Irish rockers could top 2010 too, as new shows are already selling out. Plus: Brickman on PBS; Carman gets personal; Family Force 5's 2010 preview; and more.
U2's dazzling 360 Tour was the No. 1 show in North American in 2009, according to Pollstar, the concert industry's trade publication. U2's tour grossed $123 million with sales of more than 1.3 million tickets. The Irish rockers are already making a run at the 2010 statistics too, with at least 14 sellouts so far in their ongoing world tour.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band finished a distant second to U2, with $94.5 million, followed by Elton John/Billy Joel ($88 million), Britney Spears ($82.5 million), and AC/DC ($77.9 million). Other notables in the top 50 included the Jonas Brothers (No. 7, $69.8 million), Miley Cyrus (13, $45 million), and Bob Dylan (45, $20.4 million).
The Pollstar article notes, "For all of the financial troubles of 2009, the concert business had an up year. The numbers for the Top 50 tours were better, across the board, than for 2008, be it total gross revenue or tickets sold. Last year, [Kenny] Chesney was the only artist to sell more than 1 million tickets. This year, U2, Springsteen, Chesney, Jonas Brothers, DMB and 'Walking With Dinosaurs' all topped the million mark."
Brickman on PBS
Pianist Jim Brickman is no stranger to PBS specials, with his latest Beautiful World debuting January 5. The concert was taped in Niagara Falls featuring guests Jon Secada, Melina Doolittle (from American Idol) and Orla Fallon (formerly of Celtic Woman). The set list includes a mixture of original hits such as "Peace (Where the Heart Is)" and "The Gift," plus covers like "What a Wonderful World" and "What the World Needs Now Is Love." Check local listings for airdates or pick up a DVD during the station's pledge drive.
Carman gets personal
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, contemporary pop star Carman filled stadiums across the globe with free-will offering concerts that brought over a million new commitments to Christ. But come 2010, he's taking a much more intimate approach to touring with the "Carman: For Real–For Now" show comprised of a career-spanning set list and stories from his professional and personal life thus far.
Family Force 5's 2010 preview
Last year was a busy one for Family Force 5 thanks to a spot on the Vans Warped Tour, the release of Dance or Die With a Vengeance, and a holiday album. But 2010 looks even busier, starting with a UK tour in February alongside Cobra Starship, followed by the group's new track "Topsy Turvy" appearing in the upcoming Tim Burton remake of Alice In Wonderland. The group may even crossover to the country market now that Lady Antebellum asked the band to remix its single "Need You Now," which also bows sometime in early 2010.
Remember pop star Rachael Lampa, who cruised the charts throughout the 1990s through the early 2000s? After an extended hiatus, she's quietly stepping back into the spotlight with the self-released CD Human, which releases January 5. Click here for samples of the piano pop project.
Calvin Hunt passes away
Gospel singer Calvin Hunt died from cancer December 26 in a Queens hospital at age 52. The double Dove Award nominee was best known as a soloist for both the Christ Tabernacle Choir and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers, though his solo career also included the recent release Bridges.
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