Tim McGraw's 'Sundown Heaven Town 2014 Tour' Coming in May

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tim mcgraw lookin for that girl111Tim McGraw will crisscross the country this summer on his headlining Sundown Heaven Town 2014 Tour in May. Fans can purchase tickets beginning Jan. 24 in select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket.
Official tour dates on the 30+ city tour will be released at a later date. McGraw’s latest single, “Lookin’ For That Girl,” was sent to radio today (Jan. 13).
“This last year was unbelievable, and I don’t have any plans to let off the gas now. We didn’t want to waste any time getting new music out,” said McGraw. “With every album, my approach is to push a few of my own boundaries and try things I’ve never done before. It was hard to choose a lead single off this project because I really felt like we had six or seven good options. I kept coming back to ‘Lookin For That Girl’ because even though it may be a little different for me sonically, I couldn’t get it out of my head!”
SUNDOWN HEAVEN TOWN 2014 Tour Cities
Sacramento, Calif.
Mountain View, Calif.
Phoenix
San Diego
Irvine, Calif.
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis
Cleveland, Ohio
Hartford, Conn.
Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia
Virginia Beach, Va.
Charlotte, N.C.
Raleigh, N.C.
St. Louis
Chicago
Cincinnati
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Tampa, Fla.
Brooklyn, Mich.
St. Clairsville, Ohio
Toronto, ON
Atlanta
Salt Lake City
Albuquerque, N.M.
Houston
Dallas

Touring Business Boomed in 2013

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Swift performs in Nashville in 2013.

Swift performs in Nashville in 2013.


The North American touring business hit an all-time high last year, bringing in $5.1 billion in revenue, according to new data from Pollstar. This is a significant boost from $1.7 billion in 2000.
The touring trade magazine ranked the Top 100 tours in North America last year. Compared to 2012, the number of tickets sold on those outings was up 9.2 percent since 2012, or 3.37 million, for a total of 40.07 million. Those tours brought in a record high of $2.79 billion, a 10.3 percent increase year over year. The average price of a ticket was $69.52, up only 1.1 percent.
Taylor Swift beat her own 2011 record to become the top grossing Country tour in history, raking in $112.7 million in 2013. Her outing, promoted by The Messina Group, was also the top grossing North American tour last year.
Below is a list of Country stars and their 2013 concert gross totals, from Pollstar’s Top 200 list. For the full list and details including ticket price, tickets sold, number of shows and agency, visit pollstarpro.com.
In related news, Pollstar Live is being held outside L.A. or Las Vegas for the first time when it takes place in Nashville from Feb. 19-21 at the Omni.
Taylor Swift— 112.7 million
Kenny Chesney— 90.9
Jason Aldean— 51
Luke Bryan— 44.4
Zac Brown Band— 43.1
George Strait— 40.9
Miranda Lambert— 34.2
Rascal Flatts— 29.8
Tim McGraw— 27.2
Carrie Underwood— 26.3
Brad Paisley— 25.3
Keith Urban— 20.4
Blake Shelton— 19.5
Willie Nelson— 14.2
Toby Keith—12.9
Florida Georgia Line— 8.3
Alabama— 6.5
Eric Church— 6.1
Brantley Gilbert— 5.3
Darius Rucker— 5.2
Reba— 4.9

Strait Kicks Off Final Leg Of Tour

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Strait and Aldean

Pictured (L-R): George Strait and Jason Aldean


Last week, Country icon and CMA Entertainer of the Year George Strait kicked off the final leg of his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour at CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, La. Strait played to a massive audience of 13,957 attendees and broke his own previous record for highest grossing show of all time at that venue.
Strait performed several hits, including “Fool Hearted Memory” alongside special guest Jason Aldean, “Amarillo By Morning,” “Check Yes Or No” and “I Got A Car,” which is currently at No. 16 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Continuing his partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation, Strait teamed up with Lieutenant General Leroy Cisco, U.S. Army (Retired) to present the keys to a home to U.S. Army Specialist Douglas Michael Edds and wife Tanya Edds.
The Cowboy Rides Away Tour will include shows throughout the country and guest performances by several big names. On March 21, Strait will play Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with special guest Sheryl Crow. On June 7, 2014, Strait will play his final tour date in Arlington, Texas with special guests Aldean, Alan Jackson, Crow, Vince Gill and more.
For more information, visit georgestrait.com.

[Updated]: Aldean Announces Tour Partnership With Major League Baseball

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jason aldean111

Jason Aldean


Broken Bow Records artist Jason Aldean announced this morning (Jan. 9) on Good Morning America that he will take to the road for the 50-city Burn It Down Tour, featuring Florida Georgia Line and Tyler Farr. The tour finds Aldean partnering with Major League Baseball, and visiting baseball stadiums across the country.
Aldean said that show dates at stadiums would happen “periodically throughout the year.”
Last year, Aldean performed sold-out shows at Fenway Park in Boston, Wrigley Field in Chicago, and the University of Georgia’s Sanford stadium.
“It’s no secret that I grew up dreaming of playing baseball stadiums,” said Aldean. “I thought it would be as a first baseman, but playing them as a musician is just as sweet! We’re going to crank this thing up to 11, bring along our buddies Florida Georgia Line and Tyler Farr and put on the biggest and best show we can. My goal is that when the last song is over, and you’re walking back to the parking lot, you’re already on your phone searching to find the next show.”
2014 BURN IT DOWN TOUR Stops:
Roanoke, VA
State College, PA
Atlantic City, NJ
Birmingham, AL
Atlanta, GA
Baton Rouge, LA**
Jacksonville, FL**
Darien, NY
Cincinnati, OH
Washington, D.C.
Pittsburgh, PA
Twin Lakes, WI* **
Philadelphia, PA
Hartford, CT
Detroit Lakes, MN **
Prairie du Chien, WI* **
Chicago, IL
St. Louis, MO
Toronto, ONT
Saratoga Springs, NY
Bangor, ME
Charlotte, NC
Raleigh, NC
Virginia Beach, VA
Knoxville, TN
Lexington, KY
Denver, CO
Albuquerque, NM
Phoenix, AZ
San Diego, CA
Irvine, CA
Mountain View, CA
Sacramento, CA
Winnipeg, MB
Bismarck, ND
Sioux Falls, SD
Erie, PA
Detroit, MI
Tampa, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
San Antonio, TX
Houston, TX
Dallas, TX
* Florida Georgia Line will not appear
** Tyler Farr will not appear

Charley Pride Schedules Canadian Tour

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charlie pride

Charley Pride


Charley Pride, 75, will tour Canada in May and June, performing nine concerts in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, British Columbia and Nova Scotia.
Pride released his latest album, Choices, in 2011. In 2013, he headlined Norway’s Lofoten Country Music Festival, and performed in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Pride is a Country Music Hall of Fame member (inducted in 2000) as well as a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry (inducted in 1993).
Canadian tour dates include:
May 19/20–Casino Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan
May 22–Western Financial Place in Cranbrook, British Columbia
May 24–Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary, Alberta
May 26–Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Alberta
May 28–Community Auditorium in Thunder Bay, Ontario
May 29–Sadbury Arena in Sudbury, Ontario
May 31–Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool, Nova Scotia
June 1–The Centre, Casino New Brunswick in Moncton, New Brunswick

iHeartRadio Country Festival Debuts In March

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iHeartCountryFestival2014Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced today (Jan. 8) the first-ever iHeartRadio Country Festival. Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen and Dan + Shay are on the line up for the event at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center on Sat., March 29. Nationally-syndicated Country music personality Bobby Bones will host.
“The response to our country performers at the last three iHeartRadio Music Festivals was so incredible we decided to create an entire show just for them,” said John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises. “It will be a country fan’s dream and a testament to the power of country music and recognition of the stature of these artists.”
Clear Channel will launch a six weeklong nationwide promotion Mon., Jan. 13, giving fans the opportunity to win a trip to Austin for the festival. The promotion will run across more than 120 Clear Channel Country radio stations as well as on iHeartRadio. Tickets go on sale to the general public Jan. 18 at 12 p.m. EST.
“Country music is experiencing an unprecedented explosion of popularity with music fans across America, and there’s no better way to celebrate that than by building on the incredible success of our annual 2-day iHeartRadio Music Festival and creating the biggest dedicated multiplatform event ever featuring the biggest stars in Country music,” said Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. “The core of our business is the bond our local stations have with our listeners and an important part of that is to give them extraordinary events no one else can provide.”
The iHeartRadio Country Festival will stream live on Clear Channel’s Country music radio stations in the local markets and on iHeartRadio.com. More artists will be announced soon.
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment serves 150 markets through 840 owned radio stations.

Craig Morgan To Take 'The Journey Tour' In February

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craig morgan

Craig Morgan. Photo credit: Bill Konway


Craig Morgan announced the first leg of his 2014 tour, VA Mortgage Leader Presents Craig Morgan The Journey Tour. The first date of the 20+ show tour launches Jan. 21 in West Palm Beach, Fla. The tour currently runs through April, and additional dates will be added soon.
Joining Morgan for select dates on the tour is special guest Chad Warrix, who will open the shows. Warrix is one of the founding members of the duo Halfway to Hazard.
VA MORTGAGE LEADER PRESENTS CRAIG MORGAN THE JOURNEY TOUR 2014
*Feb. 7 Jacksonville, Fla.–Mavericks
*Feb. 8 Bradenton, Fla.–Joyland Nightclub IV
Feb. 13 Mobile, Ala.–Saenger Theater
*Feb. 14 Terrell, Texas–Silver Saloon
*Feb. 15 Ledbetter, Texas–Chicken Ranch Dance Hall
*Feb. 28 Minneapolis–Mill City Nights
*March 6 Sioux Falls, S.D.–The District
March 8 Vernal, Utah–Western Park
March 15 Sayreville, N.Y.–Starland Ballroom
March 16 Meadville, Pa.–Allegheny College
*March 20 Columbus–Live at the Bluestone
*March 21 Indianapolis–8 Seconds Saloon
*March 22 Ft. Wayne, Ind.–Rusty Spur
*April 3 Spokane, Wash.–Knitting Factory
*April 4 Boise, Id.–Knitting Factory
*April 5 Reno, N.V.–Knitting Factory
*April 8 San Diego–House of Blues
*April 10 Hollywood, Calif.–House of Blues
*April 11 Anaheim, Calif.–House of Blues
*indicates dates with special guest Chad Warrix

Jake Owen Reveals 'Days Of Gold Tour 2014' Dates

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days of gold jake owen111Jake Owen is gearing up for a golden summer on Jake Owen’s Days of Gold Tour 2014. The trek launches March 20 in Brookings, S.D., and wraps Oct. 25 in Owen’s hometown of Vero Beach, Fla. The 55+ city tour will feature The Cadillac Three on all dates, along with Eli Young Band, Parmalee, and Thomas Rhett (each on select dates).
DAYS OF GOLD Tour 2014
March 20 – Brookings, S.D.
March 21 – Fargo, N.D.
March 22 – Bemidji, Minn.
April 10 – Casper, Wy.
April 11 – Rapid City, S.D.
April 12 – Bismarck, N.D.
April 24 – Bowling Green, Ky.
April 25 – Dayton, Ohio
May 1 – Ft. Wayne, Ind.
May 2 – Indiana, Pa.
May 3 – Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
May 15- Huntington, W.V.
May 16 – Greensboro, N.C.
May 29 – Gilford, N.H.
May 30 – New York, N.Y.
May 31 – Virginia Beach, Va. (Patriotic Festival)
June 12 – North Lawrence, Ohio (Country Fest)
June 13 – Buffalo, N.Y. (Taste of Country)
June 19 – Grand Junction, Colo. (Country Jam USA)
June 20 – Rio Rancho, N.M.
June 21 – Pueblo, Colo. (Bands in the Backyard)
June 27 – Greeley, Colo. (Greeley Stampede)
June 28 – Norfolk, Neb.
June 29 – Wichita, Kan.
July 10 – Reading, Pa.
July 11 – Uncasville, Conn.
July 17 – Eau Claire, Wis. (Country Jam Fest)
July 18 – Valparaiso, Ind. (Porter County Fair)
July 24 – Green Bay, Wis.
July 25 – Moline, Ill.
Aug. 1 – Duncan, B.C. (Sunfest Country)
Aug. 2 – Sweet Home, Ore. (Oregon Jamboree)
Aug. 9 – Las Vegas
Aug. 21 – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Aug. 22 – Orange Beach, Ala.
Aug. 23 – New Orleans
Sept. 5 – North Charleston, S.C.
Sept. 6 – Augusta, Ga.
Sept. 11 – Fayetteville, Ark.
Sept. 13 – Terre Haute, Ind.
Sept. 18 – Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Sept. 20 – Sioux City, Iowa
Sept. 25 – Tupelo, Miss.
Sept. 26 – Huntsville, Ala.
Oct. 3 – Roanoke, Va.
Oct. 4 – Pikeville, Ky.
Oct. 9 – Battle Creek, Mich.
Oct. 10 – Saginaw, Mich.
Oct. 11 – Toledo, Ohio
Oct. 16 – La Crosse, Wis.
Oct. 17 – Mankato, Minn.
Oct. 18 – Lincoln, Neb.
Oct. 23 – Atlanta
Oct. 24 – Tallahassee, Fla.
Oct. 25 – Vero Beach, Fla.

Artist Updates (1/6/14)

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Brandy Clark. Photo Credit: Becky Fluke

Brandy Clark. Photo Credit: Becky Fluke


Brandy Clark kicks off 2014 as the musical guest on The Late Show With David Letterman. Clark appears tonight (Jan. 6) alongside Lena Dunham and Max Greenfield, and will perform “Stripes” from her album, 12 Stories.
The performance will air at 11:35 p.m. ET/10:35 p.m. CT on CBS.

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Dee Jay Silver

Dee Jay Silver


The first country DJ to be signed to a major Nashville label, DJ/remixer/producer and RCA Nashville recording artist Dee Jay Silver will hit the road with Brad Paisley when Paisley launches his Beat This Winter Tour presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.
With a dozen dates from Jan. 10 through March 1, the lineup also includes Chris Young and Danielle Bradbery. Silver will keep the crowd’s energy high with between-show sets featuring songs from his debut EP, Country Club.

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swon brothers11

The Swon Brothers


Arista Nashville artists and NBC’s The Voice Season 4 finalists The Swon Brothers (Zach and Colton Swon), have announced “Later On” as the debut single from the duo’s upcoming album. The song, penned by Ryan Hurd, Joey Hyde and Justin Wilson, the song ships to Country radio today, with an official airplay impact date in March.
“We are beyond blessed and excited to be releasing our very first single on Arista Nashville! We believe that with the love and support from our fans this song has big potential,” says Zach Swon.
“We’ve waited and prayed for this moment our whole lives and it’s finally here! We are more than ready to meet all the folks at Country radio and want to say thank you in advance for welcoming your two new brothers to the family!,” says Colton Swon.

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natalie stovall11HitShop Records artist Natalie Stovall And The Drive will release the debut single “Baby Come On With It,” to Country radio on Feb. 3. The single was written by Chris DeStefano, Jerry Flowers and Bobby Hamrick, and produced by Paul Worley.
The song is already getting spins on SiriusXM’s The Highway.

Brantley Gilbert To Rev Up 'Let It Ride Tour 2014' in March

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bgilbert

Brantley Gilbert


Brantley Gilbert will launch the Let It Ride Tour 2014 on March 27 in Lacrosse, Wis. The 22-stop trek will feature Thomas Rhett and Eric Paslay. Tour stops include Evansville, Ind.; Charleston, W.Va.; Stockton, Calif; Little Rock, Ark.; Omaha, Neb., and a tour-closing show in Denver, Colo. on May 18.
The singer-songwriter recently released the video for his current single, “Bottoms Up.”
Let It Ride Tour 2014 Dates:
3.27 Lacrosse, Wis.
3.28 Bloomington, Ill.
3.29 Corinth, Miss.
4.10 Greensboro, N.C.
4.11 Tuscaloosa, Ala.
4.12 Bossier City, La.
4.17 Macon, Ga.
4.18 Louisville, Ky.
4.19 Little Rock, Ark.
4.24 Stockton, Calif.
4.25 Indio, Calif.
4.26 Pozo, Calif.
5.1 Springfield, Mo.
5.2 Evansville, Ind.
5.3 Live Oak, Fla.
5.8 Grand Rapids, Mich.
5.9 Charleston, W. Va.
5.10 Greenville, S.C.
5.15 Omaha, Neb.
5.16 Sioux Falls, S.D.
5.17 Wichita, Kan.
5.18 Denver, Colo.