At a time when the economy is in frenzy, USA Today took a look at the touring industry as a way of gauging the state of the music business - and found in their front Living Section story “tours stay strong.” And the nation's paper got down to the nitty gritty, it wasn't a rap, classic rock or pop act, but 4-time and reigning Country Music Association and 4-consecutive Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney.
As Billboard's Touring Editor Ray Waddell said, “Seven straight years above a million tickets sales, unprecedented…,” while Steve Jones and Jack Gillum's wrote the “What He Did” Note accompanying Chesney's #1 Ranking, “The country star remains the undisputed heavy weight touring champ.” Though the Sun City Carnival Tour was his shortest tour to date - and charging the lowest ticket prices of any major headliner - Chesney was also the only act on the list to play NFL Stadiums across the nation.
“You know,” Chesney says of the honor, “to me, it's about rocking the fans… and I never want to have a ticket price that keeps the people who buy my records or listen to my songs in their truck from coming out and partying with us. If I can make sure there are always seats people can afford - and even try to keep the best seats where they're reasonable for what they are - then I feel like I can keep having the party of the summer when I go out. Again, to me, it's about that moment and having fun with your buddies…
“And when you look at some of the other names on that list, well, I'm blown away… cause those are some great shows, too! I know I've been out to see a few of them when we were off, and to be in company with Elton John - who's out with Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen or my friend Dave Matthews, it makes you extra grateful that people chose to make you a part of their summer.”
The summer lives with Chesney's duet with Matthews “I'm Alive” cresting Country's Top 10. Originally recorded by Willie Nelson on the critically heralded Moment of Forever, the follow-up to the multiple week #1 “Out Last Night” celebrates finding peace and grace in the tumult, is the second single from Greatest Hits II available now.
“I don't think anyone sets up their concert schedule or their ticket prices thinking 'I'm gonna be the biggest tour on the road…',” Chesney says of the recognition. “But these are the moments that confirm what I already know: I have the best, wildest, most committed fans any artist could ever hope for. I like to think I live their lives with'em through my songs, and they've made my last 8 summers the best of a very, very good life by coming out to the shows they way they do.”
Though Chesney will not be mounting a major tour next year, he'll be doing isolated shows - “It wouldn't be summer for me without the fans. It just wouldn't,” he explains - and working on some very special projects, including a new record. Look for Chesney and Matthews on “The CMA Awards” broadcast live on ABC, Wednesday Nov. 11.