Kacey Musgraves to Open for Lady Antebellum in Europe

/by

Universal Music Group Nashville recording artist Kacey Musgraves is scheduled to open for Lady Antebellum in select cities on the group’s Own The Night 2012 European Tour this summer.

“Kacey is a really talented singer/songwriter, and we’re just big fans of her music,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “Keith Urban was gracious enough to invite us to Australia with him a few years ago, so we know what a big opportunity it is for a new artist to be able to go tour overseas.”

Musgraves is currently in the studio putting the finishing touches on her debut album, which she is co-producing with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird. Her debut single will be released later this year. A sampling of her music can be heard here.

Own The Night 2012 World Tour European Dates:

7/10 — Dublin, Ireland
7/11 — Dublin, Ireland
7/13 — Glasgow, UK
7/15 — Manchester, UK
7/16 — London, UK
7/17 — Birmingham, UK

Belmont Students Gain Experiential Education on ‘Happy Together Tour’

/by

Pictured (L-R): Emily Guthrie, Lauren Walsh, Tate Forbes, Max Batchelor, Johnny Cloherty, Lily Restenberger, Emily Carver, Karalyn Gillen and Jenny Bartlett

As we reported in May, ten Belmont University juniors and seniors have joined professor and legendary musician Mark Volman, a founding member of The Turtles, on the road for a portion of the Happy Together Tour.

The tour is part of an experiential learning class that will host the students for two and a half weeks on one tour bus for a grade and credit under the guidance of Volman and staff advisor Lucas Boto. Students will work with touring artists and crew professionals in the areas of tour management, stage management, audio engineering, tour accounting and merchandise sales. These duties will be in addition to load-in, setup, tear-down and load-out.

“Only at Belmont do students get such a unique opportunity,” said Volman. “I’m excited to teach them what I know outside a normal classroom space. Inevitably, their energy will add to the tour experience for the performers as well.”

The Happy Together Tour unites several pop/rock artists of the ‘60s, starring The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Grass Roots, and The Buckinghams.

Watch a video diary from Columbus, GA below or follow the student’s tour blog here.

The east coast run Happy Together Tour:

June 8             Columbus, GA
June 9             Dothan, AL
June 10           Chattanooga, TN
June 14           Jacksonville, FL
June 15           Clearwater, FL
June 16           Hiawasee, GA
June 17           Montgomery, AL
June 19           Glenside, PA
June 20           Brunswick, NJ
June 21           Tarrytown, NY
June 23           Westbury, NY
June 24           Hampton Beach, NH

Bonnaroo Takes Over Manchester

/by

It’s a huge music weekend in Middle Tennessee by any measure. The 2012 CMA Music Festival is currently drawing thousands of country music fans to downtown Nashville and LP Field, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival down the road in Manchester, TN is bringing in thousands more.

The annual music and arts festival kicks off today (6/7) at Great Stage Park in Manchester. Performers during the weekend include Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish, The Beach Boys, Bon Iver, The Avett Brothers, The Shins, Foster the People, Skrillex, The Roots, Phish, Alice Cooper, Kenny Rogers, Ben Folds Five, Yelawolf, Alabama Shakes, and many more. See the full lineup here. Festival goers can make use of the Bonnaroo smartphone app to organize and optimize their experiences.

VIP admission for Bonnaroo is totally sold out, but some 4-day general admission passes are still available for $259.50. Purchase here.

If you can’t make it out to Manchester this year, you can still catch some of the action on the official Bonnaroo webcast, powered by Dell. Viewers will have two channels with streaming performances.

Get all the latest updates on the 2012 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival here.

Big Tour Milestones For Aldean, Lady A

/by

Jason Aldean and wife Jessica at last night's CMT Awards, where he won a fan-voted belt buckle trophy. Photo: Alan Mayor

Jason Aldean is taking his tour to stadiums. He has sold 27,000 tickets for his first headlining stadium show, set for Aug. 5 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The 2012 My Kinda Party Tour will be the largest concert in Crew Stadium history and the first time a show there has sold out more than two months in advance.

Additionally, Aldean recently become the first male country artist to earn triple Platinum certification for a single with “Dirt Road Anthem.”

• • • •

Lady Antebellum had the biggest selling night of its tour last week, when more than 18,600 fans turned out to see the group with Darius Rucker and Thompson Square in Cleveland.

The Own The Night 2012 World Tour, sponsored by GAC, played to a combined total of 62,000 fans at shows in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Rochester last weekend.

Lady Antebellum also announced recently that the final leg of its Own The Night 2012 World Tour will visit Australia this September.

Lady A won Group Video of the Year at last night’s (6/6) CMT Music Awards.

Lady A on stage at a recent tour stop.

 

Lady A Plans Australian Tour; Eric Church Unveils Fall Dates

/by

Lady Antebellum has announced the final leg of its Own The Night 2012 World Tour, which will head into Australia in September. Tickets for the events will go on sale June 15, with pre-sale available Tuesday, June 12. Scheduled dates appear below.

The multi-platinum trio has sold over 850,000 tickets on the first leg of the tour, which will hit Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Rochester this weekend.

Own The Night 2012 World Tour Australian dates:
9/25 – Melbourne – Palais Theatre
9/28 – Brisbane – Convention Centre
10/1 – Sydney – Opera House

• • • •

Eric Church has unveiled the fall leg of his headlining Blood, Sweat, Beers Tour, adding cities nationwide from Los Angeles to Amherst, MA. Special guests Justin Moore and Kip Moore will join Church for this portion of the tour. Tickets go on sale June 8 for the first dates. A full list appears below.

The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour was named No. 11 in Pollstar’s 2012 Worldwide Ticket Sales Chart for the first quarter, and it has sold out more than 25 dates since it began.

Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour newly announced dates:

9/13 – Amherst, MA – Mullins Center
9/14 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena
9/15 – Pittsburgh, PA – CONSOL Energy Center
9/20 – Frisco, TX – Dr. Pepper Arena
9/21 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
9/22 – Cedar Park, TX – Cedar Park Center
9/27 – Mankato, MN – Verizon Wireless Center
9/28 – Sioux City, IA – Tyson Events Center
9/29 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
10/4 – Detroit, MI – Joe Louis Arena
10/5 – Moline, IL – iWireless Center
10/6 – Cincinnati, OH – US Bank Arena
10/11 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
10/12 – Milwaukee, WI – Bradley Center
10/13 – Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
10/14 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
10/18 – Lafayette, LA – Cajun Dome
10/19 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
10/20 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC Arena
10/21 – Murray, KY – CFSB Center
10/25 – Roanoke, VA – Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum
10/26 – Fairfax, VA – Patriot Center
10/27 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena
11/2 – Glendale, AZ – Jobing.com Arena
11/3 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center
11/4 – Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE
11/6 – Bakersfield, CA – Rabobank Arena
11/8 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
11/9 – San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion at San Jose
11/10 – Sacramento, CA – Power Balance Pavilion
11/11 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
11/13 – Everett, WA – Comcast Arena at Everett
11/15 – Portland, OR – Rose Garden Arena
11/16 – Boise, ID – Taco Bell Arena
11/17 – West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
11/28 – Charlotte, NC – Time Warner Cable Arena
11/29 – Duluth, GA – The Arena at Gwinnett Center
11/30 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
12/1 – Huntington, WV – Big Sandy Superstore Arena
12/6 – North Little Rock, AR – Verizon Arena
12/7 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
12/8 – Wichita, KS – Intrust Bank Arena
12/13 – Tampa, FL – USF Sun Dome
12/14 – Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
12/15 – Sunrise, FL – Bank Atlantic Center

Concert News: Martina in Nashville, Garth in Vegas, CMA Songwriters Series

/by

Martina McBride will headline Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Fri., Sept. 28. She is on the One Night tour is support of her Republic Nashville album Eleven. Tickets go on sale Fri., June 8 at 10:00 a.m., starting at $39.50 plus fees. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• • • •

The CMA Songwriters Series is heading west, bringing some of Nashville’s best tunesmiths to Los Angeles’ House of Blues on Tues., June 26, and Phoenix’s Musical Instrument Museum on Wed., June 27. Bill Anderson, Kristian Bush and Bobby Pinson will join host Bob DiPiero for two nights of music and storytelling. Tickets for both shows will go on sale Fri., June 1. For details log on to www.CMAworld.com.

• • • •

Garth Brooks has announced more dates for his concerts at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.

Concert Dates Going on Sale Sat., June 9 at 10 a.m. PT
September 21, 22
October 5, 6
October 26, 27
November 16, 17

Dates Currently on Sale
June 8, 9
June 22, 23
July 19 (one show at 8 p.m.)
July 20, 21
August 17, 18

Tickets are $225 plus tax and service charges and are available exclusively at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-877-65-GARTH. For details on Garth Weekend Packages or more information visit www.wynnlasvegas.com.

ZBB Bringing Southern Ground Festival To Music City

/by

Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival is expanding into Nashville. The event is scheduled for Fri. and Sat., Sept. 21-22 at The Lawn at Riverfront Park, presented by LandShark Lager and Jack Daniel’s. ZBB will play both nights. Details about other performers and food will be revealed soon.

Southern Ground Music & Food Festival is promoted by JAM, Outback Concerts, and Sound Events.

The festival debuted last year in Charleston, SC with much success and will return there in October. It was voted Best Music Concert of 2011 by Charleston City Paper readers.

Two-day festival passes start at $89. VIP options include Front Porch Stage Boxes, with on-stage seating, drinks and a gourmet meal prepared under the direction of Southern Ground Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin.

Ticket pre-sale for fan club members will begin Tues., June 5 at 12 PM/CT, and general sale opens Thurs., June 7 at 10 AM/CT at southerngroundfestival.com.

Zac Brown Band’s new album Uncaged (Atlantic/Southern Ground) is due out July 10 and features contributions from Amos Lee and Trombone Shorty. Check out a performance of “Uncaged” at JazzFest here.

Katie Armiger Adds Dates to “Get Smart” Tour

/by

Katie Armiger has added over 25 dates to her Get Smart Tour, sponsored by Great American Country (GAC).

Armiger has been winning over fans across the country since the tour kicked off in late March and will make a special stop at the 2012 CMA Music Festival June 8 to perform at the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza. She recently took some time out to begin writing for her much anticipated forthcoming fourth studio album.

“This tour has been incredible so far getting to meet and make new fans – and it only keeps getting better,” said Armiger. “No artist can ask for a better outcome from a tour than for it to be a success that dates are continually being added. Thank you to everyone for all of your support, it’s because of all of you that this tour is what it is!”

For full list of tour dates, click here.

 

Country Throwdown and The Boot Campaign Honor Military Families

/by

The Country Throwdown Tour and The Boot Campaign have announced the Country Throwdown Tour Contest sponsored by Southwest Airlines. Anyone in the United States can nominate an eligible military family to win a pack of four VIP tickets to one of five stops on the summer 2012 Country Throwdown Tour.

The public can nominate a military family whose family member is active duty military or received an honorable discharge within the last two years, resides in the continental United States, and served or is serving any branch of service, including the Guard and Reserve. Nominations will be received from May 24 through June 25.  Check contest rules for specific entry periods.

Concert locations include Glen Allen, VA (June 13), Pittsburgh (June 16), Milwaukee, WI (June 28), Chicago (June 30), and Nashville (July 8). Winners selected for each city will be flown courtesy of Southwest Airlines, receive hotel accommodations, four tickets to the concert, a chance to stand side stage, a meet and greet with Gary Allan, and a pair of the Boot Campaign’s “Give Back Boots.”

Nominate a military family for the Boot Campaign “Country Throwdown Tour Contest” here.

At the Nashville Country Throwdown tour stop on July 8, Headliner Gary Allan will be joined by performers Corey Smith, Sunny Sweeney, Eric Paslay, Florida Georgia Line, Maggie Rose as well as special guests Drake White and Jonathan Singleton and the Grove for a combination of classic and innovative country music. The Bluebird Cafe tent will feature emerging singer-songwriters Channing Wilson, Rose Falcon, Carly Pearce and Mama’s Blue Dress.

“As we roll into our third summer of Country Throwdown, the team put together a can’t-miss package for true country fans, and we’re excited to spotlight some of country music’s greatest acts,” said tour co-founder and co-producer Sarah Baer.

Tickets can be purchased here.

“Brothers of the Sun Tour” Readies for Kick Off

/by

(L-R): Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney wrap up a week of rehearsals in Nashville for their "Brothers of the Sun Tour."

The Brothers of the Sun Tour, with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, kicks off its 21-stadium outing on June 2 in Tampa, FL. By the time it wraps up in Foxboro, MA on Aug. 25, the run will have traveled more than 19,000 miles over 88 days with 20 buses and more than 80 tractor trailers.

The tour will also feature guests Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Jake Owen. 

“It doesn’t seem that long ago when it was just 14 of us crammed into a 12-bunk bus we called ‘the iron lung,’ ’cause it leaked diesel fumes inside the bus,” said Chesney. “There weren’t enough bunks for everybody so we took turns sleeping on the couch and floor, but we were living our dream and having fun. And even though we have a lot more stuff now, we’re still having a blast and just as passionate about playing music and taking it out to the fans, whether it be in a club or stadium.”

“It’s been a lot of fun rehearsing in Nashville, but rehearsals are over. It’s time to pack the trucks and head to Tampa,” added McGraw. “I’m pretty sure there are towns in Louisiana with smaller populations than we have on our road crew. It takes a village and a lot of hard work by a lot of people, but I’m just excited for the fans because we’ve got one hell of a show planned for them!”

The 283-member tour crew will be fed by a traveling catering staff that will serve three meals a day. Almost 3,200 meals will be prepared for the tour in the five days surrounding the opening show in Tampa. Show day also includes the “Stage Bar & Grill,” which serves hamburgers and hot dogs on stage from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm. Grill chefs include the stage manager, truck drivers and members of Chesney’s band. Over the course of the tour, the production team will consume more than 50,000 bottles of water.

Having stadium shows on both Saturdays and Sundays requires two teams to build and tear down the massive staging. From start to finish, each team will spend 91 hours at each stadium. Staging for both Chesney and McGraw’s set includes an LED video wall with nearly 2,400,000 pixels. Lighting for Chesney’s set includes 80 strobes and 48 Syncrolites that are placed throughout the stadium to send five foot diameter beams of light criss-crossing the night sky.

“I use the word ‘passion’ a lot because it takes a lot of passionate and dedicated people to make this happen day in and day out,” said Chesney. “And most of the people that were with us a decade ago are still here. We’re a family.”

Industry folks, Chesney, and more industry folks at his rehearsal Monday (5/21) at Bridgestone Arena

This week, Chesney invited members of the industry to his final rehearsal to get a sneak peak of the performance. It was pretty obvious from the opening minutes of the show this is going to be a must-see tour for 2012.

A really cool feature is the 12-panel video wall which opens up to reveal 80 strobes of power that would surely send “Tanning Mom” into euphoria. The set list is a perfect mix of Chesney’s chart-toppers, older songs, and new material from his upcoming 13th studio album, Welcome To The Fishbowl.

(L-R): GAC President Ed Hardy and Chesney

Chesney told the guests he will also be joined on tour by the 245lb Blue Marlin he caught himself (see photo above) as, “a reminder not to take myself too seriously.”

The show is full of fun and energy, packed with hits and a powerful light show, but when Chesney strips it all down and performs “You And Tequila” with only his guitar, absolutely nothing is lost and proves to be one of the most intimate yet powerful performances of the show.

When the headliners join together to perform their duet, “Feel Like A Rock Star,” at the end of the show, the audience is sure to be feeling like rock stars right along with them.

Great American Country serves as media sponsors of the tour. “GAC is excited and proud to be the media partner for the Brothers of the Sun tour,” said GAC President Ed Hardy. “We’ve had many opportunities to work with Kenny over the years and are honored that he is allowing us to be a part of his team. To have Tim on the bill with him makes this the killer tour of the year.”