Musical Chairs

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New gigs for Megan Knutson, Emilee Warner, and Wayne Leeloy

Megan Knutson


>>Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen has promoted Megan (Whalen) Knutson to Label Coordinator. In this position, she will work with each label department in Nashville as well as the Universal Republic team in New York. In addition to her new responsibilities, Knutson will also continue as Harnen’s assistant. “In just under a year, Megan has become an integral part of our team at Republic Nashville. Plain and simple…no matter how tall the task…she gets it done!” says Harnen. She can be reached at 615-324-7901 or [email protected].

Emilee Warner


>>Publicist Emilee Warner has joined Crash Avenue, launching the Louisville based company’s Nashville Division as Senior Publicist. The Nashville office will specialize in promoting Americana, folk, bluegrass, and roots rock independent artists.
Warner was most recently publicist at Compass Records, and has a resume that includes CMT Radio, WRLT-FM Nashville, Keith Case & Associates, and her own independent PR firm Big Shindig Media. Warner is a member of the IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2011. She can be reached at [email protected].
>>Wayne Leeloy has joined Topspin Media, heading up the digital company’s Nashville office as Sr. Director of Artist Services. He is responsible for building industry and artist relationships across all genres. Topspin allows its clients to connect directly with fans, and promote, distribute and sell music, concert tickets, and more.
Leeloy previously launched Ticketmaster’s Music Services team in Nashville. His career also includes 15 years in Memphis, heading up Business Development and Artist/Industry relations for the Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission, and running his own Foundation Music Group. He also spent time at Seattle marketing firm 206 Inc. handling sponsorship, brand management, event production and community development for clients like Walt Disney Records, Levi’s, Toyota and Urban Outfitters. He can be reached at [email protected] and 615-787-7166.

ACM Noms Highlight New Country Class

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Jason Aldean is a first-time ACM Entertainer of the Year nominee.


Today’s ACM nominations were filled with new names and rising superstars, leaving less room for some of the genre’s most successful artists.
Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert landed Entertainer of the Year nominations for the first time. Meanwhile, reigning Entertainer Carrie Underwood, and superstar Kenny Chesney—who still scored five other nods—were absent from the category.
The final ACM slate was selected by the industry, but the Academy gives consumers the last word in the Entertainer category. Through online voting, fans will get to pick which star takes home the night’s top prize.
Continuing an awesome year, Blake Shelton got his first Top Male nod, and is co-hosting the awards show with Reba.

Zac Brown Band


All three of stalwart Alan Jackson’s nominations were thanks to “As She’s Walking Away,” his hit with younger act Zac Brown Band.
Zac Brown scored nine nods, a combined total of his individual nominations and nominations with his band, including Top Vocal Group.
There are several new faces in the separate Top Vocal Group and Top Vocal Duo categories, where final nominees The Band Perry, the JaneDear girls and Steel Magnolia are also competing for Top New Vocal Duo or Group. Meanwhile, Rascal Flatts was missing from the Vocal Group category.
Other first-time ACM nominees include new faces Easton Corbin, Colt Ford and Lee Brice.
Looking back to the November CMA Awards gives further evidence of the shift in starpower, where big winners included Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum. Also that night, Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley made significant career strides, taking home awards for Male Vocalist, and Entertainer of the Year, respectively.

Signings: Alan Jackson, Emerson Drive, Mountain Heart

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Alan Jackson inks publicity deal • Emerson Drive partners for radio promo •Mountain Heart finds PR home
>>Schmidt Relations has signed Alan Jackson for publicity representation. He joins other Schmidt clients Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, the Grand Ole Opry, Luke Bryan and Rascal Flatts. Schmidt Relations Senior Publicist Darlene Bieber will be the contact for Jackson and can be reached at [email protected] or 615-851-4917. In other Jackson news, the singer is nominated for three Academy of Country Music Awards for Song of the Year, Single Record of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for “As She’s Walking Away,” with the Zac Brown Band.

Pictured (L-R): Quarterback's Chris Allums, Emerson Drive's Brad Mates, Quarterback's John Ettinger


>>Emerson Drive has announced a partnership with Quarterback Records to promote the band’s new single “Let Your Love Speak,” which will be released to radio Feb. 28. The single was written by band member/lead guitarist Danick Dupelle along with songwriters Josh Bartholomew and Steven Lee Olsen. The band will embark on a 33 date tour starting Feb. 8, and has plans for a new release through Quarterback slated for summer.

>>Hot Schatz PR has signed the group Mountain Heart to its client roster. The award-winning bluegrass/roots group has just released its EP That Just Happened on its own label MH Music Group, with national distribution by Select-O-Hits. Group members include Jim VanCleve (Fiddle/Vocals/Producer), Barry Abernathy (Banjo/Vocals), Jason Moore (Bass/Vocals), Josh Shilling (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards), Aaron Ramsey (Mandonlin,Vocals) and Jake Stargel (Guitar).

Citigroup Acquires EMI

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EMI Group has been taken over by Citigroup, the bank who financed Terra Firma’s 2007 purchase of the music company for £4 billion. The bank seized 100% of the share capital and reduced EMI’s debt by 65% from £3.4 billion to £1.2 billion. Following this development, EMI has more than £300 million cash available.
Last week MusicRow reported the latest developments in this ongoing story about Terra Firma boss Guy Hands.
According to the press release:

“Immediately following the transfer in ownership, Citi effected a debt-for-equity swap to recapitalise EMI. The EMI Group continues under the same management.
EMI has achieved creative and commercial success over the last twelve months and will continue to pursue an ambitious growth strategy.
Roger Faxon, EMI’s chief executive, said: “The recapitalization of EMI by Citi is an extremely positive step for the company. It has given us one of the most robust balance sheets in the industry with a modest level of debt and substantial liquidity… We have a clear vision for the future, a strong and committed management team, and now the right capital and financial structure in place to deliver successful outcomes for artists and songwriters.”

Firm Renamed Crownover, Blevins

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Derek Crownover (L) and Allen Blevins (R).


Attorney Derek Crownover has added partner Allen Blevins and renamed the firm Crownover, Blevins.
Crownover’s previous partner Joel Tisinger has relocated to his hometown Carrollton, Georgia and taken an in-house legal position at a healthcare technology company.
Blevins and Crownover have been friends since law school. Blevins is a Knoxville native, where he previously managed the firm Blevins, Kizer and Gammeltoft. He is a CPA, lawyer, and licensed real estate broker. Blevins is a frequent speaker on estate planning, tax, and corporate issues. He has written articles for professional publications, and served as an adjunct college professor.
Crownover says, “Allen and I shared clients over the years in Knoxville, Nashville and throughout the South. With his tax, estate planning and corporate merger background, he not only diversifies the firm, but increases our top-end considerably.”
Crownover, Blevins, P.C. is online at www.dcablaw.com.

ACM Off-Camera Noms

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The Academy of Country Music is announcing nominations for the Musician/Bandleader/Instrumentalist (MBI) and Industry Awards categories, which, due to time constraints, are not televised during the ACM Awards. Instead, these awards will be presented at the ACM Honors, held each fall in Nashville.
Musician / Bandleader / Instrumentalist (MBI) Awards
Producer Of The Year
Nathan Chapman
Frank Liddell
Frank Rogers
Paul Worley
Mike Wrucke
Audio Engineer Of The Year
Chuck Ainlay
Jeff Balding
Drew Bollman
Steve Marcantonio
Clarke Schleicher
Top Bass Player Of The Year
Mike Brignardello
Kevin “Swine” Grantt
Larry Paxton
Jimmy Lee Sloas
Glenn Worf
Top Percussionist/Drummmer Of The Year
Eddie Bayers
Chad Cromwell
Paul Leim
Chris Mchugh
Greg Morrow
Top Guitarist Of The Year
Tom Bukovac
Pat Buchannan
J.T. Corenflos
Kenny Greenberg
Dann Huff
Top Fiddle Player Of The Year
Glen Duncan
Larry Franklin
Rob Hajacos
Aubrey Haynie
Joe Spivey
Top Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year
Jim “Moose” Brown
Tony Harrell
John Hobbs
Gordon Mote
Steve Nathan
Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player Of The Year
Eric Darken
Mickey Raphael
Bryan Sutton
Ilya Toshinsky
Biff Watson
Top Steel Guitar Player Of The Year
Bruce Bouton
Dan Dugmore
Mike Johnson
“Cowboy” Eddie Long
Russ Pahl
Industry Awards
Casino Of The Year
Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, CA
Island Resort Casino – Harris, MI
Mohegan Sun Casino – Uncasville, CT
Peppermill Casino – Wendover, NV
Winstar World Casino – Thackerville, OK
Nightclub Of The Year
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, CA
Coyote Joe’s – Charlotte, NC
Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill – Mesa, AZ
Wild Bill’s – Duluth, GA
Venue Of The Year
Bok Center – Tulsa, OK
First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL
Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion – Gilford, NH
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
Sprint Center – Kansas City, MO
Don Romeo Talent Buyer Of The Year
Steve “Bogie” Bogdanovich – Romeo Entertainment Group
Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
Jimmy Jay – Jayson Promotions, Inc.
Gary Osier – Gary Osier Presents
David Snowden – Triangle Talent, Inc.
Promoter Of The Year
Ben Ferrell – Varnell Enterprises, Inc.
Ali Harnell – AEG Live/The Messina Group
Louis Messina – The Messina Group
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar
Sally Williams – Ryman Auditorium

ACM Radio Nominees Announced

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The Academy of Country Music announced nominees in the radio categories, which due to time constraints, are not televised during the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, but are instead honored at a special pre-Awards reception.

ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL
Kix Brooks – American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks
Big D and Bubba – Big D and Bubba
Crook and Chase – Crook and Chase Countdown
Blair Garner – After MidNite with Blair Garner
Lon Helton – CMT’s Country Countdown USA
Shawn Parr – The Country’s Hot List
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
Cliff and Brooks on KSON (Cliff, Brooks and Tori) – KSON-FM San Diego, CA
Trish Biondo – WUSN-FM  Chicago, IL
Cornbread, Pat James, Annie Henson and Capt. Mac Douglas – WIL-FM St.  Louis, MO
Dr. Don, Rachael Hunter and Grunwald – WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
Edwards & Lee (Chuck Edwards & Linda Lee) – WYCD-FM Detroit, MI
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
J.D. Cannon – WFMS-FM  Indianapolis, IN
Karen Scott & Radar – WMIL-FM  Milwaukee, WI
Mike, Marty and Janie – WQDR-FM  Raleigh, NC
Jeff Roper and Angie Ward – WTQR-FM  Greensboro, NC
Chris Carr, Jason Statt and Maverick – WUBE FM  Cincinnati, OH
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
Brian Pierce & Kellie Michaels – KFDI-FM  Wichita, KS
Jack Ryan – WIVK-FM  Knoxville, TN
Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer and Jimmy Holt – WIVK-FM  Knoxville, TN
Dan Brennan & Shelby Mitchell – WKSJ-FM Mobile, TN
Scott Wynn & Sue Wilson (Wynn and Wilson in the Morning) – WQMX-FM  Akron, OH
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
Bill Barrett, Tim Fox and Tracy Berry – KKNU-FM  Eugene, OR
Brian Gary, Todd Harding, and Susan Moore (The Good Morning Guys) – KUAD-FM Windsor, CO
Jimmy Lehn and Shelly Martinez – WCTY-FM  Norwich, CT
Mark Ericson and Karen Kiley – WOKQ-FM  Dover, NH
Dex and Mo – WUSY-FM  Chattanooga, TN
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MAJOR MARKET
KEEY-FM   St. Louis Park, MN
KNIX-FM   Phoenix, AZ
WPOC-FM   Baltimore, MD
WSOC-FM   Charlotte, NC
WYCD-FM   Detroit, MI
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
KCYY-FM – San Antonio, TX
WFMS-FM – Indianapolis, IN
WGH-FM – Virginia Beach, VA
WMIL-FM – Milwaukee, WI
WSIX-FM – Nashville, TN
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM MARKET
WBBS FM – Syracuse, NY
WIVK-FM – Knoxville, TN
WKHK-FM – Richmond, VA
WKMK-FM & WTHJ-FM – Neptune, NJ
WYRK FM – Buffalo, NY
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR – SMALL MARKET
KCLR-FM – Columbia, MO
KCTR-FM – Billings, MT
KUAD-FM – Windsor, CO
WFRE-FM – Fredrick, MD
WYCT-FM – Pensacola, FL

Lambert Leads Final ACM Nominees List

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Miranda Lambert and Ronnie Dunn announce the ACM nominations at the Country Music Hall of Fame.


Nominations were announced today (2/1) for the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, set to air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 on CBS.
Miranda Lambert leads the artist nominations with seven, including Top Female Vocalist, her first nod for Entertainer of the Year, as well as Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “The House That Built Me.”
Zac Brown Band is nominated for five awards, including Top Vocal Group and Album of the Year. Additionally, Zac Brown received four individual nominations as producer and songwriter.
Kenny Chesney scooped up five nominations, including album of the year for Hemingway’s Whiskey and Single Record of the Year for “The Boys of Fall.”
The Band Perry and Taylor Swift each garnered four nominations, and Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson and Keith Urban all earned three.
Fan voting for awards categories Top New Solo Vocalist and Top New Vocal Group will close February 24 at 11 am CT. The winner in each category will move on to compete for Top New Artist, and fans will vote for that honor as well as Entertainer of the Year through 7 pm CT on April 3.
According to the ACM: The official nominations count for artists reflects categories in which they have been nominated as individuals or as part of a group. Occasionally an artist may get more than one nomination which adds to the total count.
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Toby Keith
• Miranda Lambert
• Brad Paisley
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban
TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• George Strait
• Keith Urban
TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack
TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• the JaneDear girls
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland
TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Randy Rogers Band
• The Band Perry
• Zac Brown Band
TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• Eric Church
• Easton Corbin
• Randy Houser
TOP NEW VOCAL DUO or GROUP OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• the JaneDear girls
• Steel Magnolia
• The Band Perry
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• Need You Now – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by:  Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley
• The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson (Mercury)
Produced by: Arlis Albritton, Dave Cobb, The Kent Hardly Playboys
• Speak Now – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift
• Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Jon Randall Stewart
• You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin (Mercury)
Produced by: Carson Chamberlain
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry (Republic Nashville)
Produced by: Paul Worley
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice (Curb Records)
Produced by: Lee Brice, Doug Johnson
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin
Composers:  Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble
Publishers:   A Sling And A Prayer Music (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Music (ASCAP), Don Poythress Songs (ASCAP), Precious Flour Music (BMI), Universal Music-MGB Songs (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
Composers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette
Publishers: Angelika Music (BMI), Weimerhound Publishing (BMI)
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry
Composer:  Kimberly Perry
Publishers:  Pearlfeather Publishing (BMI), Rio Bravo Music, Inc. (BMI)
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice
Composers:  Tim James, Doug Johnson
Publishers:  Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sweet Radical Music (BMI), T-Bird’s Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Composers:  Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
Publishers:  Built On Rock (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tomdouglasmusic (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
• Hillbilly Bone – Blake Shelton Featuring Trace Adkins
Producer:  Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White
• Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Trent Hardville
Director: Trey Fanjoy
•  Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
Producer: Tony McGarry
Director: Declan Whitebloom
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney
Producer:  Don Lepore
Director: Shaun Silva
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Producer:  Trent Hardville
Director:  Trey Fanjoy
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• Blue Sky – Emily West Featuring Keith Urban (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright
• Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by:  John Carter Cash, Patsy Lynn Russell
• Cold Beer – Colt Ford Featuring Jamey Johnson (Average Joes)
Produced by:  Shannon Houchins, Adrian Young
• Good To Be Me – Uncle Kracker Featuring Kid Rock (Top Dog/ Atlantic / Bigger Picture)
Produced by: Kid Rock

Red Light To Manage Wynette Legacy

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Red Light Management will partner with Bicycle Music and its affiliate, The AF Circle C Fund, to exploit Tammy Wynette’s name, likeness and image rights. Through its affiliate the AF Circle C Fund, Bicycle Music controls substantial copyright interests in Wynette’s catalog of works and master recordings as well as her name, likeness, image rights and trademarks (Stand By Your Man™, Tammy Wynette™, and First Lady of Country Music™).
“Tammy Wynette will always be one of the greatest and most influential artists in country music, a true icon,” said Bicycle CEO Roger Miller. “We are dedicated to preserving her legacy and ensuring that the world will continue to enjoy her music and her image for generations to come.”
“Having worked with Tammy in the mid to late ’80s, it’s undeniable the influence she had not only on country music, but across so many spectrums of the industry”, said Red Light Management’s Fletcher Foster. “Along with a massive catalog of hits, she broke ground as one of the first country artists to tour overseas. She appeared on MTV in the ‘90s with an international #1 dance hit. Her voice still defines country music, and her legacy earns her the title of ‘the First Lady of Country Music’.”
Born in Mississippi, Wynette dreamed of appearing on the Grand Ole Opry from an early age, inspired by her father, a sharecropper and part-time musician. She moved to Nashville in 1966 and was signed by producer Billy Sherrill. Their legendary partnership resulted in 35 No. 1 hits, including “My Elusive Dreams” (her first chart-topper), “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” “D-I-V-O-R-CE” and her trademark song, “Stand By Your Man.”

The Revolution Continues For Miranda Lambert

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Columbia Nashville’s Miranda Lambert is preparing to hit the road again through 2011. The Revolution Continues tour will pick up February 24 in St. Louis, featuring special guests Justin Moore and Josh Kelley. Additionally, Lambert will join Alan Jackson for his first Australian tour in March, which is already sold out. Full dates are included below.
Lambert is also nominated in three categories at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, bringing her career total to six. She’s slated to perform at the show, which will air 7-10:30 pm CT Sunday, Feb. 13 on CBS.
Miranda Solo Dates:
February 16 — San Antonio Rodeo – AT&T Center (San Antonio, TX)
February 18 & 19 — Billy Bob’s (Ft. Worth, TX)
March 16 — Houston Rodeo – Reliant Stadium (Houston, TX)

With Justin Moore and Josh Kelley:
February 24 — Chaifetz Arena (St. Louis, MO)
February 25 — Roberts Stadium (Evansville, IN)
February 26 — McLeod Center (Cedar Falls, IA)
March 24 — Allen County War Memorial (Ft. Wayne, IN)
March 25 — Eastern Kentucky Expo Center (Pikeville, KY)
March 26 — Knoxville Civic Coliseum (Knoxville, TN)
March 27 — West Virginia University Coliseum (Morgantown, WV)
April 7 — Lloyd Noble Center (Norman, OK)
April 8 — Ford County Events Center (Dodge City, KS)
April 9 — Pershing Auditorium (Lincoln, NE)
April 14 — Germain Arena (Estero, FL)
April 15 — St. Augustine Amphitheater (St. Augustine, FL)
April 16 — Wickham Park Pavilion (Melbourne, FL)
Australia dates with Alan Jackson:
March 4 — Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne, Australia)
March 6 — CMC Rocks The Hunter Festival (Hunter Valley, Australia)
March 7 — Acer Arena (Sydney, Australia)
March 10 – 12 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre (Brisbane, Australia)