Taylor Swift, Reba and George Are Tops in Tours
As the economy continues to experience a downward spiral, all aspects of the entertainment industry -- including concert tours -- are feeling the effects. Major tours, including Lilith Fair, Rihanna and The Eagles (along with the Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban) have been canceling shows and slashing dates as they deal with lagging ticket sales. With a shocking 17 percent drop in ticket sales overall this year, Pollstar recently named the top concert tours of 2010, who seem unaffected by the recession, and once again, country music proves its staying power.
Coming in at No.1 are Jersey rockers Bon Jovi, whose concert tour revenue came in at almost $53 million so far this year. James Taylor and Carole King's tour came in at No.2 with $41 million, while Taylor Swift inches close to them at $34 million. Former Beatle Paul McCartney has the No.4 slot with over $31 million, while the George Strait/Reba McEntire tour rounds out the top five at almost $30 million.
Brad Paisley, who wrapped up his American Saturday Night tour and then went back out on the road with his H2O World tour holds the No.16 slot. Other artists raking in the big bucks on the road include Nickelback, Jay-Z and Eric Clapton.
Country music has shown a steady increase in popularity in recent years. Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and Brooks & Dunn are just a few of the country artists named as the top-selling tour acts of the past decade.
Taylor will spend the next several months off the road while she works on her new album, but George and Reba (along with opening act Lee Ann Womack) will be on the road into the fall. Find their show dates here.
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