Urban, Paisley, Waters set to hit road in 2007

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - We know that the Rolling Stones,

Kenny Chesney,

Tim McGraw/

Faith Hill and Dave Matthews Band will sell the heck out of tickets in 2007.

But there is always a dark horse that rises seemingly out of nowhere to become a huge seller each year. In 2005 it was Motley Crue. Last year it was the Def Leppard/Journey package. Here we'll take a look at who we might be talking about in December as exceeding expectations at the box office.

KEITH URBAN

2006 boxscore: $10.2 million, 32 shows

Reason to watch in 2007: His recent stint in rehab notwithstanding,

Keith Urban is a country music headliner whose time has come.

And while the tour has been delayed from its planned kickoff of mid-February (June is more likely now), he will likely be met with a dynamic reception at the box office. Country fans are a pretty forgiving bunch (as long as you're not perceived as unpatriotic), and Urban's album sales have been strong, even with zero promotion from the artist. Besides that, Urban's much-publicized marriage to

Nicole Kidman, and even publicity from his recent stint in rehab, have greatly raised his profile beyond country music circles.

BRAD PAISLEY

2006 boxscore: $28 million, 97 shows

Reason to watch in 2007: Country music's most dangerous triple threat -- singer/songwriter/guitar slinger -- since

Vince Gill,

Brad Paisley has been a true road warrior in working his way to headlining status. In 2006, he entered Billboard Boxscore's yearly Top 25 Tour list for the first time.

TOOL

2006 boxscore: $20.6 million, 39 shows

Reason to watch in 2007: Tool has found another gear.

One of the most strived-for dynamics in the touring business is when a veteran band not only maintains its popularity, but then develops a surge in popularity built by word-of-mouth and consistently strong performances. That is the case with Tool, which released its first album in 1992. The band's 2006 tour behind its "10,000 Days" release was its most successful yet.

Tool wrapped up 2006 with a European trek, and is set to tour the Pacific Rim in early 2007. Promoters are now booking North American dates for the spring.

ROGER WATERS

2006 boxscore: $13 million, 10 shows

Reason to watch in 2007: Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" has been on the Billboard charts for more than 1,500 weeks and counting.

And

Roger Waters, a founding member of the group and key developer of the album's concept, is playing it in its entirety in concert, to critical acclaim.

Plans are under way for a 2007 North American tour for Waters, who will probably play a mixture of indoor and outdoor dates. The Achilles heel of a Waters tour may be the ticket price. With a high of $260 in 2006, Waters is a little pricey, even though he rarely tours the United States.

LINKIN PARK

2006 boxscore: N/A

Reason to watch in 2007: Fresh markets and a much-anticipated new album.

Linkin Park has not toured since 2004, when the Los Angeles band grossed $35 million and drew nearly 1 million fans to 67 shows.

Now a new Linkin Park album, co-produced with Rick Rubin, will be released this spring. The band will headline a fourth Projekt Revolution tour -- its self-branded, multi-act, genre-bending festival-style extravaganza that in the past has included such acts as Cypress Hill, the Apex Theory, Xzibit, Snoop Dogg, the Used and Less Than Jake.

Linkin Park will kick off its touring cycle May 6 in the United States with a headline performance at the Bamboozle Festival at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Reuters/Billboard