
Pictured (L-R): Sandbox Entertainment CEO Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment’s Sandra Westerman, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s SVP of Museum Services Carolyn Tate, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CEO Kyle Young, EM.co’s Senior Vice President Kelly Clague. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images [Click to enlarge]
Tim McGraw and
Faith Hill visited the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Nov. 15 to see their exhibit Tim McGraw & Faith Hill: Mississippi Woman, Louisiana Man on display for the first time. The Grammy-winning couple walked through the exhibit together, recounting memories from their lives and careers.
The exhibit chronicles the lives of the two superstars, including Hill’s journey from Star, Mississippi, and McGraw’s trek from Start, Louisiana. The exhibit includes Hill’s Heidi Weisel gown, worn during during her wedding to McGraw in 1996, as well as the mirror from McGraw’s dressing room, on which Hill answered his marriage proposal, using a felt pin to write, “I am gonna be your wife! Yes. Love you so, so much.”
Also included are the outfits that the couple wore during their recent “The Rest of Our Life” video, as well as black leather neolite boots worn by Hill in her 1993 video for her first single “Wild One.” There is also the leather jacket worn by McGraw in his 1994 music video “Indian Outlaw.” The exhibit also includes a collection of the couple’s awards, including Grammys and ACM Awards.
Following an introduction from Country Music Fall of Fame and Museum leader Kyle Young, Hill and McGraw offered words of thanks and disbelief that they have their own exhibit at the hallowed venue.
Young recalled how after first arriving in Music City, Hill was turned down from a gig singing background vocals for Reba. One night in 1991, Hill was singing background vocals at the Bluebird Cafe, when music executive Martha Sharp attended and Hill later signed with Warner Bros. Nashville.
In 1994, Hill earned her first No. 1 with “Wild One.” McGraw gave his father, baseball player Tug McGraw, a copy of a demo. The elder McGraw gave the demo to a friend and the demo was passed along to friends who knew a few record label execs.
McGraw arrived in Nashville on the same day that news broke that Keith Whitley died. After arriving in Nashville in the early morning hours on May 9, 1989, McGraw went upstairs to the bar, where songwriters frequented. It was at that bar where songwriter Tommy Barnes played McGraw a novelty song called “Indian Outlaw.” McGraw would also forge a friendship with fellow songwriter Craig Wiseman, which would later become lucrative, creating McGraw’s hit songs including “The Cowboy In Me” and “Live Like You Were Dying.”
In 1994, McGraw released his first chart hit, with “Indian Outlaw.”
From there, both McGraw and Hill kept notching No. 1 hits, selling millions of albums, and launching successful tours on their way to becoming superstars.
“I’m either going to sing or I’m going to cry,” Faith said, taking the podium. She did both, offering a few a cappella lyrics of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” and barely holding back tears through out her speech.
“Looking around and seeing all these plaques on the wall and seeing all these people who paved the way for what we get to do and what we love and the life we’ve built, we wouldn’t be here, first and foremost without the people you see on the walls all around us,” McGraw said. “And the stories that go along with those and the hardships and the struggles and the ‘never give ups,’ and the ‘ya gotta believes’ that went along with every one of them. And you see all the people who have been a part of who we are as people and who we are as artists.”
“All I know is I’m gonna record my next record right in this room, because the acoustics are really good,” she quipped. “As a parent, we all know that it takes a village to raise children, right? Everyone in this room, people that have given their time, their dedication, their heart and soul and belief in us.”
Hill thanked EM.co Sr. VP Kelly Claque and Sandbox Entertainment’s Sandra Westerman, as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Carolyn Tate and Michael McCall at the Hall of Fame, as well as Rene, the head of their fan club.
“I worked at Starstruck, at Reba’s fanclub,” Hill recalled of her early days in Nashville. “Before I got signed to Warner Bros. at the time. I’m with Sony now, just so y’all know and I’m very proud of it.” she stated.
“You a good company woman, baby,” McGraw quipped.
“Yes, I am,” she replied. “I love Reba more than life itself and everyone knows how much I love her. But I was so sick and tired of packing…I packed Reba everything. That woman had her name on everything. I’m sure underwear before Ellen. So I’m sure you’ve packed everything with our names on it a billion times, not to mention that you have fought cancer and you are a survivor and you are a strong woman and we thank you so much.”
Hill thanked her manager, Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen.
“You know he’s a good manager when he’s wearing a Tom Ford suit,” McGraw quipped.
“John Huie, Rod Essig, CAA, You’ve been with us from the beginning,” Hill continued, tearing up. “[O’Neill Hagaman co-founder] Al Hagaman, Craig Hayes, who we all love so much. Byron and Missy Gallimore, and all the songwriters, there are so many people. Our family and relatives…”
Hill also gave thanks for the couple’s three daughters, Maggie, Gracie and Audrey.
“The greatest gift we have been given in our lives is our children. There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank God above for the pleasure and honor of Gracie and Maggie and Audrey, for giving us those beautiful children, because they have taught me more about forgiveness, honesty, acceptance, and makes me want to be a good person. I want to be the best person I can possibly be, and because of their dad–that’s you by the way–
“We have blood tests, so…” McGraw quipped.
“I do love this guy. He is spicy and he’s a handful and it’s awesome. Thank you for our babies and I love you.” Hill summed.
The couple’s career-spanning exhibition opens to the public Friday, Nov. 17 and runs through June 10, 2018.
McGraw and Hill recently announced that their current Soul2Soul 2017 Tour will extend into 2018.
Jeannie Seely Inks Deal With 117 Publicity
/by Jessica NicholsonJeannie Seely
Jeannie Seely has signed with the publicity division of Zach Farnum’s 117 Entertainment for exclusive representation.
“It is so exciting for me to be a part of 117 Publicity,” said Seely. “Zach Farnum is a very knowledgeable, ambitious young man and he has surrounded himself with a like-minded staff. They have respect for the legends and have a vision of how to represent them in this ever-changing business. I’m looking forward to working in this vibrant environment!”
“If there’s one person that was instrumental in getting me started in the music business, it was my friend Jeannie Seely. Seely has guided me, introduced me to the right people and inspired me as a model of success. She’s one of the most revered stars in the business and has helped and is looked up to by so many,” said Farnum.
Seely was recently recognized by her Grand Ole Opry colleagues Sally Williams, Lorrie Morgan and Bill Anderson at The Nashville Association of Talent Directors’ (NATD) 7th Annual Honors Gala for her accomplishments and service to the Nashville entertainment industry. This year, Seely also commemorates her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Singer-Songwriter Lance Carpenter Signs With Show Dog Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Lance Carpenter, Toby Keith
Lance Carpenter has signed with Toby Keith’s Show Dog Nashville label. Carpenter moved to Nashville in 2011, signed a publishing deal in 2012 and had his first No. 1 in 2015 with co-writing Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It.”
Raised on a farm in Ozark, Arkansas, Carpenter grew up hunting, fishing and playing sports. His love of music was purely as a fan until he picked up a guitar while in college. “I learned my first few chords and the idea of telling stories through music,” he says.
Carpenter soon jumped into his intended career in emergency management, working for the state and federal governments (FEMA). He was involved in 42 different disasters including Hurricane Katrina, with music serving as an escape. “I would take a guitar with me and because I was still learning to play, I really had to focus on what I was doing. I couldn’t think about work, so it was my therapy, in a way.”
After his first performance in 2007, Carpenter sought ways to get involved with the music industry. “I googled the word ‘songwriter,’ found NSAI and joined on the spot,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter says signing with Keith’s label is a dream come true.
“The first time I heard ‘Should’ve Been A Cowboy’ I was a fan and I’ve followed his career ever since,” Carpenter says of Show Dog founder Keith. “Getting to work side-by-side with someone I’ve looked up to for so long is an unbelievable opportunity. I respect him as an artist, as a songwriter, as a business man, and as a human being, and I know there’s a lot I’ll be able to learn.”
Garth Brooks Tops 100,000 Tickets Sold For Nashville Shows
/by Jessica NicholsonGarth Brooks
Garth Brooks has sold over 100,000 tickets for his upcoming run of Nashville shows at Bridgestone Arena, which will close out the Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood in North America. Nashville marks the 17th city the entertainer has sold 100,000 tickets or more on during the tour. The seven show run will be the first time Brooks has played a full concert at Bridgestone Arena in seven years.
The Nashville Bridgestone Arena run includes shows on Dec. 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23. The 22nd was announced and spilled over to the 23rd just days after the initial bank of dates sold out.
Brooks has sold more than 6.3 million tickets on the tour so far, which has been presented by Amazon Music Unlimited. Last week, Brooks earned his sixth CMA Entertainer of the Year honor, a first for any artist.
DISClaimer: CMA Awards Spotlight New Tracks
/by Robert K OermannSalutes to Glen Campbell, Troy Gentry and Don Williams were all well placed, as was a tribute to the 58 country fans slain in Vegas. I could have done without the ABC-TV non-stars as presenters and the gratuitous product-placement ads. But the singing and the instrumental tracks were consistently fine.
The four new songs introduced on the show (by Urban, Tim & Faith, Church, Miranda) are spotlighted in this week’s DisClaimer column. Of them, the Tim McGraw & Faith Hill enduring-love duet easily wins the Disc of the Day award.
The two closest competitors are Miranda Lambert’s honky-tonk ballad and a song that wasn’t on the telecast, Jerrod Niemann’s delightful toe tapper.
The DisCovery Award goes to a duo called Stranger Friends. It is comprised of John Martin and Jamie Floyd. He has penned songs recorded by Garth Brooks. She has had cuts by Ronnie Dunn and Ashley Monroe and is a former Disc of the Day winner as a solo artist. Together, they are terrific.
STRANGER FRIENDS/Country Song
Writers: Jamie Floyd/John Martin; Producer: Stranger Friends; Publisher: none listed; Voxhall (track)
– Everly harmonies. Slappin’ backbeat. Fabulous steel-guitar picking. Instantly catchy tune with a happy rhythm. I love, love, love this.
TIM McGRAW & FAITH HILL/The Rest Of Our Life
Writers: Ed Sheeran/Amy Wadge/Johnny McDaid/Steve Mac; Producer: none listed; Publishers: 2017 Sony/ATV Songs LLC (BMI) o/b/o Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Limited (PRS)/Cookie Jar Music LLP (PRS). All rights on behalf of Cookie Jar Music LLP administered by WB Music Corp./Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol administered by Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol Songs (BMI)/Rokstone Music (ASCAP); Sony
– A beautifully performed power ballad with a supremely romantic lyric about growing old gracefully together. These two truly are “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music.”
LONNIE SPIKER/Love Would Have Wanted It That Way
Writer: Curt Ryle; Producer: Curt Ryle; Publisher: Big Matador, BMI; Megalith (track)
– Booze and the Bible mix it up in this very slowly paced barroom heartache lament. Best line: “It’s a long way from Hell to Step Number 12/But I’m gonna make it there one day.” Old-school country.
JERROD NIEMANN/I Got This
Writers: Luke Dick/Rodney Clawson/Josh Osborne; Producers: Jimmie Lee Sloas/Jerrod Niemann; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Little Louder/Emilon/Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud Crowd/Shirt At Work/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville/Smack Songs/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (track)
– I’ve always liked this guy a lot. This snappy bopper promises a gal some tunes, a pleasure drive, a drink and an open-ended evening. Irresistible.
LAURA BENITEZ & THE HEARTACHE/Whiskey Makes Me Love You
Writer: Laura Benitez; Producer: Laurea Benitez; Publishers: none listed; Copperhead (track)
– Recorded in the Bay Area, this lacks Nashville polish. But there’s plenty of guitar twang and a dandy lyric to compensate. I wonder if lowering her key would make her a more effective vocal communicator.
KEITH URBAN/Female
Writers: Nicolle Galyon/Ross Copperman/Shane McAnally; Producers: Urban, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– Almost immediately after introducing this on the CMA telecast, Urban was derided. Late-night TV host Stephen Colbert parodied the performance on his show as “She Person” and mocked the lyric as, “the first song ever written by dumping out a bin full of inspirational throw pillows.” Last weekend, some hipster NPR panelists who only knew Urban as “the guy who is married to Nicole Kidman,” also looked down their noses at it. The fact of the matter is that the production echoes and throbs and sparkles brilliantly. Keith’s performance rings with sincerity. And what the heck is wrong with a guy identifying with feminist issues anyway?
RE MATTEI/Bump Bump Bump
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Trinity Girl (CDX)
– She is sings in a throaty alto. The song is about drowning out his memory with loud music. Pass.
ERIC CHURCH/Chattanooga Lucy
Writers: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: 2015 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Longer and Louder Music; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Little Louder Songs/Mammaw’s Friend Okra Music; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Little Louder Songs/Harold’s Purple Heart Music (BMI); EMI (track)
– This has an appealingly nervous energy level, as well as some very cool soul-sister wailing in the background. Country rock with a decided edge.
TRAILERHAWK/Car
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Hundred Proof
– The rocking track rumbles with a simple, repeated, deep-twang guitar lick. Her spitfire lead vocal should have been mixed a little hotter.
MIRANDA LAMBERT/To Learn Her
Writers: Lambert/Ashley Monroe/Waylon Payne; Producers: Frank Liddell/Glenn Worf/Eric Masse; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/Tiltawhirl, BMI; RCA (track)
– Hallelujah. Stone country from start to finish. Miranda gives it a classic honky-tonk vocal performance while the track seethes with pent-up intensity behind her. This is the right stuff.
Ashla Taylor Teams With West End Music Group For Debut EP
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): West End Music Group President Dale Connone, EVP/General Manager, Cat Collins, VP Promotion, Jamice Jennings, Ashla Taylor and Promotion Manager, Nathan Cruise
Ashla Taylor has partnered with West End Music Group/ADA to release her debut EP, Truth Is…, with plans for a single in early 2018.
“We are thrilled to be working with the talented Ashla Taylor,” says Dale Connone, President, West End Music Group. “Ashla is the true triple threat and we knew from the moment we met her that we wanted to be a part of her project and work towards bringing her talents to the forefront of the industry.”
A McCalla, Alabama native, Taylor began the writing and production process for her debut EP in Nashville co-writing with Sherrie’ Austin and producing tracks with Will Rambeaux. Seeking inspiration, Taylor traveled to Asbury Park, New Jersey where she explored the music scene and connected with co-producer Steve Greenwell (Joss Stone) to complete her sound.
Taylor has become a lifestyle host for several shows on the popular digital video network, Rated Red. In partnership with Verizon’s go90, Snapchat and Hulu, she can be seen on shows including Battle of the Baits, Camping Hacks, Combo Nation and DIY Survival.
Truth Is… Track Listing:
1. “Truth Is” (Ashla Taylor/Sherrie Austin/Brian Maher)
2. “Nothin’ About Love” (Ashla Taylor/Will Rambeaux/Sherrie Austin)
3. “Waves” (Ashla Taylor/Sherrie Austin/Lance Carpenter)
4. “First Kiss” (Sherrie Austin)
5. “Thank You For Loving Me” (Sherrie Austin/Ashla Taylor)
Johnny Cash ‘Greatest Hits’ From Sun Released On Vinyl
/by Lorie HollabaughGreatest Hits features 20 classic Cash tunes newly remastered from the original Sun Master tapes, mastered at half-speed for unrivaled sound quality. The LP is pressed on 180g heavyweight audiophile vinyl, complete with Sleeve Notes by Sun Entertainment Corporation President John A. Singleton.
“We applaud and congratulate Charly Records for ensuring Johnny Cash’s legendary Sun catalogue continues to be available on the quality formats his music deserves, especially on vinyl for this newly remastered Greatest Hits album,” said John A. Singleton,Sun Entertainment Corporation President.
The special vinyl edition of Cash’s Sun recordings can be purchased on Amazon.
Taylor Swift’s “New Year’s Day” Comes To Country Radio
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift has made a comeback at country radio, as BMLG has serviced the piano ballad “New Year’s Day” to country radio stations. “New Year’s Day” is the closing track to Swift’s recently-released sixth studio album, reputation, which has already sold more than one million copies during its debut week. That feat makes Swift the only artist to have had a million-selling debut week four times (including her previous albums 1989, Red, and Speak Now).
Swift has already performed the piano ballad on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
As a songwriter, Swift’s impact has been on country radio all year, as the sole writer behind Little Big Town’s chart-topper (and recent CMA Single of the Year winner) “Better Man.”
Todd Cassetty Named Nashville Talent Consultant For ‘America’s Got Talent’
/by Jessica NicholsonTodd Cassetty
Veteran music executive Todd Cassetty has been hired as the Nashville talent consultant for the next season of America’s Got Talent. Cassetty and his team will focus primarily on finding music artists and are looking for talent of all genres, styles and ages.
“Big voices, singer-songwriters, groups, bands, duos, trios, kids,” says Cassetty, “we’re looking for serious acts with real talent who are interested in huge television exposure and the possibility of winning $1 million dollars.”
America’s Got Talent averages 16 million viewers per episode and has a partnership with Sony Music. Cassetty will consult for America’s Got Talent while handling his regular duties with Hi-Fi Fusion, Cassetty Entertainment and Song Suffragettes. Artists on AGT are free to have pre-existing management and publishing deals, attorneys and booking agents.
Earlier this year, Cassetty was tapped as a Nashville talent consultant for American Idol.
Lauren Funk Promoted To Senior Creative Director At Big Yellow Dog
/by Lorie HollabaughA graduate of Belmont University, Funk has served as Creative Manager at Big Yellow Dog Music for the past three years. She has been instrumental in the success of Big Yellow Dog Music songs “Hometown Girl” (recorded by Josh Turner), “Get to You” (Michael Ray), and “Ring on Every Finger” (LoCash), as well as in securing cuts by Blake Shelton, Dustin Lynch, Chris Lane, and Sara Evans. She also has helped develop Big Yellow Dog Music artist writers Tenille Townes, Justin Forrest, and Ellee Duke.
“Lauren is passionate about all the Big Yellow Dog Music writers and their success,” says Big Yellow Dog Music CEO Carla Wallace. “She’s a true writer’s friend.”
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Preview Upcoming Exhibit At Country Music Hall of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Sandbox Entertainment CEO Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment’s Sandra Westerman, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s SVP of Museum Services Carolyn Tate, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CEO Kyle Young, EM.co’s Senior Vice President Kelly Clague. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images [Click to enlarge]
The exhibit chronicles the lives of the two superstars, including Hill’s journey from Star, Mississippi, and McGraw’s trek from Start, Louisiana. The exhibit includes Hill’s Heidi Weisel gown, worn during during her wedding to McGraw in 1996, as well as the mirror from McGraw’s dressing room, on which Hill answered his marriage proposal, using a felt pin to write, “I am gonna be your wife! Yes. Love you so, so much.”
Also included are the outfits that the couple wore during their recent “The Rest of Our Life” video, as well as black leather neolite boots worn by Hill in her 1993 video for her first single “Wild One.” There is also the leather jacket worn by McGraw in his 1994 music video “Indian Outlaw.” The exhibit also includes a collection of the couple’s awards, including Grammys and ACM Awards.
Following an introduction from Country Music Fall of Fame and Museum leader Kyle Young, Hill and McGraw offered words of thanks and disbelief that they have their own exhibit at the hallowed venue.
Young recalled how after first arriving in Music City, Hill was turned down from a gig singing background vocals for Reba. One night in 1991, Hill was singing background vocals at the Bluebird Cafe, when music executive Martha Sharp attended and Hill later signed with Warner Bros. Nashville.
In 1994, Hill earned her first No. 1 with “Wild One.” McGraw gave his father, baseball player Tug McGraw, a copy of a demo. The elder McGraw gave the demo to a friend and the demo was passed along to friends who knew a few record label execs.
McGraw arrived in Nashville on the same day that news broke that Keith Whitley died. After arriving in Nashville in the early morning hours on May 9, 1989, McGraw went upstairs to the bar, where songwriters frequented. It was at that bar where songwriter Tommy Barnes played McGraw a novelty song called “Indian Outlaw.” McGraw would also forge a friendship with fellow songwriter Craig Wiseman, which would later become lucrative, creating McGraw’s hit songs including “The Cowboy In Me” and “Live Like You Were Dying.”
In 1994, McGraw released his first chart hit, with “Indian Outlaw.”
From there, both McGraw and Hill kept notching No. 1 hits, selling millions of albums, and launching successful tours on their way to becoming superstars.
“I’m either going to sing or I’m going to cry,” Faith said, taking the podium. She did both, offering a few a cappella lyrics of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” and barely holding back tears through out her speech.
“Looking around and seeing all these plaques on the wall and seeing all these people who paved the way for what we get to do and what we love and the life we’ve built, we wouldn’t be here, first and foremost without the people you see on the walls all around us,” McGraw said. “And the stories that go along with those and the hardships and the struggles and the ‘never give ups,’ and the ‘ya gotta believes’ that went along with every one of them. And you see all the people who have been a part of who we are as people and who we are as artists.”
“All I know is I’m gonna record my next record right in this room, because the acoustics are really good,” she quipped. “As a parent, we all know that it takes a village to raise children, right? Everyone in this room, people that have given their time, their dedication, their heart and soul and belief in us.”
Hill thanked EM.co Sr. VP Kelly Claque and Sandbox Entertainment’s Sandra Westerman, as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Carolyn Tate and Michael McCall at the Hall of Fame, as well as Rene, the head of their fan club.
“I worked at Starstruck, at Reba’s fanclub,” Hill recalled of her early days in Nashville. “Before I got signed to Warner Bros. at the time. I’m with Sony now, just so y’all know and I’m very proud of it.” she stated.
“You a good company woman, baby,” McGraw quipped.
“Yes, I am,” she replied. “I love Reba more than life itself and everyone knows how much I love her. But I was so sick and tired of packing…I packed Reba everything. That woman had her name on everything. I’m sure underwear before Ellen. So I’m sure you’ve packed everything with our names on it a billion times, not to mention that you have fought cancer and you are a survivor and you are a strong woman and we thank you so much.”
Hill thanked her manager, Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen.
“You know he’s a good manager when he’s wearing a Tom Ford suit,” McGraw quipped.
“John Huie, Rod Essig, CAA, You’ve been with us from the beginning,” Hill continued, tearing up. “[O’Neill Hagaman co-founder] Al Hagaman, Craig Hayes, who we all love so much. Byron and Missy Gallimore, and all the songwriters, there are so many people. Our family and relatives…”
Hill also gave thanks for the couple’s three daughters, Maggie, Gracie and Audrey.
“The greatest gift we have been given in our lives is our children. There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank God above for the pleasure and honor of Gracie and Maggie and Audrey, for giving us those beautiful children, because they have taught me more about forgiveness, honesty, acceptance, and makes me want to be a good person. I want to be the best person I can possibly be, and because of their dad–that’s you by the way–
“We have blood tests, so…” McGraw quipped.
“I do love this guy. He is spicy and he’s a handful and it’s awesome. Thank you for our babies and I love you.” Hill summed.
The couple’s career-spanning exhibition opens to the public Friday, Nov. 17 and runs through June 10, 2018.
McGraw and Hill recently announced that their current Soul2Soul 2017 Tour will extend into 2018.