Today’s tour recap includes coverage of the 2008 Billboard Touring Conference, itinerary updates and more as compiled by TicketNews on November 21, 2008.

New York City played host to the fifth annual Billboard Touring Conference and Awards this week, with panel discussions on November 19 and 20 that featured a keynote speech by Gene Simmons. The KISS co-founder revealed that tour talks are underway with Queen. But the musician and marketing master also had a few words for the industry on ticket pricing and the future of live entertainment.

Those same issues were on the minds of many panelists during the two-day conference. Questions about the economy’s effect on the industry pervaded the discussions, as panelists volleyed ideas about ticket pricing, primary and secondary markets, and sustaining the industry through the current economic storm.

Before heading out for the weekend, take a look at some of the recent date additions and tour announcements coming our way for late 2008 and early 2009. It’s all in today’s itineraries in brief.

Sara Bareilles, who had a breakout hit this year with the track “Love Song,” will perform through December with a few new solo dates. The singer-songwriter begins with a December 6 show at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, NJ, and continues the next day at the House of Blues in Lake Buena Vista, FL. After a Christmas concert appearance, the up-and-comer will be at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR, on December 14, and will conclude her 2008 run with December 18 and 19 sets at Arkley Center in Eureka, CA.

The Fray will kick off 2009 with nine early year performances across the U.S. and Canada. The first show is slated for January 6 at Gothic Theatre in Englewood, CO, with the jaunt wrapping February 4 at Webster Hall in New York City. Other highlights include a January 9 gig at Metro/Smart Bar in Chicago, IL, a January 12 show at Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, ON, and a January 15 concert at Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia, PA.

Bret Michaels has a few shows slated for the remainder of 2008, but he’ll be back on the road next year for more scattered dates. The rocker kicks off next year with a February 7 show at Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN, and has about a dozen shows currently booked through a September 26 gig at Peppermill Hotel Casino & Spa in Reno, NV. Other dates include an Apil 24 gig at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA, a May 8 concert at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WA, and a June 27 show at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, CA.

Pride Tiger is closing out the year with a string of early- to mid-December concerts in the UK. The Canada-based rockers will start out their jaunt with a December 6 show at Pontins in Prestatyn Sands before beginning a run of various Barfly venue locations from December 8 in Glasgow through December 12 in London. Other stops on the trek are scheduled for Bimingham (December 9), Liverpool (December 10) and Cardiff (December 11).

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