Recession Can't Stop Country Music Concerts
I had a feeling that live music was sort of recession proof. And now I have proof. According to the Tennessean newspaper, concert grosses held steady and attendance even rose a little bit. That means 19.2 million people went to see some kind of live music during the 2009 concert season. I'm sure some of those are repeaters like me who go to multiple shows in a season, but still, that is a lot of people. Kenny Chesney makes up for a large part of that number, as does Taylor Swift. The story theorizes that the concert industry did OK this year because "many belt-tightening fans saw going to a concert as a less expensive alternative to going on vacation." I've never really thought of a two-or-three-hour show as a vacation, but I can kind of see the parallels. The sun is usually out, the beer is plentiful and typically everyone's pretty happy. So yeah. I guess concerts are the new vacations.
Photo credit: Ed Rode
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trink says:
Nothing like a concert especially the two listed to take all your worries away. Can’t wait till March 27th to see Taylor. I’ve seen many concerts in my years and I have to say I’m looking forward to this one more than any of the them. GO CMT Country Music Taylor!!!!
Ashley says:
You know what I can’t wait for?! Carrie Underwood’s tour next year. It’s supposed to be huge, from what she’s told us fans. This year with no Carrie touring has been torture for us!!! Haha.
Granna says:
I’ve seen Taylor and her show didn’t seem like a country concert to me. It was more like a choreographed musical. It was cute, but I don’t think I would want to sit through it again. Too many screeching young girls there for me! And Taylor, Lordy mercy, the head slinging that girl did. That is one thing that really got annoying. I went to 3 concerts this summer and I have to say Keith Urban’s was my favorite. WOW!
amy says:
why dont you mention more of the artist bringing all those people out to shows. Like keith urban,brad paisley, rascal flatts, carrie underwood, toby keith. Why is it always kenny chesney and taylor swift..im sick of hearin about em!
Michelle R. says:
I love going to concerts! MY family usually goes to one a year, or every other year. I have to say, Keith Urban’s is by far my favorite. I saw his Love, Pain, and the Whole Crazy World Tour in 2007, and I saw his Escape Together Tour over this summer. Talk about a true entertainer! Go Keith! Probably the top artist on my list of people I havnt seen yet but want to is Brad Paisley.
flower says:
love taylor and keith this year i have seen taylor 3 times she was awsome!!!! keith i saw 2 times and he was great to!! iam going to see taylor again in dallas next march can not wait and kellie and glorina will be with taylor again!!! i no cu was trying to get kellie but she said she;s going out on tour with taylor again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! gooooooooooooooooootaylor and keith cu;s over rated!!!!!
tsfan says:
taylor’s concert was great, the best i have been to. from the reviews that i have read, taylor fans are not the only ones who enjoyed it.
merlefan49 says:
I’ve gone to 3 bluegrass shows in the last year and only spent 45 bucks total.
dbfan says:
I agree with amy and want to add that the support artists bring a lot of fans to shows too, like Dierks Bentley. And some of those fans leave before the main act comes on, so they wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the support artist.
flower says:
like i said before iam seeing taylor again and tim mcgraw again those two will be HUGE tours this (again for taylor)!!!!!!!!!can’t wait!!!!