Post by yoohoo on Dec 15, 2008 12:09:05 GMT -5
Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts make 'Billboard' touring top 10
Buzz up! Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts made Billboard magazine's list of the top 10 touring acts of 2008.
Bon Jovi was the top touring act in 2008 with a tour gross of $210.6 million, just ahead of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's $204.5 million, according to Billboard.
Next came Madonna ($162 million), the Police ($150 million), Celine Dion ($91 million), Kenny Chesney ($86 million), Neil Diamond ($81.2 million), Spice Girls ($70 million), the Eagles ($56.6 million) and Rascal Flatts ($55.8 million). Miley Cyruscame in at No. 14 for grosses topping $45 million. Since Madonna's tour still continues and has projected grosses of $280 million, it should be the top-grossing tour by a female and solo artist in history.
The overall touring industry reported record-setting grosses of nearly $4 billion, a 13 percent increase over 2007. But North American concert attendance was down nearly 2 percent, after 2007's 20 percent decrease.
"It was a solid year for country touring and a good year for touring overall, given the economic challenges that are out there," says Ray Waddell, Billboard's senior editor, touring. "Most acts or their handlers would tell you that they had to work this year to keep the level of success they had, but they still managed to pull it off."
Ray says country tours often offer fans better ticket value than pop and rock concerts.
"Chesney's run continues. He had a really strong year touring; they worked it hard," he says. "Rascal Flatts still hasn't peaked. They have shown that they have legs out there, which is important.
"Brad Paisley had a really good year. He was just under the Top 25, and some of that may have had to do with the time frame of when the dates took place (compared to the reporting period). He is still on the upswing. I think his biggest days are still ahead of him, for sure.
"Toby Keith (No. 23 at $31.7 million) doesn't always get the credit for whatever reason, but the guy is a powerhouse on the road. He had another great year and he has a very loyal following that continues to support him."
He says Sugarlandis poised to be a strong headliner, and Carrie Underwood became a headliner in 2008. Taylor Swift will begin headlining shows next year, he says.
"Country has been really good. It's not only building new headliners but keeping them there. They tour a lot, so you've got to provide value to give fans what they want to go back year after year."
Buzz up! Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts made Billboard magazine's list of the top 10 touring acts of 2008.
Bon Jovi was the top touring act in 2008 with a tour gross of $210.6 million, just ahead of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's $204.5 million, according to Billboard.
Next came Madonna ($162 million), the Police ($150 million), Celine Dion ($91 million), Kenny Chesney ($86 million), Neil Diamond ($81.2 million), Spice Girls ($70 million), the Eagles ($56.6 million) and Rascal Flatts ($55.8 million). Miley Cyruscame in at No. 14 for grosses topping $45 million. Since Madonna's tour still continues and has projected grosses of $280 million, it should be the top-grossing tour by a female and solo artist in history.
The overall touring industry reported record-setting grosses of nearly $4 billion, a 13 percent increase over 2007. But North American concert attendance was down nearly 2 percent, after 2007's 20 percent decrease.
"It was a solid year for country touring and a good year for touring overall, given the economic challenges that are out there," says Ray Waddell, Billboard's senior editor, touring. "Most acts or their handlers would tell you that they had to work this year to keep the level of success they had, but they still managed to pull it off."
Ray says country tours often offer fans better ticket value than pop and rock concerts.
"Chesney's run continues. He had a really strong year touring; they worked it hard," he says. "Rascal Flatts still hasn't peaked. They have shown that they have legs out there, which is important.
"Brad Paisley had a really good year. He was just under the Top 25, and some of that may have had to do with the time frame of when the dates took place (compared to the reporting period). He is still on the upswing. I think his biggest days are still ahead of him, for sure.
"Toby Keith (No. 23 at $31.7 million) doesn't always get the credit for whatever reason, but the guy is a powerhouse on the road. He had another great year and he has a very loyal following that continues to support him."
He says Sugarlandis poised to be a strong headliner, and Carrie Underwood became a headliner in 2008. Taylor Swift will begin headlining shows next year, he says.
"Country has been really good. It's not only building new headliners but keeping them there. They tour a lot, so you've got to provide value to give fans what they want to go back year after year."