This week for concer reports we have Idols (two winners and one 7th place finisher), an X-Factorer (runner-up), two Voices (quarter-finalist and a runner-up), a Survivor (finalist) and a Sing-offers (winners)
Chase Rice was on the 21st season of Survivor making it to the final jury vote to lose by a narrow 5-4 vote for the million dollars. Now, he’s playing at a concert that makes more than that in ticket sales. He’s only the opener for Kenny Chesney, but playing to a sold-out arena has got to be better than squatting and scheming in the jungle. He played Houston, Austin, Hidalgo and Tulsa.
The first season of Australian Idol was won by Guy Sebastian. The show is now defunct, but Guy can still pack them in. In February, he gave a concert in Melbourne for over 7 thousand people.
American Idol Season 10 was a sea-change for the show. Simon had left after a disastrous 9th season and the show was facing competition from the star-packed Voice and X-Factor panels. Two new judges came on board (J-Lo and Steven) while Randy remained like a barnacle. Two country teen finalists emerged and the winner, Scotty has carved out a career for himself. He’s currently touring with Rascall Flatts (currently on Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine label) and RaeLynn from season 2 of the Voice. RaeLynn finished as a quarter-finalist on Blake’s team, but she has had a much more successful career since then than Blake’s eventual winner that year, Jermaine Paul (who seems to be in the witness protection program).
Mandisa finished 9th on Season 5 which was in many ways the peak of Idol. Ratings were extremely high (Season 6 auditions started higher, but took a much bigger hit once the live rounds started) and the tour revenue was massive. Nine out of ten Idols were signed to labels that year (Lisa Tucker returned to school). Mandisa went out 9th after a mini-controversy and has become a staple in the Christian music scene. She’s touring with Casting Crowns who are mega-big in that format.
Olly Murs was the runner-up in Season 6 of X-Factor UK. He’s working singles from his 4th album and regularly gets hits in the UK. He doesn’t do as well on this side of the water, but he’s definitely paying the bills.
Jacquie Lee is the runner-up for S5 of The Voice. She’s currently on tour with Shawn Mendes for select dates. Home Free Vocal Band is Home Free, the winners of S3 of The Sing-Off. Sometimes their name includes Vocal Band.
Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen [-Hidalgo], Chase Rice
May 22, 2015: Houston, Texas: BBVA Compass Stadium: 18,448 of 20,338 (91%): $1,103,706
May 21, 2015: Austin, Texas; Austin360 Amphitheater: 13,041 of 13,041 (SOLD-OUT): $745,654
May 12, 2015: Hidalgo, Texas: State Farm Arena: 5,213 of 5,213 (SOLD-OUT): $684,291
May 14, 2015: Tulsa, Okla.: BOK Center: 10,805 of 12,156 (89%): $604,952
Guy Sebastian, Fatai
Feb. 21, 2015: Melbourne, Australia: Rod Laver Arena: 7,015 of 8,049 (87%): $506,774
Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, RaeLynn
May 29, 2015: Maryland Heights, Mo.: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre: 14,228 of 19,000 (75%): $475,558
May 30, 2015: Noblesville, Ind.: Klipsch Music Center: 15,139 of 21,000 (72%): $467,669
Brad Paisley, Justin Moore, The Swon Brothers
May 31, 2015: Charlotte, N.C.: PNC Music Pavilion: 13,995 of 19,000 (74%): $439,558
Casting Crowns, Mandisa, Sidewalk Prophets
Dec. 7, 2014: Pittsburgh, Pa.: CONSOL Energy Center: 6,690 of 7,421 (90%): $207,721
Olly Murs
May 26, 2015: Hamburg, Germany: O2 World: 3,325 of 6,389 (52%): $134,241
Shawn Mendes, Jacquie Lee
April 24, 2015: San Francisco, Calif.: Warfield Theatre: 2,370 of 2,370 (SOLD-OUT): $78,390
Home Free Vocal Band City
May 10, 2015: Anaheim, Calif.: National Grove of Anaheim; 1,017 of 1,017 (SOLD-OUT): $32,075
