Sometime in the next few months,I will be getting a new camera-DSLR,it will probably go down like this

Tour date confirmed,down payment made,maybe a day or two to get camera before we leave ,plus bag ,(my Lowepro P&S bag is NOT waterproof-ideas ?) extra battery,memory cards.
As I have never personally bought or chosen a camera before,would appreciate all advice.

Looking at the Canon XSi,with kit lens or poss also 50mm,nifty fifty,depends on budget,but presume its pretty basic.
Open to other suggestions-since I'm a home bod,when we are not working on shows,will research any ideas online-not an option to try out cameras-they all come plastic wrapped,prob. cos of high mould in these here tropics.

Currently using Sony Cybershot DSC H-9.for photos of live music shows,lots of movement,many band members on stage,varying lighting from terrible to full rig -often shooting over my/crowds heads,using live view on the articulated screen-and not fully
comfortable with manual -if the lighting is good,I tend to go to auto,and stay there,then later experiment with bracketing on manual,when basic shots are covered.

Examples of what I get are here-

-this was an attempt to capture the live "feel"
http://http://gallery.photographyreview.com/showphoto.php?photo=113377&cat=500&ppuser=272109

-this is more like what is wanted from my work.-think the fifty lens sounds good for close ups,is fast enough-unless someone knows better ?
http://http://gallery.photographyreview.com/showphoto.php?photo=110834&cat=500&ppuser=272109


Since its a first time,will be going to one of two local camera dealers with good reputations-(rather than the downtown techno malls,where goodness only knows what could befall an unwary customer)- these guys know us and have had dealings with our biz-but anything to watch for,country of manufacture,etc?

Thanks !