Justin Timberlake to Collaborate with Chris Stapleton at CMA Awards

Justin Timberlake. Photo: Tom Munro / RCA Records

Justin Timberlake. Photo: Tom Munro / RCA Records


Justin Timberlake
 has been announced to collaborate with an artist he has long championed, Mercury’s Chris Stapleton, on the 49th Annual CMA Awards.

The announcement was made this morning (Nov. 2) on ABC’s Good Morning America, ahead of Stapleton’s guest appearance on that program tomorrow.

Stapleton is nominated for three 2015 CMA Awards (Male Vocalist, New Artist, and Album of the Year for Traveller). Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, the annual event airs live Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Brantley Gilbert Announces Dates For Black Out Tour

brantley gilbert

Brantley Gilbert: Photo Credit: James Minchin

Brantley Gilbert has announced his headlining Black Out Tour that will kick off Nov. 11 at Melkweg in Amsterdam. The U.S. leg will start on January 28 in Saginaw, Mich. The Valory Music singer/songwriter will detour to Queensland, Australia for the CMC Rocks QLD at Willowbank Raceway on March 12 before resuming his U.S. dates in April.

“This is why I do this,” Brantley says. “To take it to the people. I want to rock hard and tell the truth and see it in their eyes. My fans know what I’m talking about, and they come for that reason. It’s not for everybody, but it’s its own kind of country… and being out in some of the secondary markets, the kind of places I came up, that feels just like home.”

Tickets for the arena dates will be on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Nov. 6 with a special pre-sale for members of the BG Nation. For more information, visit www.brantleygilbert.com.

Brantley Gilbert’s Black Out Tour Dates:

Nov. 11: Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Nov. 12: Fabrik, Hamburg, Germany
Nov. 13: Technikum, Munich, Germany
Nov. 14: Im Wizemann, Stuttgart, Germany
Nov. 17: Oran Mor, Glasgow, Scotland
Nov. 18: Manchester Academy, Manchester, England
Nov. 19: Birmingham Institute Library, Birmingham, England
Nov. 20: O2 Shephard’s Bush Empire, London, England

Jan. 28: Dow Event Center, Saginaw, Mich.
Jan 29: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
Jan. 30: ISU Hulman Center, Terre Haute, Ind.

Feb. 4: James Brown Arena, Augusta, Ga.
Feb. 5: CFE Arena at University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.
Feb. 6: Donald L Tucker County Civic Center, Tallahassee, Fla.
Feb. 11: Rogers K Rock Arena, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Feb. 12: GM Center, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Feb. 13: Budweiser Gardens, London, Ontario, Canada
Feb. 18: Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio
Feb. 19: Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio
Feb. 20: Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, N.Y.
Feb. 24: AT&T Center Rodeo, San Antonio, Texas
Feb. 25: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Feb. 26: ASU Convention Center, Jonesboro, Ark.
Feb. 27: BanCorp South Center, Tupelo, Miss.

March 3: Rushmore Plaza Ice Arena, Rapid City, S.D.
March 4: Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, Bozeman, Mont.
March 12: CMC Rocks QLD: Willowbank Raceway, Queensland, Australia

April 14: Giant Center, Hershey, Pa.
April 15: Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tenn.
April 16: Salem Civic Center, Salem, Va.
April 21: Swiftel Center, Brookings, S.D.
April 22: Bismark Civic Center Arena, Bismark, N.D.
April 23: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minn.
April 28: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wis.
April 29: US Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
April 30: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Neb.

John Marks Joins Spotify

John Marks

John Marks has joined Spotify in the role of Global Senior Editor/Music Programmer, Country, MusicRow has confirmed.

Marks will be based in Nashville, where he will be responsible for curating Spotify’s country playlists, allowing him to promote country music globally. Prior to joining Spotify, he was SiriusXM Sr. Director of Country Programming.

“This is such an amazing ‘build it from the ground floor’ opportunity and I’m grateful to Spotify for the opportunity to develop their country platform worldwide,” Marks told MusicRow.

Marks announced that he was leaving SiriusXM in September. During his time at SiriusXM, Marks became known for helping to break promising new talent including Florida Georgia Line, Brandy Clark, Chase Rice and others.

Marks’ new position takes effect immediately. He can be contacted at [email protected].