Many have predicted the death of a concert eons ago. But it looks like the country genre is carrying the torch.

Regardless of the grim outlook according to Pollstar, concert revenues in North America have increased from $1.3 billion annually to $3.1 billion a year over the past 10 years.

Aside from classic rock and pop acts with huge catalogs, such as the Rolling Stones, U2 and
Elton John, the winner on the live scene has been country music. “No genre has been better at developing arena-level headliners in the past decade as has country music,” says Ray Waddell, who covers touring for the trade publication Billboard.

No one sold more concert tickets last year than country star Kenny Chesney. The Stones, Madonna and Barbra Streisand made more money on the road — but their average ticket prices of $136, $183 and $298 topped Chesney’s average price of $58. Chesney put 1.1 million people into seats at his shows; for Madonna’s shows, by comparison, only 467,314 parted with their money.

The Tim McGraw/Faith Hill Soul2Soul Tour 2006, which sold a million tickets last year and, with a higher average ticket price ($80), wound up as the most successful country tour in history, besting even Garth Brooks’ historic runs in the mid-’90s.

Even though Hip Hop and rap generally dominant the radio playlists, it can’t fill seats or draw a crowd. Waddell says, rap is not viable in a large venue. “It’s a live performance of a guy with a mike and some dancers. That’s not as compelling as people whaling away on guitars and singing and who can play. It may be exciting in small club venues but it doesn’t translate in a large arena.”

Also, country music has been getting more national exposure. Not only that country fans are more loyal. Its a lifestyle. “The format doesn’t churn artists the way it happens in other formats,” adds Carole Bowen, the country station’s general manager. “People will be a star longer and the labels build stars differently in our genre.”

Lastly, country has been able to create younger arena acts rapidly through sweat equity on the road.

(Austin 360 via Coolfer)