Kenny Chesney photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.
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In the midst of a depressin’ recession, it’s a huge gamble to put on a stadium concert, and very few acts are willing to roll the dice on the up-front expenses for that kind of a gig. Of those that do, it seems nearly all of them were country acts in 2009 — and usually that act was Kenny Chesney.
Kenny played a dozen stadiums during his Sun City Carnival Tour, joined for most of the schedule by Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. Kenny created a party atmosphere, often bringing up hometown athletes — including members of the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots, for example — to connect with the city. By the time Sun City ground to a halt in Indianapolis in September, the Zac Brown Band had replaced Lady A and Kenny had topped every other act in any genre as the top touring artist, according to USA Today.
Even though he’s backing off from a formal tour next year, Kenny’s already got a major stadium date on his itinerary for 2010. He’s playing Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird’s Nest, during a Show Of Peace Concert April 17, according to UPI. Also on the bill that day: Coldplay, Jimmy Page, Beyonce, Prince and Justin Timberlake.
In country’s other stadium news:
- George Strait headlined the very first event at the new Cowboys Stadium, the Arlington home for Dallas’ NFL team. When Julianne Hough came down with strep throat, Texas native Lee Ann Womack replaced her as the first person in the lineup and had the honor of becoming the inaugural artist to perform at the venue. Also on the bill that day were Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire.
- Rascal Flatts delivered a pair of sold-out stadium shows. The group appeared at Wrigley Field in Chicago with Darius Rucker and Vince Gill, then sold all 65,000 tickets for a date at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, the hometown of Flatts founders Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus.
- Willie Nelson was the opening act for the Dave Matthews Band during a two-night stand at Boston’s fabled Fenway Park in May.
- As is custom, the Country Music Association showcased many of the genre’s top acts over four straight nights at Nashville’s LP Field in June. Though hampered by an opening-night rain, the concerts still yielded an ABC-TV special, “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock,” featuring Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson, Dierks Bentley and the Judds.
- Taylor Swift has already sold out a June concert at the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. She’s joined at that show by Kellie Pickler, Gloriana and teen pop singer Justin Bieber.
Did you take in one of country’s big tour stops/events in 2009? Drop me a comment below and tell me about your favorite concert of the year!
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i am bummed that kenny will not tour in 2010! his shows are beyond explaining, you have to see him perform in order to appreciate his work.
Nobody can outsing Kenny Chesney.He never misses a beat . His voice is not up and down.He isn't always trying to see what his fingers are doing on the guitar like Brad pasley does.Brad is a good mucisian,but singing is off key.Keith is very good.He should have won best male vocalist the years Brad won.
Even though i have never been to one of kenny chesney concert i have always wanted to kenny chesney dose have the voice to sing he even sings better then talor swift because she can not sing at all i haqve heard her i am a big fan of kenny chesney and he can sing i listen to him every day.
Also, Kenny Chesney is not that great of a live singer and he does stadium shows, so I guess Taylor will take up where he left off. But you fans of hers can spend your money on her, but not me. The thoughts of spending money to see her sling that hair and beat those drumcans and skip across the stage and sing off key makes me cringe.
I don't care for stadium shows! I like a more intimate feeling at a concert, not a big party for so many drunks! I know every concert has drunks, but in a stadium you know there are twice as many and the ones with the far away seats…what else is there to do. I read a review of one of Kenny's stadium shows and the reviewer said he doubted half the people there even knew who was on stage and could have cared less. And I saw a Taylor concert, I will have to say, I thought I was watching a Disney production. She in no way was performing a true concert. Her many costume changes, her many, many hair and head slinging stunts, the drumcans, her standing there agging on the crowd to scream for her and her very weak vocals. If it wasn't for her backup singers, I doubt you could even hear any song coming from the stage. She, IMO, is a passing fad that will fade..maybe not this year but soon. She is so much like Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. I feel her charisma has gotten her where she is because it's not for her singing ability.
I am sad that Kenny is not touring this next summer. I have not missed a summer in 10 years.
It's nice that Kenny had successful stadium concerts in 2009, but to say he "paved the way to stadiums" is forgetting that George Strait had 4 years of successful stadium tours in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 and, in fact, Kenny Chesney was one of the opening acts during those years, along with many other country acts who now headline their own tours. So, if anyone "paved the way" for sucessful stadium tours, it was King George!!!
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The Taylor Swift concert I attended in 2009 was by far the most entertaining concert I've ever been to (runners up would include Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn and Brad Paisley). She put together an amazing show from top to bottom–pretty surprising for someone so young.
The problem with those stadium shows is that everything is so far away it's hard to see so you end up watching the show on the video screens. What fun is that?
I've never been to a stadium concert, so I guess you would be better off saving your money and watching it on tv at home. Unless of course you scored great closeup seats. Taylor is fine for a child, but Kenny and George are the ones I'de pay big bucks to see. I wish they would come to my little small town of Klamath falls, Oregon.
Kenny Chesney Is The Best & A Really Cool Guy
Kenny's concerts kick butt! He is definatly the best touring act period. Keith Urban is also really good, but none come close to the entertainment quality of Kenny Chesney. As Taylor Swift can write songs that touch millions of girls, Kenny's shows connect with millions of people. If you don't believe me, Pollstar states that kenny's played to nearly 9 million since 2003.
lot's of action and screaming over her singing, where is the quality of the actual singing?, covered up by the silly actions on stage, can't sing but sure can shake her head around.
I totally agree, Taylor Swift can't sing! If she disguised herself and tried out for American Idol she'd never make it out of the regional tryouts!
I saw Taylor Swift concert in Oct and it was very good !!! Nona
If anyone is thinking about attending a Taylor Swift concert. I STRONGLY suggest you do!!!! I went last june and i can easily say it was the best concert i have ever been to!!! It was alot of fun! Its one of those shows where u dont even realize that for the last hour you were standing and singing at the top of your lungs!!!!!