Kenny Chesney signs tour deal

Country music superstar Kenny Chesney has reportedly inked a very lucrative and unusual long term deal with The Messina Group (TMG) and AEG Live. Chesney, who has grossed more than $300 million and attracted more than 7 million fans since 2002, is one of the consistently biggest selling artists of the decade. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Unlike the Live Nation “360-degree” deals with Madonna and Jay-Z, and possibly Shakira, where touring, albums, merchandise and other revenue sources are included, Chesney’s deal is just for touring from 2009 and through 2013, according to published reports. However, it is based on the capacity of the venue rather than tickets sold, and Chesney has performed in a lot of stadiums over the past few years. Plus, there is no advance or bonus associated with this pact. And to top it off, Louis Messina of TMG/AEG Live has been Chesney’s tour director for the past eight years.

“The beauty of it is we get to control where we play and how we want to play,” Clint Higham, Chesney’s manager at Dale Morris & Associates, told Billboard. “In essence, we’re not going to make a bad career decision for Kenny if in 2012 we’re not selling stadiums.”

“If [Chesney] wants to achieve his maximum amount, it’s up to him, because it’s based on ‘x’ amount of seats, ‘x’ average ticket price,” Messina added. “But if for some reason he wants to go and do a smaller version [of a show], that’s fine.”

Kenny Chesney itinerary:
(Dates subject to change)