Expect to See an Onstage Collaboration Between Keith Urban & Kelsea Ballerini During Graffiti U World Tour: “I Like Her Spirit”

Expect to See an Onstage Collaboration Between Keith Urban & Kelsea Ballerini During Graffiti U World Tour: “I Like Her Spirit”

Posted on June 13, 2018

On June 15 in St. Louis, Mo., Keith Urban will kick off his Graffiti U World Tour with opener Kelsea Ballerini. The 50-plus-date trek will make stops in Nashville, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, Toronto, Vancouver and more, before capping in Dallas on Nov. 3.

Keith’s tour will feature a new U-shaped stage that will bring his performance “into the audience,” giving many fans an up-close experience. In addition, attendees can expect to see an onstage collaboration between Keith and Kelsea.

“Yeah, I like her spirit, I like her music,” says Keith. “I think it’s gonna be a really compatible night’s music. And I’ll find [a song] that we can [perform] together as well. I love performing with whoever we’re out on the road with.”

“I remember hearing Keith Urban songs that stopped me in my tracks and made me want to drop everything and chase that kind of lyric and heart filled artistry,” says Kelsea. “He’s the best in the business and I can’t wait to fangirl and learn from him this year. Truly an honor to tour with him.”

Graffiti U World Tour

June 15
St. Louis, MO
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

June 16
Indianapolis, IN
Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center

June 22
Clarkston, MI
DTE Energy Music Theatre

June 23
Pittsburgh, PA
KeyBank Pavilion

June 27
Saratoga Springs, NY
Saratoga Performing Arts Center

June 29
Toronto, ON
Budweiser Stage

June 30
Toronto, ON
Budweiser Stage

July 5
Gilford, NH
Bank of NH Pavilion

July 8
Canandaigua, NY
CMAC

July 13
Salt Lake City, UT
USANA Amphitheatre

July 14
Denver, CO
Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

July 15
Albuquerque, NM
Isleta Amphitheater

July 20
Mountain View, CA
Shoreline Amphitheatre

July 21
Lake Tahoe, NV
Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys

July 22
Lake Tahoe, NV
Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys

July 27
Raleigh, NC
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

July 28
Charlotte, NC
PNC Music Pavilion

July 29
Alpharetta, GA
Verizon Amphitheatre

Aug. 3
Philadelphia, PA
BB&T Pavilion

Aug. 4
Mansfield, MA
Xfinity Center

Aug. 5
Bangor, ME
Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion

Aug. 10
Cleveland, OH
Blossom Music Center

Aug. 11
Bristow, VA
Jiffy Lube Live

Aug. 12
Virginia Beach, VA
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

Aug. 15
Rogers, AR
Walmart AMP*

Aug. 17
Kansas City, MO
Sprint Center

Aug. 18
Chicago, IL
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Aug. 19
Cincinnati, OH
Riverbend Music Center

Aug. 24
Nashville, TN
Bridgestone Arena

Aug. 25
Orange Beach, AL
The Wharf Amphitheater

Aug. 26
Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa Amphitheater

Sept. 7
Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun Arena

Sept. 8
Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun Arena

Sept. 12
Moncton, NB
Moncton Downtown Centre*

Sept. 14
Ottawa, ON
Canadian Tire Centre*

Sept. 15
London, ON
Budweiser Gardens*

Sept. 19
Winnipeg, MB
Bell MTS Place*

Sept. 21
Saskatoon, SK
SaskTel Centre*

Sept. 22
Edmonton, AB
Rogers Place*

Sept. 23
Calgary, AB
ScotiaBank Saddledome*

Sept. 25
Vancouver, BC
Rogers Arena*

Sept. 27
Eugene, OR
Matthew Knight Arena

Sept. 28
Boise, ID
Taco Bell Arena

Sept. 29
Missoula, MT
Adams Center

Oct. 4
Phoenix, AZ
Ak-Chin Pavilion

Oct. 5
Laughlin, NV
Laughlin Event Center

Oct. 12
Peoria, IL
Peoria Civic Center

Oct. 13
Minneapolis, MN
Target Center

Oct. 14
Grand Forks, ND
Ralph Engelstad Arena

Oct. 18
Toledo, OH
Huntington Center

Oct. 19
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena

Oct. 20
Louisville, KY
KFC Yum! Center

Oct. 24
Youngstown, OH
Covelli Centre

Oct. 25
Hershey, PA
Giant Center

Oct. 27
Brooklyn, NY
Barclays Center

Oct. 28
Charlottesville, VA
John Paul Jones Arena

Nov. 1
Little Rock, AR
Verizon Arena

Nov. 2
New Orleans, LA
Smoothie King Center

Nov. 3
Dallas, TX
American Airlines Center

* Lindsay Ell

Dan + Shay to Host Westwood One’s Fourth of July Holiday Special

Dan + Shay to Host Westwood One’s Fourth of July Holiday Special

Posted on June 13, 2018

Dan + Shay will deliver some fireworks of their own on July 4 as they co-host Westwood One’s holiday special, Celebrate the USA.

During the four-hour holiday special, the duo will share some of their Fourth of July memories and play tunes from their past catalog. In addition, the broadcast will feature summer-themed music from Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Sam Hunt, Jake Owen and more, who will also share some of their memorable Fourth of July moments.

Dan + Shay will drop their new self-titled album on June 22, which features the lead single, “Tequila.”

Stations can air Westwood One’s Celebrate the USA with Dan + Shay between June 30 and July 8, 6 a.m. to midnight. Check your local listings for air times.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Carrie Underwood to Headline Inaugural “Hot Country Live” Concert on July 4 in NYC With Dan + Shay

Carrie Underwood to Headline Inaugural “Hot Country Live” Concert on July 4 in NYC With Dan + Shay

Posted on June 13, 2018

Carrie Underwood will headline Spotify’s inaugural Hot Country Live concert on July 4 at New York’s The Rooftop at Pier 17. The new live concert series will serve as an extension of Spotify’s Hot Country playlist, which combines music and video into a single view, allowing users to listen to their favorite audio tracks and to watch interviews and music videos.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of Spotify’s first ever Hot Country Live show, and can’t wait to celebrate the holiday playing live music under the stars,” says Carrie.

Dan + Shay will open the concert on July 4, two weeks after the release of their new self-titled album on June. 22.

The Rooftop at Pier 17 boats a 1.5-acre rooftop with views of the East River bridges and room for up to 3,400 standing guests.

Future Hot Country Live concerts will be announced in the coming weeks.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Jimmy’s blog: 3 Knoxvillians help Tennessee win Southern Senior Cup

Jimmy’s blog: 3 Knoxvillians help Tennessee win Southern Senior Cup

Posted on June 13, 2018

By Jimmy Hyams

If you’re a Tennessee guy getting compared to an Alabama coach, you could do worse than Nick Saban.

That’s what some members of the Tennessee contingent playing in the annual Senior Southern Cup in Huntsville, Ala., called “coach’’ John Fritts after he made a rather intriguing lineup move.

Fritts “benched’’ Chris Groer in singles on the 35 team after Groer had won about 95 percent of his singles matches the previous nine years. Fritts’ hands were tied a bit since a lineup error did not allow Fritts to put Groer at No. 1 singles. Rather than play Groer at 2 singles, Fritts wanted to play doubles with Groer and deliver the deciding point if Tennessee were able to split singles against Georgia in the final.

No need.

Tennessee won each singles match to capture the title with John Chesworth of Knoxville winning at No. 1 over former Colombia Davis Cup player Eduardo Rincon 6-1, 6-4, and Sam Shorelucke of Memphis taking the No. 2 singles in three sets.

With the team title clinched, Fritts and Groer lost their doubles match 6-3, 6-3 to Mauirio Rovera and Brad Sceney, a former UT recruit who won the Australian Open Junior doubles title in 1992. Sceney is the all-time winningest player in Pepperdine history.

“I thought Chris and I were the best combo in doubles,’’ said Fritts, a former UT player.

Groer said team members gave Fritts a hard time about sitting Groer in singles.

Georgia “actually put in a different lineup than we expected, so it worked out perfectly,’’ Groer said. “We were calling Fritts the Nick Saban of adult team tennis.’’

Tennessee’s 35 team got a first-round walkover North Carolina, which withdrew two days before the event.

In the semifinals, Tennessee beat Alabama 2-1 as Chesworth (former Furman All-American) lost at No. 1 singles, Groer (former Vanderbilt star who played at Farragut High School) won at 2 singles and Fritts (who played at West High School) and Shorelucke won in doubles 7-5, 6-2.

Tennessee faced Georgia in the 35 final for the fourth year in a row. The teams have split at 2-2.

Tennessee won the team competition for the first time in at least a decade. Each of nine states entered teams in the 35, 45, 55, 65 and 75 divisions. The format called for two singles matches and one in doubles.

Tennessee had eight wins: two in the 35s, three in the 55s, one in the 65s and two in the 75s. Tennessee won the 35s and 55s.

Georgia had seven team wins to fall one short.

Besides Groer, Fritts and Chesworth, other Knoxville players competing were Bob Williams, John Gibson and Taylor Hamilton in the 45s, and Chuck Maland in the 65s.

Groer’s next competition will be the national 40 indoors in Cincinnati in August, where he has won singles three years in a row.

In July, Groer will find out if he’s made the U.S. World Team for the third time. He played two years ago in Croatia and last year in South African.

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

Little Big Town to Be the Subject of New Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit

Little Big Town to Be the Subject of New Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit

Posted on June 13, 2018

Little Big Town will be the subject of a yearlong exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

Opening on June 29, Little Big Town: The Power of Four will feature unique items that illuminate the personalities of group members Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook. The exhibit will also focus on the narrative that brought the four members together to form contemporary country music’s first two-woman, two-man vocal group.

“Having an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is something we would never have thought to dream of for ourselves,” says Karen. “It is beyond a dream come true. We are honored to be a part of country music, and are so thankful to all our fans, the music community here in Nashville and the museum for this privilege.”

Highlights of the exhibition include:

  • neon signs used for the cover photo of the album Pain Killer
  • instruments used in underwater scenes in the music video for “Pain Killer”
  • BCBG Max Azria linen sundress with crochet detail and Golden Goose boots worn by Karen when she married Jimi in a private ceremony in Nashville in 2006
  • clothes fitted with LED tube lighting worn by Little Big Town for their appearance at the 2014 CMA Awards
  • Gretsch Electromatic with silver-sparkle top played by Kimberly in performances of “Your Side of the Bed”
  • childhood memorabilia, including Karen’s high school cheerleading uniform, Jimi’s trumpet, Kimberly’s recital costume and a drawing by Phillip
  • a handmade Afghan ceramic pitcher, given to Phillip by an American soldier after Little Big Town performed at a small military base in isolated Tarinkot, Afghanistan

On June 26, Little Big Town will discuss their musical inspirations, creative process and career milestones in the museum’s CMA Theater. Tickets can be reserved on June 14 at 10 a.m. CT.

Little Big Town: The Power of Four runs from June 29, 2018, to June 9, 2019.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Good Week: Florida Georgia Line Lands 3 Songs in the Top 10, Wins CMT Award, Earns Trailblazer Award & Plays Nissan Stadium

Good Week: Florida Georgia Line Lands 3 Songs in the Top 10, Wins CMT Award, Earns Trailblazer Award & Plays Nissan Stadium

Posted on June 13, 2018

Saying Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley had a “good” week is a bit of an understatement.

FGL became the first country duo/group in history to score three simultaneous Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, which is calculated by compiling airplay, digital sales and streaming data. The duo’s collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “Meant to Be,” is currently No. 1 on the chart for a 28th week, while new single, “Simple,” is No. 5 and their joint effort with Morgan Wallen, “Up Down,” is No. 7.

The aforementioned chart success is one of the reasons Billboard honored FGL with the inaugural Trailblazer Award at its annual Country Power Players event on June 5. Tyler and Brian were bestowed the honor for their “forward-thinking approach to their art and business.”

One day after the Country Power Players event, FGL took home the CMT Music Award for Performance of the Year for their collaboration with the Backstreet Boys, “Everybody,” on CMT Crossroads.

Closing out their “good” week, Florida Georgia Line performed at CMA Fest’s Nissan Stadium on June 10 in front of a capacity crowd, enlisting some help from their cohorts—Backstreet Boys, Morgan Wallen and Bebe Rexha—during their set. Check out the photos below.

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

CMA Fest and Bonnaroo Are Scheduled for Separate Weekends in 2019

CMA Fest and Bonnaroo Are Scheduled for Separate Weekends in 2019

Posted on June 12, 2018

Two of Tennessee’s most popular music festivals—CMA Fest and Bonnaroo—won’t take place on the same June weekend in 2019, as they have for the past few years.

Nashville’s CMA Fest is scheduled for June 6–9, 2019, while Bonnaroo will materialize the following week, June 13–16, 2019.

Bonnaroo, which takes place in Manchester, Tenn., is approximately 65 miles southeast of Nashville. The two festivals draw tens of thousands of attendees each year (Bonnaroo: 65,000 in 2017; CMA Fest: 88,500 daily in 2016), usually forcing patrons—and artists—to pick one or the other when they take place concurrently.

This year’s Bonnaroo lineup only featured a handful of country stars—including Sturgill Simpson, Midland, Brothers Osborne and Ole Crow Medicine Show—while CMA Fest featured more than 300 country acts performing on 11 official stages.

Having the festivals on separate weekends may increase the number of country artists performing at Bonnaroo. We’ll have to wait until January for the Bonnaroo lineup announcement. Regardless, the news is great for all fans of music.

photo by Jason Simanek

Lauren Alaina & Jon Pardi to Co-Host the ACM Honors Ceremony on Aug. 22

Lauren Alaina & Jon Pardi to Co-Host the ACM Honors Ceremony on Aug. 22

Posted on June 12, 2018

The Academy of Country Music announced that Lauren Alaina and Jon Pardi will co-host the 12th annual ACM Honors ceremony, which will take place 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 and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event go on sale on June 15 at 10 a.m. CT.

The ACM Honors 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 Jason Simanek

19 of Our Favorite Photos From CMA Fest’s Four Nights at Nissan Stadium

19 of Our Favorite Photos From CMA Fest’s Four Nights at Nissan Stadium

Posted on June 12, 2018

CMA Fest 2018 may be gone, but it’s not forgotten.

Check out 19 of our favorite photos from four nights at Nissan Stadium, including pics of Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Brett Young, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Kelsea Ballerini, Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line with Bebe Rexha, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan and Dwight Yoakam.

All photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com.

photos by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Helps More Than 50 Dogs Finds Homes at CMA Fest Adoption Event

Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Helps More Than 50 Dogs Finds Homes at CMA Fest Adoption Event

Posted on June 12, 2018

Miranda Lambert may not have performed during Nashville’s CMA Fest on June 7–10, but her MuttNation Foundation put on quite a show.

MuttNation was was front and center each day from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. inside the Music City Center and helped 55 dogs find their forever homes. MuttNation teamed with the Nashville Humane Association to host the adoption event for the third year. Since its inception in 2016, more than 150 shelter dogs have been adopted through the drive.

“MuttNation’s mission is to promote the adoption of shelter pets, spay and neuter, and to let everyone know why these things are so important,” says Miranda. “Since country music fans are the most passionate people out there, CMA Fest is a great place to accomplish these goals. And it’s the world’s best feeling when you make the perfect match between a rescue and a new owner, knowing it’s creating such an incredible bond that will grow deeper and stronger every day. It just fills my heart with happiness to be part of something so special.”

In 2009, Miranda and her mom, Bev, started the MuttNation Foundation, an organization with the mission of ending animal suffering and homelessness on every front. The foundation has successfully raised millions of dollars to aid organizations, government institutions and entities that build animal shelters for better care and increased pet adoption.

photo by Jason Simanek

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