The nominating process for many award shows can be a murky, mysterious business: not so for the Billboard Music Awards. The nominees are based on empirical data: sales and Billboard chart positions. Unsurprisingly, this means that most of their nominees are more contemporary artists; this year, Imagine Dragons, Lorde, Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry are among those on the ballot, and veteran artists don’t factor in to the show.
However, veteran acts still dominate on the road, so Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Bon Jovi were both nominated in the Top Touring Artist category; they’re up against Rihanna, Beyonce, and P!nk.
In 2013, Bon Jovi embarked on the Because We Can, tour which hit five continents, and, according to Pollstar, was the biggest of 2013. Finishing second and third respectively was Beyonce’s tour and P!nk’s tour.
Springsteen has toured often since 2012 when he kicked off the Wrecking Ball, tour. Springsteen kicked off 2014 touring in Africa, Australia and New Zealand and hit the states performing as a part of March Madness ceremonies. He kicked off the U.S. leg of his tour in Cincinnati on April 8 and is scheduled all the way up until May 18 (coincidentally, the date of the Billboard Awards).
- Ray Boyd, WOGL/Philadelphia
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