[justroger]

The Rolling Stones' Bigger Bang tour was a big winner at the Billboard Touring Awards, which were given out tonight (Nov. 9) in the Grand Ballroom at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. The awards, based on box-office figures reported to Billboard Boxscore, wrapped up the third annual Billboard Touring Conference. The Stones' tour was recognized as the top tour, based on gross dollars, and top draw, based on ticket sales.

The band grossed nearly $230 million for the period that the awards cover (Dec. 1, 2005-Sept. 29, 2006), and drew nearly 2 million fans to shows all over the world.

Another multiple winner was Madonna, a finalist in four categories. She won the top boxscore award for her $22 million, eight-sellout stand at London's Wembley Arena on her Confessions tour, while Madonna's team of Guy Oseary and Angela Becker won the top manager award.

For the third consecutive year, Live Nation (formerly Clear Channel Entertainment) was named top promoter, and Jam Productions of Chicago was given the top independent promoter award. With such mega tours as Bon Jovi's and the Tim McGraw/Faith Hill Soul 2 Soul trek under its steerage, Creative Artists Agency was named top agency.

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/..._id=1003380409

[bjcrazycpa]

Not a surprise that the artists, Stones and Madonna, that charged higher ticket prices were the ones that won. Still the fact that Bon Jovi was the number 3 tour this year is cool.

deb