Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith Have Top Selling Tours of the Decade

Country artists have had a lot to celebrate in the past ten years. With growing album sales and more crossover appeal, Nashville's stars have shown they can hold their own against some of the biggest names in all music genres, especially when it comes to touring. Once relegated to smaller venues and less fanfare, country's stars now sell-out arenas and stadiums and are included in some of the most successful tours of the past decade.

Kenny Chesney, who has sold out football stadiums in record-breaking time, comes in third in highest-grossing tours since 2000, according to the Associated Press. He is preceded only by Dave Matthews and Celine Dion. Kenny, who is taking some much-needed time off in 2010, comes in ahead of Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, the Eagles, Elton John and Jimmy Buffet, who round out the top ten.

Other country artists that showed up on the AP's list of highest-grossing tours include Toby Keith at No. 11, Rascal Flatts in the 16th slot, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's combined tour at No. 16, George Strait at No. 23, Brooks and Dunn at No. 34, Dixie Chicks at No. 41, followed by Tim McGraw on his own at No. 42 and Brad Paisley at No. 44.