Blake Shelton has announced he’s heading back out on the road this August on the Friends and Heroes 2021 tour. The trek will feature special guest Lindsay Ell, along with appearances by Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd and Trace Adkins.
“A little over a year ago when the world shut down and we had to postpone the tour, I was already in Omaha getting ready for the show that night,” Shelton says. “I told you we would be back, and I’m thrilled to say we are kicking off the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour in Omaha. I’m giving everybody in every city plenty of notice – you might as well tell your boss you’re gonna be late to work the next day and pay that babysitter overtime, because we are going to play some country music for y’all until they turn on the lights. And that might not stop us! I’m excited to welcome Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd, Trace Adkins and my very special guest Lindsay Ell to the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour… see you there!”
Shelton will visit 16 cities on the new tour, including a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and a two-night residency in Washington D.C. as well as shows in Denver, Tulsa, Philadelphia, St. Louis and more through Oct. 2. Rescheduled dates from the 2020 run will honor previously purchased tickets, and additional tickets are currently on sale. All new dates will go on sale Thursday, June 10 at 10 a.m. local time.
The tour announcement comes as Shelton prepares to release his latest album, Body Language, on May 21. The 12-track studio album includes his 28th career No.1 smash “Happy Anywhere” featuring Gwen Stefani and current Top 15 and climbing single “Minimum Wage.”
Blake Shelton’s Friends And Heroes 2021 Dates:
August 18: Omaha, NE / CHI Health Center*
August 20: Denver, CO / Ball Arena*
September 2: Philadelphia, PA / Wells Fargo Center
September 3-4: Washington, D.C. / The Anthem
September 9: Nashville, TN / Bridgestone Arena
September 10: Evansville, IN / Ford Center
September 11: Rosemont, IL / Allstate Arena*
September 16: North Charleston, SC / North Charleston Coliseum
September 17: Greenville, SC / Bon Secours Wellness Arena
September 18: Duluth, GA / Infinite Energy Center
September 23: St. Louis, MO / Enterprise Center
September 24: Tulsa, OK / BOK Center
September 25: Fort Worth, TX /Dickies Arena
September 30: Grand Rapids, MI / Van Andel Arena
October 1: Detroit, MI / Little Caesars Arena*
October 2: Milwaukee, WI / Fiserv Forum*
*Rescheduled date. If you previously purchased tickets for one of these shows and are no longer able to attend, you may request a refund within 30 days.
Spotify Announces Virtual Concert Series With The Black Keys, Leon Bridges, More
/by Lydia FarthingThe Black Keys
Spotify has just announced their virtual concert experience with the hope of continuing to connect fans to artists and vice versa.
Throughout the next month, Spotify will give fans access to five intimate, ticketed performances in partnership with producer Driift. These five pre-recorded livestreams will include performances by The Black Keys on May 27, Rag’n’Bone Man on June 3, Bleachers on June 10, Leon Bridges on June 17, and June 24’s show with Girl In Red.
“We have always been a band that loves to play live in venues of all shapes and sizes,” says The Black Keys. “The past year has been tough for musicians and fans alike, so we wanted to find a way to share this live performance of songs from our new project, Delta Kream, from a place we love, the Blue Front Café, the oldest active juke joint in America. We’re excited to be a part of this new initiative with Spotify that will give fans a great way to connect with their favorite artists.”
With concerts and other in-person events beginning to ramp up, these shows will allow fans who are still uncomfortable or hesitant to experience and support their favorite artists while immersing themselves in a performance-style experience they crave.
Tickets to these 40-75-minute concerts are available to purchase for $15 (plus tax) now.
Lady A To Launch What A Song Can Do Tour In July
/by Lorie HollabaughLady A have revealed details about their upcoming Lady A: What A Song Can Do Tour, which launches July 29 in Uncasville, Connecticut with special guests Carly Pearce, Niko Moon and Tenille Arts.
The trio announced the tour during their appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today (May 19) and surprised audience members with tickets to the amphitheater run. The 34-city trek crosses the country with stops in Albuquerque, Phoenix, Syracuse, Salt Lake City, Boston, Jacksonville, and more through Oct. 10.
“This tour is really going to be about letting our fans know how much they mean to us and what music has done for all of us over the last year… which is the essence of the tour name. We started writing a song called ‘What A Song Can Do’ and it turned into a love-letter to our fans,” Lady A’s Charles Kelley says. “We are gonna soak up these moments on stage more than we ever have before. It’s gonna be hard to wipe the smiles off our faces and I’m sure the tears off Hillary’s. We were lucky enough to still release new music this past year but there are songs like ‘Champagne Night’ and ‘What If I Never Get Over You’ that we haven’t been able to play live much so we know those will make for some really special moments.”
A portion of the ticket sales will go towards LadyAID, the group’s fund which supports initiatives around the world ranging from helping vulnerable children, societal and cultural issues, as well as natural disaster aid and recovery.
Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, May 25 at 12 p.m. local time. Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Friday, May 28 at 10 a.m. local time at ladyamusic.com.
Lady A: What a Song Can Do Tour Dates:
07/29/21 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun
07/30/21 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
07/31/21 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
08/06/21 Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater
08/07/21 Rogers, AR – Walmart Amp
08/08/21 St Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
08/13/21 Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
08/14/21 Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheatre at Lakeview
08/15/21 Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
08/19/21 Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheatre
08/20/21 Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
08/21/21 West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
08/28/21 Tuscaloosa, AL – Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre***
08/29/21 Evansville, IN – Ford Center
09/02/21 Newport, KY – Ovation Concert Venue
09/03/21 Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival**
09/04/21 Columbus, OH – Express Live! Amp*
09/05/21 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE*
09/09/21 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheatre
09/10/21 Norman, OK – Lloyd Noble Center
09/11/21 New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheatre
09/16/21 Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
09/17/21 Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
09/18/21 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
09/23/21 Englewood CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
09/24/21 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
09/25/21 Las Vegas, NV – The Theatre at Virgin Hotels
09/30/21 Wilmington, NC – Riverfront Park Amphitheatre
10/01/21 Simpsonville, SC – CCNB at Heritage Park Amphitheatre
10/02/21 Alpharetta, GA – AmerisBank Amphitheatre
10/08/21 Erie, PA – Erie Insurance Arena
10/09/21 Albany, NY – Times Union Center
10/10/21 Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
* Carly Pearce Only
** Niko Moon Only
*** Carly Pearce and Niko Moon Only
Ronnie Bowman Extends Publishing Deal With Eclipse Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughEclipse General Manager of Publishing, Penny Gattis; Ronnie Bowman
Ronnie Bowman has renewed his global publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group.
Bowman has penned No. 1 hits for Brooks & Dunn and Kenny Chesney, and his songs have been recorded by Don Williams, Lee Ann Womack, Jake Owen, and, most recently, he had four songs on Marcus King’s Grammy-nominated record El Dorado. He also has three tracks on Chris Stapleton’s multi-Platinum album Traveller, including the ACM Song of the Year single “Nobody to Blame.”
A bluegrass household name, Bowman has been awarded International Bluegrass Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year three times, and has twice earned the IBMA Album of the Year (Carrying The Tradition and Cold Virginia Night.) He received the Gospel Performance of the Year award for “Three Rusty Nails” and, twice, IBMA Song of the Year for “Three Rusty Nails” and “Cold Virginia Night.”
“We are thrilled to continue our journey with Ronnie at Eclipse,” says Eclipse General Manager of Publishing, Penny Gattis. “Ronnie channels a special place when he makes music, refusing to write inside any box. He’s a quadruple threat with his vocals, world class musicianship, songwriting and performing and brings contagious excitement to every session.”
“I’m really thankful to be a part of the Eclipse Music family,” Ronnie added. “It’s been nothing but wonderful since I’ve been at Eclipse. It’s great to be a part of a team that is so genuine and authentic.”
Weekly Register: Gabby Barrett Takes No. 1 Country Song Spot For Third Consecutive Week
/by Lydia FarthingGabby Barrett. Photo: Robby Klein
This week, Warner Music Nashville’s Gabby Barrett cements her No. 1 position on the country song chart for the third week straight with “The Good Ones” at 7.8 million streams and a whopping 201 million RTD, according to Nielsen.
Luke Combs stays strong in second with “Forever After All” at 7.7 million, as well as Eric Church who keeps his No. 3 spot with “Hell Of A View” at 6.7 million. Rounding out the top five are Thomas Rhett‘s “What’s Your Country Song” and Sam Hunt‘s “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s,” both racking up 5.8 million.
Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album also maintains his spot at the top of the country album charts for the third consecutive week with 52K streams, according to Nielsen. Combs bumps up to No. 2 and No. 4 with What You See Is What You Get at 27K and This One’s For You at 18K, respectively. Taylor Swift creeps her way back up to the third spot with Fearless (Taylor’s Version) receiving 20K streams, while Rhett’s Country Again (Side A) falls to fifth with 14K.
Blake Shelton To Hit The Road In August On New Friends And Heroes Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughBlake Shelton has announced he’s heading back out on the road this August on the Friends and Heroes 2021 tour. The trek will feature special guest Lindsay Ell, along with appearances by Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd and Trace Adkins.
“A little over a year ago when the world shut down and we had to postpone the tour, I was already in Omaha getting ready for the show that night,” Shelton says. “I told you we would be back, and I’m thrilled to say we are kicking off the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour in Omaha. I’m giving everybody in every city plenty of notice – you might as well tell your boss you’re gonna be late to work the next day and pay that babysitter overtime, because we are going to play some country music for y’all until they turn on the lights. And that might not stop us! I’m excited to welcome Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd, Trace Adkins and my very special guest Lindsay Ell to the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour… see you there!”
Shelton will visit 16 cities on the new tour, including a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and a two-night residency in Washington D.C. as well as shows in Denver, Tulsa, Philadelphia, St. Louis and more through Oct. 2. Rescheduled dates from the 2020 run will honor previously purchased tickets, and additional tickets are currently on sale. All new dates will go on sale Thursday, June 10 at 10 a.m. local time.
The tour announcement comes as Shelton prepares to release his latest album, Body Language, on May 21. The 12-track studio album includes his 28th career No.1 smash “Happy Anywhere” featuring Gwen Stefani and current Top 15 and climbing single “Minimum Wage.”
Blake Shelton’s Friends And Heroes 2021 Dates:
Phil Guerini Joins Jonas Group Entertainment As CEO
/by LB CantrellPhil Guerini. Photo: Acacia Evans
Jonas Group Entertainment has announced that music industry power player Phil Guerini has joined the team as CEO, effective immediately.
Based in Nashville, Guerini will be at the helm of Jonas Group Entertainment. The company was founded in 2005 by Kevin Jonas, Sr., who was managing his sons, Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum selling group Jonas Brothers. Jonas Group Entertainment now houses entertainment, publishing, and marketing divisions, with offices in Nashville and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Guerini last oversaw music strategy for Disney Channels Worldwide networks, alongside all aspects of Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country. He played a vital role within three divisions and five businesses of The Walt Disney Company with highlights that include spearheading the development and launch of the annual Radio Disney Music Awards in 2013, and reimagining Radio Disney’s highly-acclaimed artist development program Next Big Thing (NBT). Prior to that he spent time in roles at radio stations in Miami and Atlanta, in addition to record labels like MCA Records, A&M Records, Chrysalis Records, and East West Records. He launched his career as a staff writer for the Miami Herald.
“Life is truly an unpredictable blessing and every once in a while, we’re lucky enough to experience a full circle moment. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have spent the last 28+ years of my career with the world’s leader in family entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, and I plan to bring that knowledge and experience to Jonas Group Entertainment,” Guerini says. “This dynamic organization is boldly redefining diversified management and the entertainment business model by integrating music, strategic partnerships, and content creation all done with a purpose. I had the honor of first meeting the Jonas family and working with Kevin, Joe, and Nick back in 2005, so it is extremely special that I now get to join forces with Kevin Jonas, Sr. to build something that I feel will be extraordinary. I want to thank Kevin Sr. and Jonas Group Entertainment for giving me this amazing opportunity. It feels like a homecoming and I’m very excited to begin this next chapter.”
“It is a great honor to have Phil Guerini join us as CEO of Jonas Group Entertainment. He has been an instrumental part of my family’s journey and was an early supporter of my sons before they experienced their tremendous success,” recalls Jonas, Sr., founder and chairman of Jonas Group Entertainment. “Phil is a force of nature; a true entertainment professional; a developer of talent and opportunities; a wealth of knowledge and experience; and a personal friend. Matching our current projects and talent with his tremendous leadership will assist in bringing Jonas Group Entertainment into its finest days. I am confident that we will move forward into incredible things with Phil leading the way.”
Jim Lauderdale To Release 34th Album ‘Hope’ In July
/by Lydia FarthingTwo-time Grammy Award-winning icon Jim Lauderdale will release Hope via Yep Roc Records on July 30. “The Opportunity To Help Somebody Through It,” the first single from the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s 34th album, is out now.
The 13-track album features songs about hope, courage, and perseverance with arrangements reminiscent of ’70s California folk-rock. From the encouraging and optimistic opening track “The Opportunity To Help Somebody Through It” to the frontline workers tribute of “Brave One” to “Breathe Real Slow,” a song inspired by Lauderdale’s devotion to tai chi and qigong, the album speaks to these times everyone experienced in the last 15 months.
“I wanted to get a musical message out there during this time of what we’ve all been going through, about the hope for better days ahead,” Lauderdale says. “If we can find any glimmers of hope, that really helps get you through another day.”
Hope was co-produced by Lauderdale and his longtime collaborator Jay Weaver and recorded at the fabled Blackbird Studios in Nashville with many of the tracks engineered by Blackbird Academy students. “That was a learning experience for me, too,” says Lauderdale. “I love the energy of working with such talented people just at the start of their careers. These kids are the future of our business.”
Hope Track List:
1, The Opportunity to Help Somebody Through It
2. Sister Horizon
3. The Brighter Side of Lonely
4. Mushrooms Are Growing After the Rain
5. Memory
6. Breathe Real Slow
7. Brave One
8. Don’t You Dream Anymore?
9. We Fade in We Fade Out
10. It’s Almost More Than All the Joy
11. Here’s to Hoping
12. When Searching for Answers
13. Joyful Noise
Asleep At The Wheel Celebrates 50th Anniversary With New ‘Better Times’ EP
/by Lorie HollabaughAsleep at the Wheel is releasing new music to kick off the celebration of their 50th anniversary this year. On May 28, the band will release a three-song EP, Better Times, produced by band leader Ray Benson via Bismeaux Records.
Benson sings lead vocals on the title track, a hopeful original penned while riding out the pandemic. Asleep at the Wheel vocalist and fiddler Katie Shore offers vocals on “All I’m Asking,” a rousing request to get back together, written by Band of Heathens’ Ed Jurdi and Gordi Quist, while Benson and Shore harmonize together on “Columbus Stockade Blues,” a traditional tune arranged in the spirit of Willie Nelson and Shirley Collie’s 1960s version.
Following the new EP’s release, Asleep at the Wheel will be hitting the road to celebrate with a run of shows that will take them from Texas’ legendary Gruene Hall on May 29, through Texas and Missouri, back down to College Station on June 20.
Maverick City Music, for King & Country, TobyMac, Zach Williams Lead K-LOVE Fan Awards Noms
/by Lorie HollabaughNominees have been announced for the upcoming 2021 K-LOVE Fan Awards on May 30.
Newcomers Maverick City Music lead the pack with four nods, including Group of the Year, Artist of the Year, Breakout Single of the Year and Worship Song of the Year. for KING & COUNTRY, TobyMac and Zach Williams follow close behind with three nominations each.
Vying for Artist of the Year honors will be Elevation Worship, for KING & COUNTRY, Lauren Daigle, Maverick City Music, TobyMac, and Zach Williams. Female Artist Of The Year nominees include Lauren Daigle, Kari Jobe, Leanna Crawford, Mandisa, Natalie Grant, and Riley Clemmons, while Male Artist Of The Year nominees are Crowder, Danny Gokey, Matthew West, Tauren Wells, TobyMac, and Zach Williams.
Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House will once again welcome the fan awards show, with Matthew West hosting, and airing on TBN at 7 p.m. CST on June 4. The awards caps off a weekend of celebration including a kick-off concert, the first in Nashville since March 2020, followed by a songwriter’s showcase, worship service and more.
Voting for this year’s K-LOVE Fan Awards is open now at klovefanawards.com/vote.
Male Artist of the Year
Crowder
Danny Gokey
Matthew West
Tauren Wells
TobyMac
Zach Williams
Kari Jobe
Lauren Daigle
Leanna Crawford
Mandisa
Natalie Grant
Riley Clemmons
Casting Crowns
Elevation Worship
for KING & COUNTRY
Maverick City Music
MercyMe
We The Kingdom
Andrew Ripp “Jericho”
CAIN “Rise Up”
Evvie McKinney “Look No Further”
Maverick City Music “Man Of Your Word”
We The Kingdom “Child of Love” (feat. Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE)
Chris Tomlin feat. Lady A “Who You Are To Me”
Cory Asbury “The Father’s House”
Maverick City Music “Man of Your Word”
Michael W. Smith “Waymaker”
Phil Wickham “Battle Belongs”
Tauren Wells feat. Jenn Johnson “Famous For (I Believe)”
Crowder “Good God Almighty”
Elevation Worship & Brandon Lake “Graves Into Gardens”
for KING & COUNTRY, Tori Kelly & Kirk Franklin “Together”
Kari Jobe “The Blessing” (feat. Cody Carnes)
TobyMac “Help Is On The Way (Maybe Midnight)”
Zach Williams & Dolly Parton “There Was Jesus”
Elevation Worship
for KING & COUNTRY
Lauren Daigle
Maverick City Music
TobyMac
Zach Williams
A Week Away
Church People
The Chosen
I Am Patrick
I Still BelieveBook Impact
Annie F.Downs “That Sounds Fun”
Bob Goff “Dream Big”
John L. Cooper “Awake & Alive To Truth”
Lecrae “I Am Restored”
Scotty McCreery Announces Headlining You Time Tour For This Summer
/by Lydia FarthingScotty McCreery. Photo: John Shearer
Delivering more than 130 online performances for fans, country radio, charitable events, and media outlets, Scotty McCreery has announced his headlining You Time Tour which will begin on June 18.
“This last year I was glad to get more ‘you time’ with my wife Gabi than ever before, as well as a lot of ‘you time’ with some of my favorite songwriters via zoom as we created new songs for the upcoming album,” reflects McCreery. “And now that we’re able to tour again, I cannot wait to get back on the road and have some ‘you time’ with fans this summer. This song’s message and timing really hit home for me and I hope we keep a few things like the intention of the time we spent with others this last year as we look ahead. I, for one, will never take going to a show or playing music live for fans for granted after this last year without it.”
The North Carolina native released “You Time” last September as the first single from his upcoming album which he plans to put out later this fall. Written by McCreery, Frank Rogers and Aaron Eshuis, the song is rising steadily, currently sitting at No. 23 on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Country Singles Chart.
McCreery will also join Old Dominion as direct support on select Live At The Ballpark Tour dates this summer and early fall. “I’m excited to reunite with Old Dominion for their Live At The Ballpark Tour,” says McCreery, who last toured with the band in 2019. “These guys are not only amazing performers but great people, and this tour will be a blast. Plus, having been a pitcher on my high school baseball team, performing in these ball parks will be like coming home.”
More 2021 dates will be announced soon.