Brad Paisley Reaches Out to Back Row

March 6, 2008 -- Brad Paisley announced his 2008 tour, Hershey’s Presents The Paisley Party with special guests Jewel, Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough last night during his performance at the Music City JAM in Nashville. Kick-off date for the current 42-date tour is scheduled for June 11 in Albuquerque, NM. Check www.bradpaisley.com for tour dates. Photo (l-r): Jewel, Paisley, Hough, Wicks

June 12, 2008 — So you’ve bought a ticket to the Paisley Party Tour this summer, and you’re concerned that your seat is so far out on the lawn that you won’t get much of a show?

If this is you, fear not: Brad Paisley feels your pain. In fact, he’s trying to figure out his best way to reach you. That’s why on the current tour,he’s put together a stage with three runways that go out into the crowd, one of them extending almost all the way to the soundboard. Plus, he’s planning plenty of video closeups and some effects that should keep everyone involved.

Part of that concern is because Brad is a nice guy. But part of it is that he’s a smart businessman. The people that were able to get into the front rows on the floor — they’re obviously already fans. He wants to keep them happy, but he also wants to make new fans by paying attention to the ticket-holders in the back.

"Those are the people that need it," he told The Orange County Register. "Those are the people that waited a long time to buy tickets, for whatever reason, and you really wanna reach them. Whether they're havin' financial difficulties and had to scrape it together or they weren't convinced — one of the two — you want that person to leave and next time buy front row."

Among the stuff you’ll find at the Paisley Party are giant blow-up globes, some very elaborate lighting and video material, and even cartoons — created by Brad himself — to keep things interesting during a five-minute instrumental. Brad needs to do the instrumental — after all, he considers himself a guitar player first and foremost — but he also figures the cartoons will keep the audience involved.

"I don't ever wanna be one of these artists that's like, 'Look, this is what I do. I don't care if you're bored,'" he said. "That is not what I'm about. I really want to somehow find a way to do what I do but still entertain at the same time."

Brad’s Paisley Party Tour kicked off last night in Albuquerque, N.M. Also on the tour are Jewel, Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough.