Britney Spears’ debut tour took place in 1999. She hit 56 cities in North America her first time out. Touring is an important part of an entertainer’s revenues. Not only does the entertainer gain revenue from the tour itself, the tour allows for maximum exposure of the artist. The artist connects with fans, potentially wins over more fans, and boosts record sales in the process. While she was out seeing the world and entertaining her fans, her critics were in agreement – Britney knew how to tour.

The radio stations are helping Spears pave the way for her next tour, scheduled to begin March, 2009. Her latest single “Womanizer” from her sixth studio album, Circus, has caught a tremendous amount of air time. Even without that help, a Britney Spears tour stands to make millions for the 27-year-old super star. She needs it now, more than ever, between legal fees and shopping sprees. Let’s hope her father can help her manage those millions.

‘HIT ME BABY’ – AGAIN?

It’s hard to imagine that the so-called ‘innocent’ Britney Spears began her career in 1998 with her single “Baby One More Time” clad in a controversial schoolgirl outfit. Prior to her debut, she was singing in church revues and in her choir. In 1999 she graced (or disgraced) Rolling Stone with a cover photo of the young star in a bra and boy shorts. How soon they grow up! Fast forward several years and you will see that a Britney Spears tour can command millions in ticket sales and merchandise. Merchandise on a Britney Spears tour can run the average teenage fan hundreds of dollars.

Britney Spears is a virtual Midas – everything she touches turns to gold. Not only does she rake in the dough for singing and dancing on stage, but her endorsements have padded her bank account quite nicely as well. Britney’s 2001 promotional contract with Pepsi was a multi-million dollar one for the star. Then, with the help of Elizabeth Arden, Britney created her first perfume called “Curious” in 2004, and in mere weeks it had earned $100 million in sales. With such success in scents, why stop at one? She followed her first perfume with the 2005 successful scent called “Fantasy,” which became a similar Spears success. Having smelled success in the perfume industry, Britney kept right on rolling in it. In 2006 she released “Curious: In Control” and “Midnight Fantasy” as well. And if that wasn’t enough, she created “Curious Heart” in January, 2008 and by then her perfume profits had exceeded her wildest imagination. Successful scents aside, Spears is at her monetary best while onstage, entertaining her fans. Despite the tours netting her more than anything else, Britney continues to branch out. Spears has published four books, created a video game, and marketed a doll. This superstar has earned for herself over $350 million in Britney Spears tour sales, and over $185 million in Britney Spears merchandise sales.

With the average Britney Spears tour fan 16 to 24 years old, you would be smart to bring a little extra cash when going to a Britney Spears tour. Although great tickets to a Britney Spears tour will set parents back a bit, the Britney Spears tour memorabilia, including CDs, posters, t-shirts, key chains, programs and collectible jackets, can average over $100,000 a night in gross sales.

When Britney Spears is not on tour, she has continued to work. She has made television sitcom debuts, and even starred in her own reality television show. When she and former beau, Kevin Federline, were still together, they created a reality TV show in 2004 called Britney & Kevin: Chaotic. Britney also made appearances on several other shows, including Will & Grace in 2006 and How I Met Your Mother in 2008. As her fans know, Britney’s had some tough times of late, but she’s ready to show them that all is well, and that she’s back while she’s hard at work on her upcoming tour.

BRITNEY SPEARS’ NEXT STOP: THE ‘CIRCUS TOUR’

And here it comes, the comeback tour we’ve all been waiting for, produced by Mega live entertainment and multimedia production company AEG Live. It opens in New Orleans on March 3, 2009 and closes in Chicago on April 29, 2009. Along the way, Britney stops twice in Canada, and eight times in Europe. This year will bring us an always exciting Britney Spears show, so look for it, because undoubtedly this tour will be coming soon to a city near you!