Chesney Reigns As King of the Road

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Chesney fans pack the New Meadowlands Stadium Saturday night.








Kenny Chesney is the country king of the road. For several years he’s been one of the biggest touring forces in all genres, and he continues to set records, such as Saturday night’s (8/13) concert which was the biggest ticketed country show in New York/New Jersey history. The monstrous event at New Jersey’s New Meadowlands Stadium featuring Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker sold over 55,000 tickets.
It was one of a dozen stadium dates on the 2011 Corona Presents Kenny Chesney’s Goin’ Coastal Tour. And he’s not the only country act filling stadiums this summer.
Chesney’s huge catalog of hits has contributed to his major draw. Combine that with top-name special guests and a party atmosphere, and its the reason his outing ranked as Pollstar’s highest-grossing country tour of 2011 so far.
While in the New York area, Chesney discussed his business enterprise with the New York Times in an article called “Country Singer, Songwriter and C.E.O.” In the interview he talks about the intricacies of being a boss and friend, keeping his team motivated with merch lotteries to win the night’s proceeds (sometimes up to $300,000), and the life lessons learned from his high school football coach.
Always the sports fan, Chesney brought New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher and New York Jets coach Rex Ryan onstage for Saturday night’s final moments. He had practiced with the Jets earlier in the week.

Chesney at the New York Jets training camp.

Lady Antebellum To "Own The Night" With New Tour

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Lady Antebellum has revealed plans for the first leg of its Own The Night 2011 Tour, which gets underway Nov. 11 in Knoxville, Tenn. The tour name and the group’s highly anticipated third album Own The Night were inspired by the album’s second single “We Owned The Night,” which was released to radio today (8/15).
“We named our new album Own The Night after one of our favorite songs ‘We Owned The Night’ off the new album, and felt it was a great description of how we wanted our fans to spend each night of tour with us,” explains Lady A’s Dave Haywood. “When people come out to our live show or hear the song on the radio it’s a call to action. Be confident, live in the moment and enjoy the experiences you’re going through—own them.”
The 21-city arena tour will feature guests Josh Kelley (on all dates) as well as Edens Edge or Randy Montana opening select shows. Tickets for opening night go on sale Aug. 26. Full dates and guest details:
Own The Night 2011 Tour:
11/11 — Knoxville, Tenn. — Knoxville Coliseum*
11/12 — Macon, Ga. — Macon Centreplex*
11/13 — Pikeville, Ky. — East Kentucky Expo Center*
11/16 — El Paso, Texas — El Paso County Coliseum*
11/17 — Phoenix, Ariz. — Grand Canyon University*
11/18 — Las Vegas, Nev. — The Joint @ The Hard Rock*
11/25 — Huntsville, Ala. — Von Braun Civic Center**
11/26 — Florence, S.C. — Florence Civic Center**
11/27 — Savannah, Ga. — Savannah Civic Center**
12/1 — Colorado Springs, Colo. — Colorado Springs World Arena**
12/2 — Lubbock, Texas — City Bank Coliseum**
12/3 — Wichita Falls, Texas — Kay Yeager Coliseum**
12/4 — Belton, Texas — Bell County Expo Center**
12/8 — La Crosse, Wis. — La Crosse Center Arena**
12/9 — Sioux City, Iowa — Tyson Center**
12/10 — Springfield, Mo. — JQH Arena**
12/11 — Murray, Ky. — CFSB Center**
12/15 — Amherst, Mass. — The Mullins Center**
12/16 — Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Mohegan Sun Arena**
12/17 — Roanoke, Va. — Roanoke Civic Center**
12/18 — Morgantown, W.Va. — WVU Coliseum**
*With Randy Montana
**With Eden’s Edge

Lady Antebellum To “Own The Night” With New Tour

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Lady Antebellum has revealed plans for the first leg of its Own The Night 2011 Tour, which gets underway Nov. 11 in Knoxville, Tenn. The tour name and the group’s highly anticipated third album Own The Night were inspired by the album’s second single “We Owned The Night,” which was released to radio today (8/15).

“We named our new album Own The Night after one of our favorite songs ‘We Owned The Night’ off the new album, and felt it was a great description of how we wanted our fans to spend each night of tour with us,” explains Lady A’s Dave Haywood. “When people come out to our live show or hear the song on the radio it’s a call to action. Be confident, live in the moment and enjoy the experiences you’re going through—own them.”

The 21-city arena tour will feature guests Josh Kelley (on all dates) as well as Edens Edge or Randy Montana opening select shows. Tickets for opening night go on sale Aug. 26. Full dates and guest details:

Own The Night 2011 Tour:
11/11 — Knoxville, Tenn. — Knoxville Coliseum*
11/12 — Macon, Ga. — Macon Centreplex*
11/13 — Pikeville, Ky. — East Kentucky Expo Center*
11/16 — El Paso, Texas — El Paso County Coliseum*
11/17 — Phoenix, Ariz. — Grand Canyon University*
11/18 — Las Vegas, Nev. — The Joint @ The Hard Rock*
11/25 — Huntsville, Ala. — Von Braun Civic Center**
11/26 — Florence, S.C. — Florence Civic Center**
11/27 — Savannah, Ga. — Savannah Civic Center**
12/1 — Colorado Springs, Colo. — Colorado Springs World Arena**
12/2 — Lubbock, Texas — City Bank Coliseum**
12/3 — Wichita Falls, Texas — Kay Yeager Coliseum**
12/4 — Belton, Texas — Bell County Expo Center**
12/8 — La Crosse, Wis. — La Crosse Center Arena**
12/9 — Sioux City, Iowa — Tyson Center**
12/10 — Springfield, Mo. — JQH Arena**
12/11 — Murray, Ky. — CFSB Center**
12/15 — Amherst, Mass. — The Mullins Center**
12/16 — Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Mohegan Sun Arena**
12/17 — Roanoke, Va. — Roanoke Civic Center**
12/18 — Morgantown, W.Va. — WVU Coliseum**

*With Randy Montana
**With Eden’s Edge

Dierks Bentley Announces Fall Tour

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Dierks Bentley is gearing up for the first leg of his Country & Cold Cans Tour, which launches Oct. 6 in Lacrosse, WI. Guests Jerrod Niemann and Eli Young Band will join Bentley for the 22 city run that ends Nov. 19 in Denver, CO.
Fan club members can begin purchasing tickets tomorrow at www.dierks.com, and the general public sale begins Friday, August 19. Full dates will be announced soon.
“It’s been a killer summer playing festivals all over the country and partying with the most die-hard country music fans out there,” says Bentley. “We’re going to crank up the ‘Country & Cold Cans’ tour in the Fall and keep it going. I can’t imagine that I’ll have to convince Jerrod or EYB to have a cold beer or two…they are always up for the party.”
Bentley is currently finishing his sixth album for Capitol Nashville, and its first single “Am I The Only One” is scaling the charts.

Sugarland Forced To Cancel Date Following State Fair Tragedy

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Sugarland is dealing with the tragedy that occurred at the Indiana State Fair Saturday night (8/13). Just before the duo was scheduled to perform, high winds caused the stage to collapse, killing five people. [See previous report below].
The band, who is touring with opener Sara Bareilles, was forced to cancel its show the following night (8/14) at the Iowa State Fair. According to the Iowa Festival: “Aside from coping with the magnitude of the accident, the ongoing investigation prevents the band from getting what may remain of their stage equipment.”
In the wake of the disaster, Jennifer Nettles posted this statement on the band’s official website:

I am so moved. Moved by the grief of those families who lost loved ones. Moved by the pain of those who were injured and the fear of their families. Moved by the great heroism as I watched so many brave Indianapolis fans actually run toward the stage to try and help lift and rescue those injured. Moved by the quickness and organization of the emergency workers who set up the triage and tended to the injured. There are no words to process a moment of this magnitude and gravity. There are only prayers for peace in the hearts of the bereft, and prayers of thanksgiving for those who were spared or safe. A piece of our heart is left in that grandstand. May God provide peace and healing to the people of Indianapolis.
We wish to pass along our most sincere thanks for the messages of love, prayer, and support from our fan family. We’ll post any further updates here as they become available.

[Original post 8/14] Five people were killed and more than 40 others were injured Saturday (8/13) at the Indiana State Fair’s Sugarland concert. [Photos here.]
The stage collapsed during heavy rain and high winds before the start of the concert. The winds were estimated at between 60 and 70 mph.
“We are all right. We are praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis. We hope you’ll join us. They need your strength,” was Tweeted on Sugarland’s Twitter account after the accident. According to Sugarland reps, the band and its crew are safe.
A memorial service was scheduled for today (8/15) for those who died during the tragedy. The state fair was to re-open following the service.

The Dirt Drifters "Give Blood"

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Warner Bros. Records’ new band The Dirt Drifters will be giving away 30,000 copies of their debut album entitled This Is My Blood.
Beginning this week, the group will give fans exclusive physical copies of the album at all tour dates. Fans will actually receive two copies of the CD packaged together and separated by a perforation. The Dirt Drifters are recruiting their fans to “get blood” and “give blood” by keeping one disc for themselves and passing along the second album to a friend. Produced by Justin Niebank, the album features their new single “Always A Reason.”

“For us it is all about the music and we want to get it out there,” says lead singer and guitarist Matt Fleener. “We are not asking for anything in return. If you like what you hear, then tear it and pass it along.” Vocalist and guitarist Ryan Fleener adds, “We are so excited for this opportunity and have to give a huge shout out to our label President, John Esposito, for making our dream of sharing our music a reality!”

The band, composed of lead singer/guitarist Matt Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Ryan Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Jeff Middleton, bassist Jeremy Little and drummer Nick Diamond, will be kicking off their “Always A Reason” tour this September.
For more information on The Dirt Drifters and their upcoming shows, visit www.TheDirtDrifters.com.

The Dirt Drifters “Give Blood”

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Warner Bros. Records’ new band The Dirt Drifters will be giving away 30,000 copies of their debut album entitled This Is My Blood.

Beginning this week, the group will give fans exclusive physical copies of the album at all tour dates. Fans will actually receive two copies of the CD packaged together and separated by a perforation. The Dirt Drifters are recruiting their fans to “get blood” and “give blood” by keeping one disc for themselves and passing along the second album to a friend. Produced by Justin Niebank, the album features their new single “Always A Reason.”

“For us it is all about the music and we want to get it out there,” says lead singer and guitarist Matt Fleener. “We are not asking for anything in return. If you like what you hear, then tear it and pass it along.” Vocalist and guitarist Ryan Fleener adds, “We are so excited for this opportunity and have to give a huge shout out to our label President, John Esposito, for making our dream of sharing our music a reality!”

The band, composed of lead singer/guitarist Matt Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Ryan Fleener, vocalist/guitarist Jeff Middleton, bassist Jeremy Little and drummer Nick Diamond, will be kicking off their “Always A Reason” tour this September.

For more information on The Dirt Drifters and their upcoming shows, visit www.TheDirtDrifters.com.

Country Brings Value To Fill Stadiums

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Are country acts stadium ready? You bet, according to an L.A. Times article today by Nashville’s Holly Gleason which touts country music’s ability to attract fans to these larger-than-life gatherings. By example the article names Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and the CMA’s MusicFest as four stadium-size country shows all happening on the same recent June weekend.
Louis Messina, Messina Group CEO tells the Times, “Country artists are fan-friendly, and that transcends what’s onstage to the price, the vibe, what goes on all day. They put out the welcome sign: Come into the party. Let’s have fun.”
“Value, value, value,” agrees Live Nation President of Country Touring Brian O’Connell.
The article notes that supporting a stadium show requires more than just selling tickets. “You need enough music to sustain that kind of show,” notes Manager Clarence Spalding.
Respected record industry veteran Joe Galante adds, “Touring is how acts build, and stadiums are like jet fuel: It’s hyperspeed, more opportunities, more excitement. If you do 10 stadium shows, you’ve just played to a half-million fans. That’s more than some acts play to all year.”
Read the complete article here.
 

Hunter Hayes To Make Opry Debut

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Multi-talented musician, writer, producer and performer Hunter Hayes makes his Grand Ole Opry debut on the historic stage this Friday, Aug 12.
Hunter, on tour with Taylor Swift on her Speak Now tour, will perform his debut single “Storm Warning” currently climbing the charts. Hunter joins Diamond Rio, Andy Griggs and Carter’s Chord in the line-up for Friday’s show.
“Being invited to play the Grand Ole Opry is like having the doors in country music open for you. Just the invitation to perform on the Opry feels like initiation into a family of artists I have looked up to and have studied my entire life,” says Hunter. “The cherry on top is that I get to play the same night as Diamond Rio!”
Hayes co-produced his Atlantic Records album with veteran producer Dann Huff, wrote or co-wrote every song, and played every instrument. The Louisiana raised multi-instrumentalist plays acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, keys and more.

Loretta Lynn Postpones Tour Dates

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Though she recently returned to the concert stage with a Grand Ole Opry performance in Nashville, Loretta Lynn has been forced to cancel tour dates prior to the September 3rd show at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN.
The iconic entertainer will undergo knee reconstruction surgery and her physician has ordered her to allow time for a full recovery. According to her website, Lynn will return for her performance on Sept 3.
In July, Lynn was also forced to cancel shows from her 2011 tour after severe dehydration caused her to be hospitalized.

“I’m sad to have to cancel any shows for my fans, but they tell me I’ve just got to stay off this knee for a while,” Lynn says.

Fans can watch for rescheduled concert dates on her website at www.lorettalynn.com.