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Only One Country Artist Featured in Pollstar’s Top 10 Biggest Tours of 2018

Posted on July 19, 2018

Only one country star is featured in Pollstar’s Top 10 Tours of 2018.

Thy name is Kenny . . . Kenny Chesney, who clocked in at No. 8.

The list is based on how much money each tour has grossed from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2018, regardless of the number shows performed or ticket price. Kenny’s 25 gigs grossed $62.1 million, with the second lowest average ticket price—$87.18—in the Top 10.

Pollstar’s Top 10 Tours of 2018

Ed Sheeran
Bruno Mars
The Rolling Stones
Taylor Swift
Pink
Eagles
Justin Timberlake
Kenny Chesney
Roger Waters
U2

A handful of other country stars made Pollstar’s Top 100 list, including Luke Bryan (No. 31), Shania Twain (No. 47), Miranda Lambert (No. 60), Blake Shelton (No. 62), Tim McGraw/Faith Hill (No. 63), Chris Young (No. 88) and Little Big Town (No. 94).

photo by AFF-USA.com

Tegan Marie Announces Summer Tour Dates

Posted on July 19, 2018

Tegan Marie will embark on her first major tour this summer. The 14-year-old will make eight appearances in support of her new single, “I Know How to Make a Boy Cry.”

July 24 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa County Fairgrounds
July 31 – Broken Bow, NE – Custer County Fairgrounds
Aug. 4 – Marion, IL – Rent One Park
Aug. 14 – Des Moines, IA – Susan Knapp Amphitheater
Sept. 8 – Freehold, NJ – iPlay America’s Event Center
Sept. 9 – Dallas, PA – Luzerne County Fairgrounds
Sept. 27 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Music Hall
Sept. 28 – Topsfield, MA – Topsfield Fairgrounds

photo by Arroyo-O\’Connor/AFF-USA.com

Josh Abbott Serenades Wife Taylor With Heartfelt Wedding Song, “Taylor Made for Me”

Posted on July 19, 2018

Josh Abbott, frontman of the Josh Abbott Band, and Taylor Parnell tied the knot in front of 250 family and friends in Brazos Hall in Austin, Texas, on July 8.

After the wedding ceremony, Josh serenaded his new bride with a song he penned just for her: “Taylor Made for Me.”

“I wanted to write Taylor a song for this week and for this event, this awesome life moment we get to share with all of you,” said Josh. “And I wrote the first verse a few days ago. I wrote the rest of it this morning. And that’s how I think it needed to be.”

The couple welcomed daughter Emery Farryn Abbott into the world in May 2017 and got engaged in July 2017.

Watch Josh perform “Taylor Made for Me,” as part of the four-minute wedding clip.

photo courtesy of ILC Films/Shore Fire

Jimmy’s blog: Former UT quarterback charged with criminal simulation

Posted on July 19, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

Former Tennessee quarterback Sterling Henton as charged July 3 with criminal simulation for depositing a check worth more than $95,000.

Henton deposited the check June 13 at Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Clinton , according to the arrest warrant.

“I unknowingly deposited a bad check,’’ Henton told WNML radio Thursday afternoon. “No funds were taken. I just have to trust the process right now.’’

Henton’s court date is set for July 26.

The arrest warrant says the check – valued at $95,140 — came from Coda Ventures LLC, a market research firm in Nashville. Marianne Grogan, president and co-founder of Coda Ventures, told police the check was counterfeit and not from her business.

Rhett Carter, an investigative officer, said in the report that Henton admitted to depositing the check and was aware it wasn’t written for the correct amount.

Henton was booked and released July 17. His bond was set at $5,000.

Henton played quarterback for Tennessee from 1987-90. He has been a popular disc jockey at UT football games for the past several years.

A native of Passiac, N.J., Henton lives in Knoxville.

Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all

Dustin Lynch, Lauren Alaina, Cam, Jon Pardi & More to Perform at ACM Honors Ceremony

Posted on July 19, 2018

The Academy of Country Music announced its first round of performers and presenters for the 12th annual ACM Honors ceremony, which will take place on August 22 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The ceremony will recognize the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 53rd ACM Awards.

Performers include Lauren Alaina, Kassi Ashton, Cam, Deana Carter, Morgan Evans, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jon Pardi, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip. Presenters include Jordan Davis, Lindsay Ell, Lori McKenna and Storme Warren.

The ACM Honors, which will be hosted by Lauren Alaina and Jon Pardi, will pay tribute to a number of artists for their specific achievements, including Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Darius Rucker, Matraca Berg, Mickey and Chris Christensen, Eddie Miller, Rhett Akins, Rob Potts, Matraca Berg and Norro Wilson.

Check out the list of awardees, awards and past winners below.

Alan Jackson

Cliffie Stone Icon Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader who throughout their career has advanced the popularity of the genre through their contributions in multiple facets of the industry such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary works, philanthropic contributions and other goodwill efforts.
Past Winners: Alabama, Bob Beckham, Garth Brooks, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, George Strait, The Judds, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jerry Reed, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins, Kenny Rogers, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs, The Statler Brothers, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Wills and Dwight Yoakam.

Darius Rucker

Gary Harber Lifting Lives Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry professional who is devoted to improving lives through the power of music, has a generosity of spirit, and is committed to serving others, voted on by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors.
Past Winners: Brooks & Dunn, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy, Reba McEntire, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes and Carrie Underwood.

Sam Hunt

Gene Weed Milestone Award: This award is presented to a country music artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year.
Past Winners: Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kelsea Ballerini, George Burns, Kenny Chesney, Jeff Foxworthy, Merle Haggard, Gayle Holcomb, Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood.

Mickey Christensen, Chris Christensen and Eddie Miller (all awarded posthumously)

Mae Boren Axton Service Award: This award is presented to an outstanding country music artist, duo/group or industry leader in recognition of years of dedication and service to the Academy of Country Music.
Past Winners: Barry Adelman, John Dorris, Bob Kingsley, Reba McEntire, Tim DuBois, Rod Essig, Gayle Holcomb, Jack Lameier, Marge Meoli, Paul Moore, Ray Pilzak, Gaynelle Pitts, Keith Urban, Gene Weed, Tommy Wiggins and David Young.

Dierks Bentley

Merle Haggard Spirit Award: This award is presented to a singer-songwriter who is continuing the legacy of country legend and 20-time ACM Award Winner Merle Haggard by following his/her own path, crafting great songs and epitomizing Merle’s spirit through genuine performances and great storytelling.
Past Winners: Miranda Lambert, Eric Church.

Matraca Berg and Norro Wilson (awarded posthumously)

Poet’s Award: This award is presented to a country music songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career, with special consideration given to a song or songs’ impact on the culture of country music.
Past Winners: Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Shel Silverstein, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, Guy Clark, Jack Clement, Hank Cochran, Dean Dillon, Merle Haggard, Tom T. Hall, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Bob McDill, Roger Miller, Buck Owens, Eddie Rabbitt, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker, Jimmy Webb and Hank Williams.

Rhett Akins

Songwriter of the Year Award: This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter, selected by a Professional Panel of judges composed of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization representatives.
Past Winners: Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, and Roger Miller.

Rob Potts (awarded posthumously)

Jim Reeves International Award: This award recognizes an artist or industry leader for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world.
Past Winners: Joe Allison, Bill Boyd, Garth Brooks, Steve Buchanan, Joe Cates, Eric Church, Dick Clark, Roy Clark, Al Gallico, Merv Griffin, Jim Halsey, Alan Jackson, Ken Kragen, Lady Antebellum, Sam Louvello, Thurston Moore, Charlie Nagatani, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Rascal Flatts, Roy Rogers, Bob Saporiti, Louise Scruggs, Dinah Shore, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Jeff Walker, Jo Walker-Meador and Bill Ward.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Will Sam Hunt’s New Video for “Downtown’s Dead” Help It Rise Up the Charts? Nah, But It’s Still Cool [Watch]

Posted on July 19, 2018

Sam Hunt released one song in 2017: “Body Like a Back Road,” which just happened to be the biggest country song of year. The tune was the best-selling country song in 2017, spent a record 34 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

Sam followed up the release of “Body Like a Back Road” by dropping “Downtown’s Dead” in May, which has since peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart (June 11) and is currently No. 18.

From the look of things, No. 15 is as good as it’s gonna get for “Downtown’s Dead,” as Sam’s label, MCA Nashville, is reportedly “off the song,” which means country radio stations probably won’t have it in heavy rotation anymore. Of the six previous singles Sam has released via MCA Nashville—sans “Downtown’s Dead”—five have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, while “Break Up in a Small Town” peaked at No. 2.

Nonetheless, Sam dropped a new video for “Downtown’s Dead” on July 18, which features him cruising the streets of Bernal, Mexico, via his favorite mode of transportation: motorcycle. You can check out the new video below, but don’t be surprised if Sam announces a new single in the coming weeks, perhaps “Nothing Lasts Forever,” a new tune he has mentioned in previous interviews.

photo by Jason Simanek

Garth Brooks Drops More Hints About Upcoming Gigs: “We’re Touring in a Way I’ve Never Toured Before”

Posted on July 19, 2018

Earlier this month, Garth Brooks announced he will play an upcoming show at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana—making the G-man the first artist to play a concert on the hallowed field. While a date for the event still hasn’t been announced, Garth has hinted that his upcoming “tour” will be cut from the same cloth as the Notre Dame show, which means we can expect more unique venues and interesting locations.

According to Garth’s latest Inside Studio G Facebook series, he’s going to tour in “a way I’ve never toured before”—a definite change from his exhaustive World Tour (390 shows) that launched in 2014 and capped in 2017.

“You’re gonna have—we’re all going to have—plenty of time in between each gig,” says Garth. “We’ll be able to do a gig . . . the crew will come home, be with their family, and then we’ll run out to another gig. Very rarely, if ever, will there be back-to-back gigs on this one. So, we will be bouncing around, but these are going to be individual events . . . hopefully incorporating the traditions of where we’re playing, which makes them each their own. This should be pretty cool. And when I say we’re touring in a way I’ve never toured before, that would definitely be one of the first steps.”

Watch Garth’s Inside Studio G below.

photo by Jason Simanek

Watch Eric Church Deal, Drive & Deliver in New “Desperate Man” Video

Posted on July 19, 2018

Eric Church dropped a new video for his current single, “Desperate Man.”

Directed by Reid Long and John Peets, the new clip features Eric evading agents from “EMI”—which happens to be the name of his label—as he and the song’s co-writer, Ray Wylie Hubbard, embark on a mission to distribute music to the people.

“Excitement for new music from my favorite artists is a feeling I can remember from my formative years,” says Eric. “The unknown and the possibilities of the anticipation are one of the true joys of music. Well, even though how we discover songs from our favorite performers may have evolved, the feeling remains the same.”

Eric’s upcoming album, Desperate Man, is scheduled to be released on Oct. 5.

The new album will be Eric’s first since 2015’s Mr. Misunderstood, which won the CMA Album of the Year in 2016 and spawned the No. 1 hit, “Record Year.”

Watch the video for “Desperate Man” below.

photo by Jason Simanek

Video: Vols WR Marquez Callaway at #SECMD18

Posted on July 19, 2018

Here’s Vols wide receiver Marquez Callaway visiting with the media in the Electronic Media Room Wednesday in Atlanta at the 2018 SEC Football Media Days.