2009 Tour Circuit Heats Up

Now almost two weeks into 2009, artists are heading back out on the road and MusicRow has a run down of the latest touring news.

Kenny Chesney today (1/12) revealed his full itinerary for the previously announced Sun City Carnival tour, currently slated for 50 dates across the nation. Kicking off April 17-18 in Uncasville, CT, Chesney will be on the road through the middle of September with guests Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. The Carnival is scheduled for many football stadiums, amphitheaters, arenas, and maybe even a honky-tonk or two.

Rascal Flatts will kick-off the final leg of its Bob That Head Tour this weekend in Kansas City, MO. Opening Jan. 17, the leg will run for 20 dates with guest Jessica Simpson.

Toby Keith kicked off the second leg of his Biggest & Baddest Tour Saturday (1/10) in Biloxi, MS, and has invited Jack Ingram to return for a series of shows in February. Ingram appeared on Keith’s previous Big Dog Daddy Tour.

George Strait is hosting guest Julianne Hough on his summer outing, with an additional opening act to be announced soon. The tour opens May 9 in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Brad Paisley has asked Gene Watson, the acclaimed artist who is also the subject of a current spotlight exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, to open The Paisley Party show on Thurs., Jan. 15 in Southaven, MS. As previously announced, Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley are the tour’s guests.

Known for non-stop touring, Willie Nelson has dates booked through late March. His first show of the year was Friday (1/9) in West Wendover, NV, and he will spend the month touring the West Coast. Included is a five-night stand in San Francisco. In February, Nelson has scheduled two nights in New York City with Wynton Marsalis and special guest Norah Jones, followed by a 10-show East Coast run with Asleep at the Wheel.

Merle Haggard, who has reportedly received a clean bill of health following surgery for lung cancer in November, is planning a busy 2009. Among the more unusual stops on his tour itinerary are churches, hospitals and women’s prisons.

Another hard touring artist, Gary Allan has shows booked through next fall. He spent most of 2008 on the road and will resume his tour Jan. 30 in Bossier City, LA. Most of his dates are casino, fair, club and theater venues.

After just wrapping their 2008 Long Road Out of Eden Tour in January, The Eagles open the 2009 leg today (1/12) in Hampton, VA. They are set for a dozen stops in the east and south this month, followed by many more dates in March throughout the Midwest and Canada. Then in May, the band heads overseas for a 6-week run in Europe. Ticketmaster is selling tickets to some Eagles shows with no additional convenience fees as part of a new “all-in ticketing” program.