Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Achieving the triple crown of concert stages (amphitheaters to arenas to stadiums), four-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan kicked off summer with back-to-back stadium shows over the weekend hitting 100,000 fans in two countries. Named Billboard Music Awards Top Country Tour, Luke brought his WHAT MAKES YOU COUNTRY TOUR XL STADIUM SIZED to Rogers Centre in Toronto and MetLife Stadium outside New York City. The tour will continue through the end of October with 40+ concerts including 11 additional stadium shows. WATCH HERE

And just in time for the summer season, Luke has released “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” from his What Makes You Country album recently debuting it on American Idol’s season finale. The song, written by Zach Crowell, Ryan Hurd and Chase McGill, is the follow up to Luke’s 20^th career #1 single “Most People Are Good.” Find it here–http://strm.to/SunriseSunburnSunset

“What Makes You Country Tour”

DATE                     CITY                                                 VENUE
6/9                          Myrtle Beach, SC                                Carolina Country Music Fest

6/10                        Nashville, TN                                        CMA Music Festival

6/14                        Columbia, MD                                     Merriweather Post Pavilion

6/15                        N Lawrence, OH                                  Country Fest Ohio

6/16                        Cincinnati, OH                                    Great American Ball Park              XL STADIUM SIZED

6/21                        West Palm Beach, FL                         Coral Sky Amphitheatre

6/22                        Jacksonville, FL                                   Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena

6/23                        Tampa, FL                                           Raymond James Stadium                XL STADIUM SIZED

6/28                        Raleigh, NC                                          Coastal Credit Union Music Park

6/29                        Charlotte, NC                                       PNC Music Pavilion

6/30                        Pittsburgh, PA                                     Heinz Field                                          XL STADIUM SIZED

7/6                          Boston, MA                                          Fenway Park                                       XL STADIUM SIZED

7/8                          Cavendish, PE                                      Cavendish Beach Music Festival

7/14                        Calgary, AB                                          The Calgary Stampede

7/15                        Craven, SK                                           Country Thunder

7/20                        Monticello, IA                                      Great Jones County Fair

7/21                        Minneapolis, MN                                Target Field                                        XL STADIUM SIZED

7/22                        Twin Lakes, WI                                   Country Thunder

7/25                        Lake Tahoe, NV                                  Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s

7/26                        Paso Robles, CA                                  California Mid-State Fair

7/28                        Los Angeles, CA                                  Dodger Stadium                                 XL STADIUM SIZED

8/1                          Rogers, AR                                            Walmart AMP

8/2                          Omaha, NE                                           Century Link Center

8/4                          Denver, CO                                          Sports Authority Field at Mile High XL STADIUM SIZED  

8/17                        Syracuse, NY                                        Lakeview Amphitheater

8/18                        Bristow, VA                                          Jiffy Lube Live

8/19                        Saratoga Springs, NY                          Saratoga PAC

8/24                        Indianapolis, IN                                   Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center

8/25                        St Louis, MO                                       Busch Stadium                                    XL STADIUM SIZED

8/26                        Kansas City, MO                                 Sprint Center

9/1                          Chicago, IL                                          Wrigley Field                                      XL STADIUM SIZED

9/7                          Houston, TX                                         Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

9/8                          Dallas, TX                                             Dos Equis Pavilion

9/13                        Rapid City, SD                                     Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

9/14                        Billings, MT                                          Rimrock Auto Arena

9/19                        Missoula, MT                                       Big Sky Brewing

9/20                        Boise, ID                                               Ford Idaho Center

10/11                     Portland, OR                                         Moda Center

10/12                     Seattle, WA                                           White River Amphitheater

10/13                     Vancouver, BC                                   BC Place Stadium                              XL STADIUM SIZED

10/25                     Rochester, NY                                      Blue Cross Arena

10/26                     Detroit, MI                                           Ford Field                                            XL STADIUM SIZED

Sam Hunt joins the tour as the special guest on all stadium shows along with Jon Pardi. Additional openers include Morgan Wallen (May-August), Carly Pearce (September & October) and DJ Rock. Please check www.lukebryan.com for up to date information on the “What Make You Country Tour.”

Dierks Bentley is poised to enter the top of the country charts with his latest song, “Woman, Amen,” which is from his new album, The Mountain. Every day he thanks his wife for helping him navigate life.

“My wife’s dragged me through all sorts of dark ages and phases that I thought I knew what I was doing or [thought] I was right and it’s like, ‘C’mon, dummy. Follow me. I’ll lead you towards where you want to be,’ whether that was kids, like starting that train, which I wasn’t really sure I was ready to start or having kids and trying to be a more conscious parent,” says Dierks. “I’ve learned a lot from her. This song definitely, it’s just an honest lyric, and hopefully a lot of people can connect to it.”

The Mountain will be available on Friday (June 8th). Dierks is set to perform the entire album on Thursday (June 7th) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Preorder The Mountain now at http://strm.to/TheMountain.

Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow got engaged to her boyfriend, Jonah Font, late last month, they confirmed to PEOPLE.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjf8VHXD0hq/?taken-by=maddiemarlow

“He is my best friend, and I’m truly engaged to my dream guy!,” Maddie tells PEOPLE. The couple met during her sophomore year of high school in Texas. “I love that we’ve been together for so long before we got engaged because we know everything about each other. We’ve learned how to really love each other, how to communicate and how to be a rock for the other person,” she says.

Her engagement ring has a special significance. “The center stone on my ring is the diamond from my mom’s original engagement ring. My parents have been married 25 years!” explains Marlow. “My dad bought her a new ring a while back, so she kept her original diamond to pass down to me or my sister someday. It is so special having an heirloom ring because I will get to pass it down one day too.”

For more on how Jonah proposed to Maddie, click here.

Maddie & Tae are making their way up the country charts with their new song, “Friends Don’t.”

Dierks Bentley had to cancel his Mountain High Tour show in Cincinnati on Thursday night (May 31st) due to a major power outage causing three grids to go out and over 40,000 homes and business to lose power. Dierks took to his socials to express his apologies for having to postpone the show due to weather. He was able to reschedule for Sunday (June 3rd).

Fans should hold on to their tickets as they will be honored for the the new date.

incredibly bummed out about the weather knocking out power to the amphitheater here in cincy. being told no power for 5 hours. have to cancel. asked for the first available date to come back and that is this sunday.

thanks cincinnati… so sorry.

– https://t.co/40Q1CIXtzN

— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) May 31, 2018

Brothers Osborne, who are on the road with Dierks, also took to their socials to express their disappointment over having to cancel the show, as well.

Hate that the show is canceled tonight at @riverbendpnc due to a power outage. Was looking forward to playing tonight. However, the show is rescheduled to the same time Sunday night. Tonight’s tickets will be honored. Mother Nature won the battle but not the war. ☔️

— Brothers Osborne (@brothersosborne) May 31, 2018

Dierks is closing in on the top of the country charts with “Woman, Amen,” the first release from his upcoming album, The Mountain, due June 8th.

Today marks the release of the brand-new music video for Keith Urban’s “Coming Home,” which features one of the song’s co-writers Julia Michaels.  It’s the newest single from the four-time Grammy Award winner’s #1, ninth studio album GRAFFITI U.  Urban, who has won countless awards, for his music videos worked with the award-winning director Andy Hines (Logic featuring Khalid and Alessia Cara, Big Sean featuring Kanye West and John Legend, Kali Uchis, Jim James, etc.) – the first time that the two have collaborated.

The groundbreaking, surreal creation, seamlessly delivers Urban from one scene to another and is both visually striking and creatively adept. Whether moving through a window from a bedroom to an open field or a cab headed for a makeshift “Little Tokyo” or performing side by side with Julia Michaels, while watching, “Coming Home’ is a visual treat.

“The concept for the video was really Andy Hines’ idea,” said Urban.  “He suggested the heightened reality that we see in the video, which keeps it more like a dream – an idea, more than an actuality.  It was also important to have Julia there – she’s great energy to be around and I love singing with her, so I wanted us to be on stage at the same time to capture that.”

“Being on set with Keith was magical. He’s a rare person on and off set- full of love and positive energy.  He surrounds himself with likeminded people such as his band who were incredible as well. I’m grateful to be a part of this video and grateful to be able to call this kick ass human, a friend.”

““Coming Home” started with an idea I had of using the intro of one of my favorite Haggard songs “Mama Tried,” said Urban. I took the idea to J.R. Rotem and he put some chords around it. I jotted down the first words that the music made me feel, jumped on a mic and sang the chorus.”

“Hearing that rolling Haggard guitar lick sparked memories of my childhood – and my dream to come to America.” added Urban.  “I knew right then the story (of the song) was about the struggles of being in a city where your dreams have brought you, but far from your home –  wherever, whomever and whatever that is for each of us.”

Urban is currently in production rehearsals in Nashville, readying himself for his 62-city “GRAFFIT U WORLD TOUR 2018,” which kicks off on June 15^th at St. Louis’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.  Before that, he’ll perform June 9th at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium as part of this year’s CMA Music Fest.

“Coming Home” was written by Urban, J.R. Rotem, Julia Michaels, Merle Haggard and Nicolle Galyon and was co-produced by Rotem and Urban.

For more official Keith Urban news and information go to www.keithurban.net.

Check out the clip below.

Luke Bryan launches an extra-large tour, or XL for short, this week. The Georgia native is set to headline 13 stadium shows for his What Makes You Country Tour Xl Stadium Sized Tour, kicking off Thursday (May 31st) in Toronto, Ontario. By the end of October, Luke will headline some of the North America’s biggest and best sports stadiums in New York City, Cincinnati, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Boston, Minneapolis, Los Angeles (the first country concert to ever be held in Dodgers Stadium), Denver, St. Louis, Chicago, Vancouver and wrapping the trek in Detroit at Ford Field on October 26th.

Sam Hunt joins the tour as the special guest on all stadium shows along with Jon Pardi. Additional openers include Morgan Wallen (May-August), Carly Pearce (September & October) and DJ Rock. A full tour schedule is available on www.lukebryan.com.

“What Makes You Country Tour” is named after Luke’s recently released album that debuted at #1 on both the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts. It became his third consecutive album to debut at #1 on the Top 200 and his fifth #1 debut on the Top Country Albums Chart.

Luke just released “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset,” the follow-up to his recent No. 1 hit, “Most People Are Good.”

GRAMMY, CMA, CMT, and ACM award-winning country supergroup, Little Big Town, is set to release the song of the summer, “Summer Fever,” Wednesday, June 6th to Country radio and all digital service providers.

LBT’s Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook will open the 2018 CMT Music Awards that same day with a performance of “Summer Fever” and continue as the night’s hosts for the duration of the show.

The track, co-written by Fairchild, Jesse Frasure, Cary Barlowe, and Sam Romans features Fairchild on lead vocals and encapsulates the spirit of summertime with an infectious melody and nostalgic guitar tones set against the group’s famous four-part harmonies.  “Summer Fever” was co-produced by Frasure and Shane McAnally and mixed by Spike Stent in Los Angeles.

“It’s always amazing when a song seems to just wait for its own perfect timing,” said Frasure. “Getting the chance to bring this song to life in the writing room with my co-writers, and through the opportunity to co-produce with my friend Shane McAnally has been a dream come true.  I can’t wait to hear this song coming out of a rolled down window this Summer.”

Photo Credit: Williams + Hirakawa

Summer Fever Creative: Milkglass

The Summer of 2018 is shaping up to be “hotter than a hoochie-coochie” for Alan Jackson and his fans! The Country Music Hall of Famer is set to be honored at a series of events…all while continuing to bring the music that earned him those accolades to audiences far-and-wide!

Alan will become a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame during a gala ceremony in New York City on June 14th. Already a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Alan’s induction will place him alongside the greatest composers of all-time – from the likes of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter…to Motown greats Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland…John Lennon and Paul McCartney…film icons John Williams and Henry Mancini…rock greats Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards…and country legends like Merle Haggard, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson.

On August 22nd, Alan will be saluted by the Academy of Country Music at the annual ACM Honors event in Nashville as the recipient of this year’s Cliffie Stone Icon Award. One of the organization’s highest honors, the award is only given to artists or industry leaders who have “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.” This will be Alan’s 19^th ACM Award.

All this comes on the heels of this month’s Billboard Music Awards, where Alan’s Precious Memories Collection was named Top Christian Album of the year!

Through the summer, Alan will be performing songs he’s written and recorded that have earned him “icon” status and made him a Hall of Famer. Warm weather anthems “Chattahoochee” (celebrating its 25^th anniversary of being a summertime staple), “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Summertime Blues”…signature songs like “Drive” and “Gone Country”…and such poignant ballads as “Remember When” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” will be heard as Alan plays amphitheaters, festivals and arenas through the summer and into the fall (full list of dates below).

ALAN JACKSON’S 2018 “HONKY TONK HIGHWAY TOUR:”

All cities/shows listed are currently on sale!

Friday, June 22 – Brandon, MS (Brandon Amphitheater) ++

Saturday, June 23 – Orange Beach, FL (The Wharf) ++

Friday, July 27 – Central Point, OR (Country Crossing Music Festival)

Saturday, July 28 – Mountain Home, ID (Mountain Home Country Music Festival)

Friday, August 10 – Canandaigua, NY (CMAC) ^^

Saturday, August 11 – Oro-Medonte, ONT (Boots ‘n’ Hearts Music Festival)

Thursday, August 16 – Vienna, VA (Wolf Trap) **

Friday, August 17 – Gilford, NH (Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion) **

Friday, September 14 – North Charleston, SC (North Charleston Coliseum) ++

Saturday, September 15 – Charlotte, NC (Spectrum Center) ++

Friday, September 21 – Omaha, NE (CenturyLink Center) ++

Saturday, September 22 – Rogers, AR (Walmart Music Amphitheater) ++

++ with Randy Houser

** with Lee Ann Womack

^^ special guest to be announced

ABOUT ALAN JACKSON:

Recently inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame and newly named as a 2018 inductee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Alan Jackson’s membership among country music’s all-time greats is the latest in a long line of career-defining accolades that include three CMA Entertainer of the Year honors, more than 25 years of membership in the Grand Ole Opry, a 2016 Billboard ranking as one of the Top 10 Country Artists of All-Time, induction to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Heritage Award as the most-performed country songwriter-artist of ASCAP’s first 100 years.

The man from rural Newnan, GA has sold nearly 60-million albums worldwide, ranks as one of the 10 best-selling male vocalists of all-time in all genres. He has released more than 60 singles – registering 50 Top Ten hits and 35 #1s (including 26 Billboard chart-toppers). He has earned more than 150 music industry awards – including 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, 16 Country Music Association Awards, a pair of Grammys and ASCAP’s Founders and Golden Note Awards.

Jackson is one of the most successful and respected singer-songwriters in music. He is in the elite company of Paul McCartney and John Lennon among songwriters who’ve written more than 20 songs that they’ve recorded and taken to the top of the charts. Jackson is one of the best-selling artists since the inception of SoundScan, ranking alongside the likes of Eminem and Metallica. He’s also the man behind one of Nashville’s most-popular new tourist stops, AJ’s Good Time Bar, a four-story honky-tonk in the heart of downtown (along a stretch of Broadway known as the “Honky Tonk Highway”) featuring daily live music and a rooftop view of Music City.

Little Big Town released the video for their version of “Rocket Man” this week. The song appears on the tribute album, Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, which is available now. Check out the video below.

The group will host next week’s CMT Music Awards, which will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 8pm ET on CMT.

Carrie Underwood and hosts Little Big Town have been added to the list of performers at this year’s CMT Music Awards, in addition to Dan + Shay and Florida Georgia Line. A few special collaborations have been announced for the show, as well. Dierks Bentley will perform with tour mates Brothers Osborne and Darius Rucker will be joined by tour mate Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum), Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean.

Carrie has four nominations, including Female Video of the Year, Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year for “The Champion” featuring Ludacris. She’s also nominated for CMT Performance of the Year with Keith Urban for “The Fighter” at last year’s CMT Music Awards.

The members of Little Big Town are up for two awards, including Group Video of the Year for “When Someone Stops Loving You” and CMT Performance for “Stand Up for Something” with Andra Day, Common, Lee Ann Womack and Danielle Bradbery for last year’s Artists of the Year special.

They join previously announced performers Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt, Luke, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and Kelsea Ballerini.

The 2018 CMT Music Awards will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville June 6th at 8pm ET on CMT.