The Boot News Roundup: Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band Among 2019’s Highest Paid Celebrities + More
Welcome to The Boot's News Roundup, a morning rundown of the news country music fans need to know. Read on to learn more about the latest goings-on in the country, Americana, bluegrass and folk genres.
Over the last year, Taylor Swift has officially established herself as the highest-paid person in music. Swift tops Forbes' annual list of the 100 Highest Paid Celebrities, making $185 million, and she's not the only country name there. Luke Bryan lands at No. 78 on the list, earning $42.5 million over the past year, while the Zac Brown Band rank at No. 95, with estimated earnings of $38.5 million. The Eagles, the classic rock band Vince Gill is currently playing with, come in at No. 8, having made $100 million. -- AM
Congratulations are in order for country artist and former American Idol contestant Josh Gracin, who's expecting a new addition to his family! Gracin recently confirmed his wife Katie's pregnancy to People, announcing that baby boy Luka (yes, the name has already been picked!) is scheduled to arrive in "early 2020." The child will be the couple's first, though Gracin is also the father of four children from his previous marriage. -- AM
Dallas Smith, Lindsay Ell, Tenille Townes and more artists are nominees for the 2019 Canadian Country Music Association Awards. Also nominated at the biggest country music awards show in Canada, which set for Sept. 8 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, are Gord Bamford, the Reklaws, Paul Brandt and the James Barker Band. During the ceremony, Townes and Old Dominion will perform. -- AM
Kenny Chesney's saluting his No Shoes Nation fanbase with a new, 456-page coffee table book, Kenny Chesney: Living in Fast Forward. The book features more than 500 photos, taken by Allister Ann, Jill Trunnell and Glen Rose, throughout Chesney's superstar career in country music. Only 3,500 copies of the book will be printed, with a lottery system in place to determine access; visit LivingInFastForwardBook.com to learn more. -- AS
Shortly after signing to record label Anti-, Jeremy Ivey has announced plans to release his debut record. Titled The Dream and the Dreamer, the album was recorded in Nashville and produced by Ivey's wife, country star Margo Price. It's set for release on Sept. 13. -- AM