"Idol" remains touring superpower

[Brian Damage]

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Anyone who ever doubted that the "American Idol" TV phenomenon would not have legs as a touring entity was wrong as 60 sellouts for the 2006 American Idols Live tour attest.

"On one hand it surprises me, on the other it doesn't," says Jeff Frasco, the Creative Artists Agency executive responsible for the tour. "The television show is so popular, the audience is vested with the kids throughout the entire season, and they just want to see them."

This is year five for the tour, begging the question as to whether the audience changes based on who the contestants are. "We change the show every year, and we probably draw a lot of the same people each time," Frasco says. "I think the audience is just growing. The ratings are bigger, and it's just embedded in the culture at this point."



Few tours have the benefit of a hit TV show to promote its artists week after week. "It definitely helps to be able to reach 30 million viewers," Frasco says.

Why does the tour keep working? "It's the success of the television show first and foremost, but it's also the way (producer) Simon Fuller has handled what comes after the show as far as the kids and the records and the careers and such," Frasco points out. "That keeps the brand going."

Then there's the Soul Patrol factor this year. 2006 winner Taylor Hicks, whose fervent fan base is known as the Soul Patrol, may be rootsier and live-performance-oriented than many contestants. Hence, his fans may be the type who turn out for concerts.

"I think people are invested in the kids they rooted for," Frasco says. "If you look at (previous winners) Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Fantasia, they've all got great careers, too."

The tour stops in Atlantic City on Sunday, and dates are on tap through September 24 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Reuters/Billboard