Concert Industry Is Banking on a Festive Summer

By JEFF LEEDS

Published: April 11, 2008

LOS ANGELES — Rock fans across the country who can brave the heat will have ample opportunities to see acts like Jack Johnson, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and the Raconteurs take the stage in an array of unconventional settings as part of the concert industry’s increasing wager on summer music festivals.

Faced with an audience that has been atomized by the dizzying music choices available online, concert promoters are straining to book diverse shows in whatever open space is available, be it a ranch in Michigan, a soccer field in Colorado or a racetrack in Maryland.

In a slumping music business such events pack a box office punch: the top five American festivals generated a combined $60 million in ticket sales last year, according to Billboard magazine’s estimates.

Karen's note: along with the economy and rising gas prices..... and all our woes.... America doesn't want to give up the concerts. I sometimes wonder if some of the performers realize what a help they are to us all. Concerts are wonderful, but I have began to realize how much some of these performers charge to appear.... its outlandish.... comments???

The Jack Greene Show

Featuring: Grand Ole Opry Star & Country Music Legend, Jack Greene

Jack had nine #1 hits while recording for Decca Records and MCA Records. These included "There Goes My Everything," "What Locks The Door," "You Are My Treasure," "Until My Dreams Come True," "Back In The Arms Of Love," "Love Takes Care of Me," "Lord, Is That Me?" and "Statue Of A Fool." Jack has had two #1 albums; one stayed at the top of the charts for a year. Today he continues making music for his many fans.

Having toured as a drummer in the Texas Troubadour band for the legendary Ernest Tubb, Jack could scarcely have imagined the incredible success he was to achieve as a solo performer. However, E.T. could see the dynamic potential in his protégé, and actively encouraged him to strike out on his own. The rest is the stuff of history. The pinnacle of his success came during the 1967 CMA awards, where he swept every major prize including Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Song of the Year for "There Goes My Everything." The enduring popularity of that song is reflected in the fact that it has been recorded no less than 111 times, in 14 languages. Due to Jack's immense popularity, he was later inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and to this day, remains a regular on the weekly Saturday night programs that have become a tradition for country music lovers everywhere.

Jack's accomplishments have been legion, and his notoriety has spread across the globe. A multiple Grammy award nominee, he was also recognized by Billboard Magazine as one of the Top 100 "Most Played Artists" over the last 40 years.