Winter Jam Crowned Top First Quarter 2018 Music Tour

By Tmothy Yap Apr 21, 2018 06:13 AM EDT

Landing at #2 on Pollstar's newly published "2018 1Q YTD Worldwide Ticket Sales Top 100 Tours" chart, the Winter Jam 2018 Tour Spectacular takes the top spot of all music tours on the chart. Following the #1 tour "Disney On Ice," Winter Jam ranks ahead of first quarter tours by such superstars as Bruno Mars and Blake Shelton.

Christian music's largest annual tour, Winter Jam hit 46 cities across the country from January through March, boasting a total of 17 sold-out shows, including capacity crowds at Philips Arena in Atlanta; St. Louis' Scottrade Center; and Kansas City's Sprint Center, among other leading venues.

Presented by Holt International and produced by Premier Productions, this year's Winter Jam Tour Spectacular was headlined by Platinum-selling and Billboard Music Award-winning rockers Skillet and showcased GRAMMY®-nominated recording artist and internationally-renowned worship leader Kari Jobe (featuring Cody Carnes); GRAMMY®-nominated pop hitmakers Building 429; popular comedian and viral sensation John Crist; critically-acclaimed breakout hip-hop recording artist KB; GRAMMY®-nominated tour creators and hosts, NewSong; Dove Award-winning chart-topper Jordan Feliz; and a message from author, speaker and evangelist Nick Hall. In addition, the Pre-Jam Party featured award-winning Word artist Dan Bremnes and lauded Curb Records singer/songwriter Mallary Hope, along with new Baby Syndrome Records artist Westover.

Dove Award-nominated Gotee recording artist Hollyn joined Winter Jam for a 12-date stint in March, along with a variety of one-night-only special guests-this year including Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols; GRAMMY®-nominated fan favorite Matthew West; GRAMMY®-winning singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli; and ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck and his wife, former FOX News anchor Elisabeth Hasselbeck, among others.

For more than two decades, Winter Jam continues to place top priority on ministry. Thousands of people responded to the Gospel during the 2018 tour, while more than 8,500 children were sponsored through Holt International.

"Each year it's hard to see Winter Jam come to a close because the artists who travel with us become like family," said tour creator and NewSong co-founder Eddie Carswell. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity God has given us with Winter Jam; we give our all to this tour every year. It's still unbelievable to me that I get to be a part of it."

"Premier Productions is blessed beyond measure to be part of a tour that has continued for over two decades," said Roy Morgan, president, Premier Productions. "Winter Jam is just getting started, and we're looking forward to many more years of impacting lives for the Kingdom."

Winter Jam was sponsored in part by Liberty University; Samaritan Ministries; Together (presenter of the Winter Jam Youth Leader Reception); the hit film "I Can Only Imagine"; LifeBook; Premier Vacations & Events; Camp Electric; Texas TransEastern; and Xtreme Conferences.

About NewSong:
With a career spanning more than 30 years, NewSong's accolades include 20 albums, 20 #1 Christian radio singles, a #1 mainstream AC hit, a GRAMMY® Award nomination and induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, among numerous other achievements. One of the most beloved bands in Christian music, NewSong's discography includes such defining songs as "Arise, My Love," "Rescue," "The Same God," and their holiday mega-hit, "The Christmas Shoes."

Created and hosted by NewSong, Winter Jam exploded from a single show in 1995 to become the genre's benchmark tour. Throughout two decades, Winter Jam has helped provide a powerful platform for the Gospel in major arenas nationwide, consistently showcasing Christian music's top artists.

About Premier Productions:
Pollstar Magazine ranks Premier Productions as the largest producer of live Christian events both nationally and internationally. Over 18 million people have attended a Premier event in over 4,000 concerts worldwide. Premier promotes Tours for Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Worship, Young & Free, Kari Jobe, Jesus Culture, Lecrae, Lauren Daigle, Gaither Homecoming, Sadie Robertson, Newsboys, comedian John Crist, Rend Collective, as well as their annual Winter Jam Tour Spectacular and OUTCRY Tours. Premier Festivals promotes 10 of the largest Christian festivals in the U.S, and over 80,000 guests have sailed on cruises and gone on excursions through their vacation experience company, Premier Experience.

For further information, visit jamtour.com or turningpointpr.com. Follow Winter Jam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.