Tag Archive for: featured-2

Apple Unveils iCloud Service

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If good things come to those who wait, then Apple is finally ready to reward us by unveiling the long-awaited, long-speculated iCloud today (6/6). Steve Jobs led the presentation at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco.
The iCloud service will store users’ digital files online and automatically push them to iOS-based devices such as iPhones, iPads, PCs or Macs. Apple Mail, Calendar and Contacts will now update automatically on all devices. Users automatically get 5GB of free storage, but purchased music, apps, books and photos will not count against the total.
Much of the speculation about iCloud has centered around Apple’s iTunes, which will now allow users who have purchased songs from iTunes to re-download from the cloud to other iOS-based devices at no charge. For an additional charge of $25 annually, users can try iTunes Match which scans a music library for files not purchased in the store and upgrades them to 256kbps AAC format. For tracks not matched in the store, a manual upload is available.
Additionally, the App Store will use iCloud to put all downloaded apps on every available device. Purchased books will be synced. Users will be able to create documents, spreadsheets or presentations which can then be stored and accessed via the cloud. A new application called Photo Stream will allow photos to by synced across all devices, but cloud storage is limited to the last 1000 photos.
The iCloud service will be free for use on devices running iOS5, which is expected out in fall.

ACM Announces Executive Promotions

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(L-R): Tiffany Moon, Michelle Goble, Erick Long


The Academy of Country Music today (6/6) announced the promotions of Tiffany Moon, Michelle Goble and Erick Long. The executives are based out the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, CA, and their promotions fall under the organization’s new corporate title structure implemented last year.
Moon has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Managing Director. In her increased role, she will manage the office on an executive level, and will continue to oversee ticketing surrounding the Academy’s televised initiatives. She will report directly to Academy CEO Bob Romeo and will liaise with the Board of Directors in her continued capacity as Secretary to the Board, a post she has held for six years. She joined the Academy in 2003 as a project manager, a role that included managing all finance and accounting operations, overseeing ticketing surrounding the Academy of Country Music Awards, along with administering the Academy’s charitable initiatives.
Goble has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Membership & Events. She has managed the Academy’s Membership & Events departments since her hire in 2007, handling ACM Awards balloting and voting criteria. In addition, Goble has produced and elevated premiere events such as ACM Honors, ACM stage for the National Finals Rodeo, concerts on Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, and most recently on the first-ever ACM Fan Jam during the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
Long is taking on additional responsibilities and has been named Vice President, Operations. He joined the Academy in 2009, and this title change acknowledges his increased role in managing all ACM operations – including day-to-day oversight of the Academy’s office building in Encino, Awards show credentialing, and security.
“I’m excited about the Academy’s evolution over the past several years,” said Romeo. “With these changes in our organization, we can continue to support artists and engage fans through our membership, events and television properties. This, in turn, will sustain ACM Lifting Lives, which remains at the center of all Academy initiatives.”

Lauren Alaina Notches Strong Debut

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Lauren Alaina


The first recordings from American Idol finalist Lauren Alaina are scoring big with fans. A compilation album of her performances from the television show ranked No. 9 on the Billboard Digital Albums and Country Albums charts for sales of 10,651 units. She is signed to Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope.
Her single, “Like My Mother Does,” debuted at No. 11 on the Digital Songs chart and No. 20 on the Hot 100 chart for sales of 121,204, making it the highest debut for a second-place finalist in six years.
Lauren will begin recording her debut album this week in Nashville, where she is scheduled for appearances at the CMA Music Festival, CMT Music Awards, City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game, and the Grand Ole Opry.
She will join the American Idols Live tour that begins July 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and runs through September. Lauren is also set for a Aug. 12 performance on ABC’s Good Morning America.

Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Is A Rowdy Good Time

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When Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour stopped at The Woods at Fontanel in Nashville Friday night (6/3), it was easily in the mid-90s. Which, when paired with some serious outlaw country, helps explain why the event was such a rowdy good time.

Brantley Gilbert, Craig Campbell, and Randy Houser. Photo: Alan Mayor


Back for its second year and now co-branded with Nelson, the Country Throwdown Tour—organized by the same folks who put on the Vans Warped Tour—is set to hit 24 cities through early July. Performers at The Woods included Nelson and outlaw heirs-apparent Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Craig Campbell, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and Drake White. Jack Ingram is supposed to join the trek later in June.
The tour also added a Bluebird Café component to showcase some of Nashville’s noted songwriters including Adam Hood, Austin Lucas, Brent Cobb, Caitlyn Smith, Dani Flowers, and Erin Enderlin.
The move to partner the tour with Nelson seems to have paid off, as the Woods amphitheater appeared close to its capacity for most of the evening. Lines to the beer vendors filled the pathways, and the queues for hot dog or barbecue vendors were even longer. Early in the evening, performances bounced back and forth between the main stage and smaller second stage near the festival entrance. At sunset, all the action shifted to the main stage.

Lee Brice performing. Photo: Alan Mayor


Just before 6 pm, Brice and band bashed out a gutsy, passionate set including his mega hit “Love Like Crazy” and his Garth Brooks mega-hit “More Than A Memory.”
Over on the second stage, Gilbert whipped the standing audience into a frenzy, rocking out on his songs “Dirt Road Anthem” (now a Jason Aldean hit) and “Country Must Be Country Wide.” By this point, audience members were removing clothing and the beer was flowing freely.
Houser followed on the main stage, showcasing his big, soulful voice. The audience was treated to his hits “Whistlin’ Dixie” and “Boots On,” as well as a lighter-worthy version of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.”
A handful of the songwriters, who had showcased earlier in the day, took the stage during the equipment changeover and played a few original tunes in-the-round. Then it was Jamey Johnson’s turn.
And this was clearly Johnson’s audience, who roared with approval when he started his set with “High Cost of Living” from That Lonesome Song. The crowd hung on his every word, sang every chorus, and generally went nuts with every new tune he introduced. His hard-earned underdog stance resonated with these folks, and he made sure not to disappoint.
For “In Color,” Johnson brought his daughter out to sing along which was both unbelievably cute and oddly affecting. Houser came back out to duet with him on “Can’t Cash My Checks.” And just for good measure, he threw in a swingin’ cover of “Tulsa Time.”
Around 9:30, it was time for the main event. Unlike some of the previous artists, Willie used the stripped down approach on this stage. His drummer just uses a snare and some other basic pieces, his sister Bobbi is at the piano, and his familiar old classical guitar never leaves his body.
The hour-long set wasn’t nearly enough for Willie to thoroughly cover his extensive career, but he brought out the big guns. “Whiskey River,” “Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground,” “On The Road Again,” “Always On My Mind” were all present and then some. He was joined by Johnson, Houser and a whole cast of others for a rousing finale on “I’ll Fly Away.”
Yes, it was unbelievably hot, sticky and grimy on Friday but it hardly mattered. With musical performances this soul-satisfying, Throwdown audiences nationwide are sure to be pleased, even if they have to strip down to stay cool.

The festival crowd and view of the second stage. Photo: Alan Mayor

Forecast: iCloudy With A Chance of New Revenues

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In what may come to be viewed as a music industry watershed moment, just like the invention of the phonograph, the CD, Napster and the iTunes store, Apple has come to terms with record labels and music publishers to be able to launch its iCloud music service. The upfront cost, reportedly close to $150 million will enable the technology giant to create an online storage environment that eventually should give users a chance to experience and enjoy a “jukebox in the sky.” Once in the cloud, users can access music from a variety of locations and across all hardware platforms. According to the New York Post, Apple paid each of the four labels between $25 and $50 million each.
Actual details of the new iCloud service remain speculative until Monday June 6 when Apple will reveal all during its keynote address at WWDC (Apple Worldwide Developers Conference) in San Francisco. Apple CEO Steve Jobs is expected to be on hand to participate in the presentation.
Insiders are reporting that music companies will take 70% of the iCloud fees with 12% going to music publishers and 68% going to labels to be shared with artists, etc. Apple will hold the remaining 30%. CNet reports that Universal was the last label to agree to participate in the iCloud deal. Until the size of the revenue stream becomes clear it is too early to judge, but according to the math, publishers will now have a 17% share of royalty revenue collected (12÷70=17%).
A key feature of the new system is called scan and match which frees users from having to upload the songs, which can be highly time intensive.Instead it scans a users hard drive and then matches the music to the cloud’s master library.

Paisley's World Tour Launches Today

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Following a No. 1 single (“Old Alabama”) and album (This Is Country Music), reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley will launch his H20 II: Wetter & Wilder World Tour today (6/3) in Virginia Beach, VA. He’ll follow that performance with another tomorrow (6/4) in Hartford, CT. The 30 city trek includes four stadiums and overseas visits to London, Dublin, Stockholm, Oslo and more. Blake Shelton and Jerrod Niemann will join Paisley on the road. Full dates are included below.
H2O II will bring back the popular “Water World Plaza” which turns every concert event into a water festival. The “Water World Plaza Stage” will offer up-and-comers Edens Edge, Sunny Sweeney, Brett Eldredge and the JaneDear girls (on select dates) a chance to showcase their talents for concertgoers. Each tour stop opens at 4 pm and music begins at 5 pm.
H2O II: Wetter & Wilder World Tour Dates:
June 3 — Farm Bureau Live at VA Beach (Virginia Beach, VA)
June 4 — Comcast Theatre (Hartford, CT)
June 11 — Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
June 16 — Riverbend Music Center (Cincinnati, OH)
June 17 — Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (St. Louis, MO)
June 18 — Verizon Wireless Music Center (Indianapolis, IN)
June 24 — Wild West Arena-Nebraskaland Days (North Platte, NE)**
June 25 — Tuttle Creek State Park (Manhattan, KS)**
July 2 — Lavell Edwards Stadium (Provo, UT)*
July 9 — Cavendish Beach Music Festival (Cavendish, P.E.I.)**
July 15 — PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ)
July 16 — Comcast Center (Boston, MA)
July 17 — Scarborough Downs (Scarborough, ME)
July 22 — Toyota Pavilion (Scranton, PA)
July 23 — Darien Lakes PAC (Darien Lakes, NY)
July 30 — Pizza Hut Park (Frisco, TX)
August 4 — WE Fest (Detroit Lakes, MN)**
August 6 — First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre (Chicago, IL)
August 7 — Columbus Crew Stadium (Columbus, OH)
August 17 — O2 Arena (London, UK)*
August 19 — Olympia Theatre (Dublin, IRE)*
August 24 — Cirkus (Stockholm, SWE)*
August 26 — Spektrum (Oslo, NOR)*
August 27 — Lisebergshallen (Goteburg, SWE)*
August 28 — Forum (Copenhagen, DEN)*
September 9 — 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre (Tampa, FL)
September 10 — Cruzan Amphitheatre (West Palm Beach, FL)
September 23 — Susquehanna Bank Center (Philadelphia, PA)
September 24 — Jiffy Lube Live (Washington, DC)
September 25 — Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion (Raleigh, NC)
*Paisley only shows.
**Paisley, Shelton, Niemann only

Paisley and Sony Music Nashville staff celebrate the No. 1 debut of “This Is Country Music” at the label group’s offices. (L-R): SMN SVP Promotion Skip Bishop, SMN Chairman & CEO Gary Overton, Paisley, SMN VP Sales Kerri Fox-Metoyer, Fitgerald-Hartley’s Bill Simmons, SMN SVP Marketing Paul Barnabee.

Scotty McCreery Makes History With Debut Single

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Mercury Nashville artist and American Idol champ Scotty McCreery’s “I Love You This Big” debuted at No. 32 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, the highest debut for a new artist’s first single since the chart began using BDS in 1990.
“I am humbled and shocked by this news,” says Scotty. “I can’t tell you what it means to me to be on the same charts as my musical heroes. I want to thank my fans and especially country radio for their support. I continue to be amazed by everything that has happened to me in such a short time.”
The song, which hit No. 1 on iTunes, reached No. 3 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart with 171,404 units sold.
“This is such a special song to me, so I am thrilled that it is getting such a great reception at country radio. What I love about ‘I Love You This Big’ is that it can mean different things to different people. It could be about the relationship between a couple in love or a parent and child.”
Scotty will be in Nashville next week to begin recording his debut album. He will present at the CMT Music Awards on Wednesday and participate in other CMA Music Festival activities, including the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday, June 11. He will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday, June 10.
He will also perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on June 15, Good Morning America on August 12, and is featured on the American Idols Live Tour that begins July 6.

Weekly Chart Report (6/03/11)

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SPIN ZONE

Way Out West artist Shawna Russell hung out in the studio recently with Dusty Edwards (L) at KREK in Bristow, Oklahoma, to promote her latest single "Get Right Or Get Left."


A scant nine weeks is all it took for Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” to make the top of the charts. It’s been on a rapid climb since its ACM Awards debut, and scoots ahead of last week’s No. 1, “Mean” by Taylor Swift. Justin Moore will also be vying for a No. 1 soon as “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” edges up to No. 3. Toby Keith’s “Somewhere Else” sits tight at No. 4, and Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” packs on 100 new spins to move up to No. 5.
Disproving all the naysayers, Scotty McCreery’s “I Love You This Big” (19 Ent./Mercury) gets a big 415 spin jolt and earns our Power Chart Debut at No. 59. McCreery’s fellow AI castmate Lauren Alaina is right outside the Top 80 with “Like My Mother Does,” which should make its first appearance in the next chart.

The Valory Music Co. artist Brantley Gilbert recently stopped by Detroit's WYCD to share some of his new music. Gilbert’s single “Country Must Be Country Wide” is currently No. 33 on the CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): Gilbert, WYCD PD Tim Roberts


It might be a little tight at the top of the chart, but there’s room for movement in the second half. Brad Paisley’s “Remind Me” featuring Carrie Underwood is off to a great start, zooming up to No. 42 in its second week. Phil Vassar’s “Let’s Get Together” is also on the move as it jumps to No. 51. Ash Bowers’ “I Still Believe In That” moves No. 54-50, Jennette McCurdy’s “Generation Love” is up to No. 55, and Jerrod Niemann’s “One More Drinkin’ Song” makes a strong debut at No. 72
Frozen Playlists: KBCR, KICR, KITX, KNCQ, KVVP, WBYZ, WCMS, WHWK, WKDZ, WKWS, WTCM, WTCR
RADIO NEWS

Cadillac Jack


KCYE/Las Vegas MD and host of Westwood One’s syndicated Stars of Country Cadillac Jack has signed a management deal with Josh Robbins (JR-Management) of BNA Talent Group in Nashville. Cadillac Jack’s career includes time in Detroit, Washington DC, and Philadelphia. He was a finalist for CMA Personality of the Year Award in 2001. Projects in the works under this management deal include a television series with help from Nashwood Productions. Contact Robbins at [email protected].
The New Mexico Broadcasters Association named MusicRow reporter KGRT/Las Cruces its 2011 Station of the Year. This is the station’s third win in the last five years, and they collected seven total awards including best Public Service Campaign, Complete Newscast Station, and Sports Play By Play.

KSMA/Mason City, IA recently helped raise funds for a local Relay For Life team, which smashed its original goal of $330 by raising over $2,500. KSMA OM J. Brooks helped motivate the fundraisers by offering to wear lipstick and kiss a pig if they raised over $1,800. Brooks followed through on his promise, and even sent us photos of the humiliation.


WZZS/Zolfo Springs, FL has hired Billy Brown to take over PD/MD duties, effective Monday 6/6. He replaces BJ Odom, who will take on a part time role voicetracking afternoons as he focuses on touring with his stand-up comedy. Reach Billy at [email protected].
WQRB/Eau Claire, WI’s morning team Mike McKay & Donuts was recently selected as Wisconsin’s Best Morning Show, Medium Market, by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. Congratulate them at mikemckay@clearchannel.
 





Upcoming Singles
June 6
Jerrod Niemann/One More Drinkin’ Song/Sea Gayle/Arista
Big & Rich/Fake ID/Warner Bros.
Craig Campbell/Fish/Bigger Picture
LoCash Cowboys/You Got Me/R&J Records
June 13
Kellie Pickler/Tough/BNA
Lisa Matassa/Me Time/It Is What It Is/Nine North
• • • • •




New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Scotty McCreery/I Love You This Big/19 Ent./Mercury — 59
Jerrod Niemann/One More Drinkin’ Song/Arista — 72
Corey Wagar/Hurricane/GTR — 80
Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Scotty McCreery/I Love You This Big/19 Ent./Mercury — 415
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista — 328
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol — 301
Kenny Chesney feat. Grace Potter/You And Tequila/BNA — 255
Lady Antebellum/ Just A Kiss/Capitol — 227
On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
David St. Romain/Twenty Years Late/Aria/Turnpike — 175
Jody Booth /Golddigger/Vigilante Music — 171
Lauren Alaina/Like My Mother Does — 170
Hunter Hayes/Storm Warning/Atlantic/Warner — 169
Shawna Russell/Get Right or Get Left/Way Out West Records — 164
Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Scotty McCreery/I Love You This Big/19 Ent./Mercury — 33
Brad Paisley feat. Carrie Underwood/Remind Me/Arista — 20
Darius Rucker/I Got Nothin’/Capitol — 18
Phil Vassar/Let’s Get Together/Rodeowave — 14
Lauren Alaina/Like My Mother Does/19 Ent./Mercury — 11

Kenny Chesney visited with friends in radio backstage before the 'Goin Coastal' show in Columbia, SC. (L-R): WNOK APD/MD JR Reed; WCOS APD/MD Andy Woods; Chesney; WKXC OM/PD Tee Gentry.


Jason Jones (Warner Bros./WMN/New Revolution) stopped in to visit with KVOO/ Tulsa on his recent radio tour to support of his single “Ferris Wheel.” (L-R): KVOO’s Sunny Leigh, Jones, and KVOO PD Luke Jensen.

Shania Debuts First Single in Six Years

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The Oprah Winfrey Network will host the world premiere superstar Shania Twain’s first new music in six years a song titled, “Today Is Your Day.” The event takes place during the final episode of “Why Not? with Shania Twain” airing Sunday, June 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
As is fast becoming the custom, labels are treating single releases like an album launch. As a result, the song will be available on iTunes [exclusively] immediately following the Sunday premiere. Mercury Nashville will service the song to country radio stations after the show’s airing.
“Today Is Your Day” is the first song Twain has written solo in six years, and the creation process for the single was documented throughout the docu-series Why Not? with Shania Twain currently airing Sundays on OWN. Twain is seen as she works through the lyrics, meets with vocal doctors and a grief counselor and embarks on unexpected adventures throughout North America that test her courage and self-confidence in an effort to reclaim her life.
In an all new episode titled “Finding My Voice” airing this Sunday, June 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, Twain has a one-on-one vocal training session with legendary vocal coach Eric Vetro before meeting with famed music producer David Foster to discuss producing her new single “Today is Your Day.” The song was ultimately produced by Twain and Nathan Chapman.
Twain then reaches the end of her tour on Sunday, June 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT in the finale episode titled “Endless Love,” as she marries Frederic Thiebaud and shares never-before-seen wedding footage from the Bahamas. As Twain faces her final challenge, recording a duet of “Endless Love” with superstar Lionel Richie, she reflects on the journey that has brought her to this point in her life.
A five-time Grammy Award winner, Twain has also achieved major success as a songwriter, winning 27 BMI Songwriter awards. To date, she has sold over 75 million albums worldwide, including more than 50 million in the U.S., making her the top-selling female country artist of all time.
 
 

Rascal Flatts Announce Flatts Fest Tour

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Rascal Flatts will launch its new tour Flatts Fest on June 18 in Bristow, Virginia, and the trek will take the trio to 23 total cities with opening acts Sara Evans, Easton Corbin and Justin Moore. Full dates are included below.
The tour promises to be an entire experience, with a karaoke challenge, a wedding chapel, a scavenger hunt and more. The “Flatts Fest Karaoke Challenge” will offer fans a chance to open for Rascal Flatts at one of their 2012 tour stops, depending on winner’s hometown. Radio and label personnel will be on hand to judge the talent, and the winner will get to meet the band backstage and have his or her performance played during the show. The grand prize winner receives a trip to the Smoky Mountains to record a CD courtesy of the Chartbuster Experience, as well as opening one show of Flatts’ 2012 tour.
One listener will also be able to take the hand of the one they love at the “Flatts Fest Why Wait Chapel,” in the middle of the pre-show festivities. Local stations will pre-qualify five listeners for the ceremony, and one winner’s name will be drawn before the show. The winning couple will get to meet the band backstage and will be entered in the grand prize drawing for a honeymoon trip to Las Vegas.
The fun doesn’t stop there. The “Flatts Fest Scavenger Hunt” lets attendees use their cell phones and on-site wi-fi to hunt down signs for chances to win a prize. Fans can also stop by the Fan Zone to check out the Rascal Flatts museum with music videos and photo opportunities.
2011 Rascal Flatts/Flatts Fest dates:
6-18 — Bristow, VA (Jiffy Lube Live)
6-19 — Virginia Beach, VA (Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach)
6-24 — Oshkosh, WI** (Country Festival USA)
6-25 — Chicago, IL (First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre)
6-26 — Maryland Heights, MO (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
7-8 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH (Blossom Music Center)
7-9 — Camden, NJ (Susquehanna Bank Center)
7-17 — Craven, SK** (Craven Country Jamboree)
7-22 — Cincinnati, OH (Riverbend Music Center)
7-23 — Noblesville, IN (Verizon Wireless Music Center)
7-24 — Twin Lakes, WI** (Country Thunder Festival)
7-28 — Atlanta, GA (Lakewood)
7-29 — Charlotte, NC (Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre)
7-30 — Raleigh, NC (TWC Music Pavilion)
8-4 — Detroit, MI (DTE Energy Music Theatre)
8-6 — Detroit Lakes, MN** (WE Fest)
8-11 — Hartford, CT (Comcast Theatre)
8-12 — Darien Lake, NY (Darien Lakes PAC)
8-13 — Ottawa, ONT** (Rideau Carelton Raceway-OLG Slots Casino)
8-19 — Tampa, FL (1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre)
8-20 — West Palm Beach, FL (Cruzan Amphitheatre)
8-27 — Oro Station, ONT** (Burls Creek Family Event Park)
9-9 — Salt Lake City, UT (USANA Amphitheatre)
9-10 — Denver, CO (Comfort Dental Amphitheatre)
9-11 — Albuquerque, NM (HardRock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion)
9-15 — Sacramento, CA (Sleep Train Amphitheatre)
9-16 — Mountain View, CA (Shoreline Amphitheatre)
9-17 — San Bernardino, CA (San Manuel Amphitheatre)
9-18 — San Diego, CA (Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre)
**Not a Flatts Fest date