Chesney Tour Is Top Draw of 2008

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.