 2010 record "My Kinda Party," which went quadruple platinum.

Aldean has been a consistent seller throughout his lengthy career in country music, with his 2018 tour raking in over $10 million in revenue. (Remember tours? Well, they’re coming back!)

In addition to his music money, Aldean also co-owns a hunting company called Buck Commander, which retails items such as hats, coolers and other items for sportsmen.  

21. Faith Hill (Tie)

Birthdate: Sept. 21, 1967

Born in: Ridgeland, Mississippi

Net worth: $80 million

Bottom Line: Faith Hill

From humble origins in the Magnolia State, singing sensation Faith Hill has gone on to sell over 40 million albums, making her one of the most successful female artists in the genre.

Her early albums "Breathe" and "Faith" found success among pop audiences too, proving again that country has many listeners. Her single "There You’ll Be" from the 2001 film "Pearl Harbor" brought her even more attention. 

Hill is also married to another extremely successful country music artist, who just happens to be next on this list.

19. Tim McGraw (Tie)

Birthdate: May 1, 1967

Born in: Delhi, Louisiana

Net worth: $85 million

Bottom Line: Tim McGraw

Mr. Faith Hill, like his wife, has enjoyed crossover success thanks to tunes like "Something Like That" (which boasts a lyric about a BBQ stain on a white T-shirt).

In addition to his 80 million records sold, McGraw has tried his hand at acting, appearing in "The Blind Side" alongside Oscar winner Sandra Bullock. His other films include "The Kingdom," "Tomorrowland" and "Friday Night Lights."

McGraw also donates funds and time to his various charities, including at his native Gulf coast, which was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  

19. Carrie Underwood (Tie)

Birthdate: March 10, 1983

Born in: Muskogee, Oklahoma

Net worth: $85 million

Bottom Line: Carrie Underwood

Some "American Idol" winners are barely heard from ever again (remember Ruben Studdard?), and then there’s Carrie Underwood. The aspiring artist won Season 4 of the show in 2005, and her debut single "Inside Your Heaven" went right up to Number 1 on the Billboard 100. 

The hits just kept right on coming thanks to "Jesus, Take the Wheel" and "Don’t Forget to Remember Me." Underwood continued making all the best decisions and has 70 million worldwide records to her credit.  

18. Luke Bryan

Birthdate: July 17, 1976

Born in: Leesburg, Georgia

Net worth: $90 million

Bottom Line: Luke Bryan

Many of the best country music singers started out writing music for other artists, which is a rather ingenious way to get your name known around Nashville — and also serve as a potential launchpad from which to fire up your own singing career. 

Indeed, Luke Bryan moved out from behind the sheet music in 2007, with his album "I’ll Stay Me," from which came three hit singles. Bryan also hosts an exclusive "vacation concert" called Crash My Playa, and he owns the Nashville bar Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink and has his own record label, 32 Bridge Entertainment. 

16. Brad Paisley (Tie)

Birthdate: Oct. 28, 1972

Born in: Glen Dale, West Virginia

Net worth: $95 million

Bottom Line: Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley had some early luck in his native West Virginia, where local radio programs insisted he return to perform live week after week. He went to college in Nashville and learned all he could while interning for the biggest record labels in town. 

In 1999, he performed at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, and released his debut album "Who Needs Pictures."  Paisley also has written songs for the "Cars" movie franchise, including "Nobody’s Fool" and "Find Yourself," which is a great way to get your music in front of new fans as well as established ones.  

16. Merle Haggard (Tie)

Birthdate: April 6, 1937

Born in: Oildale, California

Net worth: $95 million

Bottom Line: Merle Haggard

In the country music world, mention the name Merle and everyone knows who you're referring to. Merle Haggard had a rough start in life. He was born at the tail end of the Great Depression and lost his father as a child. He was a troubled youth, but after a few stints in prison, he did a complete 180, becoming a successful country music artist.

He had 38 different number one hits between 1960 and 1990, and boasted one of the longest-running country careers on record. He continued releasing new albums into the 2000s, continuing to perform until his death in 2016.

While he's no longer around to enjoy the fruits of his labor, his estate is worth nearly $100 million today.

15. Alan Jackson

Birthdate: Oct. 17, 1958

Born in: Newnan, Georgia

Net worth: $96 million

Bottom Line: Alan Jackson

Growing up in Georgia, Alan Jackson listened to some of country music’s founding giants before making the move to Music City himself. In Nashville, Jackson started out in the mailroom, putting in his time before getting signed to a recording contract with Arista. 

Nowadays, he watches the cash roll in from his YouTube channel, record sales and touring revenue. In addition to his numerous Grammys, CMA Awards and ACM Awards, Jackson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017 by none other than Loretta Lynn.

14. Reba McEntire

Birthdate: March 28, 1955

Born in: McAlester, Oklahoma

Net worth: $98 million

Bottom Line: Reba McEntire

The debate rages over who is the true "queen" of country, Loretta Lynn or Reba McEntire.  McEntire endured difficult times early on, struggling for years before her 1984 album "Just a Little Love" caught fire. 

She has sold well over 75 million records and, like more than a few artists on this list, McEntire also has tried her hand at acting.  For a genuinely good time, watch her as a badass gunslinger in 1990’s campy creature feature "Tremors."

There was even a sitcom, "Reba," in which she starred. 

13. Johnny Cash

Birthdate: Feb. 26, 1932

Born in: Kingsland, Arkansas

Net worth: $120 million

Bottom Line: Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash is a legend. While some country artists are best known for their songwriting skills, it was Cash's distinctive, bass-baritone voice, rebellious attitude and humility that captured the world's attention. 

He often began concerts by introducing himself with a simple, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash," before performing "Folsom Prison Blues" or one of his other many signature songs.

With countless hits, including "I Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire," Cash sold over 90 million records worldwide and became the only artist other than Elvis Presley to earn a spot in both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

12. Hank Williams Jr.

Birthdate: May 26, 1949

Born in: Shreveport, Louisiana

Net worth: $122 million

Bottom Line: Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Williams Jr. can't be listed without mentioning his father. Hank Williams Sr. led the way for both of their careers, recording 35 singles that reached the top 10 of the Country & Western Best Sellers chart and 11 that hit number one. He struggled with chronic pain and substance abuse, sadly, and died suddenly at just 29. 

His son, Hank Williams Jr., took up where he left off. Initially, he covered his father's music, before making a mark with 21 albums of his own released by 1992. Known for his rock-influenced vibes and catchy anthems, his work received numerous awards and earned him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2020. 

 

11. Rascal Flatts

Birthdate: The trio was born between 1970 and 1975

Born in: Columbus, Ohio

Net worth: $150 million

Bottom Line: Rascal Flatts

Like the Chicks, Rascal Flatts is a trio, not a solo act. Still, with a net worth of $150 million, they indisputably deserve a mention. The group was founded in 1999, and over the past 20-odd years, they've released over 40 singles, including 16 number one Hot Country Songs. 

Rascal Flatts won several AMA and CMA awards along with a few Grammy nominations, in addition to a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Artist Humanitarian Award in 2012.

By 2020, the group had sold more than 11 million concert tickets and contributed $4 million to Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. 

10. Kris Kristofferson

Birthdate: June 22, 1936

Born in: Brownsville, Texas

Net worth: $160 million

Bottom Line: Kris Kristofferson

Country’s top 10 earners have some serious coin in their accounts. Number 9 has been at the game for quite some time, so that’s only fair. 

While serving in the Army in the 1960s, Kris Kristofferson started writing songs. Later, as a civilian, Kristofferson wrote songs for Johnny Cash (notably "Sunday Morning Coming Down") and other artists while getting his own singing career going. 

Kristofferson also has appeared in over a hundred films and TV shows, showing off his versatility. He was even nominated for an Oscar for music he wrote for 1985’s "Songwriter."  

9. Kenny Chesney

Birthdate: March 26, 1968

Born in: Knoxville, Tennessee

Net worth: $190 million

Bottom Line: Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney might have had good luck on his side by recording his 1989 demo at the Bristol Studios on the Virginia-Tennessee border — the place where country music is said to have been born in 1927. 

Since those humble beginnings, Chesney has since released over 20 albums total, and his most recent record was 2020’s "Here and Now." It’s reported he raked in $31 million in just a one-year stretch.  

And in the battle of the Kennys for worldwide fiscal domination, Chesney "lost" out to recently departed Kenny Rogers, whose estate is worth some $250 million. 

8. Kenny Rogers

Birthdate: Aug. 21, 1938

Born in: Houston, Texas

Net worth: $250 million

Bottom Line: Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers is, well, Kenny Rogers. More than a country artist, he captured the hearts of millions with songs spanning multiple genres, including jazz, folk, pop, soft rock and, of course, country. He was also more than a singer. He was also a songwriter, record producer, actor and entrepreneur. 

During his lifetime, he charted over 420 hit singles and sold over 100 million records, putting his name down in history as one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He passed away in 2020, but his estate is worth a quarter of a billion dollars. 

Fun fact: Kenny Rogers had a pet goat named Smitty that acted as his soothing, unofficial therapy pet. 

7. George Strait

Birthdate: May 18, 1952

Born in: Poteet, Texas

Net worth: $300 million

Bottom Line: George Strait

Loretta Lynn and Reba McEntire may have quibbled for some time over being the "queen" of country music, but when it comes to who is king, the jury is in: It’s George Strait. 

Strait’s style of dress and manner of singing have provided the blueprint for countless artists in his wake who are also chasing stardom.

And boy howdy, talk about stardom. Strait has sold over 100 million records during his vaunted career, which shows absolutely no sign of flagging anytime soon.  

6. Garth Brooks

Birthdate: February 7, 1962

Born in: Tulsa, Oklahoma 

Net worth: $330 million 

Bottom Line: Garth Brooks

So George Strait claims to be the "king," eh?  Well, one Troyal Garth Brooks might have something to say about that. Brooks conquered the country scene in his native Oklahoma before his famously failed first try in Nashville (he claimed he could make a better living back in Oklahoma). Brooks returned to Music City a second time, and the rest is (very well-paid) music history. 

Brooks achieved superstardom thanks to his music crossing over into the pop charts, making him the seventh-most selling artist of all time — in any genre. 

Oh, and he’s also married to Trisha Yearwood (No. 22), so there’s that.  

5. Toby Keith

Birthdate: July 8, 1961

Born in: Clinton, Oklahoma

Net worth: $365 million

Bottom Line: Toby Keith

Toby Keith eclipses fellow Oklahoman Garth Brooks by about $30 million dollars in net worth, but when you’re as rich as that, that’s like pocket change. 

He’s come quite a ways from when a kindly flight attendant, who was also a fan of the aspiring singer, passed along his demo tape to a music exec.

Keith has his own line of mescal and a restaurant bearing his name too. He’s also the top-earning male country artist, which means that the top three spots must all belong to the gals. But which ones?

2. Shania Twain (Tie)

Birthdate: Aug. 28, 1965

Born in: Windsor, Canada

Net worth: $400 million

Bottom Line: Shania Twain

The highly talented Canadian has over (get ready for it) 100 million records to her credit, and a string of crossover hits that drew in pop audiences as much as country fans in the late-'90s.  Those included "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" and "You’re Still the One," among many others. 

In addition to racking up the record sales, Twain has released her own signature fragrance, and she’s been a featured judge on a few TV talent competitions as well. 

She may have $400 million in the bank, but that don’t impress me much (get it?).  

2. Alabama (Tie)

Birthdate: Lead singer Randy Owen was born on Dec. 13, 1949

Born in: Fort Payne Alabama

Net worth: $400 million

Bottom Line: Alabama

Alabama, also known as Young Country and Wild Country, was just about the biggest country act there was during the 1980s. They formed in 1969 led by Randy Owen, the lead vocalist, alongside Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook. 

The band went on to have 27 number one hits and seven multiplatinum albums, earning over 200 collective awards, including AMAs, Grammy's and Artist of the Decade. While the group disbanded in 2004, they reunited in 2010 and are touring worldwide to this day.

In 2019, Alabama was also inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. 

2. Taylor Swift (Tie)

Birthdate: Dec. 13, 1989

Born in: West Reading, Pennsylvania

Net worth: $400 million

Bottom Line: Taylor Swift

Before you cry "but Tay-Tay is a pop star," allow us to remind you that, for the first years of her illustrious career, Taylor Swift was, in fact, recording country records. These included "Fearless" from 2008 and "Speak Now" from 2010, but then came "Red," which sold 1.2 million copies in just one week. 

That might not seem a lot compared to the sales tallies of hit records last century, but in Swift-ville, it was the beginning of her conquering the country and pop charts simultaneously.  

Heck, she released two albums during lockdown alone, while the rest of us were binge-watching "Tiger King."

1. Dolly Parton

Birthdate: Jan. 19, 1946

Born in: Locust Ridge, Tennessee

Net worth: $500 million 

Bottom Line: Dolly Parton

And then there’s the one, the only, Dolly Parton. For over 50 years, the "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" songstress has been a pillar in the world of country music, TV, movies and various other business ventures. 

Dollywood, located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is a gold-generating theme park of all things Dolly. Then there are her clothing and houseware lines. 

Yet for all of her fame and fortune, Parton is remarkably mum on her personal political views, hewing to the notion that an entertainer should, well, entertain.