Dan + Shay showcased their incredible vocal and entertainment skills during their sold-out show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Thursday evening (March 21), which served as the 11th stop on “The Heartbreak On The Map Tour.”

Hailey Whitters got the night started. Wearing a blue and white floral-printed babydoll dress and blue cowboy boots, she serenaded the crowd with Platinum hit “Everything She Ain’t” and more before closing with her latest single “I’m In Love” as her name glowed in a the middle of a hot pink heart on the screen above her.

Ben Rector‘s name then appeared in white above of the stage and blue rays beamed into Bridgestone as he sat at a keyboard performing “It Would Be You.” Hues of orange flashed as he moved into “Old Friends” and a few lines of Alphaville‘s “Forever Young,” which included a satisfying solo from his saxophonist. Rector paused to welcome everyone before sliding into “Loving You Is Easy” and customizing a verse to describe Nashville.

He donned a white cowboy hat as he put a country twist on “Forever Like That” and sang what he considers to be “the best song ever written,” Nitty Gritty Dirt Band‘s “Fishin’ in the Dark,” belting a chorus with a crowd and taking a video before chucking his hat into the mass below and transitioning to “30,000 Feet.” Rector invited Whitters to return to the for their duet “Color Up My World,” and then led the audience in accompanying him for “Living My Best Life.” He introduced his band members and thanked concertgoers before finishing with fan favorite “Brand New.”

After a brief intermission, a bring spotlight covered the middle of the stage’s protruding platform to highlight the dynamic duo of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, who welcomed the fan-filled venue with waves and open arms. The platform pulsated with red light as they kicked things off with their 10th No. 1 single “Save Me The Trouble.” The red lights and platform turned pink as they shifted to “Alone Together.” Smyers put the guitar he had played for the first two numbers away as aqua lights explored the stage during “All To Myself.”

As the two sang “Breakin’ Up With a Broken Heart,” they introduced their band members to the crowd, and a map mirroring the tour logo expanded to depict each musician’s hometown while they were individually shown live on the screen above. The word “Ayo” appeared behind the Warner Music Nashville act in sync with the “Show You Off” chorus. After acknowledging the “magic in the air,” Dan + Shay took us to “Heaven + Back.”

“We are only of few songs into this set and I have a good feeling this is going to be the greatest night of our entire lives,” stated Smyers. He continued, “From the bottom of our hearts, Nashville, this means more to us then you guys will ever know. This is such a special night.”

Smyers then placed himself behind a black piano while coral and pink colors blended together on the stage screens to depict a sunset-like image for “You.” Screams of excitement filled the air and a fiery mix of warm tones radiated from the platform as the beginning notes of “I Should Probably Go To Bed” started to play. The pair embraced each other in a sincere hug before Smyers bowed down to Mooney and asked the audience to give it up for “the best singer in country music.”

Smyers’ guitar returned and mugshots of various people shuffled across the screens during “How Not To,” symbolizing that we all guilty of heavily reminiscing on the past when we know moving on is the better option. The stands swayed as they performed their tour’s namesake “Heartbreak On The Map.” The guys then put on Elvis-inspired jackets to emphasize the Las Vegas-esque production for “We Should Get Married.” The energy softened for the sentimental “From The Ground Up.” One of Mooney’s precious sons came out to greet the crowd, and the duo snapped a special photo with everyone.

“The next song are about to [perform] started it all. Dan wrote the title in his phone, and said, ‘No matter what, Dan + Shay is always going to be a first dance at somebody’s wedding, a tattoo on somebody’s arm and a band that Nashville, Tennessee put on this stage,” said Mooney before “Always Gonna Be.”

Mint green rays graced the stage and surrounding seats as they sang “10,000 Hours,” the hit recorded with Justin Bieber that earned them entrance into the Spotify Billionaires Club. Both guys sat down in black chairs placed in the middle for “My Side of the Fence.” They took multiple moments throughout their set to absorb the love from their fans and express their appreciation. Smyers gave away his guitar pick to an adorable little fan being held by her father in the pit below, and they made note of the power of songwriters before telling each music lover that they were “Glad You Exist” through song.

Ocean waves splashed above them as they covered The Killers‘ classic “Mr. Brightside,” which had the entire arena on their feet. Dan + Shay moved into one of their early smashes “19 You + Me” and their first No. 1 at country radio “Nothin’ Like You.” To everyone’s surprise, they vanished under the stage, but soon reappeared on top of a small house for “Bigger Houses,” the title track of their latest album. Overwhelmed with emotion, they hugged each other and voiced their immense gratitude to the sold-out crowd.

“You chose to spend your hard-earned money to come to the Dan + Shay concert and that means the world to us,” the men shared.

Clips from each of their wedding videos were shared with the stands, creating a beautifully intimate environment for “Speechless,” with fans taking the mic for the final verse. The duo recalled how they met, stating their brotherly love for one another, and shouted out their crew and openers, asking everyone to give them another listen on our way home. After wrapping with their mega-hit “Tequila,” Dan + Shay then took some time to sign autographs and engage with fans, further showing their devotion.

Jason Aldean Opens New Kitchen + Bar Location In Pittsburgh

Jason Aldean opened the third location of his Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 21. To celebrate the opening, the country star stopped by the opening to give patrons a surprise performance.

Pittsburgh’s Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar joins additional locations in Gatlinburg and Nashville, Tennessee.

 

The Core Entertainment Presents Bailey Zimmerman With Celebratory Plaques

Prior to two sold out nights at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, rising star Bailey Zimmerman was presented with six new plaques by his management team, The Core Entertainment. His current single “Where It Ends” received Platinum-certification. “Fall In Love” is now four-times Platinum and “Rock and a Hard Place” is now five-times Platinum.

 

Chris Canterbury Inks With Park Ave West

Chris Canterbury has signed a new publishing deal with Park Ave West Songs.

“This town is flooded with insanely talented songwriter/artists, but few silence a listening room the way he does,” shares KT Mack, Founder of Park Ave West Songs. “I am extremely honored to get to work with an authentic storyteller like Chris.”

“In November 2013 I came to Nashville with a pocket full of songs and just enough confidence to share them with the world,” says Canterbury. “In these last 10 years, this town has tested my determination and at times my will to stick around, but it also opened doors, roads, and built friendships that will stand any storm. This year I signed the publishing deal I was looking for 10 years ago. I’m glad to be a part of the team at Park Ave West Songs. It’s refreshing to know there’s still folks that’ll take a chance on simple honest storytelling.”

Canterbury will also be featured in Park Ave West Song’s new documentary, Ten Year Town. The film will focus on a special bond and friendship between a group of emerging Nashville singer-songwriters.

Industry members and mothers Margaret Hart, Jackie Jones and Haley Montgomery have united to launch Family Alliance in Music (FAM), a community initiative that aims to provide community, education and support for parents, caretakers and those wanting to have a family while working in the music industry.

With over 50 years of combined experience in the entertainment world, the co-founders believe they’ve developed an understanding of the challenges and untapped opportunities that can exist when family and career struggle to flourish alongside each other. They’ve been encouraged not only by the personal outreach each has received, but also by the more than 30 kids that attended the celebration of Brett Young‘s Diamond-certified “In Case You Didn’t Know” at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center, which included the artist’s two daughters.

“I believe that visibility of caretaking is one of the key places that we can create change in our industry. We often take our mom hats off to come to work, and put them back on at the end of the day. The fact is that parenting and caretaking isn’t something you can step away from, and we have to recognize that first so that we can create an industry where parenting and career achievement can coexist,” says Hart, YouTube’s Head of Nashville Industry & Label Relations.

Jones, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)’s Senior Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations, notes, “It is vital to create environments where there are adequate benefits and support systems in place to ensure caregivers can thrive at work and at home. Keeping an open conversation about what is needed for those caring for loved ones in this business is key to the success and growth of many professionals. Our goal is to continue to encourage diversity in our workforce by making it more possible to be a part of it.”

“Comprehensive and clear family benefits are a vital recruitment and retention tool for employers. There are two key times that an employer might lose an employee at a valuable career stage-either when they decide to have or adopt a child, or when they face needing to care for a family member,” says Montgomery, ACM’s Senior Manager of Awards & Membership. “I personally faced a time when I thought that this industry would not be somewhere I could thrive and fulfill my dreams of a family, and our goal to make sure that no one feels that type of pressure. You can grow your career and care for a family, but employers initiating proper policies and flexible work practices are essential to that success.”

Over the course of 2023, FAM engaged in conversations and provided tools that resulted in improved benefits and company policies within multiple music organizations. FAM also formed a task force late last year to double down on impact in their core areas of focus. Other industry members involved include Wasserman Music’s Shannon Casey, WHY&HOW Management’s Halie Hampton-Mosley, CmdShft’s Morgan Mills, mtheory’s Tiffany Provenzano, Paramount’s Rachael Terrell, Prescription Songs’ Rachel Wein, maddjett’s Dan Wise and Triple Tigers’ Mackenzie Cooper.

The initiative is currently fiscally sponsored by Creative Visions, with the goal of a full 501c3 set up by 2025 that would allow for annual grants to music professionals. For more information, click here.