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.
Katie Armiger Visits Texas Children’s Hospital
/by Sarah SkatesCold River recording artist and Houston native Katie Armiger recently visited the Texas Children’s Hospital to spread cheer to some of the patients. Armiger, pictured with nurses, sang Christmas songs and led the children in Christmas Carols. Texas Children’s Hospital is an internationally recognized full-care pediatric hospital ranked in the top ten among children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
iTunes Drops DRM
/by Sarah SkatesCNET.com reports Apple has finally cut deals with Universal, Warner Music and Sony that would allow iTunes to sell DRM-free music files. EMI has been offering DRM-free files on iTunes for over a year. In return, iTunes will compromise on single song pricing. The tech giant had steadfastly refused to accept the idea of variable pricing in the past. Under the new agreement, there would be increased prices on certain hit songs, some tracks would remain at the current 99¢ rate, and a new catalog category would sell for 79¢. There are also expectations that when the deal is announced officially, possibly at MacWorld next week, it will also include over-the-air iPhone downloads without the aid of Wi-Fi.
Sony Adds To A&R Department
/by Sarah SkatesSony BMG Officially Becomes Sony Music
/by Sarah SkatesSony BMG Nashville is starting the new year with an offical name change to Sony Music Nashville. As such, the label group Web site can now be found at www.sonymusicnashville.com. E-mail addresses are changing to firstname.lastname@sonymusic.com, but old addresses will remain in effect during a transition period.
Urban Maps 2009 Tour
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban has firmed up stops on his 2009 tour, which will hit 58 North American cities such as Nashville, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Toronto and Vancouver. The outing kicks off in May, and will likely go through summer and into the fall. A video for his new single “Sweet Thing” is due this month, and his as-yet-untitled new album is set for release on March 31. On the road, a changing cast of supporting acts will include Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Glen Campbell and The Zac Brown Band.
Chesney Tour Is Top Draw of 2008
/by Sarah SkatesKenny 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
/by Sarah SkatesThe 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.
Carson James Joins BBR
/by Sarah SkatesBroken 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 carsonjames@brokenbowrecords.com.
Taylor Swift Set For “SNL” Debut
/by Sarah SkatesTaylor 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
/by Sarah SkatesMusician 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 earwave@aol.com.