Nashville - (September 6, 2007) Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “Soul2Soul Tour,” presented by Jeep, wrapped in Anaheim, California August 11th ending a two year run with a staggering total box office gross of $142 million dollars.
According to Billboard Magazine, this establishes a new record for a multi-year tour in North America in country music history, surpassing Garth Brooks three-year run in 1996-1998 of $105 million. Along the way, almost 2 million fans attended the 117 shows in 92 cities and two countries. The concert set numerous local records for gross box office receipts, attendance and quick sell-outs. In 2006, McGraw and Hill set a single year box office gross record.
“Our fans have been amazing these past two years,” said Tim and Faith in a joint statement. “Together we have shared the best nights of our lives and made some history along the way.” Their production rivaled the greatest rock shows in history, with sound and lights weighing in at over 130,000 pounds. The state of the art stage served as a film screen broadcasting unique video content as Tim and Faith played a mixture of solo hits and duets. Comprised of almost 150 crew, 22 trucks and 14 busses, the tour was truly the biggest country music show ever undertaken. “Our crew and staff were amazing,” said the artists. “They delivered this huge production every single night over the past two years without fail.”
The “Jeep Presents Soul2Soul Tour 2007” itinerary featured a benefit concert in Biloxi, Mississippi, miles from where Faith grew up, while in 2006 the New Orleans stop wrapped with a one million dollar donation from their Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation to the Community Initiative Foundation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Community Initiative Foundation runs children and young adult art therapy programs at the Renaissance Camp, the largest trailer city in Baton Rouge. “It was really important to Tim and I that we give back to our home states of Mississippi and Louisiana,” said Hill. “We started our foundation with the philosophy of neighbors helping neighbors in their moment of need, and we are blessed to be able to help these areas.” In addition, Jeep provided a special Soul 2 Soul Jeep Rubicon to their Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation which was auctioned off by E-Bay to raise more funds for the hard hit Gulf Coast. “We are very grateful to Jeep for stepping up to help the cause,” said tour representatives. “And we had to laugh when we found out the winner was named ‘Tim Hill.’ ”
There were a few surprise appearances along the way including Tony Bennett singing “Cold Cold Heart” with Tim at Madison Square Garden and Kenny Rogers performing “She Believes In Me” with Tim in Atlanta. Faith was joined on stage by singer/songwriter Angie Aparo, who wrote “Cry,” for a run of 4 dates. Other highlights included Faith garnering an 8 minute standing ovation in Canada; Tim and Faith performing at a private PreShow Party each show for a few lucky fans where they did a range of songs acoustically from “Happy Birthday” to “Suspicious Minds” to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and some impromptu gospel songs. And several late night “Bread & Water” shows including a famous night at the House of Blues in Chicago where Tim and Faith performed hit songs and covers until the club closed down at 4:30 am the next day. Jim Belushi joined Tim and The Dancehall Doctors on stage for a couple of numbers that night and then brought down the house with an awesome version of “Sweet Home Chicago” with Faith.
About Soul 2 Soul 2007 Live Nation (Brian O’Connell) was the national tour promoter in 2007. Roy Bennett was the Set and Lighting Designer. Scott Chase served as Production Manager and John “Lug” Zajonc as Stage Manager. Head Rigger was Bobby Savage. CAA was the Booking Agency; O’Neil Hagaman Business Management; Catering was Dega Catering; Video Content was Kanpai Pictures and Frank the Plumber; Set Construction Tait Towers; Clair Brothers/Showco Nashville Audio; Lighting and Trucking by Upstaging; Video by Nocturne Productions; Tour Merchandise by Cinderblock; Bus Company Hemphill. Tim McGraw was represented by RPM Management (Scott Siman, Kelly Clague Wright) and Faith Hill was represented by Borman Entertainment (Gary Borman, Sandra Westerman). Special guest artists included Lori McKenna, Halfway to Hazard, Lance Miller, Taylor Swift and Catherine Raney. In Memoriam: Joni Foraker.
About the Jeep brand The Jeep brand's 66-year history of legendary capability has made it synonymous with freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. In 2007, the Jeep brand delivers on its promise to provide rugged, versatile, innovative four-wheel drive vehicles with seven vehicles that will “go anywhere and do anything, including the all-new Jeep Patriot, Compass, Liberty, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Grand Cherokee and Commander.