This year -- 2015 -- was the biggest year in ticket sales for concert and touring shows at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark since the Garth Brooks record-setting year of 1998. MetraPark General Manager Bill Dutcher announced in a news release.

"The attendance at the arena was just outstanding this year," Dutcher said. "With the Eagles, Elton John, Miranda Lambert, WWE Live, Motley Crue, and others, it has been a great year for live music and events in Billings."

Despite being in a market judged small, Rimrock Auto Arena ranked in the top 100 arenas in the United States, according to local information and recent data published by Pollstar magazine. 2015 was the first time arena attendance topped 60,000 since four sold out Garth Brooks concerts in July 1998. That set the all time building attendance record with more than 77,000 ticket purchases.

This year ranks seventh on the all-time arena attendance list. Other top years at Rimrock Auto Arena are clustered in the '90's with each year from 1990-1993 ranking second thru fifth all time.

The new year is already looking good for Rimrock Auto Arena.

"Carrie Underwood has already announced her Storyteller Tour for next year. We have a number of other shows that are in various stages of development," Dutcher said in the release. "Of course, we are always looking to add more shows to give people of Billings and Yellowstone County more entertainment choices."

More From Cat Country 102.9