This article from Slate proves that it's better to be smooth than cool. Economists analyzing the music business found that due to the demographics of concert-goers and the fact that artists now make a higher percentage of their revenues from touring instead of CD sales, that:

Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond out-earn Britney Spears and Kid Rock

Celine Dion edges out Rod Stewart

I'll bet that on a net-net profit basis, Celine Dion pockets more than almost anyone. She plays the same venue in Vegas every night just down the street from her home, making her overhead a fraction of what a touring act would incur.