Big Country Tours Doing Well Despite Economy
Concert ticket sales are down 17 percent this year, compared to the first half of 2009. And then there's country. The Tennessean has a great story about how so many major concert tours are suffering the same recessionary woes as the rest of the world, but how country concerts from the likes of Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift are actually doing quite well, thank you very much. The story attributes that to the cheaper seats, but having just shelled out $250 for a Dixie Chicks/Keith Urban/Eagles ticket, I don't buy that. I personally think maybe country fans are just that loyal, and would gladly make sacrifices before they'd miss a show. Clarence Spalding, who manages Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn, said, "A lot of acts out there from the pop and rock side are getting the crap beat out of them, and a lot of it's about the high ticket prices. I don't think you should look at it like we're not making money from the record business so, in turn, you need to jack up ticket prices. If that's your strategy, it's not a great strategy, and it's going to turn away fans."
Photo credit: Ed Rode
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Robin says:
$250 tickets is exactly why some of the Eagles dates have been cancelled. It’s the cheaper prices and great shows that are keeping the country concerts moving.
How much more can you ask for than you are getting at these shows for such ridiculously low prices? The Eagles “may have” some country rock music, but they are rock stars looking for rock star ticket prices.
Country acts appreciate their fans and the condition they are in right now. Traditionally country listeners have had less in the way of money than “non-specific” pop industry fans. So, country artist know they are dealing with people that may have less income but are willing to pay for a good time if it’s reasonable.
Rita says:
I have to admit that the price of the concert ticket dictates whether I go or not. I was able to see Carrie this year only because my daughter bought us tickets for Christmas. Many are in my shoes. I am trying to get together $25 for Blakes concert and that is a fantastic deal. So yes, the economy does make a difference~
stephanie says:
i have to say what Brad did for his H20 tour was amazing and worth every penny.i spent under $200 for me,my husband and our 4yr old daughter to go. we saw five country starts & brad.we were second row we got to meet steel magnolia, josh thomas, & easton corbin.the country artists are so sweet thank everyone for spending their hard earned money on their tickets.my little girl was thrilled to be so close & just when we thought it couldnt get any better, at the end of the show Brad placed his hat on my daughters head & signed it later that night.ofcoarse now she just thinks this is normal & every concert should be that way.talk about bang for your buck.
Robin says:
stephanie - You’re exactly right! Does Cher, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilara get this? No. They are actually more famous by being standoffish. People like them better if they don’t know them that well. But, in the end, it makes your fans much less loyal and certainly not willing to spend money on you when they’ve got your album and that’s all you really are anyway - a famous voice on an album.
Lana Williams says:
Just being nosy, but how well did the Country Throwdown tour fare as in ticket sales?
This was a concept from the 1960’s where several groups came together to tour!
Robin says:
Lana - in late May they had cancelled 4 shows due to low ticket sales, but their biggest act was Montgomery Gentre. While I love everyone in the line up and would have paid for a ticket (I didn’t have to because the local radio station had that line-up for their annual free anniversary show), even the most avid country lover is going to save their money for bigger names.
Many of these acts would still do well on their own in smaller venues including Montgomer Gentre.
carrietx says:
I have excellent seats for Carrie’s concert in October — $45.00 purchased direct from the venue.
Rosa says:
They missed Tim Mcgraw in that article. Tim Mcgraw, George Strait and Reba, Taylor Swift are the only five country artists in the Top ten in all of music for tours so far this year. Brad is not in the top ten.
lifetime says:
Taylor and Tim’s concerts are the best…priced very very well!!!
B.W. LaRoy says:
It’s a digital free download ripooff market. Why should anything cost more than FREE?