Gas Prices Give Concert Promoters the Blues

April 14, 2006 — -- Whether you're hoping to see Madonna, Pearl Jam or Jimmy Buffett this summer, the rising cost of fuel could have you singing the blues when you pay the ever-increasing ticket prices.

Admission to Madonna's shows, for instance, will cost you $64.50-$384.50 in New York, and $50-$350 in Atlantic City. And high prices will also pressure performers to sell more merchandise, and at much higher prices.

"The impact has been great, especially on what we term 'baby bands,'" says Don Nuen, vice president with Star Coaches, a company that leases tour buses to entertainers.

Newer bands and artists with smaller followings tend to travel lighter. They have fewer roadies, less equipment and smaller entourages. But they also tend to play smaller venues, and that means it's harder for them to recoup the extra expenses that come with higher fuel prices.

Among the music artists planning to tour this summer are Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Kenny Chesney, Elvis Costello, the Dave Matthews Band and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Several acts will perform on double-bill tours, including Faith Hill and Tim McGraw; Brad Paisley and Sara Evans; the Counting Crows with the Goo Goo Dolls; a new version of the Cars with Blondie; and Poison with Cinderella.

Crude oil prices approached the record high of $70.85 a barrel earlier this week, amid concerns that escalating tensions in the Middle East might jeopardize imports.

While it's too soon to tell if gas pump blues will sideline some performers, high gas prices might have some impact on the sort of show that you'll see. "They might cut costs in other areas," says Billboard Magazine touring editor Ray Waddel.

ABC News Radio's David Blaustein and ABCNEWS.com's Buck Wolf contributed to this report.