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Madonna, U2, AC/DC lead Touring Awards finalists
10/15/2009 8:00 PM, Reuters
Ray Waddell
Madonna, U2 and AC/DC are among the finalists for the 2009 Billboard Touring Awards, which are based on global box-office numbers reported to Billboard Boxscore from October 1, 2008, through September 30, 2009. The awards will be presented at a November 5 reception in New York. The finalists for the Top Tour and Top Draw awards, which acknowledge the top-grossing and top-ticket-selling tours, respectively, are the same three global treks: U2's 360 tour, Madonna's Sticky & Sweet tour, and AC/DC's Black Ice tour. The Top Package award goes to the top-grossing tour with three or more artists on the bill. Finalists include five-time winner Kenny Chesney for his Sun City Carnival tour with Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry on the bill; the Jonas Brothers World Tour 2009 with Jordin Sparks, Honor Society and Wonder Girls; and Nickelback for their Dark Horse tour, with Hinder, Papa Roach, and Saving Abel on board. The Breakthrough Award goes to the top-grossing artist in their first decade as a national headlining act. Four artists enjoyed touring breakthroughs this year: Lil Wayne, Taylor Swift, Kings of Leon, and Il Divo. Dane Cook, Robin Williams, and French & Saunders are finalists for the Top Comedy Tour. Finalists for the Top Boxscore award, which goes to the top-grossing single engagement for the time period, are U2 at Croke Park in Dublin, U2 at Stade de France in Paris, and the Oxegen fest at Punchestown Racecourse in Naas, Ireland. (Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)
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