Country Music People October 2018 | Page 4

cmp OCTOBER 2018 Volume 49 Number 10 Issue 584 News Walt Trott in Nashville Duncan Warwick in London Destination Tennessee Editor Duncan Warwick Contributors David Allan, Janet Aspley, Donnie Ayers, Craig Baguley, Larry Delaney, Don Cusic, Julie Flaskett, Kelly Gregory, Michael Hingston, Tony Ives, Spencer Leigh, John Lomax III, , Roland Purdy, Adrian Peel, Paul Riley, Alex Rossi, Wayne Smart, Chris Smith, Tom Travis, Walt Trott, Dave Watkins, Jack Watkins New release consultant: Steve Tidbury Assistant editor / Special projects coordinator Kelly Gregory Photographers Patricia Presley, Barry Dixon, Billie McAleer Printed by Zenith Media www.zenith-media.co.uk Distributor Seymour International Press Distributors Ltd. 2 East Poultry Avenue London EC1A 9PT Telephone [phone] Fax [phone] Country Music People is published the last Thursday of each month by KICKIN’ CUTS LIMITED 24 Darley Close, Wittering, Peterborough PE8 6EQ, UK Telephone [phone] - 783689 [email protected] www.cmpcountry.com ©2018 Kickin’ Cuts Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the Publisher. The Publisher accepts no responsibility for statement of fact or opinion expressed by contributors. The views of the contributors are not necessarily those of Country Music People or its editor. 4 cmp - OCTOBER 2018 Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam disclosed that recent reports indicate the state reached a tourism milestone, tallying some $20.7 billion spent by visitors in 2017. He said the record sum was due to direct visitor spending and not from economic impact. Since the Volunteer State has no state income tax, it relies on sales taxes to help fund government. Among its 95 counties, Haslam noted that the music-fueled income from Davidson County, home to Nashville, generated the most visitor dollars with a record $6.5 billion in direct spending. “The numbers show Tennessee is a destination of choice for visitors around the world. However, we would not have these numbers if not for the capital investments, renovations and dedication made by tourism partners across the state to deliver great experiences that create wonderful memories.” Luke’s Loaded Luke Bryan is currently leading the pack among country acts on Forbes’ 2018 list of highest earners, with an estimated take of $52 million, edging out Garth Brooks’ estimated $45.5 million, that drops him to second spot, after having topped the list in the three prior years. Now Kenny Chesney’s at #3 with $37 million; Zac Brown Band’s #4 with $31 million; leaving Blake Shelton in fifth place with $28 million. Trailing are Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and the list’s only female, Dolly Parton in 10th spot.