Chesney Tour Is Top Draw of 2008

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Kenny Chesney’s 2008 tour drew more fans than any other outing last year in all genres. “There will always be tours that gross more than us,” says Chesney, whose tour came in fourth in overall grosses, “because I believe in trying to make it possible for anyone who wants to come out and rock with us to be able to do it.” Pollstar rankings show that he sold 1,012,804 tickets at an average price of $71.24, making a $72.2 million gross. Joining him on the road were LeAnn Rimes and numerous other rotating guests such as Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar, Gary Allan, Luke Bryan, Eddie Van Halen and Steve Miller. In terms of gross, Chesney followed Madonna ($153.88/average ticket, $105 million total), Celine Dion ($119/average ticket, $94 million total) and the Eagles ($128.82/average ticket, $73.4 total). His 2009 Sun City Carnival Tour sponsored by Corona Extra is already in the works, and sold out Boston’s Gillette Stadium in less than 10 minutes.

WMBA Co-Hosts Toys For Tots Benefit

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The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) co-hosted a Toys For Tots Benefit with Lightning 100 to a packed house at 3rd & Lindsley recently. The event was so successful, Lightning 100 has invited WMBA to sign on for next year, and make this an annual event. The Marines, who oversee Toys For Tots, collected an abundance of toys for needy children.

Pictured are the WMBA Board Officers, with performers Chris Wallin, Tim Nichols, John Kennedy and Kaci Bolls.

Pictured are the WMBA Board Officers, with performers Chris Wallin, Tim Nichols, John Kennedy and Kaci Bolls.

Carson James Joins BBR

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Broken Bow Records has named veteran radio promotion executive Carson James Senior Vice President of Promotions. He most recently spent nearly 10 years in the same role at Curb Records.

“When Jim Yerger (Broken Bow Executive VP) first approached me about this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to work with a group of people that I’ve had such respect and admiration for over the years,” says James. “It’s a great way to kick off a new year, and I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

“We’re extremely thrilled to have Carson join our family,” says Yerger. “His experience, confidence and enthusiasm made him the logical choice as the newest addition to our team.”

James is already at work and may be reached at the Broken Bow offices at 615-244-8600, ext. 16 or [email protected].

Taylor Swift Set For “SNL” Debut

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Taylor Swift, the bestselling artist of 2008 in all genres, will be the musical guest on this weekend’s installment of Saturday Night Live (1/10). She will make her debut on NBC’s long-running sketch show alongside the evening’s host Neil Patrick Harris, star of How I Met Your Mother.

Coming soon from Swift is the karaoke version of her self-titled debut album, available via Big Machine on Jan. 27. That will be followed later this quarter by the karaoke version of her latest album, Fearless, now in its third week atop Billboard’s all-genre Top 200 Albums chart. Elsewhere, she is on AOL Sessions, the cover of Your Prom magazine, and is the Windows Media Artist of the Month.

AFM Pres. Pomeroy Suffers House Fire

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Musician and newly elected AFM Pres. Dave Pomeroy suffered an extensive fire in his home over the weekend. Though some of his irreplaceable instruments survived, Pomeroy lost his beloved dog Duke in the blaze. He says, “the outpouring of love and sympathy I have received from all my friends and family has sustained me through this ordeal.” He can be contacted at [email protected].

CRB Accepting Nominees For Radio Awards

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Country Radio Broadcasters is accepting applications for the 2009 Radio Humanitarian and Promotion Awards to be given at CRS-40, taking place March 4-6, 2009. Both awards will be presented to stations in large, medium and small market categories. Details and applications, due Jan. 9, 2009, are available at www.crb.org. Radio Promotion Award winners will receive a free trip to this year’s Country Radio Seminar.

CRS-40 will be held March 4-6, 2009 at the Nashville Convention Center. Complete seminar information may be obtained by contacting CRB at 615-327-4487 or by visiting www.crb.org. Advance rate registration is still available for $599 through Jan. 15. The regular rate of $699 expires Feb. 6. On-site registration is $749.

Trace Adkins (12/2008)

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Label: Capitol Records Nashville
Current Album: Trace Adkins “X” (TEN)
Current Single: “Muddy Water”
Current Producer: Frank Rogers
Hometown: Sarepta, Louisiana
Management: Vector
Booking: CAA
Recent Hits: “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “Ladies Love Country Boys”
Interesting Fact: Trace was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame November 2008.
Outside Interests: Landscaping, gardening, camping, hunting, politics, civil war buff and moviegoer
Musical Influences: “Granddaddy was a great bass singer.  I used to love to stand beside him in church and listen to him sing. Uncle JW has recorded several gospel albums and was a train engineer, so his nickname became the ‘Singing Engineer.’ Uncle John played Boogie Woogie Piano at all of our family gatherings and Mama and all my aunts sang in the choir.  As you can see, I grew up with music.”
Birthdate: January 13, 1962; Springhill, LA
Recent Awards: 2008 CMA – Nominated for Single of the Year and Music Video for “You’re Gonna Miss This”; 2008 CMT “Male Video of The Year” Winner – “I Got My Game On”; 2007 People’s Choice Award Nominee –Favorite Male Singer (All genres); 2006 CMT Flameworthy Awards – Nominated for Video of Year, Male Video; Hottest Video of the Year for “Honky Tonk Badonkdonk”; 2004 CMT Flameworthy Awards – Nominated for Male Video of Year for “Hot Mama”; 2003 Inducted as Member of Grand Ole Opry – Received Opry Member Award.
RIAA Certs to date: Chrome-Gold Certification; Greatest Hits-Gold Certification; Comin’ On Strong-Platinum Certification; DVD Video Hits- Platinum Certification; Songs About Me-Platinum Certification; Dangerous Man-Gold Certification; American Man, GH Vol II-Gold Certification; “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” (ringtone)-Platinum Certification

After moving to Nashville in the 1990s and releasing his debut album, Dreamin’ Out Loud on Capitol Records Nashville in 1996, Trace Adkins has become a mainstay on the country charts. Songs such as “Dreamin’ Out Loud,” “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Chrome,” “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “You’re Gonna Miss This” are examples of the Grand Ole Opry member’s success over the years.

His career has also branched out to include film, TV and books. In 2008 he became one of the final two contestants on NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice. Although he was not the final winner, Adkins helped raise money and awareness for The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, which he had designated to receive any of his winnings from the show. His inspiration to help the non-profit comes from his young daughter, who is one of the millions of people with potentially life-threatening food allergies. In addition to the reality series, Adkins has made various television appearances on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, The Young and the Restless and more. Adkins also accepted a role in indie film An American Carol by David Zucker featuring Kevin Farley, Kelsey Grammer, Leslie Nielsen, Adkins, Dennis Hopper and others. In late 2007, Adkins released the book “A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck.” The book covers his views on politics, personal responsibility, fame, parenting, being true to yourself and hard work.