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PRIZES ANNOUNCED FOR JAMIE GOLD CHARITY TOURNAMENT

2009-08-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

7 August 2009 (London, UK) - The Jamie Gold Charity Poker Tournament, to be held at The Casino at the Empire during the Poker in the Park festival in Leicester Square, London – 13th and 14th August, is giving away a huge variety of generous prizes.

The tournament, which aims to raise money for The Jamie Gold Foundation’s numerous charities, will be co-hosted by 2008 WSOP Main Event winner Peter Eastgate and will commence at 7.30pm on Thursday, 13th August at The Empire’s Shadow Lounge.

It will be a 50 player No Limit Texas Hold’em Freezeout Tournament with starting stacks of 7,000 chips and 20 minute blind levels. Forty seats will be available at £500 per seat – the other ten seats are reserved for personal invites of Gold and Eastgate.

A number of prizes have been generously donated. These include the following:

· EPT seat worth £5,200 donated by Poker Stars

· £3,000 Unibet Open Package

· Gresham Blake Tailor Made Suit

· Custom Chip Set from Marlow Casino Chips

· £1,000 Gevril Wristwatch courtesy of Bluff Europe magazine

· Custom Poker Table worth £3,000

· Tag Heuer Sunglasses

· £1,500 Oceanault Wristwatch donated by Jamie Gold

· £1,000 PopStar’ Experience including one nights accommodation at Reading's 5 Star Forbury Hotel

· Poker & Golf program with Dare2Dream

· A week's poker training by "The Maven" in his Las Vegas poker academy

Prizes will be awarded by choice. i.e. 1st place gets first pick, second place gets second pick and so on.

Attending the tournament will be Michael Greco, Teddy Sherringham and Mark Chadwick of the band the Levellers. Also attending will be Poker Pro JJ Hazan as well as Gold and Eastgate.

Tori Amos and her ‘Sinful Attraction’ tour

2009-06-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Get ready for the haunting and eccentric voice of American talent, Tori Amos, coming to Phoenix on July 18th. Singer, songwriter and pianist, Amos came to international success in the 90s with her deeply emotional and social-minded lyrics coupled with her offbeat composing. Even her performances are unusual in the way she presents herself, nearly facing the audience as she plays the piano. Her style is a little Kate Bush, a little Fleetwood Mac, a bit of Joni Mitchell but somehow she is an original.

Classified as alternative rock performer, her singles include top hits such as ‘Crucify,’ ‘Silent All These Years,’ ‘Cornflake Girl,’ and ‘A Sorta Fairytale, her most successful US single.

Her latest and tenth album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, will be released on May 19th through distributor, Universal Republic, and was recorded at her Cornwall, UK home studio, Martian Studios, by her British husband Mark Hawley and his partner Marcel van Limbeek. The album has some powerfully sad melodies.

Amos describes the album as "really handmade. I wanted to make a treasure, something people will value… I wanted to really investigate how we're controlled by the threat of despair…. I wanted to look at power, how we think and how you can reclaim the right to think for yourself, to uncover what you believe in as a spiritual, sexual creature. You don't need the approval of your family, or of their religion. You can think, 'Wait a minute, I'm a spiritual being. Just because I like gold handcuffs doesn't mean I'm not a spiritual being. These definitions are not for my mother to make about me.' What I am exploring with this record is power, and giving it away with your thinking. How do we become controlled?"

This six-time Grammy award winner began playing piano at the age of two and by five she was composing pieces on the piano. At nine years of age she started adding in lyrics. Highly talented she won a full scholarship to the Preparatory Division of the Peabody Conservatory of Music at the age of 5, but it was suddenly discontinued when she turned 11, perhaps because of her newfound interest in rock music.

At age 21, Amos moved to Los Angeles to pursue her music career, formed a band, Y Kant Tori Read, and quickly secured a six-record deal with Atlantic Records. Her first album was an embarrassment to her but her next album very much piano-focused, and the recording company’s executives decided to promote her as the next Joni Mitchell and relocate her to Britain, considered to be more open-minded musically. Her career then began its steady ascent.

Come hear this ethereal and thought provoking star perform at our very own Dodge Theater for one memorable night.

TicketForce Announces Marc Ross, Sales Executive (East)

2009-05-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

Mesa, Arizona , May 15, 2009: TicketForce today announced the hiring of Marc Ross, Sales Executive (East). Mr. Ross will work from his Boston, MA office, commuting monthly to the corporate office in Mesa, AZ.

Mr. Ross brings experience from the music, sports and ticketing industry since 2000, excelling in software sales and customer service. His previous experience includes Regional Sales Director for ExtremeTix (Houston) and Senior Regional Account Manager for Vendini (Boston).

As Sales Executive for TicketForce, Mr. Ross will oversee sales in the Eastern States (east of Mississippi), and will represent the company at trade shows.

An accomplished bass guitar player, Marc holds his BA from Clark University in Psychology with a minor in jazz studies.

Marc Ross
Eastern Sales Executive
Office: 866-726-3581, ext. 238
Direct Line (Boston): 781-452-7201
Email: marc@ticketforce.com

About TicketForce

TicketForce utilizes a powerful web-based ticketing system to provide venues, promoters, festivals, arenas and civic centers with a fully-customizable solution for full-service ticketing and box office management. TicketForce serves as a technology partner for its customers, enabling sales through integration with Internet sales, box offices, and Call Centers. TicketForce provides a complete suite of scalable products and services, including print-at-home ticketing, electronic will-call, access control, payment processing, management tools, and real-time reporting. More information is available at http://www.ticketforce.com/ticketforce-news.html.

More details: http://www.ticketforce.com/ticket-solutions.html
Contact the Sales Team: sales@ticketforce.com
Toll-Free: 866-726-3581

Pat Benatar and Debra Harry, ‘Call Me Invincible’ tour

2009-05-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

These two female rock icons, who have never shared a stage before, are hitting the road together this summer on their ‘Call Me Invincible’ tour. It will feature songs from their combined ten platinum albums and eight number one hits, including favorites such as ‘Heart of Glass,’ and ‘Love is a Battlefield.’ They arrive in Phoenix on July 28th at the Dodge Theatre.

If there are two cooler rock-chicks on the proverbial road tour today, one would be hard pressed to name them. Tickets for this unique event will go quickly. According the joint press release, Deborah Harry, a.k.a. Blondie, says of her new stage mate, "Pat Benatar is not only a friend, but a fearless female rocker who has entertained me and her wealth of fans for so many years. This will be a reunion for us both and being able to bring our two shows to fans across the country is very exciting!" Pat Benatar returns the compliment, "Deborah and I have been friends forever. I'm thrilled that we're finally getting an opportunity to tour together, it should be a blast."

If you think these dames of rock have been in quiet retirement until now, think again.

The sixty-three year old Deborah Harry, a former Playboy Bunny and best known as the lead singer for the band Blondie, has been working steadily all these years and has achieved success as a solo artist, as well as an actress; she has over 30 film roles and several television appearances to her credit.

Major international success came in 1978 with the album, Parallel Lines, that included the hit single ‘Heart of Glass,’ and continued steadily through 1981 when Harry released her first solo album. The band then regrouped but their tour was cut short by a band member’s illness. This and declining sales forced them to split up. But the Blondie machine kept going with successful remixes through the late 80s to the mid-90s, and in 1997, Blondie began working together once more to renewed applause. In fact Harry had the great distinction of winning a place in the Guinness World Book of Records in 1999 as the "Oldest Female Singer to Reach No. 1 in the UK Chart" with her hit, ‘Maria.’ She was 53.

According to Wikipedia, Blondie began recording further tracks in 2001 but the master tapes were lost after 9/11. The band regrouped in 2002 with a UK tour that preceded the successful release of a new single, ‘Good Boys,’ as well as their eighth studio album, The Curse of Blondie. The band continued touring for four years, and in 2006, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In the summer of 2007, Blondie toured the UK again and did a world tour starting in October of 2008.

And what about Benatar? She hasn’t rested on her laurels, either.

Fifty-three year old Brooklyn born Benatar is a four-time Grammy Award-winner best known for hit songs ‘Love Is a Battlefield,’ ‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot,’ and ‘Heartbreaker.’ Billboard Magazine ranked Benatar as the most successful female rock vocalist of all-time with 19 Top 40 singles to her credit, as well as many Platimum albums.

Benatar’s mother was an opera singer and subsequently, classical music ruled in Pat’s household. This mezzo-soprano was classically trained all the way, even studying at Julliard. Nevertheless, she was always a rocker at heart. "I was singing Puccini and 'West Side Story' but I spent every afternoon after school with my little transistor radio listening to the Rolling Stones..."

Catch Benatar and Harry this summer at the Dodge Theater and be prepared to be blown away by two of rock’s best female legends.

Joe Cocker at the Dodge Theatre on June 7th

2009-05-13T23:28:00.000-07:00

Arguably one of the grittiest and most soulful rock voices of the past five decades is none other than British singer and composer Joe Cocker. Who can forget throaty numbers like ‘You can leave your hat on;’ ‘Unchain my heart;’ ‘Up where we belong;’ and ‘Summer in the City?’ If you’re looking to put a notch in your belt for seeing all time greats, go see this tireless performer live on tour in Phoenix at the Dodge Theatre on June 7th.

Cocker was born in Sheffield, England on May 20, 1944. To support his musical ambitions, he worked as an apprentice gas fitter, but at night he was Vance Arnold of The Avengers, singing in dingy bars. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t good. On the contrary, he caught the attention of the Rolling Stones, and in 1963 Cocker and his band acted as their warm up at Sheffield City Hall. They were a huge success, and fortune built steadily from there.

Cocker had his first appearance on American television in 1969 on the iconic Ed Sullivan. The press adored him, and so did America. He performed that summer in Woodstock in front of an incredible half a million people. Twenty-five years later, he was the opening act and one of the few originals who later performed in Woodstock ‘94.

While Cocker had hits internationally in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, his first American number one was his duet with Jennifer Warnes in ‘Up where we belong,’ the theme song to An Officer and a Gentleman. In fact he has sung several theme songs for movies such 9 1/2 Weeks – featuring ‘You can leave your hat on’ from his Platinum album, Cocker; Harry and The Hendersons, Bull Durham, and An Innocent Man.

While he has toured most of his career, Cocker’s notable performances include playing at Royal Albert Hall and on The Tonight Show in 1988, as well as singing at an inauguration concert for President George H. W. Bush in 1989. Success still continued and in 1992, his version of ‘Feels Like Forever’ by Bryan Adams hit the UK Top 40. In 2007 the Queen awarded him an OBE for services to music.

His last album, Hymn for My Soul, released in 2007, was produced by Ethan Johns and includes several noteworthy musicians such as Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, as well as Cocker’s versions of songs such as Stevie Wonder's ‘You Haven't Done Nothin’.’ Each is well worth downloading to your iPod.

Cocker has no plans to retire as he still enjoys ‘the buzz of performing.’ He currently lives in Jane Fonda’s old house, Mad Dog Ranch, in Crawford, Colorado. A bit of a mad old dog himself, this pit-bull rock legend is still giving it his all and is more than worth it to hear live.

KENNY G On Tour

2009-05-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

The biggest-selling instrumental musician, with global sales exceeding 75 million albums (over 45 million albums sold in the U.S. alone), touches down in Phoenix on June 13th at the Celebrity Theatre. A qualified pilot, Kenny G (short for Gorelick) might even be flying his own plane to get here. Who knows when he had the time to learn to fly – and oh, to become a highly respectable golfer, too, with a handicap of +0.6.

Kenny G was first inspired to play the soprano saxophone after watching a performance on the Ed Sullivan Show. He took lessons from local trumpeter Gerald Pfister and practiced along to records to try to copy what he heard. Born in Seattle, Kenny - who unequivocally plays as romantically as Cyrano courted Roxanne - had the good fortune to perform for years with greats such as Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra and Jeff Lorber Fusion. Although Arista Records signed him in 1982, his truly pivotal moment came six years later on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Always someone to take risks, at the last minute he overturned the producer’s decision that he perform a piece of music with a singer. Since his goal was to establish himself as an instrumentalist, he felt he needed to perform alone. He played ‘Songbird,’ and his star was finally ablaze.

Kenny has collaborated with many great artists such as Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole and Frank Sinatra, and his sixth album Breathless became the biggest selling instrumental record in the U.S. with over 12 million records sold in the America alone (15 million in total). ‘Forever in Love,’ became a GrammyÆ award winning single from that album. He then topped his own record with his 1994 holiday compilation, Miracles, which hit number #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and which became the best selling holiday album of all time. According to Wikipedia, the album still holds that record today.

He continues to add his own personal touch to the greatest of love ballads such as ‘The Way You Look Tonight,’ Alicia Keys’ ‘I Ain’t Got You,’ and James Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful.’ Of his music he says, “I think my music gives people the opportunity to listen to their own thoughts. Tap into their imaginations. Create their own stories to songs without the limitation of words...”

Kenny G’s last album, Rhythm & Romance, was his first Latin Jazz compilation. Recorded live in the studio, he used some of the world’s finest Latin musicians. He calls it a rich, one-of-a-kind tapestry of samba and salsa, ballads and bossa nova. “Musically, this is nothing like I have ever done before,” he says.

He has performed all over the world for millions of people and is a great favorite internationally, especially China, where the government uses some of his music for closing time at public places or at the end of school classes. Even mass transit systems in Tianjin and Shanghai play his songs when trains arrive at stations.

A final curiosity… he holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for playing the longest note ever recorded on a saxophone. He held an E-flat for 45 minutes and 47 seconds. How is that possible? Perhaps you will get a glimpse of how he performs such magical feats when he arrives here at the Celebrity Theatre.

Jimmy Buffett – The Summerzcool Tour

2009-04-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

If summer holidays weren’t enough to be excited about, we have Mr. Margaritaville himself coming to town. That’s right, Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band arrive in Phoenix on 5/14 at the Cricket Wireless Pavillion for the Summerzcool Tour 2009 – Buffett’s 34th music tour of his career.

At 62, Buffett might not be getting any younger but he’s still a heck of a lot of fun, and his guitar strumming is pure nostalgia. His songs are the main staple of summer parties, beach or otherwise. Margaritaville, for instance, is an American classic and rates number 234 on the Songs of the Century list (an educational project organized by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the National Endowment for the Arts, and Scholastic Inc.)

With Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in a Paradise alone, he is practically the symbol of island life, but he is also a powerful institution. Author of three bestselling fiction and non-fiction books, writer of children’s books, songwriter, musician, cameo-actor, businessman, philanthropist and pilot, Buffett may sing about the laid back island life – like the balmy Key West where he lives - but he is a busy entrepreneur wearing many hats, earning an estimated total of $100 million a year.

Born in Mississippi, Buffett’s music career took off in 1977 with the album release of Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes, featuring his breakthrough single, Margaritaville. Amazingly, with all his success and popularity over the last 30 years, it wasn’t until 2003 that he had another top hit – It’s Five O’clock Somewhere, a duet with Alan Jackson. It went to the top of the country charts and won the 2003 Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the Year. Also incredibly, this was his first award. Granted, a lot of his music has some dubious language that might have been a holdback for awards and honors.

Still, this legend still looks great and keeps up with the times, and his fans, aka Parrotheads, will be in for a treat as he promises to introduce several more songs on his tour, including: We’ve Got a lot to Drink About - a song meant to lift spirits despite stock market and unemployment blues. His music is pure entertainment guaranteed to make you smile, a valuable commodity in these troubled times. Be quick. Most of his tickets sell out in minutes.

Buy Jimmy Buffett Tickets Here

Jennifer Hudson @ Dodge Theatre in Phoenix

2009-04-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

It isn’t everyday that one gets to hear one of America’s most powerful singing voices up close and personal. Often compared to a young Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson will perform in Phoenix on 5/05 at the Dodge Theatre with Robin Thicke as part of her 2009 tour.

The 27-year old Chicagoan has had both a remarkable and tragic few years. After finding fame on American Idol in 2004 as one of twelve finalists, Hudson won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2006 for the movie musical, Dreamgirls. She then went on to release her debut 2008 album, self-titled, that contains rich and emotional songs such as If This Isn’t Love, Giving Myself, and Spotlight, along with sassier numbers like Pocketbook, featuring Ludacris. But in October of that year, the unthinkable happened when her mother, her brother Jason and her nephew were murdered. Her fans wondered if she could ever recover from such a devastating and public loss.

But Hudson did come back, and she did so on one of the biggest platforms there is in the US. She reemerged at Superbowl XLIII, performing the Star Spangled Banner. Although the song was rumored to be prerecorded, the sadness in her voice was there for all to feel. It was a nerve-wracking performance but beautifully done. She went on to perform on Oprah among other big-name shows, as well as the Grammy Awards, where she sang a particularly poignant single off her new album – You Pulled Me Through. She proceeded to win Best R&B album of the year.

There is still so much to come for this young and powerful singer as she moves forward from her family’s tragedy. Be part of her history and see her this May. In the meantime, keep up with her on http://www.JenniferHudsonOnline.com

Buy Jennifer Hudson Tickets

JONAS BROTHERS WORLD TOUR 2009

2009-04-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

Young fans and their parents, too, will be lining the streets to see this fresh faced, clean living band. The Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009 comes to the Jobing.com arena in Glendale on August 11th 2009 to promote their fourth pop-rock album, Lines, Vines and Trying Times, which will be released on June 15, 2009. All twelve of the songs’ lyrics were written by Jonas brothers Nick, Kevin and Joe. In a recent Rolling Stone Magazine interview, Nick said of the album title: "Lines are something that someone feeds you, vines are the things that get in the way, and trying times, well, that's obvious."

This young New Jersey group started as a solo band with Nick, who originally began playing on Broadway at the tender age of 7 in many top productions. In 2002 he wrote a song with his father, and Nick was ‘discovered’ because of the song by Columbia Records and was signed jointly with them and INO Records in 2004. Several songs on the subsequent album were written by all three brothers and although it had only a limited release, it was enough to persuade Columbia Records to sign the three brothers together. The band was eventually dropped by Columbia in 2007 but was picked up quickly thereafter by Hollywood Records with whom they really took off, combined with their success on the Disney Channel.

These young kids are successful to say the least. Their second album, released in the summer of 2007, hit number five on the Billboard Hot 200 chart in its first week. They won Breakthrough Artist at the 2008 American Music Awards, and they were the youngest band ever to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine (July 2008.) In December 2008, they were nominated for the Best New Artist award at the 51st Grammy Awards. They were also listed number 9 on the richest pop acts of 2008, making over sixty-two million US dollars. And they’ve done all of this with a very family-friendly, wholesome image.

Just as impressive are their philanthropic endeavors. They have donated 10% of their earnings to the charity they founded: Change for the Children Foundation that supports “programs that motivate and inspire children to face adversity with confidence, determination and the will to succeed.”

They were in Arizona just last year, kicking off their last tour down in Tucson. If you missed them, this is the ideal band to take the entire family. Go hear their energetic sing-a-long tunes at their August appearance in Glendale.

Click here to buy Jonas Brothers Tickets

NICKElBACK TOUR KICKS OFF

2009-04-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

One of Canada’s biggest rock star acts, Nickelback, has just kicked off their tour and will reach Glendale on September 8th to promote their Dark Horse album featuring the single, "Gotta Be Somebody."

Nickelback’s lead singer, Chad Kroeger has one of the sexist male voices in rock. If you have any doubts, his duet with Santana with ‘Into the night’ and with Josey Scott on the Spider-Man theme song, "Hero," will likely change your mind.

The band plays an interesting mix of AC/DC style hard rock and tuneful melodies, like Photograph, that the softer rock fans enjoy. In fact, they really went mainstream with ‘I Wanna be a Rock Star’ – a parody on rock star life. Who better to know, ayh? If they play this one on tour, the whole place will be standing and singing. It’s not shown as part of their song setlist, but if they’re smart, they’re using it as an encore.

Their Dark Horse album has the usual mix of hard and softer tunes, and lead single, ‘Gotta Be Someone,’ is about as romantic as it gets with its lyrics on searching for one’s soul mate. It must be resonating with a lot of fans, old and new, as it’s creeping up the Billboard in the top 20.

A last FYI for those new fans who didn’t already know… apparently the band got its name from band member Mike Kroeger frequently telling customer’s at his Starbuck’s job, "Here's your nickel back." Funny where inspiration hits. Grab and ticket for the tour and get a further jolt.

Buy Tickets To Nickelback Here

U2 360 Tour

2009-04-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

Start standing in line, Phoenix fans… U2 360 Tour tickets go on sale on April 20th for an October 20th appearance at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Ticket holders will get just what the tour’s name advertises: 360_ staging. This most famous of Irish bands will be surrounded literally by their fans – an experience that surely will be incredible for the audience, as well as the band itself. Check out what it looks like on U2’s official website site: http://360.u2.com/

On the tail of their newest album release since 2004, No Line on the Horizon, their twelfth album, has generated so much excitement since its February release that tour sales have already exceeded 2.5 million tickets. Such a long pause between albums obviously paid off – as well as the time it took to make the album: 16 months in the studio.

Diehard fans of post-punk U2 will not be disappointed by No Line on the Horizon, which has plenty of hard guitar and rhythmic echos combined with Bono’s grandiose vocals and philosophical lyrics. The top singles – which debuted every night in one week on the Letterman Show – include Get on Your Boots, Magnificent, Breathe, and I’ll Go Crazy If I don’t Go Crazy Tonight.

Those searching for a softer side may find solace in another album, recorded at the same time as No Line on the Horizon and that is to be released at the end of the year. Bono has been quoted as saying it’s a "more meditative album on the theme of pilgrimage."

Pilgrimage your way right to buying a ticket for this tour that promises to have you 360 dizzy with the kind of larger-than-life entertainment only Bono and his band can illicit.

Click here for U2 Tour Tickets

KEITH URBAN’S ESCAPE TOGETHER TOUR

2009-04-15T06:06:00.000-07:00

New Zealand born but raised in Australia, Keith Urban music sounds more like that of a Tennessee native’s, but perhaps that is the magic of country music’s flexibility and reach. Urban is heading our way on July 25th on his Escape Together World Tour to promote his sixth U.S. studio album, Defying Gravity, released on March 31, 2009. The album has hit number one on Billboard 200.

Named the 2005 CMA's Male Vocalist of the Year, Urban is widely regarded for his guitar skills, and has performed on albums with the likes of Charlie Daniels, Emerson Drive, Garth Brooks and the Dixie Chicks. His guitar plucking is as good as ever on Defying Gravity, never ceasing to entertain with foot tapping tunes you can crank up loud and sing to.

You can see why Kidman fell for this eye-pleasing talent. His sassy country hits just lift the spirits. ‘Sweet Thing,’ his latest CD's first single that has already become his 18th Top 5 Country single, is a fast paced charmer. And the rest of the album won’t disappoint either. ‘I’m In,’ ‘Kiss a Girl,’ and ‘Hit the Ground Running’ will have everyone rockin’ in the aisles for the lucky few able to grab tickets. The album should keep selling at the top of the charts through the summer with the momentum of this promising high-energy tour.

Click here to buy Keith Urban Tour tickets

MADONNA’S STICKY AND SWEET TOUR 2

2009-04-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Madonna - yes, she is still touring: Sticky & Sweet 2 kicks off in London at the O2 arena on July 4th. She has already played in the US, and it became the highest-grossing tour ever by a solo artist reaching $US 280 million in sales – this as she turned 50. There is, however, nothing middle-aged about her physique. Tight, toned, and sinewy as a high-performance athlete, there is not a dab of flab on her.

When touring in Michigan, her home state, her performance was rated as a stylish sensory overload, brimming with high-end video, sublime lighting, strapping dance numbers and an array of pulsing hits (The Detroit Free Press.)

Madonna might now be able to recreate herself anymore, because let’s face it, she’s got nowhere else to go, but the tour is brimming with her risqué sexual energy. Billed as the hottest concert on the planet, if you missed last year’s tour, this is just the time to take advantage of the improved dollar exchange rate and take a trip to Europe because she will be one of the top sights to see. She’s playing in some of the most beautiful places like London, Prague, Barcelona, Paris, Marseille, Bucharest and St. Petersburg. Act fast because this tour already has many sold out shows.

Click here to buy tickets to Sticky And Sweet

BRITNEY SPEAR’S CIRCUS TOUR

2009-04-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

Britney Spears is on tour with the Pussy Cat Dolls and hits Glendale’s Jobing.com arena on April 24th. As we all know, Spears has had her ups and downs – mostly downs in the last few years. But, her new album, Circus, released in November of 2008is an absolute reincarnation and is bringing her vastly renewed success. The album sold over half a million copies in its first week in the US alone and debuted on Billboard 200 at number one. It is her fifth number-one album. Not too shabby for a twenty-eight year old from Mississippi.

Spear’s video of her featured song, ‘Circus,’ borrows extensively from Moulin Rouge’s Lady Marmalade in its girl power theme and colorful backdrop. But, her highly polished performance, crisp beat and lyrics are 100 percent Britney. When she sings, I’m like the ringleader, I call the shots… and she snaps that circus whip, you believe her. She’s the star and is telling us, not so subtly, that she is back in control of her life – after a life that is, well, like a three ring circus with her in the constant spotlight.

She bares a striking resemblance to Madonna in this video with her wavy bleached blond locks, fit body, and the way she enunciates her words. Her tight sharp dance moves are also Madonna influences but, hey, if you are going to borrow, you might as well borrow from the best. Spear’s fans will be pleased to note, however, that the playful southerner is still there for all to see and makes this video all her own.

This release is so hot that the tour promises to be the best of her career. Like she says, she’s calling the shots. We can only hope to keep up.

Buy Brittney Spears Tour Tickets Here

ROBIN THICKE/JENNIFER HUDSON May 5 - Dodge Theatre

2009-02-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

Tickets On Sale This Friday March 6th 10am

Tickets will be available at livenation.com, Dodge Theatre Box Office and to charge by phone call 1-877-LYV-6671.

Grammy winning, platinum superstar and recording artist Robin Thicke and Grammy and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson are set to embark on a multi-city co-headlining tour beginning March 31st at Albany, NY’s Palace Theater. The Robin Thicke -Jennifer Hudson Tour will bring together two of the most distinctive and enduring voices in the current world of R&B music.

Robin Thicke, the award-winning multiplatinum superstar, returned to center stage with his 2008 release Something Else, a joyful and modern tribute to the ‘70s soul and pop records that have inspired an extraordinary career. Debuting at #3 on The Billboard 200, Something Else is Thicke’s highest charted album to date.

Thicke’s previous album The Evolution Of Robin Thicke, now on its way to double platinum status, includes the mega hit “Lost Without U” which became the #1 most played song on the Urban Adult Contemporary BDS as well as topping four Billboard charts simultaneously: #1 R&B /Hip Hop album, #1 Hot R&B / Hip Hop song, #1 Hot R&B Hip Hop Airplay, and #1 Hot Adult R&B Airplay.

World renown for her astonishing live vocal prowess, this marks the first official tour for Jennifer Hudson, who recently won a Grammy Award for “Best R&B Album” for her RIAA-certified Gold self-titled debut album. “I am so grateful” stated Hudson. “My first Grammy and my first tour, it doesn’t get any better than this!” Hudson also received three NAACP Image Awards for “Outstanding New Artist,” “Outstanding Album” and “Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration” for “I’m His Only Woman” featuring Fantasia.

Sparked by the success of her hit single “Spotlight,” Jennifer Hudson entered at #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart after its September 30th release on Arista Records. With a total of 217,720 units sold, the chart-topping entry was the biggest first week for a debut R&B female since November 2004. Hudson’s current single, the beautiful mid-tempo “If This Isn’t Love,” is steadily climbing the charts while the Diane Martel-directed video recently premiered on AOL.

Possible merger between Ticketmaster and Livenation

2009-02-06T12:28:00.000-08:00

Ticketmaster, Live Nation Deal Could Cost Fans
By Jeff Meisner E-Commerce Times
02/04/09 2:53 PM PT

Reports of a possible merger between Ticketmaster and Live Nation sparked a run-up of both companies' shares Wednesday and triggered concerns that the combination would be detrimental to customers. Prices would likely go up for concert tickets if the deal is approved, said analyst David Joyce of Miller Tabak.

Shares of Ticketmaster Entertainment and Live Nation surged more than 15 percent in early trading Wednesday on press reports that the two companies could merge as soon as this week in a blockbuster deal that would change the landscape in concert and sports ticketing.

Ticketmaster is one of the world's largest ticketing operations, and Live Nation is the world's largest concert promoter.

If the two companies can reach an agreement and then pass substantial regulatory hurdles, the combined entity would have access to more than 200 of the most popular musical artists in the world, including Billy Joel, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, AC/DC, U2 and Madonna.

Ticketmaster officials could not be reached for comment and Live Nation spokesperson John Vlaughtin said that "as a matter of company policy, we don't comment on market speculation."

Deal Would Face Antitrust Scrutiny
"I think given the amount of publicity the story has gotten that there is some truth to the reports," David Joyce, an equity analyst with Miller Tabak, told the E-Commerce Times.

Even if the two companies can come to an agreement, it's clear that the U.S. Department of Justice will scrutinize any alliance between Ticketmaster and Live Nation carefully.

"There are some hurdles on the regulatory front," Joyce said. "Ticket prices will most likely rise and that won't make potential consumers happy."

It's also possible that some artists might be reticent to perform at venues where Ticketmaster and Live Nation control ticketing, he said.

Indeed, some musical groups have taken strong stands against Ticketmaster in the past due to the high service charges the company places on concert tickets. Seattle-based grunge rockers Pearl Jam are perhaps the most notable example of a group taking a stand against Ticketmaster.

In the mid-1990s, the band boycotted all venues controlled by Ticketmaster and testified against the company as part of the DOJ's antitrust investigation of Ticketmaster at the time. The DOJ eventually dropped its case.

Good Deal for Ticketmaster
If a deal is indeed consummated, Ticketmaster would be the clear winner.

"LiveNation used to be a Ticketmaster client and then they took their ticketing in-house," David Kestenbaum, an equity analyst with Morgan Joseph, said. "Surprisingly, they were very successful right off the bat."

Now, Ticketmaster is on the defensive. A deal with Live Nation would enable Ticketmaster to reclaim the 15 percent of the market it lost to Live Nation while at the same time eliminating an upstart competitor, Kestenbaum said.

"This deal makes a lot of sense for Ticketmaster," he said.

On the other hand, LiveNation would benefit from the stability of Ticketmaster's profitability and cash horde, especially at a time when consumers are spending less on discretionary items such as concert and sports tickets, Kestenbaum said.

"Live Nation's claiming that [the recession isn't hurting its business], but I have to believe in due course that it will," he said. "However, they do have a pretty good concert lineup for next summer with U2 and Madonna."

Potential Conflict of Interest
A deal between Ticketmaster and Live Nation would also set up a potential conflict of interest between the artists' managers under Live Nation and Ticketmaster's ticketing interests.

"The manager represents the interest of the artist and tries to get the best deal they can for their artists," Kestenbaum said. "The promoter represents the interests of the promoter. Some artists might shy away from that."

Coast To Coast Tickets

2009-02-05T17:52:00.001-08:00

Get your sports fix at Coast to Coast with cheap football tickets and basketball tickets!

March Madness Begins!

2009-01-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

March Madness isn’t just about the NCAA Tournament, there are a ton of great events for March! In sports besides the Mens and Womens NCAA Basketball tournaments there is great Spring Training Baseball plus the World Baseball Classic. Also there is the world famous 2009 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo a.k.a. RodeoHouston takes place March 3-22. This event crosses over to the great concerts as it features some of the top music performers of country and pop including Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers and Rascal Flatts.

Also on tour in March are The Eagles, Elton John & Billy Joel, Britney Spears, Nickelback, Phish, Fleetwood Mac and The Allman Brothers Band.

Finally there are some great Broadway shows including Hair, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story.

Other premieres in March are 33 Variations with Jane Fonda and God of Carnage with Jeff Daniels and James Gandolfini.

Super Bowl Tickets - Tickets to the Greatest Show in Sports

2009-01-21T04:06:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl Tickets - Tickets to the Greatest Show in Sports

The amount of money spent on commercials to play only during the airing of the NFL Super Bowl should give you an idea of how immensely popular this American sports tradition has become. But you can see all the commercials later on the internet. These Super Bowl tickets will allow you to be a part of history, experiencing all the pageantry, hype, and extravaganza that is the Big Game. Get Super Bowl tickets, and it is guaranteed to be an experience you will never forget.

Super Bowl Tickets - History of the Super Bowl
The first NFL tickets to see the Super Bowl were sold for the 1966 season after the AFL and NFL merged into one league. The name actually is derived from a popular toy called the Super Ball, that AFL owner Lamar Hunt's son was playing with when ideas for a name were being tossed around. The name stuck, and now the Super Bowl is one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the world.

Super Bowl Tickets - Go to the Super Bowl!
If you've never heard of the super bowl, then you might not want to get tickets to the game, as there are plenty of things you will probably have to take care of in the cave you've been living in for the past 50 years. The Super Bowl nowadays is about half football and half pageantry, with elaborate pre-game and halftime shows and plenty of activities to do in the host city leading up to kickoff. It is the meeting of the two greatest football teams in the world, but it is also an unofficial American holiday called Super Bowl Sunday.

Cardinals beat the odds and go to the Superbowl

2009-01-18T15:42:00.000-08:00

Led my Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to advance to Superbowl 43. They will play the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens

Tickets for the superbowl are now on sale at ArizonaSeats.com

FLEETWOOD MAC 'UNLEASHED' THE MAC’S GREATEST HITS TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

2009-01-17T09:17:00.000-08:00

NEW CD/DVD PACKAGE OF 'RUMOURS' TO BE RELEASED SIMULTANEOUSLY
including Never Before Seen Footage and Previously Unreleased Tracks

Los Angeles, California (December 3, 2008) Legendary supergroup Fleetwood Mac will be embarking on their first concert tour in five years on March 1st at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena and will include all the Macs’ many greatest hits from over the course of one of rock's most enduring and influential bands of our time.

"We love our band and think the title of the tour "UNLEASHED" perfectly describes how we all feel when we get on stage together - especially in 2009. We’re so happy to get back out on the road, perform everyone's favorite songs and see our fans,” said the band in a joint statement.

Tickets for the Live Nation produced tour go on sale to the public on December 15th at www.LiveNation.com and ticketmaster.com. American Express Cardmembers will have early access to tickets beginning December 8th at 10am local time through December 14th at 10pm local time at www.ticketmaster.com, excluding Uncasville, Ottawa and Montreal. American Express presale tickets for the Albany, NY show are available at www.tickets.com

The first 16 dates of the historic ‘UNLEASHED’ tour will include stops in New York, Boston, Washington and Montreal, it was confirmed today by Live Nation, the tour's national promoter (tour dates listed below). Fleetwood Mac, the multi-Grammy ® award winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will continue the ‘UNLEASHED’ tour throughout the Spring and Summer. Additional dates to be announced shortly.

In other great Fleetwood Mac news, the iconographic 'RUMOURS' CD (certified Diamond ® signifying sales of over 10 million units by the RIAA) is scheduled to be re-released as part of a special CD/DVD boxed set on Reprise Records in conjunction with the tour dates. The boxed set will include previously unreleased tracks recorded during the making of 'RUMOURS' as well as a DVD component with never before seen footage of the band.

Click here for tour tickets

Elton and Billy Joel announce more US shows

2009-01-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

More Face2Face dates

Four more US concerts have been announced for the forthcoming Elton John/Billy Joel 'Face2Face' tour. The dates are:

May 12, 2009, Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska
May 14, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri
May 19, Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
May 23, Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

Jonas Brothers, Coldplay added to Grammy line up.

2009-01-15T04:52:00.000-08:00

Coldplay, Lil Wayne, the Jonas Brothers and Kenny Chesney will perform at this year’s Grammy Awards.

The three acts join Katy Perry, who will perform in this year's "My Grammy Moment" segment.

Lil Wayne is the leading Grammy nominee this year with eight nominations, followed by Coldplay's seven.

Bradford to returns to OU

2009-01-15T04:06:00.000-08:00

Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford will return to the Oklahoma Sooners for his junior year. OU Football Tickets

NFC Championship - Cardinals or Eagles?

2009-01-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

The NFC Championship!

Its up to the Philadelphia Eagles or Arizona Cardinals to represent the NFC this year at Superbowl. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Giants this past Sunday with a 23-11 victory win. The Arizona Cardinals however, upset the Carolina Panthers this past Saturday with a 33-13 win. The Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals will play at Arizona to see who will represent the NFC this Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM.

NFC History
The NFC Championship is the way to the Super Bowl, no two ways around it! This Championship is the semi final, matching the top two teams in the division, determining the champion of the National Football Conference. The winning team receives the George Halas trophy, and goes head to head with the winner of the American Football Conference. The NFC Championship had its start in 1970, when the NFL Merged with the AFL. The NFC was created with the teams that were NFL before the merger took place. In the end of each football season, a series of playoff games take place, involving the top six teams – four division champs and two wild cards. The two remaining teams play in the NFC Championship game.

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Patriots can miss playoffs with 11-5 record

2008-12-17T07:26:00.000-08:00

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP)—The New England Patriots need just two more wins to finish at an impressive 11-5 without Tom Brady—and possibly miss the playoffs.

Denver and Arizona could wind up at 8-8 and get in.

That’s the same Denver team the Patriots routed 41-7 in the seventh week of the season and the same Arizona team that has clinched the NFC West, but is an 8-point underdog to the Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday.

Nearly perfect last season, all the team of the decade can do is play its last two regular-season games and hope the outcomes of others help them reach the postseason for the sixth straight year—and give them another chance for their fourth title in eight years after finishing 18-1 with a Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants.

If Patriots coach Bill Belichick thinks it’s unfair for a team with three fewer wins to reach the playoffs while his team becomes the first 11-5 club to miss the postseason in 23 years, he’s not saying.

“I’m not even thinking about it. I’m not sure exactly what all the scenarios are. It doesn’t make any difference,” he said Monday. “There’s a million things that can happen and the only thing we can control is how we prepare and play against Arizona.”

His players are taking the same approach: win two games then see where they end up.

“I love the challenge,” safety Brandon Meriweather said. “I’m more excited than anything just to see how it’s all going to play out and see how well the team is going to play in the last couple games.”

The Patriots could dominate them the way they dominated Oakland in a 49-26 win Sunday and still be on the sidelines, as so many of their injured players are, when the playoffs begin. Of course, they also could finish at 9-7, while the Broncos and Cardinals can win their divisions at 10-6.

But the Patriots also will be favored in their last regular-season game, at Buffalo.

The Bills have lost seven of their last eight games and are winless in the AFC East. The other three teams in the division—New England, Miami and New York—are all 9-5, but the Dolphins and Jets would have the tiebreaker edge over the Patriots if all three finish with the same record.

The Patriots also need help in the wild-card race.

Indianapolis leads it at 10-4, faces a weak Jacksonville team on Thursday and would win a tiebreaker because it beat New England. Baltimore is currently second at 9-5 and also would win a tiebreaker over the Patriots with a better conference record if both are 11-5. But if the Ravens lose to Dallas or Jacksonville, the Patriots would edge them with two wins.

On Sunday, Meriweather will be focusing on Kurt Warner and the Cardinals’ strong passing attack, not on the scoreboard to see how other teams are doing.

“That’s something I would never do,” he said. “I’d rather take care of my own business and perform and make it on my own, so I’m really not concerning myself with other people just because that will stress you out and I’m trying not to be stressed at all.”

The only time in 30 years of the 16-game schedule when an 11-5 team missed the playoffs was in 1985, when Denver fell short. That also was the only year an 8-8 team, Cleveland, won its division.

That was the same season when the Patriots reached the Super Bowl for the first time, losing 46-10 to Chicago. New England won its first championship in the 2001 season, when it won the AFC East with an 11-5 record.

But that team wasn’t battered by injuries like this year’s club. Brady was lost for the season in the opener and safety Rodney Harrison, linebacker Adalius Thomas and running back Laurence Maroney are on injured reserve. Also sidelined are linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Pierre Woods, safety James Sanders and left tackle Matt Light, who left with a shoulder injury in the second quarter Sunday.

That has brought the healthy players closer.

“Everybody has to lean on each other because we knew once Tom, Hot Rod’s (Harrison) and all the other injuries happened, that everybody else was going to be against us and we had to pull together and carry each other,” Meriweather said.

Belichick said Monday he had no information that Light would miss the rest of the season, but that could change. Even without Light for the entire second half, the Patriots rushed for 277 yards Sunday and Matt Cassel was sacked just twice. Cassel threw for a career-high four touchdowns just six days after his father, Greg, died at age 57 in California.

Cassel stayed on the West Coast for Tuesday’s funeral and will return to prepare for Arizona.

The Cardinals began the weekend with the No. 2 passing attack in the NFL, but lost 35-14 to Minnesota as Warner threw just one scoring pass. But wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald will go against a porous Patriots secondary..

“As we all know (they’re a) very high-scoring, quick-strike offensive football team,” Belichick said. “Some pretty dynamic receivers. So we’ve got a lot of work to do there.

“We’re down to a two-game season.” With a chance to play more, or not, if they win both.

Black Dog Promotions Launches Ticket Broker Site ArizonaSeats.com

2008-12-09T05:32:00.000-08:00

December 9, 2008, Tempe, AZ – Black Dog Promotions announced the launch of it latest online property, ArizonaSeats.com ( http://www.arizonaseats.com ).

ArizonaSeats.com, an online ticker broker, now offers concert, theatre and sports fans the hottest tickets that are available, with a special emphasis on the top events in Arizona. The Arizona Seats ticket brokerage provides a huge selection on tickets for the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and all college games and well as the top concert tours. The site features tickets for the Cardinals, Suns, Coyotes, Diamondbacks, ASU Sun Devils and the Arizona Wildcats.

Black Dog Founder, Scott Kelly commented, “Arizona is home to some great events including the 2009 NBA All Star Game, the Insight and Fiesta Bowls and the Cardinal’s playoffs. We are pleased to offer a great selection of tickets to these events or any other event music or sports fan might enjoy.”

About Black Dog Promotions

Black Dog Promotions is an online marketing and promotion firm that provides its services to businesses through its network of websites, social networks and online communities.

Details on the company’s services can be found at http://www.blackdogpromotions.com

Contact: Scott Kelly, Black Dog Promotions 480-206-3435 or via email at scott@blackdogpromotions.com

PETA wants Eight Belles jockey suspended

2008-05-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

PETA wants Eight Belles jockey suspended

Buzz Up PrintNORFOLK, Va. (AP)—People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking the suspension of Eight Belles’ jockey after the filly had to be euthanized following her second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Gabriel Saez was riding Eight Belles when she broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. She was euthanized on the track.

PETA faxed a letter Sunday to Kentucky’s racing authority claiming the filly was “doubtlessly injured before the finish” and asked that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles’ death is investigated.

“What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?” PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. “If he didn’t then we can probably blame the fact that they’re allowed to whip the horses mercilessly.”

Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones said the filly was clearly happy when she crossed the finish line.

“I don’t know how in the heck they can even come close to saying that,” Jones told The Associated Press on Sunday. “She has her ears up, clearly galloping out.”

Guillermo said if Saez is found at fault, the group wants the second-place prize of $400,000 won by Eight Belles to be revoked.

Saez, a 20-year-old Panama native, was riding in his first Kentucky Derby. He frequently rides for Jones.

A call to the jockeys’ room at Delaware Park, where Saez raced on Sunday, went unanswered.

Eight Belles, the first filly since 1999 to run in the Derby, appeared fine until collapsing while galloping out after the finish.

The letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority also sought a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of racehorses, and a move to softer, artificial surfaces for all courses.

2008-05-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

Scherzer to make 1st start Monday

Max Scherzer's electric effort out of the bullpen in his major-league pitching debut Tuesday night has earned him his first start for the Diamondbacks, on Monday against Philadelphia at Chase Field.

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin made the announcement in his pregame meeting with reporters Wednesday.

Scherzer, the team's No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft (11th overall) out of the University of Missouri, will start, and right-hander Edgar Gonzalez will go to the bullpen. Gonzalez struggled in Tuesday night's game, opening the door for Scherzer.

The 23-year-old struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings of hitless relief against Houston.
"It is more a reflection of Max, although if Edgar pitches well, Max probably never gets in the game to see what he has to offer," Melvin said.

Scherzer said he is excited about the opportunity, "and I'm going out there to do my very best. I'm still excited (about his debut), but I'm glad it's over."

He relies on a high-octane fastball but will have to rely more on his full repertoire.
"I will have to have command of my off-speed pitches," Scherzer said.

Said Melvin: "He doesn't have to be a five-pitch guy. He's one of those few guys who can get by just on his fastball. But as a hitter, you can't just sit on that. He has a real easy delivery, and that adds to the ball getting on you quicker than you expect, especially the first time you see him."
Life of a role player Utilityman Chris Burke always has to come to the park expecting to play.
"You never know what your role is going to be on any given night, so what you have to do is try to be in the game, see how the game is going, see how the lineup is turning over, who they've got in their bullpen and try your best to be as ready as possible," said Burke, who started at third base Wednesday.

He was 0 for 3 with a walk and scored a run.

He came up with the Astros in 2004 and last season started at five positions.
"You're more focused on what your role is at that time," he said. "Certainly, if you asked me five years ago if I thought I'd be doing what I've done my first four years in the big leagues, I would have never thought that."

Tracy makes progress
Chad Tracy, in Tucson for extended spring training to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee, was 7 for 12 in his first two games and was scheduled to play in the field for the first time Wednesday, likely at first base.
Melvin said it might be about two more weeks before Tracy joins the big club, after a stint with Triple-A Tucson.
"Knowing him, I was surprised I didn't get a call from him, saying, 'Hey, I'm ready to go,' " Melvin said.

Police Top Tour of 2007

2007-12-25T00:52:00.000-08:00

E! Online - David Jenison

In a classic case of role reversal, it was the Police who topped this year's most-wanted list.

The trio's reunion tour, which kicked off May 28 in Vancouver, finished 2007 as North America's number one top grossing tour, per year-end figures released Friday by the concert trade Pollstar. Sting & Co.'s 41-city, 54-show outing grossed $132 million in ticket sales, nearly double the amount of country star Kenny Chesney, who finished second with $71 million.

The Police had the highest average per-concert take, with $3.2 million per gig. The reunited rockers also sold the most tickets, just over 1.15 million, followed closely by Chesney's 1.14 million. But the Police only had the fifth highest average ticket price ($114.32), behind Barry Manilow ($141.72), Celine Dion ($141.26), Genesis ($130.39) and Elton John ($126.76).

The Police were also the top ticket seller internationally, bringing in a grand total of $212 million worldwide. The trio, who finished the tour's Latin American leg earlier this month, restarts the tour Jan. 17 in New Zealand.

The reunited Genesis proved it could still turn it on again. Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford kicked off their North American jaunt Sept. 7 in Toronto and finished the year as the eighth highest grossing tour at $47.6 million. Genesis cracked the top 10 with the fewest number of shows, 25, but the band's high seat prices made up the difference. Genesis also scored the second highest grossing international tour, selling $129 million in tickets worldwide.

Showing that reunion tours were the rage this year, Van Halen finished in the fifth spot. On the heels of their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, the L.A. rockers launched their reunion tour last September, selling nearly $57 million in tickets to date.

The fourth highest grossing act wasn't really a tour at all. Celine Dion did 113 performances of A New Day at Caesar's Palace this year, with the Canadian chanteuse finishing her remarkable five-year run just last week. Her Las Vegas residency brought in $65.3 million in its final year.

Since opening her show in early 2003, Dion sold more than $400 million in tickets to nearly 3 million fans. The casino's 4,100-seat Colosseum, built specifically for her performances, limited her tickets-per-show average, but she led the pack in total number of shows.

While many singers would take a break after such a grueling schedule, Dion appears anxious to get on the road. Her yearlong Taking Chances tour kicks off Valentine's Day in South Africa.
Chesney's second-place finish kept Justin Timberlake at third, with about $500,000 separating them. The country star also exacted some revenge by topping Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's Soul2Soul 2007 tour, which finished sixth with $52.3 million. Last year, the Soul2Soul tour grossed $88.6 million, topping Chesney's 2005 Somewhere in the Sun as the highest grossing country tour of all time.

Among the other top-10 finishers, Rod Stewart and current Christmas king Josh Groban finished at seventh ($49 million) and ninth ($43 million), respectively. With $41.5 million in sales, Rascal Flatts finished 10th, giving country music three of the year's top-10 tours.

Just outside the top 10 were a clutch of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, with Billy Joel finishing 12th ($39.1 million), Roger Waters 13th ($38.3 million) and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band coming in 14th ($38.2 million). Elton John finished at 16th with $35.7 million, thanks to his Red Piano show, which he performed in the Colosseum during Celine Dion's breaks.

Tween concertgoers were represented by Miley Cyrus. The Disney Channel star's Best of Both Worlds Tour, one of the year's hardest tickets to come by, finished 15th, with $36 million in gross ticket sales.

Finally, Mexican rockers Maná had the top Spanish-language tour, and the 20th highest grossing overall, moving nearly $34 million in tickets over 46 shows.

Per Pollstar, the top 20 tours grossed $996 million, down nearly 16 percent from 2006. Total North American ticket sales hit $2.6 billion for the year, according to Billboard. That's a drop of 10 percent from last year's record-setting mark, while the actual number of concertgoers—51 million—was also down 19 percent.

Here's a recap of 2007's top 10 highest grossing North American tours, per Pollstar:
1. The Police ($131.9 millon)

2. Kenny Chesney ($71.1 million)

3. Justin Timberlake ($70.6 million)

4. Celine Dion ($65.3 million)

5. Van Halen ($56.7 million)

6. Tim McGraw/Faith Hill ($52.3 million)

7. Rod Stewart ($49 million)

8. Genesis ($47.6 million)

9. Josh Groban ($43 million)

10. Rascal Flatts ($41.5 million)

Yankee Stadium's final game

2007-12-18T12:35:00.000-08:00

Yankee Stadium's final game

The House That Ruth Built, which opened in 1923, will host its final game in 2008

The final regular-season game at Yankee Stadium will be Sept. 21 against Baltimore, and New York is raising prices for its best box seats by $100 to $250.

The Yankees released their 2008 schedule and ticket prices on Monday for the last season in The House That Ruth Built, which opened in 1923.

The team plans to move in 2009 into a new ballpark being built across the street in the Bronx.

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Led Zeppelin to return to stage

2007-12-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

Led Zeppelin to return to stage

By CHRIS LEHOURITES, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - Led Zeppelin fans from around the world descended Monday on London to see the legendary rock 'n' roll band perform a full set for the first time in nearly three decades. Led by its three surviving members — singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones — Led Zeppelin will be joined by the late John Bonham's son Jason on drums for the benefit show Monday at the O2 Arena.

Led Zeppelin has not played a full set since 1980, the year John Bonham died after choking on his own vomit. Robbed of "Bonzo's" pulsing drums, the band decided it couldn't go on and split up on Dec. 4, 1980.

Now, with an estimated 20 million fans vying for tickets pared down to a lucky 18,000 or so — including one who paid more than $168,000 for his pair — most of the rest are hoping for more tour dates.

But Plant — with his screeching, often unintelligible lyrics leading the way during the band's 12 years and eight studio albums — may be toughest of the three to be convinced that it's a good idea to go on tour.

"The whole idea of being on a cavalcade of merciless repetition is not what it's all about," the 59-year-old Page told The Sunday Times.

That certainly won't be music to the ears of millions of fans who are hoping hear "Stairway to Heaven," "Whole Lotta Love" and "Kashmir" in concert again.

Plant, who recently released a successful album with bluegrass star Alison Krauss, did give an indication that this may not be the last of Led Zeppelin, however.

"It wouldn't be such a bad idea to play together from time to time," Plant added.

Monday's concert won't be the first Led Zeppelin reunion, but it will be the biggest. The band played together in 1985 at Live Aid, and joined forces again three years later — with Jason Bonham on drums — to play at the 40th anniversary concert for Atlantic Records.

At their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1995, they teamed up with other musicians for another short set.

Priced at $250, tickets have been selling on the Internet for upwards of $2,000.
Kenneth Donnell, 25, said he paid $168,500 for his tickets from British Broadcasting Corp. radio's "Things That Money Can't Buy" charity auction last month.

"I was gutted that I was not born in the 1960s and able to see Led Zeppelin in the 1970s like my dad," Donnell told The Sunday Times.

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Steelers vs. Patriots: Tomlin says this isn't Appalachian State vs. Michigan

2007-12-05T12:40:00.000-08:00

By ALAN ROBINSON, AP Sports WriterDecember 4, 2007

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- This game has been on the Pittsburgh Steelers' minds for weeks and, finally, they can talk about it.

The Steelers (9-3) are convinced they can ruin New England's perfect season, and they were secretly rooting for the Patriots (12-0) to stay unbeaten so they would have the chance to do exactly that Sunday in Foxborough.
They know something about stopping New England streaks, too, having halted a record Patriots run only three years ago and, with it, the possibility of an undefeated season.

Pittsburgh almost didn't get this chance to keep New England out of the record book, as the Patriots were forced to stage a desperation rally to beat Baltimore 27-24 on Monday night. The week before, the Patriots trailed in the fourth quarter of a 31-28 win over Philadelphia.

Now, the Steelers could be the best team standing in the way of the Patriots and the NFL's first 16-0 regular season. After Pittsburgh, the Patriots play the Jets (3-9), the Dolphins (0-12) and the New York Giants (8-4).

"Obviously you think about it, because everybody talks about them because they are undefeated," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "Everything that has to do with news and sports is the New England Patriots, and deservedly so. They're a great football team offensively and defensively."

The Patriots could be at a disadvantage because they will have a short week of preparation for the Steelers, who own the AFC's third-best record and are in contention for a wild-card playoff bye. Still, that same scenario didn't hurt the Steelers last week as they beat Miami 3-0 on Monday and the Bengals 24-10 on Sunday.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin willingly heaped plenty of praise on the Patriots during his weekly news conference Tuesday but, by the end, seemed to be wearying of all the how-great-are-the-Patriots questions.

"This isn't Appalachian State against Michigan," he said.

Even if some of the Patriots' scores -- 52-7, 56-10, 38-14 -- resemble an early season college mismatch. The Patriots have, by far, the league's top offense, leading in scoring average (39.1), yards per game (425.3) and passing yardage (304).

The Steelers counter with the league's best overall defense (230.8 yards), No. 1 passing defense (154 yards) and the No. 2 rushing defense (76.8).

"We'd better get ready -- we know how explosive they are," linebacker Larry Foote said. "But we're confident with our own swagger. If we play our game, we can beat anybody."

Offensive tackle Max Starks said "some teams might be star-struck by them," but the Steelers won't be.

"Some defenses might be, 'Oh my gosh, I'm going against Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth. Tom Brady is the quarterback.' Some people might get enamored with that," Starks said. "But I definitely don't see that in our defense."

The Steelers have this going for them, too: Only three seasons ago, they stopped a couple of long Patriots streaks, as well as New England's chance for an undefeated season.

Pittsburgh's 34-20 win at Heinz Field on Oct. 31, 2004, ended New England's record 18-game season winning streak and a 21-game overall winning streak. It also was the Patriots' first loss that season after a 6-0 start; the Patriots would finish 14-2 during the season and win the Super Bowl.

Turnovers led to that Halloween loss in Pittsburgh, with Brady throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble and Roethlisberger, still unbeaten as an NFL starter at the time, converting four Patriots mistakes into scores.

Still, Tomlin said nothing in the past means anything in this game and that Pittsburgh will prepare for New England like it does for any other opponent.

"We're going to play our game," he said. "We don't let people dictate how we play defense. but we got to play our game and play it well."

Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban set to tour together

2007-12-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

Sunday, November 11, 2007 – Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban will launch a co-headlining tour together in 2008, hitting 24 cities around the U.S.

The name of the tour is the "Love, Pain & the whole crazy Carnival Ride Tour," a name that combines the titles of each artist's most recent album.

Urban's disc, "Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing," was released a year ago, while Underwood's "Carnival Ride," debuted last month.

Tickets are set to go on sale as of Dec. 1.

"I'm looking forward to hitting the road with Carrie, and to bringing our audiences together for what I think will be a magical night of sights, sounds, songs and solos," said Urban. "I can't think of a better person to begin 2008 with than Keith," said Underwood. "He is an amazing entertainer and a well-respected musician, singer and songwriter."

While no specific dates were listed, cities on the tour itinerary include: Uncasville, Conn. Rochester, NY New York City Hershey, PA Atlantic City, NJ Roanoke, VA Tallahassee, FL Charleston, WV Biloxi, Miss. Bossier City, LA Kansas City, MO Wichita, KS Omaha, NE Denver San Jose Anaheim, CA Baltimore Charlottesville, VA State College, PA North Charleston, SC Charlotte Raleigh, NC Gwinnett, GA Lexington, KY

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Spice Girls to launch world comeback tour

2007-11-29T10:19:00.000-08:00

Spice Girls to launch world comeback tour

LONDON (AFP) - The Spice Girls will launch their worldwide comeback tour this weekend, vowing the return of "girl power" more than a decade after making it a buzzword for a generation of teenagers.

The five British singers will take the stage in Vancouver on Sunday at the start of their "The Return of the Spice Girls" tour, including some 40 concerts on five continents over the next few months.

More than 750,000 tickets have already been sold since they unveiled the plans in June. Initially gigs were planned in 11 cities, but due to demand that number has expanded, and some dates still remain to be fixed.

Tickets for the first announced London gig sold out in just 38 seconds. More were added, with the same response, and the British capital will now host 17 concerts from December 15.

The 1990s all-female band, one of the most successful acts in pop music history and the latest to launch a comeback global stadium tour alongside the likes of The Police and Genesis, insist they are not doing it for the money.

"For us, it's about celebrating the past, and it's about our fans. It's really, really the right time," said Geri Halliwell -- "Ginger Spice" -- when the tour was announced.

But the tour is almost certain to be a money-spinner: the girls -- who have been rehearsing in Los Angeles since late October -- could make up to 10 million pounds (21 million dollars) each, according to press reports.

Halliwell will be joined on stage by her fellow bandmates Victoria Beckham ("Posh Spice"), Melanie Brown ("Scary Spice"), Melanie Chisholm ("Sporty Spice") and Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice").

They will travel in a Virgin Atlantic 747 jet whose name, either "Spice One", "Girl Power" or simply "Spice Girl", will be decided by an online competition. "Spice Force One" had also been suggested.

Some 500 costumes have been made by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, while their combined seven children are expected to have a travelling creche.

Their last tour was almost 10 years ago -- it was during it that, on May 31, 1998, Halliwell announced she was quitting. The four remaining girls put out a third album in 2000 before officially splitting in February 2001.

The Spice Girls formed in 1994 after their management company placed a newspaper advertisement.

They sold over 50 million records worldwide and scored nine British number one singles in the 1990s.

Their first hit, "Wannabe" in 1996, was followed by a string of others including "Stop", "Spice Up Your Life" and "Say You'll Be There".

The group became icons of "Cool Britannia" -- Britain's booming popular culture scene in the late 1990s -- and met figures including then South African president Nelson Mandela and Britain's Prince Charles, whose bottom Halliwell pinched.

The five coined the phrase "girl power", a never fully-defined concept which encouraged their mainly teenage and pre-teenage female fans to be more assertive.

The Spice Girls also spawned a vast range of marketing spin-offs, from their 1997 film "Spiceworld" to chocolate, dolls and deodorant.

The comeback tour has been accompanied by their "Greatest Hits" album -- including two new songs -- released earlier this month, while there is also a documentary and a number of marketing tie-ins.

The album entered the British charts at number in its first week, but slipped back to number seven the next, while their single "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" bombed, reportedly selling less than 6,000 copies in a week.

As well as the London dates, gigs already scheduled include: Vancouver (December 2), San Jose (Dec 4), Los Angeles (Dec 5-7), Las Vegas (Dec 8, 9, 11), Cologne (Dec 20), Madrid (Dec 23), Manchester (January 23, 24), Boston (Jan 30, 31), Toronto (February 3, 4), New York (Feb 6, 7, 10, 11, 13) and Chicago (Feb 15, 16).

In addition concerts are being arranged in Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney, according to the latest information on the Spice Girls' website.

Buy Spice Girls Tickets Here

Two Zeppelin tickets make $170,000 in charity sale

2007-11-15T12:41:00.000-08:00

LONDON (Reuters) - A man from Glasgow paid 83,000 pounds ($170,000) for a pair of tickets to a one-off Led Zeppelin reunion gig in London on December 10, according to the BBC which organized the charity auction.

Kenneth Donell was the winner of Thursday's sale held by radio host Terry Wogan for the Children in Need charity. Over the last four days, the auction has raised 894,000 pounds, the BBC added.

Several million fans tried to buy tickets to the Led Zeppelin reunion gig at London's O2 arena, which had to be postponed after guitarist Jimmy Page broke a finger.

The tickets went on sale at 125 pounds each, although they are trading at several times that on the online auction site http://www.ebay.co.uk/.

In addition to watching the concert, Donell will also be allowed to watch Led Zeppelin rehearse the day before and take home a signed memento from the 1970s rockers.

On Wednesday, Martin Ainscough from Wigan paid 250,000 pounds to have Aled Jones and Katie Melua perform a private gig in Manchester.

The Children in Need charity initiative culminates with a fundraising television show on Friday.

Clear Channel Must Face The Music As Judge Certifies Class Action For Concert-Goers

2007-10-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, a United States District Court judge gave the green light to a class-action lawsuit claiming Clear Channel Communications Inc. -- the nation's largest media and entertainment company -- used its market dominance to illegally inflate ticket prices to live rock concerts across the country.

The opinion issued by Judge Stephen V. Wilson grants class-action status to five lawsuits on behalf of concert-goers in regions across the United States which are being lead by the Seattle-based law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro (HBSS). The suits claim that Clear Channel used its market dominance in anticompetitive activities that unfairly increased ticket prices for consumers and coerced artists to use Clear Channel for concert promotion.

"Clear Channel is a multi-billion dollar international media conglomerate and we intend to argue that it is leveraging its size and industry clout to exploit consumers and artists by eliminating the choices available to them and keeping ticket prices and concert promotion rates unreasonably high," said HBSS attorney Beth Fegan.

Plaintiffs claim that Clear Channel uses predatory practices to keep potential competitors from entering regional markets. In some cases, the complaints state, Clear Channel bids up the fees paid to artists so it becomes impossible for other promoters to compete.

Such was the case when Clear Channel purchased the entire Backstreet Boys 2001 national tour for $100 million, according to a 2002 New York Times article. The article explains that Clear Channel set extremely high ticket prices to recoup the promotion costs it spent in competing with other local promoters. As a result, those who attended the Backstreet Boys concert paid far more than those who attended concerts promoted by another company in the area, the article said.

The complaints state that radio is by far the most effective marketing tool for music artists to promote concerts, and Clear Channel enjoys a near monopoly of the market. Artists often have no other choice but to use Clear Channel to promote live concerts, the complaint continues. According to the complaints, the company's unlawful leveraging of its economic strength in the FM radio business obligates artists who would otherwise turn to other concert promoters to use Clear Channel's promotion services.

The suits allege that because of Clear Channel's abundantly monopolistic practices, the company controls the content of the radio airwaves and can prohibit an artist's music from being played on the air if they opt to use a promoter other than Clear Channel.

"We intend to show that Clear Channel bullies groups into using Clear Channel's facilities for concerts through its market dominance of the airwaves," Fegan noted. "The upshot is that if bands don't use Clear Channel venues, they will be playing to empty houses."

The complaints cite a study which indicates that the rate of inflation and Clear Channel's rise in ticket prices is disproportionate. During the time when Clear Channel's consolidation of the industry began and its anticompetitive practices were implemented, ticket prices ballooned by 61 percent while the Consumer Price Index only rose by 13 percent.

In this multi-district litigation proceeding, plaintiffs from 23 different regions across the United States who purchased tickets to live rock concerts from Clear Channel or one of its subsidiaries filed class action suits. Plaintiffs attended live rock concerts promoted by Defendants such as Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, Elvis Costello and The Who.

The Court originally designated five "test" regions -- including the Chicago region, Denver region, New England region, New York/New Jersey region, and Southern California region -- for certification proceedings. The Court's decision unanimously found all five test regions suitable for class certification.

Now, the certified classes include any person who purchased a live rock concert ticket in the Chicago, New England, New York/New Jersey, Colorado, and Southern California regions during the period of June 19, 1998 to present. Plaintiffs believe that that the remaining 18 regions should be similarly certified.

The suit cites that Clear Channel violated the Sherman Act for attempting and achieving monopolization. The suit seeks relief for plaintiffs and members of the class for company's unjust enrichment as the result of unlawful conduct.

Super Bowl Ticket Contest - Win Free Tickets To The Super Bowl!

2007-10-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

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It's Baseball Playoff Season

2007-10-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

Who is gonna win it all?

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chicago Cubs - NLDS Home Game 1

New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians - ALDS Home Game 1

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies - NLDS Home Game 1

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox - ALDS Home Game 1

2007 NEW MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

2007-09-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

2007 NEW MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A. - New Music Weekly magazine has announced the nominees for the 2007 New Music Awards.

Fergi, Amy Winehouse, Daughtry and the Plain White T's are among the pop nominees while Country nominees include the likes of Taylor Swift, Tracy Lawrence, Montgomery Gentry and Luke Bryan.

Independent artists range from Matt Backer, Vaughan Penn, and Olivea Watson to Country artists Kim McAbee and Christine Van Hoy who also received nominations.

The event will be held November 10th, 2007 at the world famous Avalon Theater in Hollywood, California. This year's ceremony will honor radio stations, music and program directors, along with both major and independent record labels. New Music Awards will host a star studded red-carpet prior to show time as well as "live" performances during the show. New Music Weekly magazine will also host both a pre-show and after-show celebration party and press event.

New Music Weekly has partnered with top Hotels in and around the Los Angeles area which are offering special discounted rates for out of town guests. Tickets may be purchased by calling 310-325-9997. This will be a sold out event so we urge you to purchase your tickets early.

For further information go to www.newmusicawards.com or New Music Weekly magazine at www.newmusicweekly.com.

New Music Weekly magazine and everyone at the New Music Awards would like to extend congratulations to all the nominees at this year's New Music Awards:

Top40 single of the Year:

"Makes Me Wonder"/Maroon Five

"The Sweet Escape"/Gwen Stefani

"Girlfriend"/Avril Lavigne

"Say It Right"/Nelly Furtado

"Glamorous"/Fergie

Top40 Male Artist of the Year:

Akon

John Mayer

Sean Kingston

Rob Thomas

Justin Timberlake

Kanye West

Top40Female Artist of the Year:

Fergie

Pink

Gwen Stefani

Kelly Clarkson

Avril Lavigne

Mandy Moore

Top40Group/Duo of the Year:

Gym Class Heroes

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Plain White T's

Maroon 5

Nickelback

My Chemical Romance

Top40New Group/Duo of the Year:

Burkhart

Drowning Pool

Cat Empire

Goldy Locks

Orion Experience

Top40Best New Top40 Artist of the Year:

Daughtry

Elliott Yamin

Kim Kline

Amy Winehouse

Colbie Caillat

Top40 Breakthrough Artist of the Year:

Amy Whinehouse

Vaughan Penn

Fransisca London

30 Seconds To Mars

Brandie Frampton

Lisa Bouchelle

Top40 Radio Station of the Year:

KLBQ

KFMI

KVTI

KYEE

KLQQ

WALV

WXTQ

Top 40 PD of the Year of the Year:

Dan Murphy

John Managan

Jim Koski

Bobby Dee

Tom Sebourn

Chris Chatburn

Top 40 MD of the Year of the Year:

Beth Valiant

Brian Panerali

Johnny Holiday

Jim Lewis

Aaron Garrett

Richard Voit

Top 40 Promotion Person of the Year:

Ken Lucek/Jive

Bill Jerome/Bill Jerome Promotions

Scot Finck/Hollywood

Jerry Lembo Entertainment

Top 40 Label of the Year:

Jive

Capitol

Interscope

Island/Def Jam

Hickory

Columbia/Sony

AC Single of the Year:

"Hey There Delilah"/Plain White T's

"Make A Memory"/Bon Jovi

"Home"/Daughtry

"Big Girls Don't Cry"/Fergie

"Do You Really Think"/Vaughan Penn

"Waitin On A Train" Patti Hall

"Raincoat" Kelly Sweet

AC Male Artist of the Year:

John Mayer

Rob Thomas

Kelly Sweet

Justin Timberlake

Michael Buble

Jim Brickman

AC Female Artist of the Year:

Fergie

Gwen Stefani

Pink

Tiffany

Mandy Moore

Corinne Bailey Rae

AC Group/Duo of the Year:

Nickelback

Hinder

Rascal Flatts

Lifehouse

Goo Goo Dolls

AC Best New Group/Duo of the Year:

Fertitta & McClintock

Ever Blue

Thadeus Project

People Coyote

Sons Of Sound

Porter Block

AC Best New AC 40 Artist of the Year:

Ian Walsh

Matt Backer

Fransisca London

Sara Niemietz

Rose Moore

Scott Forman

AC Breakthrough Artist of the Year:

Vaughan Penn

Lisa Bouchelle

Jimmy White

Adrian

Olivea Watson

Rick Denzien

AC Radio Station of the Year:

KQCR

WJER

KIXR

KCHE

WEAI

KKRB

AC PD of the Year of the Year:

Randy Adams

Brad Wells

Jeff Ball

Larry Kaszynski

John Anderson

Russ Davison

AC MD of the Year of the Year:

Brian Brawner

Eric St. John

Nikki Thunder

Carol Murphy

Mike Betten

Jeanna Spain

AC Promotion Person of the Year:

Scot Finck/Hollywood

Paul Loggins/Loggins Promotion

Tom Mazzetta/Maz Promo

National Record Promotion

Tucci and Associates

AC Label of the Year:

Island

Reprise

Octone/J

Interscope

Hollywood

Sunshine Sound

Country Single of the Year:

"All My Friends Say"/Luke Bryan

"Teardrops On My Guitar"/Taylor Swift

"Lucky Man"/Montgomery Gentry

"Find Out Who Your Friends Are"/Tracy Lawrence

"Ticks"/Brad Paisley

Country Male Artist of the Year:

Brad Paisley

Tim McGraw

Jack Ingram

Tracy Lawrence

Charlie Allen

Country Female Artist of the Year:

Carrie Underwood

Taylor Swift

Sara Evans

Danielle Peck

Martina McBride

Country Group/Duo of the Year:

Big & Rich

Brooks & Dunn

Little Big Town

Emerson Drive

Montgomery Gentry

Pirates of the Mississippi

Sugarland

Best New Country Artist of the Year:

Bucky Covington

Kristina Cornell

Luke Bryan

Kelly Pickler

Kim McAbee

Christine Van Hoy

Breakthrough Country Artist of the Year:

Bailey

Brandie Frampton

Miko Marks

Floyd Flowers

Derek Sholl

Patti Hall

Country Radio Station of the Year:

KTTI/Yuma, AZ

KFAV/Warrenton, MO

KTJJ/Farmington, ME

KBCR/Steamboat Springs, CO

KOFM

WCJW

KZKS

Country Program Director of the Year:

Mike Thomas

Larry Anderson

Jay Walker

Greg Holman

Sam Schroeder

Ed Carter

Country Music Director of the Year:

Lynn Thomas

Missy Wright

Lee Richey

Shelly Marx

Debbie Duncan

Michael Johnson

Country Promotion Person of the Year:

Alan Young

James Williams

Jennifer Blair

Debbie Green

Debbie Gibson Palmer

Bill Wence

Country Label of the Year:

Capitol

Sony

Curb

Big 7

Lyric Street

Big Machine

Crossover Artist of the Year:

Patti Hall

Michael Chain

Thadeus Project

Jimmy White

Rick Denzien

Brandie Frampton

Top College Artist Of The Year:

Ryan Adams

Marc Boussard

Lily Allen

Ryan Shaw

Jeff Buckley

Richard Thompson

College Best New Artist of the Year

Ryan Show

Mike Stockdale

Joe Locke

Lilly Allen

Adrian Young

Koko Taylor

Top College Band of the Year:

Wilco

Modest Mouse

Deathstar

Awakening

Seventh Power

War Of Ages

Breakthrough College Artist:

Narnia

Royalush

Zombie Girls

Jimmy LaFave

Surface Tension

Vienna CC

College Radio Station of the Year:

KCLC

WPKN

WALW

KVSF

KLBC

WQNR

College PD of the Year:

Naomi Soule

Jeep Ward

Scott Matthews

Jason Wells

College MD of the Year:

Terry Moses

Phil Bowler

Brent Jackson

Danyel Johnson

College Promotion Person/Company of the Year:

Ray Paul

Powderfinger Promotion

Planetary Group

Protocal

College Record Label of the Year:

Vanguard

Wounded

Lost Highway

Premium

Nonesuch/Reprise

Alligator

Best Internet Station of the Year:

Hot N' Gold/London

I-Radio

Lex Broadcasting

Mpak Radio

Country Bear

Real Country/Japan

Hot Country

Radio Belgium

Record Pool of the Year:

Soundworks

Long Island

Poolwest

Starfleet

Foo Fighters Storm The U.K.

2007-09-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

Foo Fighters Storm The U.K.

The Foo Fighters will head to the U.K. this fall for a series of arena dates in support of a new release, Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace.

The band will warm up for the trek with an appearance at the KROQ Inland Invasion show at The Home Depot Center near Los Angeles.

The band will launch its European tour November 3 at Manchester Evening News Arena. Other stops include The NEC Arena in Birmingham (November 6), Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield (November 12), and London's O2 Arena (November 17-18).

Tickets for all shows go on sale August 31 at http://www.gigsandtours.com/.

Foo Fighters' new album, scheduled for release September 25, was produced by Gil Norton, who worked with the band on 1997s The Color and the Shape.

The first single, "The Pretender," was released to radio earlier this month.

EndlessTickets.com

2007-08-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

EndlessTickets.com has an ENDLESS inventory of concert, sporting, and theater tickets. Click to: buy tickets. EndlessTickets.com has an endless supply of Pittsburgh Steelers Tickets, New York Giants Tickets, New York Jets Tickets, New England Patriot Tickets, Wicked Tickets, Super Bowl XLII Tickets

Van Halen to begin reunion tour in September

2007-08-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Van Halen will tour with David Lee Roth for the first time since the flamboyant singer quit more than 20 years ago, they announced at a news conference on Monday.

Roth, 52, spoke virtually nonstop at the event, promising that the band's upcoming 25-date North American trek was merely the precursor to a world tour and to a new album.

"This is not like the Police," Roth said, referring to another band that recently papered over personality differences to launch a one-off reunion tour. "The idea is that this will continue on and on and on."

"We think we got it right this time," Roth added. "You come and judge the performance harshly, please. I beg you, come on down and see."

Roth's reunion with guitarist Eddie Van Halen and his older brother, drummer Alex Van Halen, fulfills the fantasies harbored by the band's fans ever since Roth quit in 1985 and was replaced by Sammy Hagar. But it is not a strict reunion of the classic lineup, famed for such hits as "Panama" and "Runnin' with the Devil," because bass player Michael Anthony has been replaced by Eddie's 16-year-old son, Wolfgang.

Roth heaped praise on the band's newest member, claiming Wolfgang picked the songs the band will perform, and "brings a young energy and a spirit to this that'll knock you out of your socks."

Asked about Anthony's absence, Roth said, "This is not a reunion. This is a new band. ... Usually when a band comes back like us it's rockers with walkers and this is everything but. Meet us in the future, not the past."

The tour begins September 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and wraps up December 11 in the Canadian city of Calgary. Key stops include Chicago (October 16, 18), New York City (November 13) and their native Los Angeles (November 20)

Roth and Van Halen were supposed to hit the road earlier, but plans fell through when Eddie Van Halen entered rehab in March for undisclosed issues. His illness scuttled a potential reunion at the group's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction later that month.

With Hagar at the helm, Van Halen maintained its winning edge into the 1990s, with such tunes as "Right Now" and "Why Can't This Be Love." Roth, meanwhile, faded into relative obscurity. In recent years, he had did stints as a paramedic and a morning radio show host.

The band's luck ran out in 1996, when Hagar quit acrimoniously, Roth rejoined to record two songs and was then replaced by a third singer, Gary Cherone. His sole album with the band, 1998's "Van Halen III" tanked, and the band spent much of the subsequent decade in the wilderness.

Eddie Van Halen battled cancer during this time, and his marriage to actress Valerie Bertinelli ended.

Click Here To Buy Van Halen Tickets

Arizona Seats - The Best Seats To The Best Events

2007-07-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

Arizona Seats is your online connection to the best seats to the best events in Arizona. Get great seats to the Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Suns, Coyotes, ASU, UofA, the Super Bowl, Nascar and all concerts in Arizona

2007-07-08T05:07:00.000-07:00

The Smashing Pumpkins, who are wrapping up a residency at Orange Peel in Asheville, N.C., and preparing to start one at San Francisco's Fillmore, have announced dates for their first full scale tour of North America since 2000.

The tour kicks off with a pair of festival performances (September 8 in Montreal and September 9 in Toronto), and will see the band hitting theatres and amphitheatres in the U.S. and Canada through November.

Stops on the schedule include The Pearl in Las Vegas (September 13), Bayside Amphitheatre in San Diego (September 19), Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver September 30, the Fox Theatre in Detroit (October 7), the Orpheum Theatre in Boston (October 15-16), and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (November 5).

Tickets go on sale July 14. Fans who pre-order the Pumpkins upcoming album, Zeitgeist, through iTunes will be eligible to purchase presale tickets through Ticketmaster.

The Smashing Pumpkins' Asheville residency concludes July 5 and will be followed by an 11-show run at the Fillmore starting July 15, after which the group will return to Europe for 10 headlining and festival shows.

Buy Smashing Pumpkins Tickets Here

Good Charlotte Joins Timberlake On Tour

2007-06-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

Good Charlotte will join Justin Timberlake on the U.S. dates of his summer tour.

Timberlake's North American Tour kicks off August 6 at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis, Tenn., and will make stops at 16 arenas around the U.S. and Canada, including New York's Madison Square Garden (August 15-16), Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (September 1), the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. (September 7) and the Staples Center in Los Angeles (September 16-17).

Buy Tickets to Good Charlotte and Justin Timberlake

No Barry Bonds In The All Star Game?

2007-06-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

Barry Bonds could become the home run king and fail to appear in an All-Star Game in his own home park in the same season. Although he's slowly closing in on Hank Aaron's career record, Bonds dropped into fourth place this week among National League outfielders in voting by fans, who will select the eight starters.

Players will elect eight more position players and eight pitchers for the game on July 10 in San Francisco. Then St. Louis manager Tony La Russa, in conjunction with the commissioner's office, will select four pitchers and three nonpitchers. And La Russa isn't saying what he might do if Bonds, a 13-time All-Star, is left out by players and fans.

“I'm not going to get into whether Barry Bonds is in,” he said yesterday. “He might get voted in.” (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Buy All Star Game Tickets Here

Rock the Bells Tour

2007-06-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

This year's Rock the Bells hip-hop festival series--which features headliners Wu-Tang Clan and Nas, as well a Rage Against the Machine on several dates--has expanded ahead of its late July launch.

A bunch of artists will tour with the five-week, hip-hop event, including Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, David Banner, Immortal Technique and Jedi Mind Tricks. Cypress Hill and UGK will be among the artists to appear on select dates during the trek, which will be hosted by Supernatural and Rahzel "The Godfather of Noyze."

Click here for Rock the Bells tickets

Join the Online Ticket Network

2007-06-08T04:23:00.000-07:00

Please join the Online Ticket Network message board and mailing list. We will be using this list to promote the latest concert and sports ticket offerings PLUS announce ticket giveaways.

Go to this link to join:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/onlineticketnetwork/

Keith Urban gets ready for 'Crazy' tour

2007-06-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

With the launch of his summer tour just days away, country star Keith Urban has made a few changes to his schedule, adding a new show and a pair of second nights to existing venues.

Urban's North American trek kicks off Friday (6/8) in Phoenix, with 35 cities on the schedule.

Click here for tour updates and tickets

Reunited Police begin world tour

2007-05-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Playing loud and loose like they had never been away, the Police kicked off their first world tour in more than 20 years on Monday, delivering a two-hour set for 20,000 fans in Canada.

Singer/bass player Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland dusted off old favorites such as "Message in a Bottle," "Roxanne" and "Every Breath You Take" during the show, the first of two at the GM Place arena.

"Since we haven't been together in 25 years, I'd like to introduce the band. Andy, this is Stewart," a casual Sting joked a few songs into the concert.

Famous fans in attendance included actress Penelope Cruz, and Pearl Jam rock singer Eddie Vedder. Sting's wife, Trudie Styler, sang along ecstatically from her seventh-row berth, accompanied by Jerry Moss, the co-founder of the Police's A&M Records label.

The tour unofficially kicked off the night before when the band played a dress rehearsal for about 4,000 members of its fan club. The Police have been rehearsing for about four months, after Sting decided the time was right for a reunion and called up his old bandmates.

The band broke up amid clashing egos in 1984, after the last date of its Synchronicity world tour in Australia, but it reunited for a handful of dates benefiting Amnesty International in 1986.

Sting went on to even greater fame and fortune as a solo artist delving into the pop, rock, jazz and even classical genres, while Copeland focused on composing for film and television, and Summers explored his jazz roots with various projects.

Monday's show began with the early hit "Message in a Bottle," an ode to loneliness drawn from the band's second album, 1979's "Reggatta de Blanc." Six songs came from their final album, 1983's "Synchronicity," which topped the U.S. charts for 17 weeks.

Tunes such as "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Walking on the Moon" recalled the band's early reggae stylings, while the evening's final song, "Next To You," served as a reminder of its punk-rock roots.

The stage was a simple affair, a split-level oval floor unencumbered by proscenium or backdrop. The special effects were limited to a retractable percussion setup used by the energetic Copeland on several songs.

The world tour is scheduled to end early next year, following two North American legs, a European tour, and dates throughout Latin America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The band's plans beyond that are the subject of some internal disagreement. Summers recently told Guitar Player magazine that the "obvious thing" to do would be to make another album and then return to the road.

But Copeland told Reuters last week that he had no desire right now to do those things, and was simply looking forward to having "a blast for one year."

American Idols Live Tickets

2007-05-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

American Idol beams into the homes of millions of fans each week, and each season, American Idols Live hits the tour circuit. Don't miss your chance to see Blake, Chris R., Chris S., Gina, Haley, Jordin, LaKisha, Melinda, Phil, and Sanjaya at American Idols Live!

Buy your American Idols Live tickets now!

Roger Clemens back in Yankee pinstripes

2007-05-07T23:55:00.000-07:00

Clemens rejoins Yankees. During the seventh-inning stretch, Roger Clemens announce his return to New York over the Yankees Stadium public address system.

He agreed to a $28 million, one-year contract that will start when he is added to the major league roster for his first start, most likely in three to four weeks. Clemens will earn about $18.5 million under the deal, which will cost the Yankees approximately $7.4 million in additional luxury tax, meaning they are investing about $26 million in a seven-time Cy Young Award winner who will turn 45 in August.

“Roger Clemens is a winner and a champion, and he is someone who can be counted on to help make this season one that all Yankees fans can be proud of,” owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. “The sole mission of this organization is to win a world championship.”

He begins with a minor league contract, and will start his workouts in Lexington, Ky., where his son Koby is playing in the Houston Astros’ farm system. He hopes to start pitching in minor league games in about two weeks.

Clemens will have the same travel privileges he had with Houston last year, when he sometimes skipped road trips if he wasn’t scheduled to pitch, spending time at home with his family and working with Astros minor leaguers. Torre discussed the arrangement with his veteran players before the Yankees agreed.

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Parrotheads pounce on Atlantic City Buffett tickets

2007-05-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

From The Press of Atlantic City — Except for some scattered single seats, tickets to Jimmy Buffett's June 30 Boardwalk Hall concert sold out in less than five minutes Monday morning.

That was a bit too quick for Tom Logue, of Galloway Township, who went to Boardwalk Hall on Saturday afternoon to get a bright-red wristband, the official sign that he had a spot in the line that would form outside the hall shortly before the prized tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. Monday.

Logue kept his wristband on all weekend — the price of keeping his spot — then headed back to the box office about half an hour before the windows opened. A lottery-style drawing that morning by hall employees assigned him a position about midway in the line of 132 hopefuls who hit the hall Friday and Saturday for their Buffett wristbands, Logue says. But by 10:06 a.m., fans were coming out saying the ticket pickings were slim and pricey.

When he got to the front at 10:10, he says, the best he could do was two seats at the top price — $226 apiece. Logue, who was hoping for something closer to the starting price of $66, had to pass on that and walk out empty-handed.

“It was an exercise in futility, which has happened to me before,” Logue says. “They should have something to give the average person a ticket.”

But Boardwalk Hall officials say their box office works from the same pool of tickets that Ticketmaster's Web site and telephone centers draw on, meaning that the person with the wristband at Boardwalk Hall has no better chance to get tickets than the person sitting at home on the computer or the phone — or both.Then there are some who cover even more bases in search for tickets.

“Everyone standing there was speed-dialing on their cell phones,” says Logue, who heard the couple in front of him in line scoring six tickets — each — with their phones.

Greg Tesone, Boardwalk Hall's assistant general manager, says that in this age of online and phone sales, “The trend of trying at the box office for an event (like this) ... is kind of dying off.”

Still, the hall will keep its Boardwalk-front box office, he says, and the staff does what it can to make life convenient for people who use it. For example, instead of forcing them to line up for days for tickets to a big concert, the hall hands out those wristbands reserving a place in line when tickets start selling. Plus instead of using a first-come, first-served policy for people who get the wristbands, the hall prefers its lottery system — it puts everybody with a wristband in the same pool, and then draws spots for the actual ticket line an hour or so before the tickets go on sale.

But Tesone acknowledges both of those line-discouraging policies are also more convenient for the city and the hall, neither of which wants people camping out on the Boardwalk for days, holding their precious spots in a line to see Buffett or Bruce Springsteen or the Rolling Stones.

“We're probably a little more sensitive to that than (Philadelphia's) Wachovia Center,” which can line people up in an otherwise-empty parking lot before hot tickets go on sale, Tesone says.

On Monday, Boardwalk Hall itself sold more than 400 tickets — out of a pool of 13,000 or so the hall will hold for Buffett's first Atlantic City concert, by Tesone's figures.

He has two suggestions for people who seriously want tickets for any show anywhere: Don't necessarily ask for the maximum number of seats, whether the limit is six or eight or whatever, because the computers may answer that there aren't six or eight tickets left — whereas two or four could well be available.

Also, Tesone says, the computers are programmed to sell seats in a pre-determined order of quality in that price range: The ticket you're offered is the best available under that system. But any time you ask to check another location, he adds, you can lose your chance to buy the original ticket — or any, if they're selling quickly enough — as soon as the computer screen clears.

Still, there is one real advantage to going to Boardwalk Hall for an event there — the ticket is cheaper than it is online. On Monday morning, people who bought a $226 Buffett ticket in person saved the $23.05 “convenience charge” that Ticketmaster was adding to seats online.

That didn't help Logue, the local non-buyer, but in the end, he was philosophical about his morning.

“We'll just have to go to the tailgate party before the show, over at the Beach Bar at Trump Plaza,” he said.

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Bob Dylan Summer Tour

2007-04-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Bob Dylan begins his North American tour this summer with following his spring in European venues.

Bob Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24th, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. He was raised in Hibbing, Minnesota, where he began writing poems as a child. He taught himself how to play guitar and piano in his early teens and formed a couple of bands. Influenced by the early rock of Elvis Presley, Little Richard and country and folk singers Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie, Dylan was destined to become famous.

Last year, Dylan released "Modern Times," his first new studio set since 2001's "Love and Theft." The disc, which is his 44th album, features 10 new Dylan originals he recorded with his touring band: guitarists Stu Kimball and Denny Freeman, multi-instrumentalist Donnie Herron, bassist Tony Garnier and drummer George Recile. Dylan sang and played keyboards, guitars and harmonica.

Catch the rock legend at these tour stops:

June 2007

22, 23 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Resort Spa & Casino

24 - Hershey Park, PA - Hershey Park Pavilion

25 - Northampton, MA - Pines Theatre

27 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena

29 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

30 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

July 2007

1 - Essex Junction, VT - Champlain Valley Exposition

3 - Quebec City, Quebec - Colisee Pepsi Arena

4 - Montreal, Quebec - Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier

5 - Ottawa, Ontario - Lebreton Flats (Cisco Systems Bluesfest)

7, 8 - Rama, Ontario - Casino Rama

10 - Interlochen, MI - Kresge Auditorium

11 - Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill Amphitheatre

12 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Amphitheater

14 - Cleveland, OH - Plain Dealer Pavilion

15 - Indianapolis, IN - The Lawn at White River

16 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre

26 - Costa Mesa, CA - Pacific Amphitheatre

27 - Paso Robles, CA - California Mid-State Fair

28 - Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Field Amphitheatre

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The NBA Playoffs Are FINALLY Here!

2007-04-18T22:33:00.000-07:00

The Golden State Warriors earn a playoff berth for the first time since 1994. Dallas finishes the regular season as the top-ranked team, but can they escape the playoffs as the NBA's No. 1 team? Here are the NBA playoff matchups:

Eastern Conference

1 Detroit Pistons (53-29) vs 8 Orlando Magic (40-42)
2 Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32) vs 7 Washington Wizards (41-41)
3 Toronto Raptors (47-35) vs 6 New Jersey Nets (41-41)
4 Miami Heat (44-38) vs 5 Chicago Bulls (49-33)

Western Conference

1 Dallas Mavericks (67-15) vs 8 Golden State Warriors (42-40)
2 Phoenix Suns (61-21) vs 7 Los Angeles Lakers (42-40)
3 San Antonio Spurs (58-24) vs 6 Denver Nuggets (45-37)
4 Utah Jazz (51-31) vs 5 Houston Rockets (52-30)

Buy your NBA playoff tickets

Norah Jones' 2007 Tour Extended To June

2007-04-18T05:52:00.000-07:00

Norah Jones will kick off her headlining trek April 13 in Wallingford, CT. She also announced some new tour stops with the first of the newly announced dates being June 1 show in Morrison, CO.

Norah continues to support her latest album Not Too Late, released this January. Her current tour itinerary also includes Boston (MA), Portland (ME), Providence (RI), New York (NY), Atlanta (GA), New Orleans (LA), Toronto (ON), Montreal (QB), and other markets. Not Too Late has already sold more than 2 million copies worldwild, and became double-platinum. Norah Jones’ previous release 2004’s Feels Like Home won Grammy Award.

Norah Jones Spring/Summer 2007 Tour Dates
4/13/2007 - Wallingford, CT - Chevrolet Theater

4/14/2007 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theater

4/15/2007 - Portland, ME - Merrill Auditorium

4/17/2007 - Providence, RI - Providence Performing Arts Center

4/18/2007 - New York, NY - Theater at Madison Square Garden

4/20/2007 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theater

4/21/2007 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

4/23/2007 - Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall

4/24/2007 - Greensboro, NC - War Memorial Auditorium

4/26/2007 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium

4/27/2007 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle

4/28/2007 - New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

4/30/2007 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC Concert Hall

5/1/2007 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre

5/2/2007 - St. Louis, MO - Fox Theater

5/4/2007 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater

5/5/2007 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theatre

5/6/2007 - Minneapolis, MN - The Orpheum Theatre

5/8/2007 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater

5/9/2007 - Cleveland, OH - State Theater

5/11/2007 - Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall

5/12/2007 - Montreal, Quebec - St. Denis Theatre

6/1/2007 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater

6/4/2007 - Kansas City, MO - Kansas City Music Hall

6/5/2007 - Omaha, NE - Orpheum Theater

6/7/2007 - Little Rock, AR - Robinson Center Hall

6/8/2007 - Memphis, TN - Mud Island Amphitheater

6/9/2007 - Tulsa, OK - Tulsa Performing Arts Center

6/11/2007 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theater at Grand Prairie

6/12/2007 - Houston, TX - Jones Hall for the Performing Arts

6/15/2007 - Austin, TX - The Backyard

6/16/2007 - San Antonio, TX - Majestic Theater

6/18/2007 - Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre

6/19/2007 - San Diego, CA - Embarcadero Marina Park

6/21/2007 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theater

6/22/2007 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl

6/23/2007 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre

6/25/2007 - Saratoga, CA - The Mountain Winery

6/29/2007 - Seattle, WA - Marion Oliver McCaw Hall

6/30/2007 - Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Hall

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Justin Timberlake And Rod Stewart's Aeg Live Promoted Concert Tours Are The Top Ticket Sellers Of 2007

2007-04-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

Justin Timberlake And Rod Stewart's Aeg Live Promoted Concert Tours Are The Top Ticket Sellers Of 2007

Url: http://www.aeglive.com

AEG Live has scored the top two worldwide ticket-selling tours of 2007 with Justin Timberlake's 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow tour topping the chart with 556,245 tickets sold and Rod Stewart's "Rockin' in the Round" 2007 North American tour placing second with sales of 371,277. Justin Timberlake's tour kicked off in San Diego, California on January 8th, 2007 and completed a 38-concert run on March 29th. Justin's second U.S. leg kicks-off August 6th in his home state of Tennessee. Rod Stewart's 61-city concert tour began January 12th and continues through May 19th in New York. AEG live successfully promoted three of the top five concert tours with High School Musical scoring the #4 spot with 324,765.

Remarked Randy Phillips, President & CEO, AEG Live: "The philosophy of AEG Live, starting with the acquisition of Concerts West six years ago, was to always put the artist's interests first and only good results will follow. The men and women who make up Team AEG (Concerts West, Goldenvoice, The Messina Group, Atlanta Worldwide Touring, Moore Entertainment, Marshall-Arts, U.K., AEG Live Regional Offices, AEG Live Festivals Division, AEG Live International, and our much honored Facilities Division) share these tour successes through their enthusiasm for their jobs, the pride of offering an entire industry a strong alternative in the international touring space, and, quite simply, an unrelenting love of music."

The first quarter results of 2007 were announced today by Pollstar, the concert industry's leading trade publication. Pollstar tracked concert industry data provided to them by concert promoters and venue managers from January 1 – March 31 of 2007.

Ozzfest Announces How Fans Can Obtain Their Free Tickets To This Summer's Ground-Breaking Extravaganza

2007-04-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

You've heard about how OZZFEST is boldly redefining the concert industry this year by making all the tickets to the summer's premiere touring concert festival entirely free for fans.

Well, Ozzfest fans have a number of ways to score a pair of tickets to "FreeFest"--which will rock mightily with festival's namesake OZZY OSBOURNE and Lamb of God, Hatebreed, Lordi, Behemoth, Mondo Generator, Nile, Ankla, Circus Diablo, The Showdown, 3 Inches of Blood, Daath, Chthonic and In This Moment.

Ticket codes will be distributed through sponsor websites beginning May 12. Details on these programs are available on ozzfest.com, livenation.com, monsterenergy.com, jagermusic.com and fye.com. In the meantime, various sponsors will have offline initiatives, details of which will also be available via their respective websites. These codes can be redeemed for tickets beginning June 12--exactly one month before the first OZZFEST 2007 show in Seattle. Fans will return to the site where they registered or www.livenation.com/ozzfest, enter their code and download two tickets to the show of their choice. Note: To ensure that everyone gets the chance for free tickets, there is a limit of two tickets per customer.

The 24-city earth-pounding 12th annual OZZFEST will launch July 12 in Seattle, WA at the White River Amphitheatre. OZZFEST will also hit George, WA, Sacramento, CA, Mountain View, CA, Devore, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, St. Louis, MO, Columbus, OH, Tinley Park, IL, East Troy, WI, Indianapolis, IN, Holmdel, NJ, Hartford, CT, Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Detroit, MI, Charlotte, NC and West Palm Beach, FL.

Who will win this year's Stanley Cup

2007-04-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

The NHL playoffs begin tonight with last year's Stanley Cup teams sitting it out. Here are the playoff match-ups:

Eastern Conference

(8) New York Islanders vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres

(7) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (2) New Jersey Devils

(6) New York Rangers vs. (3) Atlanta Thrashers

(5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Ottawa Senators

Western Conference

(8) Calgary Flames vs. (1) Detroit Red Wings

(7) Minnesota Wild vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks

(6) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (4) Nashville Predators

Buy NHL Playoff Tickets

Industry Expert Gives Top Tips For Buying Tickets

2007-04-11T04:29:00.000-07:00

(PRWeb) April 7, 2007 -- Demand for concert tickets is escalating as some of the world's biggest acts are announcing tours and as the summer festival season fast approaches. Recently, tickets for tours by The Rolling Stones, The Police and Take That, as well as festivals Hyde Park Calling, Reading Festival, and V Festival, have sold out in record breaking time.

As a result, music fans are continuing to turn to the resale market to get their tickets. This means fans are facing a larger risk than ever before of being ripped off or defrauded by unscrupulous touts. Many will be left out of pocket without their tickets or with counterfeits.

This is a huge current consumer issue. Ticket industry expert Eric Baker, CEO of viagogo.com, Europe's leading online ticket exchange, advises consumers what to watch out for and what to avoid when looking for those must-have tickets. To avoid getting ripped off, Eric says:

"Above all, only use a secure exchange which guarantees that if you're a buyer you get your tickets and if you're a seller you get paid. Additionally, here are five top tips:

1. Don't agree to meet strangers to hand over money for tickets. They could take your money and run. Besides, it could be dangerous to meet someone you don't know.
2. Don't accept the promise of "guarantees" without doing your homework. Many websites say 100% guaranteed, but the guarantee is only as good as the guarantor.
3. Make sure that any online exchange you use is reputable. Anyone can build a website or buy links on Google. Ask if they are in business with any major organisations or teams. Search to see if they've been written about by major publications.
4. Never buy from a source that doesn't give clear instructions, terms and conditions. Good resellers are happy to explain what your rights are and what their responsibilities are.
5. Don't buy tickets outside the arena. This is where a great deal of fraud occurs. The "Picassos" of fraudulent tickets are now able to create forgeries that look as good as the originals, by the time you get to the door and are denied entry the street seller will be long gone."

Eric Baker founded viagogo, Europe's leading secure ticket exchange, which launched in August 2006. Previously, he founded the leading US ticket exchange StubHub, which was acquired by eBay for $307m in January.

Eric brings a proven ticket exchange service to Europe for the first time, offering Europeans the same benefits that he delivered in the United States. viagogo.com has already established itself as the best online destination for people to exchange tickets for all kinds of live events, from sports and West End shows to European tours of the world's biggest rock and pop acts. viagogo's partners include Chelsea FC, Manchester United FC, FC Bayern Munich as well as a range of other sports, entertainment and charity organisations.

Brian McKnight On Tour Beginning April 25th

2007-04-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

Brian McKnight begins his U.S. tour on April 25th in support of his current album Ten, which was released by Warner Bros. Records in December. The tour, which is sponsored by VH1 Soul, begins in San Diego, California, and features multi-platinum R&B crooner Joe and gold-selling R&B songstress Sunshine Anderson.

McKnight will showcase tracks from Ten, the Grammy-nominated singer, composer, and producer's tenth album overall. The album, which is McKnight's first with Warner Bros. Records, has two Top 5 singles at Urban AC radio, Find Myself In You and Used To Be My Girl, with a third, What's My Name, also climbing the Urban AC chart.

McKnight has sold more than 16 million records worldwide since his platinum self-titled debut was released in 1992. As a songwriter and producer, the Buffalo, New York, native has recorded and written with some of the music industry's biggest stars, including Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Willie Nelson, Nelly, Robin Thicke and Kenny G.

Buy Brian McKnight Tickets

Hawaii loves Gwen Stefani.

2007-04-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

A second concert has been added to the Hawaii stopover of her "The Sweet Escape" tour, at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Blaisdell Arena.

Tickets for the Aug. 24 concert were sold out Saturday in less than an hour, according to concert promoter Tom Moffatt. And when tickets went on sale for the second show Sunday morning, all of the floor seats were immediately bought up, leaving loge and upper level seats still available.

Stefani, former frontwoman of No Doubt, recently appeared on "American Idol". Her current CD, "The Sweet Life," is a followup to her solo-career-launching "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." disc of 2004.

You don't have to be in Hawaii to catch Stefani. Check out the rest of her tour dates.

Black Dog Promotions Launches The Ticket Blogger

2007-04-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

April 9, 2007, Tempe, AZ – Black Dog Promotions announced the launch of it latest online property, The Ticket Blogger ( http://www.theticketblogger.com ).

The Ticket Blogger will keep concert, theatre and sports fans up to date on the hottest tickets that are available and let you know where you can get them. The online blog will provide daily updates on the hottest concert tours from stars like Beyonce, Christina Aquilera, The Police as well as hot sporting events like the NBA playoffs, Major League Baseball and Nascar. The blog will also provide tips and suggestions on dealing with ticket brokers and feature selected ticket brokers on a monthly basis.

Black Dog Founder, Scott Kelly commented, “We hope to be a resource to the fans and provide them the latest concert tours, theatre and sporting news and provide a dependable source for information on how to get tickets to these events.”

About Black Dog Promotions

Black Dog Promotions is an online marketing and promotion firm that provides its services to businesses through its network of websites:

www.greatsportslinks.com – Your Sports Connection.
www.sportsgroupies.com – Real sports fans are sports groupies.
www.buyindiemusic.com – The independent artist’s music and merchandise store.
www.greatmusicsites.com – Find great new music at Great Music Sites.
www.arizonamusicclub.com – The club for the Arizona Music Scene.
www.musiciansbookstore.com – Where musicians buy books and more.
www.musicmarketer.com – We’ll put feet to your next music web project.
www.americanpokernews.com – News and events for the great game of poker.
www.desertpokerclub.com – The official destination for poker in the Southwest.
www.pokerplayerbooks.com – Poker books, supplies and more.
www.reallycoollinks.com – The coolest sites on the web.
www.arizonaagentguide.com – Don’t just find an agent, find a guide.
www.creativehealthalternatives.com – Health, wellness and fitness.

Details on the company’s services can be found at http://www.blackdogpromotions.com

Contact: Scott Kelly, Black Dog Promotions 480-206-3435 or via email at scott@blackdogpromotions.com

American Idol's Chris Daughtry On Tour

2007-04-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

Chris Daughtry is best known for his 4th place position on American Idol’s fifth season in 2006, he is now the lead singer of Daughtry, the rock band that the guitarist/singer-songwriter formed after the show.

Daughtry has sold more than 1million copies of their debut album in the first 5 weeks and quickly moving to the top of the Billboard charts.

Buy Daughtry Tickets

Beyonce's North American Tour Dates Announced

2007-04-05T01:30:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Superstar and cultural icon Beyonce is bringing her 2007 world tour to North America for a series of live concerts beginning Friday, July 6, at the Superdome in New Orleans. "The Beyonce Experience brought to you by Samsung and L'Oreal Paris," kicks off April 10 in Tokyo and is currently set to run stateside through September (see itinerary following).

WeLoveBeyonce.com, the artist's official fan site, will host a two-week presale for Beyonce's concerts in Ft. Lauderdale, Philadelphia, and Raleigh, on Thursday, April 5 at 10am (ET)/ 9am (CT). (The public on-sale for those three cities will take place the weekend of April 20.) VIP Concert Tour Packages will be available exclusively at welovebeyonce.com.
Further details on presales and public on-sales for other cities on Beyonce's 2007 world tour itinerary will be available on her official fan site.

The most eagerly-anticipated tour of the year, "The Beyonce Experience brought to you by Samsung and L'Oreal Paris" showcases the international music and film star, along with her sizzling all-female band, performing musical hits, classics, and surprises in a newly-created high-tech state-of-the-art concert environment.

Beyonce recently set the all-time record for the biggest chart jump in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 when "Beautiful Liar," her superstar duet with Shakira, bulleted an unprecedented 91 slots (#94* to #3*) upward in a single week.

The first single from Beyonce's B'DAY Deluxe Edition, "Beautiful Liar," an irresistible Latin/pop anthem of feminine empowerment, has also entered Billboard's Hot Digital Songs and Hot Digital Tracks charts at #1.

Music World/Columbia Records has just released Beyonce's B'DAY Deluxe Edition, an expanded two-CD edition of the pop icon's best-selling Grammy- winning solo album, in stores now.

Also available now: Beyonce's B'DAY Anthology Video Album. For sale exclusively at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the B'DAY Anthology Video Album includes Beyonce's videos for "Kitty Kat (intro)"/"Greenlight," "Upgrade U" featuring Jay-Z, "Deja Vu," "Ring The Alarm," "Irreplaceable," "Listen," "Suga Mama," "Get Me Bodied," "Freakum Dress," "Flaws & All," "Kissing You" and "Beautiful Liar" featuring Shakira. As an added bonus, the video collection features fifteen minutes of exclusive behind-the-scene footage.

"The Beyonce Experience brought to you by Samsung and L'Oreal Paris" Fri 7/6 New Orleans, LA Superdome Sat 7/7 Memphis, TN FedEx Forum Sun 7/8 St. Louis, MO Savvis Center Wed 7/11 Monterrey, Mexico Monterrey Arena Fri 7/13 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Sat 7/14 Houston, TX Toyota Center Sun 7/15 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center Wed 7/18 Nashville, TN Gaylord Entertainment Center Fri 7/20 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena Sat 7/21 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum Sun 7/22 Ft. Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center Tue 7/24 Orlando, FL AMWAY Arena Fri 7/27 Charlotte, NC Bobcat Arena Sat 7/28 Raleigh, NC RBC Center Sun 7/29 Hampton, VA Hampton Coliseum Tue 7/31 Albany, NY Pepsi Arena Wed 8/1 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Thu 8/2 TBD Fri 8/3 Meadowlands, NJ Continental Airline Arena Sat 8/4 NYC Madison Square Garden Wed 8/8 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena Thu 8/9 Washington DC Verizon Center Fri 8/10 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center Sat 8/11 Atlantic City, NJ TBD Sun 8/12 Boston, MA Fleet Center Tue 8/14 Montreal, QC Bell Centre Wed 8/15 Toronto, ON Air Canada Fri 8/17 Detroit, MI Palace Sat 8/18 Chicago, IL United Center Sun 8/19 Cleveland, OH Quicken Arena Wed 8/22 Denver, CO Pepsi Arena Fri 8/24 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center Sat 8/25 Las Vegas, NV MGM Sun 8/26 San Diego, CA TBD Thu 8/30 Lake Tahoe, CA Harrah's Outdoor Theatre Fri 8/31 Oakland, CA Oakland Arena Sat 9/1 Anaheim, CA Honda Center Sun 9/2 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center Wed 9/5 TBD Thu 9/6 Calgary, Canada Pengrowth Saddledome Fri 9/7 Vancouver, Canada GM Place

Buy Tickets To Beyonce

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PICKS

2007-04-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here our picks for this baseball season. Tell us yours.

AL East
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Tampa Bay Devil Rays

AL Central
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Minnesota Twins
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Kansas City Royals

AL West
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Texas Rangers
4. Seattle Mariners

NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. New York Mets
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Florida Marlins
5. Washington Nationals

NL Central
1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Houston Astros
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West
1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. San Diego Padres
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Colorado Rockies

World Series: Yankees over Cardinals

Monty Python's Spamalot

2007-04-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Monty Python has found his way to Broadway! This hilarious comedy is continuing its run on Broadway, and is now touring the nation!

Buy Spamalot Ticket Here

Genesis Reunion Tour

2007-04-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Genesis is one of my personal all time favorite bands. "Follow You, Follow Me" was my wedding song. When Peter Gabriel was the frontman, they shared space in progressive rock alongside Rush, and Yes, but embraced the synth-heavy sound of lite pop rock in the 80s when Phil Collins took the reins. Both incarnations proved wildly successful and the latter enjoyed massive hits like "Invisible Touch" and "Throwing It All Away."

Buy Tickets To The Genesis Tour Here

Christina Aguilera/ Pussycat Dolls On Tour

2007-04-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Christina Aguilera/ Pussycat Dolls

Aguilera, definitely R&B/Pop's finest singer is now someone older and finer previous "Dirrty" image. Her most recent two-CD package, Back to Basics, shows off her vocal range at its most powerful. Aguilera jumps from the jitter bop of "Candyman" and "Ain't No Other Man" to the blessed blues of "I Got Trouble" to the forlorn Fiona Apple-like sounds of "Mercy on Me." Back to Basics slick funky stuff ("Back in the Day") will bring back the boogie to this concert season.

The Pussycat Dolls take a time out from their reality-show to open for Christina.

Buy Tickets To This Show Here

NCAA Mens Final Four

2007-03-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

College Basketball’s 2007 champion will be crowned at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on March 31 and April 2, 2007. Make sure you have your tickets for the Final Four and be there for March Madness!

Buy Final Four Tickets Here

The Police

2007-03-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

The 80’s Rock Legends The Police kick off their 2007 Reuion Tour on May 28 in Vancouver.

Celebrating the 30th Aniversary of their explosion onto the scene with the hit song "Roxanne". With classics like "Message in a Bottle" and "Every Breath You Take” you do not want to miss the opportunity to see this trio of Andy Summers, Sting and drummer Stewart Copeland.

Buy Tickets To The Police By Clicking Here

Wicked Tickets

2007-03-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

Wicked, the story of the Land of Oz before Dorothy dropped in, has become one of the hottest musicals of the decade!

Buy Tickets To The Broadway Show Wicked

New Advertising Opportunities For Ticket Brokers

2007-03-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce new advertising opportunities for ticket brokers at our growing network of websites.

Please visit our page below to review our network of sites and our improved rates:http://www.blackdogpromotions.com/websiteadvertising.htm

SITEPOINT.COM says: "Why get involved in heavy search engine optimization when you can get the same results with text link advertising? Many site owners face this conundrum right now. The truth is that if you do both, your site may be unbeatable... Text links have a surprisingly high click through rate compared to graphic banner advertising. Advertisers know this and many have abandoned banners in favor of text link ads. The purchase of text links is revolutionizing search engine optimization... A quick look at the top ranking sites will reveal that most gain their rankings through paid text link ads. These text links, though small and seemingly insignificant, are in fact very powerful..."

Please contact us if you have any additional questions or wish to begin or renew your advertising campaign.

We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Scott Kelly
Black Dog Promotions