Marcus King. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
The Marcus King Band will hit the road this summer on the second leg of their “Darling Blue Tour” across the U.S. and Canada.
Joined by special guests Penelope Road and Willow Avalon for select dates, the “Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour” will make stops in New York City, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Telluride, Atlanta, and more, highlighted by “Marcus King Band and Friends,” a hometown show at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium on May 27.
Presale for the dates begins tomorrow (March 11), with general on-sale beginning Friday (March 13).
Ahead of the tour, King will headline a one-week residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City on March 13–19. The Marcus King Band will also make an Australian headlining run in April before festival performances at Stagecoach Music Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, Gulf Coast Jam and more. The band also recently announced the “Waltz Across Texas Tour,” visiting seven cities across the Lone Star State this May. The “Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour” follows the “Darling Blue Pt. 1” headline run last fall.
King closed out 2025 with the release of his new album, Darling Blue, a collection that takes listeners through King’s love for the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as his state of mind before and after he met his wife, Briley.
“Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour” Dates:
May 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. at Fox Theatre *
May 27, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. at Municipal Auditorium *^
May 29, 2026 in Panama City Beach, Fla. at Gulf Coast Jam
May 30, 2026 in Apopka, Fla. at Apopka Amphitheater *
May 31, 2026 in Boca Raton, Fla. at Mizner Park Amphitheater
June 3, 2026 in Washington, D.C., at The Anthem *
June 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pa. at The Met *
June 5, 2026 in Virginia Beach, Va. at The Dome by Rutter Mills *
June 11, 2026 in Mashantucket, Conn. at Foxwoods Casino *
June 12, 2026 in Boston, Mass. at MGM Music Hall at Fenway *
June 13, 2026 in Schenectady, N.Y. at Frog Alley Brewing Co. *
June 14, 2026 in Buffalo, N.Y. at Terminal B at Outer Harbor *
June 16, 2026 in Toronto, ON at Massey Hall *
June 19, 2026 in Chicago, Ill. at Salt Shed *
June 20, 2026 in Nelsonville, Ohio at Nelsonville Art & Music Festival
June 21, 2026 in St. Louis, Mo. at The Factory *
June 23, 2026 in Detroit, Mich. at Fox Theatre *
June 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio at Agora Theatre *
June 26, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wis. at Summerfest
June 27, 2026 in Eau Claire, Wis. at Blue Ox Music Festival
June 28, 2026 in Carterville, Ill. at Walkers Bluff Casino
July 7, 2026 in Oakland, Calif. at Fox Theater *
July 8, 2026 in Jacksonville, Ore. at Britt Pavilion *
July 10, 2026 in Alta, Wyo. at Targhee Fest
July 11, 2026 in Garden City, Idaho at Revolution Concert House and Event Center *
July 12, 2026 in Seattle, Wash. at Marymoor Park *
July 13, 2026 in Vancouver, BC at Orpheum Theatre *
July 15, 2026 in Forest Grove, Ore. at McMenamins Grand Lodge *
July 17, 2026 in Whitefish, Mont. at Under The Big Sky Music, Rodeo & Roundup
July 19, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah at TBD, On sale TBD
July 20, 2026 in Denver Colo. at The Mission *
July 23, 2026 in Kansas City, Mo. at Uptown Theater *
July 25, 2026 in Eclectic, Ala. at Lake Martin Songwriters Festival
Sept. 11, 2026 in Raleigh, N.C. at Red Hat Amphitheater *
Sept. 12, 2026 in New York, N.Y. at Central Park Summerstage *
Sept. 13, 2026 in Ithaca, N.Y. at State Theatre *
Sept. 15, 2026 in Burlington, Va. at Flynn Center *
Sept. 18, 2026 in Telluride, Colo. at Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Sept. 25, 2026 in Louisville, Ky. at Bourbon & Beyond
*Penelope Road
^Willow Avalon
Industry Ink: Bailey Zimmerman, Stephen Wilson Jr., Jeffrey Steele & Friends, More
/by Lorie HollabaughBailey Zimmerman Celebrates Eight New Certifications During Boston Arena Show
Pictured (L-R): Warner Records Nashville’s Cris Lacy, Anna Cage, Mike Dupree, Kristen Williams, Bailey Zimmerman, Anna Pittman, Victoria Mason, Rohan Kohli, Claire Russo, Jackson Ammons, Justin Newell. Photo: Masonn1k
Multi-Platinum star Bailey Zimmerman has added eight new RIAA certifications to his growing collection and celebrated the milestone backstage recently at his sold-out arena show of the “Different Night Same Rodeo Tour” in Boston at the TD Garden. In addition to the new certifications, Zimmerman’s debut album Religiously. The Album is double Platinum. His newly certified titles include “Rock and a Hard Place” (8× Platinum); “Fall in Love” (6× Platinum); “Where It Ends” (3× Platinum); “Backup Plan” (Platinum); “Holy Smokes” (Platinum); “House On Fire” (Gold); “New To Country” (Gold) and “You Don’t Want That Smoke” (Gold).
Stephen Wilson Jr. & Big Loud Celebrate ‘Gary The Torch Tour’ Kickoff In Columbus
Pictured (L-R): Nate Yetton (Big Loud), Amy Beard (Big Loud), Alicia Jones (ALJ Management), Steve Schnur (EA Sports), Jeff Tanner (Big Loud), Stephen Wilson Jr., Seth England (Big Loud), Jordan Pettit (Big Loud) and Brett Saliba (UTA). Photo: Courtesy of Big Loud Records
Big Loud Records and the rest of his team was on hand to celebrate Stephen Wilson Jr.‘s “Gary The Torch Tour” kickoff on Friday night (March 6) at Kemba Live! in Columbus, Ohio. The tour includes stops in Toronto, Boston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Chicago and many more through April.
Jeffrey Steele & Friends Raise $170,000 At 19th Annual Benefit For At-Risk Youth
LeVasseur Family. Photo: Michael Jenkins
The 19th annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends fundraiser concert took place March 2 at The Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee, continuing the mission to support overlooked and at-risk youth in Middle Tennessee and beyond in memory of Steele’s son Alex LeVasseur, who passed away in 2007. The evening featured a surprise lineup including Billy Ray Cyrus, Locash, David Lee Murphy, Uncle Kracker, Lit and Phil Vassar, and raised nearly $170,000, bringing the total raised through the event over the past 19 years to more than $2.3 million. The show opened with a performance from the Music Monday Band, comprised of youth who participate in music programs at the Alex LeVasseur Music Lab, and also featured a moving tribute to legendary guitarist Steve Cropper by Steele and Vassar.
The Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund has supported numerous youth-focused organizations, including the YMCA of Middle Tennessee and its Teen Center, Skatepark, and Y-CAP programs. The fund has also partnered with The Beat of Life to support youth-centered music programming, and with The Skatepark Project which helps build skateparks in underserved communities. To date, the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund has supported the construction of 14 skateparks nationwide along with skate gear giveaways. The LeVasseur family opened the Alex LeVasseur Music Lab inside the Brentwood YMCA Teen Center and the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skatepark at the Brentwood Family YMCA, providing a safe and welcoming space for skaters of all ages and skill levels.
Jerry Douglas Spotlighted In Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s ‘Nashville Cats’ Interview Series
Jerry Douglas and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum writer-editor Jon Freeman at the museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum featured dobro virtuoso Jerry Douglas last weekend in its in-depth “Nashville Cats” interview series, which spotlights renowned musicians and session singers who have played important roles in support of artists in either the recording studio or on concert tours. The interview was moderated by museum writer-editor Jon Freeman and illustrated with rare photos, film and recordings. Douglas also performed during the program. Douglas is one of the three 2026 Nashville Cats honorees chosen by the museum to be featured in the programs, which will also highlight the careers of Wendy Moten on May 16 and John Jorgenson on Aug. 15.
FEMco, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville & By Design Celebrate International Women’s Month With Special Anzie Blue Show
Pictured (L-R, front row): BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville EVP Recorded Music JoJamie Hahr, Alison Nichols, HunterGirl, Madeline Merlo, Lanie Gardner and Mary Kutter; (L-R, back row): By Design co-founder Josh Bailey, Alex Jude, Alison Turner, Zoe Levert, Jillian Edwards, By VP Publishing and A&R Josh Pauley, FEMco Co-Founder Leslie Fram and Chader Consulting’s Lisa Chader. Photo: Kevin Grace
FEMco, BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville and By Design celebrated International Women’s Month with an evening of performances at Anzie Blue on March 4. Female artists and writers performing during the special evening included Jillian Edwards, Lanie Gardner, HunterGirl, Alex Jude, Mary Kutter, Zoe Levert, Madeline Merlo, Alison Nichols and Alison Turner.
Bellah Mae Inks With Sony Music Nashville
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Ken Robold (President & COO, SMN), Taylor Lindsey (Chair & CEO, SMN), Bellah Mae, Alistar Goldsmith (Chosen Music), Lexi Stringer (Director, A&R, SMN). Photo: Matthew Berinato
Bellah Mae has inked with Sony Music Nashville.
“I couldn’t be happier to have joined the Sony Nashville family,” she shares. “With the devoted ethos of the entire team there, I knew instantly they were the perfect home for me and my music. I’m so excited to be on this journey together and for all we’re about to create.”
Growing up in the UK, Mae began writing songs at the age of eight, taking inspiration by her father teaching her how to play guitar and her grandfather, a rock and roll session musician. She spent 11 years training as a classical soprano and later started traveling to and from Nashville at age 18 through mentorship by Dolly Parton’s manager. Her catalog of songs has amassed over 100 million streams to date, and she has earned half a million followers across social platforms.
In celebration of the announcement, Mae has released her new single, “Love Me Less,” which she wrote Brigetta Truitt and Brett Truitt .
“‘Love Me Less’ is the most personal song I’ve written so far — I held no details back from specific insecurities to introspective tendencies,” Mae adds. “I think we all have parts of ourselves we’d rather not show immediately or sometimes ever, and the start of a new relationship is usually when you want to only show up with your best side. Nobody is 100% confident, 100% happy, or feeling their best 100% of the time … but revealing that feels so daunting when you think the best version of yourself is why someone loves you. You don’t want to burst the illusion you’ve created of yourself. After writing this song, I realized we’ve probably all had a version of this experience at some point and that I’d love to put it out into the world.”
Kenny Chesney To Receive Ocean Conservancy Award At Tortuga
/by Madison HahnenKenny Chesney.
Kenny Chesney will be honored with the Ocean Conservancy Award by Rock The Ocean and Tortuga Festival on April 12. Chesney is set to headline the festival that night, marking his sixth appearance at the festival.
“Kenny’s lifestyle and music celebrate everything people love about the ocean—the adventure, the energy, the deep connection we feel when we’re near the water,” says Tortuga Festival Founder Chris Stacey. “We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Kenny, who headlined the first Tortuga Festival in 2013, and returned more than any artist. We’re proud to work with such a legendary artist who authentically embodies Rock The Ocean’s mission—a love for the ocean and a commitment to protecting it.
“At Tortuga, we’ve always believed when people fall in love with the ocean, they’re more likely to protect it. Kenny’s music’s inspired millions of fans to develop a deeper appreciation for the ocean, and his presence here signals that reality,” he continues. “Not to mention, it gives all the charitable organizations an opportunity to talk to people one-on-one about conservation. For all those reasons, we wanted to recognize not just six shows, but how he’s engaged and invested people in the larger mission.”
“To me, when people can come together to learn about the ocean, how to treat it and have a great time with their friends, that’s a total win,” adds Chesney. “Even though we’re not touring this year, I do love playing on that beach, seeing all those boats in the water and fans having the best time on that beach. To be given an award for doing what I love somewhere that brings every bit of it together almost feels wrong, but I’m honored if I could be part of bringing how we treat the ocean into focus.”
Since 2013, Tortuga and Rock The Ocean have raised over $6,000,000 for ocean conservation, supporting more than 100 non-profit organizations and university programs. Tortuga Music Festival is recognized as one of the most sustainable large-scale music festivals in the world.
Bill Simmons, Kendal Marcy, Chris DuBois & Domain Capital Group Form Management Firm
/by LB CantrellPictured (clockwise from top left): Bill Simmons, Chris DuBois, Pete Chiappetta and Kendal Marcy
Veteran artist manager Bill Simmons, management partner Kendal Marcy and award-winning songwriter and publisher Chris DuBois have formed Domain Artist Management, a joint venture created in partnership with Domain Capital Group, LLC. Three-time Grammy award winner Brad Paisley has signed as the company’s flagship client.
“The formation of Domain Artist Management brings together experienced and successful artist representation and long-term capital into one platform,” says Pete Chiappetta, Managing Director of Media & Entertainment at Domain Capital Group. “By aligning our resources and strategic capabilities with the decades of experience that Bill, Kendal, and Chris bring to the table, we are building a management company designed to serve artists thoughtfully and capitalize on today’s entertainment landscape for our investors.”
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Pete and the entire Domain team to add more talented artists to our roster,” shares Marcy. “As Nashville and the country genre continue to expand, we are eager to support and develop our artists’ successes through our expertise in management, touring, music, and film.”
Domain Artist Management brings together a leadership team with decades of experience in artist development, production and business strategy.
A pillar of the Nashville management community, Simmons formerly served as a partner at The Fitzgerald Hartley Co. and as Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. He currently serves as a board member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Simmons has managed Paisley’s career since 2003.
Marcy is a multi-instrumentalist and award-winning producer, and has been a vital part of Paisley’s team since 1999. He has been executive producer on many of Paisley’s TV and musical endeavors over the years and became a management partner in 2014.
DuBois, an award-winning songwriter and executive, co-founded Sea Gayle Music with Paisley in 1999. With 18 No. 1 hits as a songwriter and multiple Songwriter of the Year accolades (NSAI, ASCAP), DuBois brings an extensive track record in publishing and intellectual property management.
The launch of Domain Artist Management marks a significant evolution for Domain Capital Group’s entertainment division, which has been investing in the entertainment sector since 2011.
The firm will be headquartered in Nashville with an office on Music Row at 1221 17th Avenue South. Reach the team at Kendal@domainartistmgmt.com, Bill@domainartistmgmt.com and Chris@domainartistmgmt.com.
Eric Church, Hardy To Headline New Boots On The Bend Festival In Indiana
/by Lorie HollabaughEric Church and Hardy are set to headline Boots On The Bend, a brand new festival in South Bend, Indiana set for August 14-15 at the St. Joseph’s County Fairgrounds.
The star-studded festival lineup also features Brandon Lake, Flatland Cavalry, Chase Rice, Ashley McBryde, Graham Barham, Maddie Font, The Jack Wharff Band, Emily Ann Roberts, Lakeview, Eddie & The Getaway, Will Moseley, McCoy Moore, Joe Stamm Band and more.
Fans who join the Boots On The Bend Insider List will receive early access to Early Bird pre-sale tickets at the guaranteed lowest price before the general public. The pre-sale runs March 11-12 followed by the general public on sale on March 13. Tickets, camping, and hotel packages are available at bootsonthebend.com
“We are so excited to work with Peachtree Entertainment to bring the country music festival, Boots On The Bend, to South Bend in August. With this inaugural event, South Bend will be a destination for thousands of music fans, and we look forward to creating this experience with the team at Peachtree Entertainment,” says Jeff Jarnecke, Executive Director of Visit South Bend-Mishawaka.
Thomas Rhett & Niall Horan Slate Stadium Dates
/by Madison HahnenThomas Rhett and Niall Horan have teamed up to play two stadium shows. The first will take place on July 9 at Nashville’s GEODIS Park, with Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania following July 18. The dates mark the first time the two have performed stadium headline shows together and each artist’s first-ever headline concert at GEODIS Park. Kashus Culpepper and Emily Ann Roberts will join both dates as support.
“Niall and I have been buddies for nearly a decade now, but one thing we’ve not done yet is officially tour together,” says Rhett. “There’s nothing I love more than being on the road alongside longtime friends—it’s going to be a blast for us and the fans.”
“When TR brought up the idea of doing these, I immediately got so excited just thinking about it,” adds Horan. “We’ve been friends for ages and it just makes perfect sense.”
The duo recently released a reimagined version of Rhett’s “Old Tricks.”
Tickets for “Thomas Rhett & Niall Horan Live” will be available starting tomorrow (March 11) at 10 a.m. local time through both artists’ fan clubs. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Friday (March 13) at 10 a.m. local time.
Wynonna Judd & Melissa Etheridge To Celebrate Summer With Co-Headlining ‘Raised On Radio Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughWynonna Judd and rocker Melissa Etheridge are joining forces and bringing the hits to their co-headlining “Raised On Radio Tour,” beginning in June.
The two will visit San Diego, Reno, Seattle, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and more on the new tour, which runs through Sept. 11. Fans can sign up for early access to tickets for the tour, including exclusive VIP packages, by visiting Wynonna.com and MelissaEtheridge.com. Artist pre-sales start today (March 10), with public on-sale beginning March 13. For every ticket sold, Etheridge and Judd will each donate $1 to The Etheridge Foundation dedicated to finding prevention and treatment for opioid use disorders via plant medicine research and more, and $1 to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
“I’ve spent my entire adult life onstage, but before any of that, I was just a girl sitting close to a radio speaker, hanging on every word. That’s where it all started for me,” says Judd. “’Raised On Radio’ isn’t just a tour name—it’s my roots and wings. It’s late nights with the dial turned low, chasing distant stations through the static. It’s songs that felt like they understood me before I understood myself. The radio was my teacher, my comfort, my escape. The songs playing through that radio shaped me as a dreamer and an artist.
“This tour is about going back to that feeling and sharing it with you,” she continues. “I was literally raised on the radio, growing up in Leavenworth I listened to WHB. They played every kind of music from rock and soul to R&B and country music. It helped shape me to become the versatile writer and musician that I am today.”
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominee, Etheridge stormed the rock scene with her confessional lyrics and signature vocal rasp on hits like “Bring Me Some Water,” “Come to My Window,” “Bein’ Alive” and “The Other Side of Blue” with Chris Stapleton, from her new album Rise (2026).
Judd, a five-time Grammy winner and Country Music Hall of Fame Member, first rose to fame in the legendary country duo, The Judds. She also charted numerous solo hits in the ‘90s and 2000s, including “No One Else on Earth,” “I Saw The Light,” and “She Is His Only Need.”
“Raised On Radio Tour” Dates:
6.24.26 | Vienna, VA | Wolf Trap*
6.25.26 | Williamsburg, VA | Williamsburg Live
6.27.26 | Chautauqua, NY | Chautauqua Institution
6.28.26 | Bethel, NY | Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
6.30.26 | Huber Heights, OH | The Rose Music Center at The Heights
7.3.26 | Terre Haute, IN | The MILL Amphitheater
7.5.26 | Waite Park, MN | The Ledge Amphitheater
7.6.26 | Chisholm, MN | Minnesota Discovery Center Amphitheater
7.9.26 | Grand Junction, CO | Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park
7.11.26 | San Diego, CA | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park#
7.12.26 | Irvine, CA | Great Park Live
7.17.26 | Lincoln, CA | Thunder Valley Casino
7.18.26 | Rohnert Park, CA | Weill Hall + Lawn at the Green Music Center
7.19.26 | Reno, NV | Silver Legacy Downtown Ballroom
7.21.26 | Saratoga, CA | The Mountain Winery^
7.23.26 | Bend, OR | Hayden Homes Amphitheater
7.24.26 | Seattle, WA | TBA%
7.25.26 | Airway Heights, WA | BECU Live at Northern Quest
7.28.26 | Bonner, MT | KettleHouse Amphitheater
7.30.26 | Salt Lake City, UT | TBAx
8.2.26 | Morrison, CO | Red Rocks Amphitheatre (with the Colorado Symphony)
8.4.26 | Rogers, AR | Walmart AMP
8.5.26 | Albertville, AL | Sand Mountain Amphitheater
8.7.26 | Atlanta, GA | Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
8.8.26 | Beaver Dam, KY | Beaver Dam Amphitheater
8.9.26 | West Allis, WI | Wisconsin State Fair Main Stage
9.11.26 | Allegan, MI | Allegan County Fair +
*Previously announced
%On-sale 3/23
^On-sale 3/27
+On-sale 4/10
#On-sale 4/24
xOn-sale TBA
The Marcus King Band Add 39 More Cities To ‘Darling Blue Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughMarcus King. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
The Marcus King Band will hit the road this summer on the second leg of their “Darling Blue Tour” across the U.S. and Canada.
Joined by special guests Penelope Road and Willow Avalon for select dates, the “Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour” will make stops in New York City, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Telluride, Atlanta, and more, highlighted by “Marcus King Band and Friends,” a hometown show at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium on May 27.
Presale for the dates begins tomorrow (March 11), with general on-sale beginning Friday (March 13).
Ahead of the tour, King will headline a one-week residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City on March 13–19. The Marcus King Band will also make an Australian headlining run in April before festival performances at Stagecoach Music Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, Gulf Coast Jam and more. The band also recently announced the “Waltz Across Texas Tour,” visiting seven cities across the Lone Star State this May. The “Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour” follows the “Darling Blue Pt. 1” headline run last fall.
King closed out 2025 with the release of his new album, Darling Blue, a collection that takes listeners through King’s love for the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as his state of mind before and after he met his wife, Briley.
“Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour” Dates:
May 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Ga. at Fox Theatre *
May 27, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. at Municipal Auditorium *^
May 29, 2026 in Panama City Beach, Fla. at Gulf Coast Jam
May 30, 2026 in Apopka, Fla. at Apopka Amphitheater *
May 31, 2026 in Boca Raton, Fla. at Mizner Park Amphitheater
June 3, 2026 in Washington, D.C., at The Anthem *
June 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pa. at The Met *
June 5, 2026 in Virginia Beach, Va. at The Dome by Rutter Mills *
June 11, 2026 in Mashantucket, Conn. at Foxwoods Casino *
June 12, 2026 in Boston, Mass. at MGM Music Hall at Fenway *
June 13, 2026 in Schenectady, N.Y. at Frog Alley Brewing Co. *
June 14, 2026 in Buffalo, N.Y. at Terminal B at Outer Harbor *
June 16, 2026 in Toronto, ON at Massey Hall *
June 19, 2026 in Chicago, Ill. at Salt Shed *
June 20, 2026 in Nelsonville, Ohio at Nelsonville Art & Music Festival
June 21, 2026 in St. Louis, Mo. at The Factory *
June 23, 2026 in Detroit, Mich. at Fox Theatre *
June 24, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio at Agora Theatre *
June 26, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wis. at Summerfest
June 27, 2026 in Eau Claire, Wis. at Blue Ox Music Festival
June 28, 2026 in Carterville, Ill. at Walkers Bluff Casino
July 7, 2026 in Oakland, Calif. at Fox Theater *
July 8, 2026 in Jacksonville, Ore. at Britt Pavilion *
July 10, 2026 in Alta, Wyo. at Targhee Fest
July 11, 2026 in Garden City, Idaho at Revolution Concert House and Event Center *
July 12, 2026 in Seattle, Wash. at Marymoor Park *
July 13, 2026 in Vancouver, BC at Orpheum Theatre *
July 15, 2026 in Forest Grove, Ore. at McMenamins Grand Lodge *
July 17, 2026 in Whitefish, Mont. at Under The Big Sky Music, Rodeo & Roundup
July 19, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah at TBD, On sale TBD
July 20, 2026 in Denver Colo. at The Mission *
July 23, 2026 in Kansas City, Mo. at Uptown Theater *
July 25, 2026 in Eclectic, Ala. at Lake Martin Songwriters Festival
Sept. 11, 2026 in Raleigh, N.C. at Red Hat Amphitheater *
Sept. 12, 2026 in New York, N.Y. at Central Park Summerstage *
Sept. 13, 2026 in Ithaca, N.Y. at State Theatre *
Sept. 15, 2026 in Burlington, Va. at Flynn Center *
Sept. 18, 2026 in Telluride, Colo. at Telluride Blues & Brews Festival
Sept. 25, 2026 in Louisville, Ky. at Bourbon & Beyond
*Penelope Road
^Willow Avalon
Brian O’Connell Honored With Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (L-R): Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Lauren Alaina, Brian O’Connell, Nan Kingsley, Dan Rogers and Tyler Hubbard.
Brian O’Connell was recently honored with the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award.
O’Connell serves as President of Country Music Touring and Festivals for Live Nation. Over his more than 30 year career, he has worked with artists including Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and more. He developed the Country Megaticket, and has developed festivals including Watershed, Faster Horses, Route 91 Harvest, and Seven Peaks. His Live Nation Country Nation division acquired Tortuga in 2018.
He has been honored with the CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award, is a ten-time winner of the Academy of Country Music’s Promoter of the Year award, a six-time winner of the Country Music Association’s Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year award and currently serves on the CMA Board of Directors. In 2013, O’Connell was named Promoter of the Year by IEBA. He earned the 2006 Bill Graham Promoter of the Year Award, as well as the 2013, 2014, and 2017 Talent Buyer of the Year Award. Faster Horses and Tortuga have both been named Festival of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
O’Connell was given the honor last night (March 9) at a sold-out event at the Opry House supporting the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund. Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Rascal Flatts, Tyler Hubbard, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban each performed at the event. Dan Rogers, Bob Roux, T.K. Kimbrell, Joey Lee, Rod Essig and Curt Motley served as speakers.
The Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award was established over ten years ago to recognize the distinguished career of the veteran country radio host. Past honorees include Joe Galante (2015), Jim Ed Norman (2016), Lorianne Crook & Charlie Chase (2017), Clarence Spalding (2018), Lon Helton (2019), Bart Herbison & Erika Wollam Nichols (2023), Sarah Trahern (2024), and Scott Borchetta (2025).
Spotify Hosts Exclusive Meet & Greet With Russell Dickerson During Houston Rodeo
/by Lauryn SinkCassi DiLaura & Russell Dickerson. Photo: MC Russell for Spotify
Spotify hosted an exclusive meet & greet event with Russell Dickerson on Thursday (March 5) during the Houston Rodeo. The activation was hosted by ET Correspondent Cassi DiLaura.
Dickerson released his new EP, Worth Your Wild, on March 6 via Triple Tigers. The four-track project produced by Josh Kerr features songs including “2 Limes, 2 Coronas,” and “B.O.A.T.” alongside the title track, which is Dickerson’s latest single.
This year, Spotify teamed up with Coca-Cola for a Rhinestone Cowboy themed Houston Rodeo activation. Attendees received free samples, photo moments, and exclusive artist meet and greets.
Photo: MC Russell for Spotify
Photo: MC Russell for Spotify
Photo: MC Russell for Spotify