Flatts, Aldean Set To Boost Country Sales

Two big releases due April 7 — from Lyric Street’s Rascal Flatts and Broken Bow’s Jason Aldean — could bring a welcome boost to 2009 country sales. Fresh from their seventh consecutive ACM Vocal Group of the Year win, Rascal Flatts will celebrate the release of their sixth album, Unstoppable, with a day-of-release appearance on NBC’s Today followed by guest spots on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 13 and The Late Show with David Letterman on April 16. “Here Comes Goodbye,” the debut single from Unstoppable, has already hit the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.

Platinum-selling artist Aldean will release his third studio album, Wide Open. Already riding high on the momentum of the album’s debut single, “She’s Country,” the singer will visit eight cities in eight days. Highlights from his cross-country promotional trip include an April 10 appearance on NBC’s Today, followed by an appearance at the opening game of the Atlanta Braves home season, where Aldean will throw out the first pitch and sing the National Anthem. He will also be featured on a one-hour GAC special titled Jason Aldean: Wide Open, also premiering April 7. On May 1, Aldean will play Jimmy Kimmel Live’s outdoor concert series.