2013's Top Money Makers in Music: Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Justin Timberlake

10 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on 2013's Top Money Makers in Music: Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Justin Timberlake
billboard.com
billboard.com

As has become an annual tradition, Billboard ranked the biggest earners in music of the past year. 2013 continued to show that the big bucks are out on the road.

The figures below are a little misleading though. They are estimates based on data from Nielsen SoundScan, Nielsen BDS, and Billboard Boxscore. They do not include merchandise sales or sponsorship deals. With those dollars added in, not only would the numbers be a lot higher, but the order would very likely change as well.

It also shows there’s plenty of money to be made in country, but only if you’re male and play to the party crowd. Kenny Chesney and Luke Bryan are the only country reps here. Where are the top female country artists, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood? At #36 and #40, respectively.

When it comes to sales and touring revenue, Taylor Swift tops everyone else. Over six months of heavy touring brought in about $30 million. Not even included here is the money she made from sponsorships with Keds, Elizabeth Arden, and Diet Coke, and the estimated gross take in merchandising sales of about $10 million.

Maybe Kenny Chesney’s sales numbers aren’t as impressive, but they are very consistent. Physical sales and downloads contributed to his income this past year, but as with Swift, touring is the big money-maker. The No Shoes Nation Tour brought in about $90 million, split by the various acts.

Justin Timberlake‘s return to music was a spectacular success. The 20/20 Experience sold more than 2 million physical copies, practically unheard of since the advent of downloads. His high ranking in this list is once again because of touring revenue, with the 12 performances with Jay Z generating $60 million. Timberlake’s solo shows grossed $43 million from 39 shows.

1. Taylor Swift – $39,699,575.60
2. Kenny Chesney – $32,956,240.70
3. Justin Timberlake – $31,463,297.03
4. Bon Jovi – $29,436,801.04
5. The Rolling Stones – $26,225,121.71
6. Beyoncé – $24,429,176.86
7. Maroon 5 – $22,284,754.07
8. Luke Bryan – $22,142,235.98
9. P!nk – $20,072,072.32
10. Fleetwood Mac – $19,123,101.98

14. Jason Aldean – $17,896,191.98
15. George Strait – $16,002,761.63
18. Mumford & Sons – $14,172,940.87
21. Paul McCartney – $13,769,479.16
22. The Eagles – $13,026,210.18
27. Blake Shelton – $10,349,774.77
30. Zac Brown Band – $9,888,213.32
31. Imagine Dragons – $9,448,031.68
32. Jimmy Buffett – $9,404,015.71
34. Rascal Flatts – $9,215,475.78
36. Miranda Lambert – $8,831,605.89
38. Tim McGraw – $8,761,716.61
40. Carrie Underwood – $8,051,483.55

 

Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter