Kenny Chesney continues to lead the way as country music's top money maker. The singer is in the top ten on "Billboard's" annual Money Makers list, which ranks music stars based on what they earned last year from album, downloads, and ringtone sales; publishing royalties; and touring. Chesneys' take totaled 26-million-581-thousand-144 to give him ninth place overall on the list. Rascal Flatts captures 19th place with a 2009 income of nearly 18-million-dollars, while Taylor Swift isn't far behind at number 21 and earnings of 17-point-two-million. Brad Paisley's nearly 14-point-three-million-puts him at number 27, and Keith Urban follows at 28 with more than 14-million-75-thousand-dollars for the year. Toby Keith is the only other country star in the top 40, with nearly 12-million-dollars.U2 far outpaced all others to take the top spot on the list. The Irish rock band brought home a total of 108-million-601-thousand-283-dollars. By comparison, the second-ranked Bruce Springsteen's 2009 earnings were 57-million-619-thousand-37.
The top ten of "Billboard" 2010 list of music's "Top 40 Money Makers"
1. U2, 108-million-601-thousand-283
2. Bruce Springsteen, 57-million-619-thousand-37
3. Madonna, 47-million-237-thousand-774
4. AC/DC, 43-million-650-thousand-466
5. Britney Spears, 38-million-885-thousand-267
6. Pink, 36-million-347-thousand-658
7. The Jonas Brothers, 33-million-596-thousand-575
8. Coldplay, 27-million-326-thousand-562
9. Kenny Chesney, 26-million-581-thousand-144
10. Metallica, 25-million-564-thousand-234
Other country stars on the "Billboard" 2010 list of music's "Top 40 Money Makers"
19. Rascal Flatts, 17-million-996-thousand-964
21. Taylor Swift, 17-milliion-204-thousand-646
27. Brad Paisley, 14-million-299-thousand-322
28. Keith Urban, 14-million-75-thousand-581
33. Toby Keith, 11-million-941-thousand-345
