Jake Owen Reschedules Concerts

Photo: @JakeOwen Twitter

Jake Owen has been forced to cancel the rest of his January tour dates following surgery today (Jan. 17) to mend a broken collarbone he sustained in a snowboarding accident.

Owen was in Crested Butte, CO attending the BMI Songwriter’s Festival and crashed on the mountain Friday, Jan. 13 after hitting a 17 inch block of ice. The 30 year old singer is expected to make a full recovery, but his progress during rehab will determine when he will be able to start performing again.

Owen told Storme Warren, who was covering the songwriting event, “Man, it wasn’t like I was doing anything crazy. That’s why this is such a freak accident but the reality is if you’re not falling, you’re not learning.”

Owen was taken to the ER in Colorado and then to Nashville orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Dovan who confirmed multiple fractures in Owen’s collarbone and recommended surgery the following day.

“I’m so bummed that I have to postpone some shows but I promise you this, I’ll be back out on the road as soon as possible,” said Owen. “I probably won’t be able to hold a guitar for a while but I can still perform.”

Owen’s shows from Jan. 18 and 19 at Joe’s Bar in Chicago, IL have already been rescheduled for April 18 and 19, and the Island Resort & Casino shows from Jan. 20 and 21 have been rescheduled for April 20 and 21.

Paisley’s Plays Sold-Out Weekend Tour Dates

Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality World Tour 2012 completed its first weekend by playing three sold-out shows before a total of over 39,000 fans, with stops in Grand Rapids, Milwaukee and St. Paul.

On Saturday afternoon (1/14), Paisley performed before an intimate crowd at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul on Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. He sat in with Guy’s All Star Shoe Band, performed in a Guy Noir Skit and performed two of his own songs along with “Life’s Railway to Heaven” with Keillor. Paisley tweeted following Prairie Home Companion, “It’s surreal opposites day. Intimate live radio with pal Garrison Keillor at Prairie Home Companion, then over to the arena for my big circus.”

Later Saturday evening, Paisley surprised the audience by having rockabilly guitarist Brian Setzer, who lives in Minneapolis, join him on stage for two encore songs.

The Virtual Reality Tour continues this week with shows in Kansas City, MO, Wichita, KS and Denver, CO. Special guests on the tour are CMA New Artist of the Year The Band Perry and 2011 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. Live Nation is the national tour promoter. Log on to www.bradpaisley.com or www.livenation.com for tour dates and information.

Photo Friday (1/13/12)

Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality World Tour 2012 kicked off last night with a sold-out show in Grand Rapids, MI. Special guests on the tour are CMA New Artist of the Year The Band Perry and 2011 American Idol Winner Scotty McCreery. The tour continues with shows this evening in Milwaukee, WI and tomorrow in Minneapolis, MN. All shows this weekend are sold-out.

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(L-R) Jason Duke, Jordan Dean, ASCAP's Michael Martin, John King, Emily Lynch, Dustin James, Sara Haze, Jacob Davis, Graci Phillips, Jen Foster, Sandy Lawrence, Kenny Foster, Ryan Hurd, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan and Ryan Beuschel - Photo Credit: Anna Maki

ASCAP Nashville has developed a program that puts the emphasis on getting the best of Nashville’s unsigned writers in front of the city’s vibrant publishing community. Now in its second year, ASCAP’s GPS Project stands for Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters. Twelve writers are paired with twelve publishers for one meeting a month, along with a follow-up meeting to help develop the writer and solidify the relationship. The 2012 GPS Project kicked off in January and will continue with events taking place through the end of the year.

Church Announces Second Leg Of Tour

Due to overwhelming demand, Eric Church recently announced a second leg of his The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour, which includes a Nashville date and extends to Atlantic City, New York City, Orlando, Minneapolis, among others. Church, who recently broke Jason Aldean’s record for the highest number of tickets ever sold for a live event at the Landers Center in Southaven, MS, will also headline several coveted venues, including Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO for the first time in his career.

Additionally, the 2012 Grammy nominee for Best Country Album of the Year (for Chief) also spent two weeks at No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart with “Drink In My Hand,” which is currently Top 5 and climbing on Billboard’s country chart.

Tickets for upcoming dates are on-sale now and fans also have the option to purchase a special “VIP Package” where they’ll be treated to an exclusive pre-concert party and intimate, acoustic backstage performance from Church. For more information and to purchase, visit www.ericchurch.com.

The full list of Church’s upcoming tour dates is below, with an asterisk (*) denoting a new addition. Opening acts for various dates include Brantley Gilbert, Sonia Leigh, Blackberry Smoke, Jon Pardi, The Cadillac Black and Drake White.

The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour Dates:

1/19      Fort Smith, AR- Fort Smith Convention Center
1/20      Cape Girardeau, MO- Show Me Center
1/21      Southaven, MS- Landers Center
1/26      Madison, WI – The Alliant Energy Center
1/27      Saginaw, MI- The Dow Event Center
1/28      Terre Haute, IN- The ISU Hulman Center
2/2        Savannah, GA-Savannah Civic Center
2/3        Knoxville, TN-Thompson Boling Arena
2/4        Norfolk, VA-Ted Constant Center
2/16      Greenville, SC-Bi-Lo Center
2/17      Salisbury, MD- Wicomico Civic Center
2/18      Greensboro, NC-Greensboro Coliseum
2/23      Battle Creek, MI-Kellogg Arena
2/24      Cleveland, OH-Wolstein Center at CSU
2/25      Ft. Wayne, IN- Allen County War Memorial Col.
3/1        Portland, ME- Cumberland Country Civic Center
3/2        Lowell, MA- Tsongas Center at UMASS Lowell
3/3        Indiana, PA- Kocalchick Center
3/8        Oklahoma City, OK- Chesapeake Energy Center
3/9        Jonesboro, AR – ASU Convocation Center*
3/10      Orange Beach, AL- Amphitheater at The Wharf
3/14      New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom*
3/15      Binghampton, NY – Broome County Arena*
3/16      Reading, PA – Sovereign Center*
3/17      Atlantic City, NJ – Etess Arena*
3/22      Estero, FL – Germain Arena*
3/23      Orlando, FL – UCF Arena*
3/24      Tallahassee, FL – Tallahassee Civic Center*
4/12      Tupelo, MS – BancorpSouth Arena*
4/13      Bossier City, LA – Centurylink Center*
4/14      Auburn, AL – Alpha Psi Rodeo*
4/19      Evansville, IN – Ford Center*
4/20      St Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena*
4/21      Pikeville, KY – Eastern KY Expo Center*
4/26      Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena*
4/27      Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena*
4/28      Bloomington, IL – US Cellular Coliseum*
5/3        Springfield, MO – JQH Arena*
5/5        Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena*
5/10      Toledo, OH – Huntington Center*
5/11      Hoffman Estates, IL – Sears Centre*
5/12      Youngstown, OH – Covelli Center*
5/17      Minneapolis, MN – Target Center*
5/18      Topeka, KS – Landon Arena*
5/19      Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre*

Hunter Hayes Woos With Blend of Pop and Chops

Hayes performs for industry tastemakers at his final tour rehearsal this morning (1/9) at Soundcheck.

Hunter Hayes’ musical chops weren’t the only thing on display at today’s (1/9) final rehearsal for his upcoming tour. His enthusiasm and professionalism were evident as the young singer, 20, wooed members of the media and other VIPs gathered at Soundcheck.

Warner Music Nashville chief John Esposito introduced his rising star, explaining how Hayes has worked to be an artist since his childhood days when he gazed at a screen-saver of a tour bus.

There’s not much Hayes doesn’t do, from songwriting to overseeing almost every aspect of the making of his debut album. He co-produced the project, played every instrument on the recording, and wrote or co-wrote every track on the Atlantic Records release. His blend of pop/rock country makes him an ideal opener for the Rascal Flatts Thaw Out 2012 tour, opening Thursday, Jan. 12 in Charleston, WV.

Onstage the multi-instrumentalist stuck mainly to guitar, except when he slowed the jaunty mood and took a seat at the piano for “Wanted.” Lyrics that looked they were written in chalk adorned the black equipment and instruments.

Hayes’ love of coffee inspired his meet and greets with fans, so the theme carried over to today’s event where an espresso bar offered an array of drinks and treats. He explained that he enjoys the casual setting of a coffee house to talk with fans and hear their feedback. On the road, a $50 package gets music lovers a VIP Coffee House Experience, including cool merch and coffee with the singer at the venue. It shouldn’t be long before teenage girls are lining up in droves.

In fact, Hayes’ popularity is already bubbling up with climbing single “Storm Warning” and a recently wrapped headlining tour with sold out dates. As an opener, he’s shared the stage with Trace Adkins, Lady Antebellum, Hank Williams Jr., Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. He’ll be at the Best Buy in Brentwood, Tenn. tomorrow (1/10) for an acoustic performance, and meet and greet. His Good Morning America debut is set for Jan. 24.

Signings: TJ and John Osborne, Lucas Hoge

Warner/Chappell Music has entered a worldwide co-publishing agreement with songwriting duo TJ and John Osborne. The pair are brothers who have written, recorded and played music together since childhood.

(L-R) Front: Alicia Pruitt (Sr. Director Warner/Chappell Music), John Osborne, Kelly King (King Pen Music), TJ Osborne; Back: Chip Petree (Petree Law), Matt Michiels (Productions Manager, Warner/Chappell Music), Steve Markland (VP, Warner/Chappell Music), Phil May (GM/VP Warner/Chappell Music), BJ Hill (Sr. Director Warner/Chappell Music). Photo: William Patton

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Lucas Hoge

Lucas Hoge has inked an exclusive booking agreement with Nashville-based Brand N Music Partnerships. The country singer and cast member of Animal Planet’s Last Chance Highway is gaining some traction with his current single “Give A Damn,” which also serves as the theme music for GAC’s Tom’s Wild Life.

“In our daily pursuit to uncover outstanding live show opportunities, we are extremely excited to add Lucas Hoge to the BRAND N line-up,” said Greg Burns, BRAND N President. “We truly believe that his explosive live show, great stage persona and overall abilities as a performer are exactly what we look for in talent.”

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Performers Announced

The Band Perry will play RodeoHouston on March 14.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Officials have announced a country-heavy entertainer lineup for the 2012 event, happening at Reliant Park between Feb. 28 and March 18. Twenty-two performers will take the stage over the course of the festivities, starting with Alabama and including Lady Antebellum, John Legend, Blake Shelton, Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top and many others. Full schedule is below.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, Jan. 14 at 10 AM through www.rodeohouston.com and all Ticketmaster locations. Wednesday Shows (March 7 and 14) offer $10 upper level tickets and other values in Reliant Park.

Full RodeoHouston Lineup:
Feb. 28 — Alabama
Feb. 29 — Kid Rock
March 1 — Lady Antebellum
March 2 — John Legend
March 3 — Luke Bryan
March 4 — Big Time Rush, Chine Anne McClain (from A.N.T. Farm), with the McClain Sisters
March 5 — Eli Young Band
March 6 — Enrique Iglesias
March 7 — Blake Shelton
March 8 — ZZ Top
March 9 — Reba
March 10 — Chris Young
March 11 — Duelo, La Original Banda El Limon
March 12 — Zac Brown Band
March 13 — Miranda Lambert
March 14 — The Band Perry
March 15 — Jason Aldean
March 16 — Train
March 17 — Brad Paisley
March 18 — Alan Jackson

Paisley Renames Upcoming Tour

In December, during rehearsals and stage set-up for his upcoming tour, Brad Paisley decided to rename the show. The outing, which starts Jan. 12, is now called the Virtual Reality World Tour 2012.

“When you see plans and sketches on paper it’s one thing but to actually see it in real life is something else, and that’s what happened to me when we were in tour rehearsals. When I saw the visuals and how exciting and sometimes mind-blowing they were I just felt the tour name needed to reflect what the fans were going to see,” says Paisley. “For two hours each night of the tour they can be taken away from reality—literally.”

The run kicks-off next week with special guests CMA New Artist of the Year The Band Perry and 2011 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. Live Nation is the national tour promoter. For ticket sales and more information visit www.bradpaisley.com and www.livenation.com.

2012 First Quarter Tour Dates:
January 12                   Grand Rapids, MI
January 13                   Milwaukee, WI
January 14                   St. Paul, MN
January 19                   Kansas City, MO
January 20                   Wichita, KS
January 21                   Denver, CO
January 26                   Boise, ID
January 27                   Salt Lake City, UT
January 28                   Las Vegas, NV
February 9                   Spokane, WA
February 10                 Eugene, OR
February 11                 Tacoma, WA
February 16                 Lubbock, TX
February 17                 Las Cruces, NM
February 23                 Madison, WI
February 24                 Moline, IL
February 25                 Springfield, MO
March 1                       Baltimore, MD
March 2                       Knoxville, TN
March 3                       Lexington, KY

Swift, Chesney Score Year’s Top Tours

It’s no secret Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney had two of the biggest tours of 2011, and just-released year-end numbers show exactly how big.

Swift’s box office receipts totaled $97.3 million, and Chesney’s were $84.6 million, according to Billboard Boxscore, which tracked data from ticket sales between Nov. 1, 2010 and Nov. 8, 2011.

U2’s record-breaking 360 tour wrapped its final leg in 2011, raking in $293.3 million at the box office, and moving almost 3 million tickets, to become the year’s biggest outing, according to the report. Since launching in 2009 it brought in more than $736,000,000, and more than 7 million fans, all-time highs for the touring industry.

Road Manager Rick “Crabber” Crabtree Passes

Longtime road and production manager Rick “Crabber” Crabtree passed away on Dec. 21, 2011. He had been battling cancer for two years but was in remission when he died in his sleep.

Among the artists he worked with on the road were Ricky Van Shelton, Tammy Cochran, Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker and Johnny Paycheck. His career also included time as production manager at the Wildhorse Saloon and the Mohegan Sun Casino.

He is survived by wife Kate.

A memorial service is scheduled for Wed., Dec. 28, 11:00 a.m. at Dickson Presbyterian Church, 500 Hwy 70 E, in Dickson, Tenn.