Carly Pearce, Russell Dickerson Announce Co-Headlining Tour

With both artists having earned No. 1 singles, “Every Little Thing” hitmaker Carly Pearce will co-headline a tour next year with fellow rising star Russell Dickerson (“Yours,” “Blue Tacoma”).

The 11-city The Way Back Tour will launch Jan. 24 in Cleveland, Ohio. Tickets for the tour go on sale Nov. 9.

“Carly and I go way, way back and we have cheered each other on for years,” Russell said. “Breaking onto the scene together has been such a fun ride, so we had to book a tour together to celebrate!”

“It’s crazy to think about eight years ago when Russell and I had a residency in Nashville together. Now, to see the evolution of our careers that have mirrored in so many ways is a dream come true,” said Pearce. “Sometimes slow and steady wins the race, and I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve come.”

2019 THE WAY BACK TOUR DATES & CITIES

Jan. 24: Cleveland, OH; House of Blues
Jan. 25: Madison, WI; The Sylvee
Jan. 26: Fort Wayne, IN; The Clyde Theatre
Jan. 31: Lexington, KY; Manchester Music Hall
Feb. 2: Myrtle Beach, SC; House of Blues
Feb. 21: Baton Rouge, LA; Texas Club
Feb. 22: Nacogdoches, TX; Banita Creek Hall
Feb. 23: Tulsa, OK; Cain’s Ballroom
Feb. 28: Champaign, IL; The City Center
March 1: Grand Rapids, MI; 20 Monroe Live
March 2: Chicago, IL; Joe’s on Weed

Justin Moore To Kick Off 2019 With Shows In Northeast, Midwest

Justin Moore

Justin Moore has announced some new dates for 2019 with special guests Cody Johnson, Eric Paslay and Riley Green at select dates. His Feb. 15-16 shows in Ohio and Pennsylvania will feature both Johnson and Paslay as openers.

Moore’s new single “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” was most added at country radio last week, and will be featured on his forthcoming new album due in 2019.

Justin Moore Tour Dates:
Fri., Jan. 25 / Bos Center / Springfield, IL*
Sat., Jan. 26 / Baxter Arena / Omaha, NE^
Thurs., Feb. 8 /Canton Civic Center / Canton, OH^
Sat., Feb. 9 / Wings Stadium / Kalamazoo, MI^
Thurs., Feb. 14 / Moheagan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza / Wiles Barre, PA+
Fri., Feb. 15 / Huntington Center / Toledo, OH**
Sat., Feb. 16 / 1st Summit Arena @ CCWMA / Johnstown, PA**
Fri., May 31 / Del Mar Fairgrounds / DelMar, CA

*Riley Green opening
^Cody Johnson opening
+Eric Paslay opening
**Cody Johnson and Eric Paslay opening

Ryan Hurd Reveals Series Of Club Performances For 2019

RCA Records Nashville singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd will launch 2019 with a short series of club shows. Hurd hand-picked each of the venues on his upcoming four-date, full-band tour.

He will visit Los Angeles’ The Troubadour on Jan. 17, New York City’s Bowery Ballroom on Jan. 25, Chicago’s Joe’s On Weed St. on Feb. 23, and Nashville’s Exit/In on Feb. 28.

“These are my first American shows in over a year and they are in four of my favorite markets; and in absolutely iconic venues,” said Hurd. “We’ve built a lot of momentum this season with the release of ‘Diamonds or Twine’ and ‘To A T,’ it’s exciting to get to share all of it live with our fans.”

In addition to his own career as an artist, Hurd has co-written hits including “Lonely Tonight” (Blake Shelton), “You Look Good” (Lady Antebellum), and “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” (Luke Bryan).

SMACKSongs writer Ryan Beaver will join the shows; Beaver has penned songs included on albums from Steve Moakler, HARDY, Ashley Monroe, and was nominated as AIMP’s Rising Independent Artist-Writer of the Year in 2017.

Brent Cobb To Launch Sucker For A Good Time Tour In January

Brent Cobb will start off 2019 with his Sucker For a Good Time Tour, beginning Jan. 17 at Atlanta’s Terminal West. The headlining tour will run through March 30 and visit Asheville, Charleston, Austin, Memphis, Birmingham, Louisville and more, plus a performance supporting the Tedeschi Trucks Band at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Jan. 31.

The new tour follows Cobb’s extensive run as part of Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show and supports the release of his new album, Providence Canyon, which was produced by Dave Cobb and is out now on Low Country Sound/Elektra Records.

BRENT COBB TOUR DATES:

January 17—Atlanta, GA—Terminal West
January 18—Athens, GA—Georgia Theatre
January 19—Macon, GA—Hargray Capitol Theatre
January 25—Raleigh, NC—Lincoln Theatre*
January 26—Charlotte, NC—Neighborhood Theatre
January 31—Nashville, TN—Ryman Auditorium†
February 1—Asheville, NC—Grey Eagle
February 7—Charleston, SC—Charleston Pour House
February 8—West Columbia, SC—New Brookland Tavern
February 9—Greenville, SC—Radio Room
February 13—Austin, TX—Stubbs Jr.
February 14—Dallas, TX—Trees
February 15—Pocola, OK—Gilley’s at Choctaw Casino
February 16—Memphis, TN—1884 Lounge
February 21—Kansas City, MO—Knucklehead’s
February 22—St. Louis, MO—Off Broadway‡
February 23—Wilson, AR—The Grange at Wilson
February 28—Birmingham, AL—Saturn
March 1—Waverly, AL—Little House at Standard Deluxe
March 2—Tifton, GA—Rhythm & Ribs Festival
March 21—Oxford, MS—Proud Larry’s
March 22—Jackson, MS—Duling Hall
March 23—New Orleans, LA—Gasa Gasa
March 24—Mobile, AL—Callaghan’s Irish Social Club
March 29—Lexington, KY—Cosmic Charlie’s
March 30—Louisville, KY—Zanzabar
* with American Aquarium and Courtney Marie Andrews
† supporting Tedeschi Trucks Band
‡ with William Clark Green

Ryan Kinder Wraps UK Tour

Ryan Kinder performs during his UK Tour in Fall 2018.

Ryan Kinder has wrapped another successful tour in the UK, marking his third tour across the Atlantic this year. On his latest trek to the UK, Kinder joined fellow Alabaman and rising country star Drake White. Together, they performed sold-out shows all along the tour which included stops in Glasgow, Birmingham, Brighton, Manchester and London.

No stranger to the UK, Kinder performed at numerous high-profile events in 2018, including Country Music Week, C2C Road Show Tour and most recently, a sold-out concert in July at London’s Hyde Park featuring rock icons Eric Clapton, Santana and Gary Clark Jr.

“I have been so humbled by the response we’ve received from the amazing fans overseas,” Kinder says. “It’s incredible how well they know all the songs now. Each night I would end my set with ‘Still Believe In Crazy Love’ and I didn’t even have to sing the last chorus as everyone sang it back to me. That’s the biggest form of appreciation an artist can get.”

With a return visit to the UK in 2019 already in the works, Kinder is back in the studio working on a new full-length album, following the release of his latest single, “Stay.” The new music is slated for release next year.

Ryan Kinder on his UK Tour with Drake White in October 2018.

George Strait Returns To Atlanta For One Date In 2019

George Strait will play one night in Atlanta next Spring on March 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The legend will be joined by Chris Stapleton, Chris Janson, and Ashley McBryde on the date. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 16 via Ticketmaster.

The performance marks Strait’s only show in Atlanta since his Cowboy Rides Away Tour stop at State Farm Arena in 2014 when he announced he would no longer tour and only perform select engagements. Since that record-breaking tour, Strait has performed limited engagements including 18 “Strait to Vegas” shows, and additional appearances including two nights in Tulsa and one night in Austin as well as a headlining appearance at Bayou Country Superfest in New Orleans.

The Country Music Hall of Famer will wrap up 2018 with a return to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Dec. 7 and 8.

Blake Shelton To Team With Lauren Alaina, Trace Adkins, John Anderson, The Bellamy Brothers For 2019 Tour

Blake Shelton will welcome his heroes and friends as he takes to the road in 2019. Shelton announced his Friends and Heroes 2019 tour on Tuesday evening (Oct. 30). The trek will feature Lauren Alaina, Trace Adkins, John Anderson and the Bellamy Brothers.

The tour will launch Feb. 14 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and will run through March 23 in Albany, New York. Along the way, the tour will visit Pittsburgh; Indianapolis; Buffalo, New York, and more. Watch his tour announcement video below.

Blake Shelton’s Friends and Heroes 2019 Tour

Feb. 14: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Feb. 15: Kansas City, Missouri
Feb. 16: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Feb. 21: Indianapolis, Indiana
Feb. 22: Buffalo, New York
Feb. 23: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Feb. 28: Peoria, Illinois
March 1: Louisville, Kentucky
March 2: Evansville, Indiana
March 7: Jacksonville, Florida
March 8: Tampa, Florida
March 9: Sunrise, Florida
March 14: Des Moines, Iowa
March 15: St. Paul, Minnesota
March 16: Green Bay, Wisconsin
March 21-22: Uncasville, Connecticut
March 23: Albany, New York

Industry Ink: Music City Artists, Touring Career Workshop, Grayscale Marketing

Steve Dorff Signs With Music City Artists

Songwriters Hall of Famer Steve Dorff has signed with Music City Artists for booking, following his recent signing with Leadership Artists for management. Dorff continues his partnership with Richlynn Group for publicity.

Dorff is known for writing songs for iconic artists such as Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Anne Murray, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Whitney Houston, Cher, Ringo Starr, George Straight, Garth Brooks, Ray Charles and many more. He is also a successful film and TV composer known for writing the theme songs to Reba, Growing Pains, Murphy Brown, Murder She Wrote, Columbo, Spenser: For Hire and songs and scores for Pure Country, Bronco Billy, Rocky IV, Tin CupEvery Which Way But Loose, and Honky Tonk Man.

 

Touring Career Workshop To Be Held In November

Chris Lisle and Erik Parker, touring industry veterans, created Touring Career Workshop (TCW) to continuously give “roadies” a great place to learn, grow and network. TCW’S eighth annual event will take place on Nov. 13 at Soundcheck Annex.

Areas of expertise covered this year include mental health on the road, healthcare options, and the ever-changing and tremendously important situational awareness. Mike Cruce, President and Owner of Media Visions who will celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, will present the Keynote address.

Registration is open now for the event here.

 

New Hires, Promotions At Grayscale Marketing

Pictured: L – R: Top – Rasha Shaker, Matt Alese, Dakota Davis
Center – Alexis Cason, Katharine Duckworth, Amy Raidel
Lower – Samantha Volpe, Richard Roberts, Conner Chrisman

Nashville-based Grayscale Marketing, led by CEO Tim Gray, has announced a round of promotions and hirings to support the agency’s newly formed Brand Division. The company, which launched in 2015, has included clients such as Warner/Chappell Production Music, Sony Music Nashville, Pilgrimage Festival, and more.

Rasha Shaker has been promoted to Research and Engagement Supervisor. Matt Alese has been elevated to Lead Project Manager for the Arts & Entertainment Division. Dakota Davis has been promoted to Project Manager overseeing the newly launched Brand Division for the agency. Alexis Cason has been elevated to Associate Project Manager. Katharine Duckworth has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Graphic Designer for the Arts & Entertainment Division. Amy Raidel has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Graphic Designer for the newly formed Brand Division. Samantha Volpe has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Graphic Designer for the newly formed Brand Division. Richard Roberts has joined Grayscale Marketing as a Video & Motion Graphics Designer for the Arts & Entertainment Division. Conner Chrisman has joined the Grayscale Marketing team as a Research and Engagement specialist for the Arts & Entertainment Division.

 

Americana Music Association Launches Initiative To Enhance Americana Tour Routing

The Americana Music Association has launched its new artist-centric initiative, The Americana Tour Blueprint, as a touring resource for members of the not-for-profit music trade organization.

The blueprint aims to help Americana artists find venues along several routes, as well as radio stations, record stores and publications that support Americana music artists. The map includes nearly 100 markets located just beyond the I-95 corridor on the East Coast. The association intends to expand the offering nationwide to support Americana artists in engaging markets around the U.S.

In addition to having venues listed that book Americana artists, several of the venue managers and owners will actively participate by accepting private submissions for booking consideration from the Americana Music Association’s 1,500 artist members.

Tying into this announcement, an inaugural 13-city tour featuring Caitlin Canty and Oshima Brothers will commence on Jan. 4 in New York City. The tour was booked using the blueprint of today’s Americana venues, radio stations, record stores and publications to book their shows.

“We are incredibly excited about this new initiative and thrilled that Caitlin Canty is the first artist to be a part,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “The Tour Blueprint will serve as an invaluable resource for artists in our community who are constantly seeking opportunities to cultivate their audiences and turn them into fans. This tool is a direct reflection of that drive, and we hope that these musicians can use this to help propel their careers forward as they take their music out on the road.”

“I only wish something like this existed when I was starting out as a DIY touring musician,” added Canty. “It took me a long time to find the right venues and stations for my music and cultivate those relationships. This Americana Tour Blueprint is a great tool to help musicians who are just starting to tour, and to bring more clarity and direction to any artist on the road. It’s a smart roadmap for anyone looking for venues or radio stations friendly to Americana music.”

Midland Extends Electric Rodeo Tour

Midland. Photo: Adam Moroz

Midland has added more dates in 2019 to their headline Electric Rodeo Tour, including their first headlining slot at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on May 5.

Midland’s newly-added dates feature stops in major markets from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, to Los Angeles and their hometown of Austin. Tickets for Electric Rodeo Tour go on sale Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. local time.

Spotify fans in participating markets will receive a special pre-sale code via email on Wednesday, Oct. 31 for early access. Separately, those who have signed up for Midland’s mailing list will be emailed a promo code on Wednesday morning.

2019 ELECTRIC RODEO TOUR DATES:
Feb 8 / Los Angeles, CA / The Novo
March 19 / Austin, TX / Travis County Exposition Center
April 13 / Ft. Lauderdale, FL / Tortuga Music Festival*
April 18 / Birmingham, AL / Iron City
April 19 / Athens, GA / Georgia Theatre
April 20 / Athens, GA / Georgia Theatre
April 25 / Richmond, VA / The National
April 26 / Chattanooga, TN / The Signal
April 27 / Asheville, NC / The Orange Peel
May 2 / Detroit, MI / St. Andrew’s Hall
May 3 / Grand Rapids, MI / 20 Monroe Live
May 5 / Nashville, TN / The Ryman

* Tickets already on sale