While country singer Blake Shelton has become the surprise star of NBC’s singing competition “The Voice,” his backstage rider is as mundane as the contestants he mentors.
Shelton’s alcohol demands are notable only for their moderation. His rider asks for two cases of light, canned beer and two bottles apiece of Bacardi Clear Rum and Cabernet Sauvignon. The singer also requires a four-pack of that horrendous 5-Hour Energy drink you see advertised on basic cable, as well as a dozen cans of sugar free Red Bull. All beverages are to be delivered to Shelton’s tour bus, which apparently has a spacious refrigerator.
After a concert, promotion personnel must make another trip to Shelton’s brown/black ride to deliver two grilled chicken salads and fat free Ranch and Italian dressing. And, of course, one large Pizza Hut “Meat Lovers or Stuffed Crust Supreme pizza.”
Shelton’s rider also includes a six-page “Design Packet” illustrating the stage placement of all Shelton band members, who are reduced in drawings to Transformer-like figures. (3 pages)
So how does Keith Urban keep his boyish figure?
A look at the musician’s backstage rider (for his “Summer Lovin’ 2010” tour) reveals that Nicole Kidman’s husband has a variety of “personal daily requirements” to which attention must be paid. Urban’s rider is excerpted at left.
For example, Urban needs two breakfasts (before and after a workout). And he prefers that his grub--to be handled by his personal assistant--features the “highest quality, free range meat and organic vegetables and grains.” Butter, spices, and onions? Outlawed.
His dressing room (or tour bus) is stocked with an equally bland assortment of sliced meats and cheeses, hummus, and a container of “butter substitute” (though he will settle for lower fat butter if the fake stuff is unavailable). And, of course, “Select a Size paper towels” are a must.
For some reason, Urban’s rider carries the notation that the document is “Confidential.” , the Australian singer earns a guaranteed minimum of about $500,000 per concert. (4 pages)
Are you a female masseuse in need of work? Well, the country band Rascal Flatts may want you.
The chart-topping group, now in the midst of its "Bob That Head Tour," requires promoters to secure the service of a massage therapist who can work from 1 PM until the doors open prior to an evening concert. According to the band's concert rider, prospective masseuses should charge $1 per minute for massages, which should have no minimum time limit. Tour personnel will pay the woman cash on the spot for their rubs. But if the masseuse lays hands on either of the three Rascal Flatts principles--Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney--she will have to visit the tour production office "after her shift to collect payment for any of those messages." (2 pages)
On her 2008 tour rider, country singer Taylor Swift helpfully explains one of her catering demands: "1 Bag frozen Edemame (it's soy beans...in frozen vegetable section)." Of course, all those cases of Smart Water loaded onto the 18-year-old star's tour bus could not thwart the misspelling of the healthy snack.
As seen here, the Grammy nominee (and platinum-selling) Swift has her luncheon meat, Starbucks grandes, and "Ben/Jerry's" pints delivered to her bus. Additionally, Saturday appears to be pasta night for the singer, who surely could do better that a jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce. (2 pages)
Toby Keith won't be undersold--by a warm-up band, that is. The country singer demands that his opening act match his price on all concert swag offered for sale. And don't even think about trying to push your own line of glow products or flowers on concertgoers, since Keith has the "roaming glow ring, glow rose, and live rose" market cornered.
As for the so-called Big Dog's sponsor, Coors provides "all the beer for the Toby Keith Rider." But the Colorado brewer might be a bit surprised/pissed to learn that when Toby boards his tour bus after a show, a 12-pack of European favorite Newcastle is waiting for him. (5 pages)
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