As the Naples News reports, the country music landscape has changed dramatically in the past few decades, with today's top tunes decidedly more upbeat and pop-oriented than traditional country and western music. This shift is reflected in the overall makeup of the highest-paid list.

#1 – Garth Brooks – Brooks pulled in $90 million over the past twelve-month period, not only topping the 2015 list but also topping the all-time list for a country music artist or group in a single year.

#2 – Toby Keith – Keith raked in $53 million in the past year, good enough for second place on the list.

#3 – Jason Aldean – Aldean is in third place with a $42.5 million take. Aldean's brand of country can be classified as country rock, and his live shows include pyrotechnics that are worthy of some of classic rock's finest showmen. His music has overseas appeal, given his success with concerts in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Sweden.

#4 – Luke Bryan – Bryan squeaked into fourth place with $42.5 million. Buoyed by songs like “Roller Coaster” and “I See You,” he has a definite crossover appeal.

#5 – Kenny Chesney – Chesney made it into the top five by bringing in $42 million. His stadium tour has been extremely lucrative, and his endorsements from Corona beer and Costa sunglasses fit his style perfectly — as does Blue Chair Bay Rum, his own brand. Chesney is teaming up with Aldean for ten shows throughout the rest of 2015, so get the cash registers ready.

Also making the list were Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Florida-Georgia Line. We're happy to see that despite being around for a couple of decades, some of the performers on the list remain as popular as they did in their early days and haven't been replaced by newer, younger artists. That just proves that country music fans know true talent when they see it!

Article Source: Naples News

Photo Source: Theo Wargo