Toby Keith Tops Forbes List of Country Music’s Highest-Paid Stars

Toby Keith has recently gone on record as saying that America’s wealthiest citizens should expect to shoulder their fair share of the country’s tax burden — and he knows a thing or two about what it’s like to write the IRS a check after having a successful year.

He might have to get set to write another one, too: According to Forbes’ latest list, he’s the highest-paid entertainer in country music.

During the period between May of 2010 and May of this year, Keith cleared an impressive $50 million, putting him ahead of Taylor Swift ($45 million), Brad Paisley ($40 million), Tim McGraw ($35 million), and the members of Rascal Flatts ($34 million). Keith’s bottom line was no doubt helped by the fact that he released a number one album, ‘Bullets in the Gun,’ during that period, but he’s also a successful entrepreneur, with a stake in the I Love This Bar and Grill chain, as well as his Mezcal-sponsored Wild Shots drink — not to mention his endorsement deal with Ford.

Keith’s bank accounts should stay healthy for awhile longer, too. His upcoming album, ‘Clancy’s Tavern,’ has already launched a hit single with ‘Made in America.’

[Taste of Country]