Tour News: Paisley Plots H2O II

>>Brad Paisley wrapped his H20 World Tour last weekend in Nashville, and the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year didn’t waste any time announcing his next run. The H2O II World Tour presented by Chevy opens May 28 at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field. The 33-city trek includes five stadiums and an international run through London (O2 Arena), Dublin, Stockholm, Oslo and more. Joining him will be special guests Blake Shelton and Jerrod Niemann.
The new outing will incorporate elements of the previous H2O Tour, such as the “Water World Plaza,” offering water activities and music from emerging artists Brent Anderson, Edens Edge and Sunny Sweeney.
The H20 World Tour played to over 879,000 fans in 2010 and was Pollstar’s the most attended country tour. Paisley’s current single “This Is Country Music” is the title track from his next album which will be in stores May 24. Read more about his Nashville show here (subscribers only).
>>Joe Nichols will journey Down Under this year. The Show Dog-Universal Music artist will headline Australia’s CMC Rocks the Hunter music festival on March 5, and will return in May for a multi-city tour. Nichols’ Greatest Hits CD was released January 25, and his current single, “The Shape I’m In,” is climbing the country charts.
>>Ricky Skaggs has announced the first dates of his 2011 Treasure Chest Tour. It kicks off in Prestonsburg, Ky. on March 18.
>>Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Don Williams has announced his 2011 concert appearances. There are more than 30 dates on the schedule, including a run through Canada.
>>Innovative acoustic guitar virtuoso and two-time Grammy nominee Leo Kottke will play TPAC’s Polk Theater on Wednesday, March 16. The show is produced by The Messina Group/AEG Live. Tickets are on sale at TPAC’s Box Office, TPAC.org or 615-782-4040.
>>BMI and the Mercy Lounge kicked off the third annual Road to Bonnaroo competition on Monday, February 28, with Chancellor Warhol winning a performance slot at the upcoming music festival. The contest is staged during designated nights of BMI’s free 8 off 8th showcase. The remaining 2011 Road to Bonnaroo dates are March 21 and April 18.