Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Tour Marks Attendance Milestone of More Than One Million Fans While Prepping for Europe and Australia  

Nashville, TN – July 2, 2012 – As the North American leg of Lady Antebellum’s headlining OWN THE NIGHT WORLD TOUR sponsored by GAC with special guests Darius Rucker and Thompson Square comes to a close, the 85 city run that has incited fan hysteria and massive critical acclaim also marks an attendance milestone with over one million fans as they continue into Europe and Australia this summer.

“I remember how exciting and special it was to hear we sold out the first weekend of the tour back in the Fall,” said Charles Kelley.  “I seriously had no idea that so many others would follow, especially places like LA and Chicago, or that we would be sitting here eight months later saying we played to a million fans.  It doesn’t even register.”
 
“What I love is the connection we made with all of those fans,” added Hillary Scott.  “It truly felt like we got to know everyone in the arena every night, which was one of our biggest goals when we started brainstorming on a paper plate last summer in Lake Tahoe.  We invited fans up on stage most nights and just tried to get as close as possible to them…it was one giant sing-along each night.   As a songwriter, it’s so cool to hear the lyrics you wrote with your best friends in the back of a bus echoing back to you by so many people.”
 
“We’ve definitely become closer as a band – musically and personally – over this tour too,” noted Dave Haywood. “We are really proud of our show and how much we’ve grown on stage.  Moments like selling out two nights in our hometown of Augusta, GA with all our friends and family around are really going to make us miss being on the road this Fall, but we’re looking forward to working on new music and getting back into the studio.”
 
A tour concept that started with a simple production sketch on a paper plate, the OWN THE NIGHT WORLD TOUR kicked off in Knoxville, TN on 11/11/11 with an entourage of more than 100 people in 10 buses and eight trucks who travelled more than 46,000 miles across the continent, hitting arenas and amphitheatres in 34 states and six Canadian provinces. Along the way, the trio has earned praise from critics for their spirited live show and proved that Lady Antebellum has long-term staying power as one of the biggest touring groups in country music.

“Nashville’s Lady Antebellum, on its first arena headlining tour, has become such a crowd-pleasing phenomenon that there is arguably no other country band on the planet right now that can steal the trio’s ever-brightening spotlight.” – Salt Lake Tribune

“Lady Antebellum certainly pushes all the right buttons in concert –backdrops dominated by shooting stars

and bucolic scenery, a careful placement of the hits — but there’s more to their appeal than just that. Their

palette is broader, more forcefully colored than most of their peers, and the soulfulness that results is

unmistakable.” – Variety

“The Grammy-winning group has claimed its spot among the elite headliners, moving up from playing theaters to selling out massive arenas.” – San Jose Mercury News

“Its performance erased all doubts that the act’s seemingly meteoric ascendance to the top of the contemporary country world is undeserved…its celebrated vocal harmonies were terrific.”  – Kansas City Star

“While it can be hard to take the studio sound to the live stage, Lady Antebellum proved it can be done. But

more than that, the group’s playfulness, youthful exuberance and unending energy was evident fromstart

to finish.” – Virginian Pilot

Upcoming stops on the OWN THE NIGHT 2012 WORLD TOUR include shows in the UK where they will also open for Bruce Springsteen in Hyde Park, and headline in Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden before they head to Australia in September. For a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

Luke Bryan is spending a second week at No. 1 with his single, “Drunk on You.” It’s the third release from his platinum-plus certified album, tailgates & tanlines, and his fifth chart-topper. He says he couldn’t be having more fun right now, even if he tried. “From the bus drivers to the intern we just hired, everybody’s out there having a great time…nothing makes that time more fun than to look out over an audience and see fans having really the time of their life too,” says Luke. “It’s totally the ride of a lifetime.”

Luke returns from vacation this week and is scheduled to hit the road on Friday in St. Leonard, Maryland, followed by a couple of shows and an appearance on Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series on July 13th.

AUDIO: Luke Bryan says he’s blessed to have five No. 1 singles, much less being part of just one. He says everyone around him is having a great time with his success.

Luke Bryan (Drunk on You No. 1) 2  OC: …life too. :41

“Who’d have ever thought I would have had a half of one, so it’s amazing. You know, some of my heroes had 8 and 10 No. ones, you, and so the fact that I’ve been so blessed to have had five early in my career is pretty amazing. We’re loving it, man. My guys out on the road and everybody, we’re having a blast. From the bus drivers to the intern we just hired, everybody’s out there having a great time…nothing makes that time more fun than to look out over an audience and see fans having really the time of their life too.”

AUDIO: Luke Bryan says he’s having the time of his life, especially with his latest single going to No. 1 for two weeks.

Luke Bryan (Ride of a Lifetime) OC: …so blessed. :09

“It’s totally the ride of a lifetime, you know. To have No. ones and things like this going on in my life, we’re certainly so blessed.”

NASHVILLE, TENN. (July 2, 2012) – “I was going to find a way to make it work,” Eric Church says of his career plans in Origins: Eric Church, premiering Sunday, July 8, 9:00 pm ET on Great American Country (GAC). “And if it didn’t work, I was still going to be able to sleep at night. I stuck to my guns, right or not.“  After a slow, steady, focused build over more than seven years, it most certainly did work for the chart-topping singer/songwriter. 

Church’s story begins in Granite Falls, NC, and is told in this special by his parents, sister, wife, producer, manager, agent and former label president.  Upon moving to Nashville, there were struggles to get heard followed by countless rejections before landing a record deal with Capitol Records Nashville.  “It’s always been about him and the music,” said Mike Dungan, former CEO/president of Capitol Records Nashville.  “He’s just an incredible craftsman and comes to the table with maybe 40, 50 songs for every record he makes.” 

He chose an unconventional path, opting to tirelessly hit the road and perform more than 200 dates per year in an effort to build a fan base.  “You go out and you build it on the road before you get any of that other success.  I mean, I still feel like all acts should have to do that,” he notes.  One particular show that stands out in his memory is Amarillo, TX, where eight people – including the wait staff – were in attendance.  “Our plan’s always been different,” says Church.  “It was along the way that I think I found myself as a performer because I had to.  We planted seeds with the music that turned to passion, which ended up turning into these crops down the line.”  Defying the norm became his norm. 

Viewers will also enjoy live performances of several of Church’s hits including “Drink In My Hand,” (a recent No. 1), “Springsteen,” (a two-week No. 1) “Smoke a Little Smoke,” “Homeboy,” “These Boots,” and “Like Jesus Does.”  “Because he’s believed in something different and stayed on that path, he’s brought people to him,” longtime producer Jay Joyce says. “Instead of pandering to them and losing himself in the process.”

AUDIO: Eric Church says he’s worked hard to be successful.

Eric Church (worked hard) OC: …stayed hungry. :40

“It’s never been about awards, and it’s not about money either, because I would have done it differently. There are ways, I understand, you can make easier money, you can put out safer songs. You can run songs up and down the chart. I just don’t think people are going to know who you are in 10 years doing it that way. So, it’s been a longer path. You know, when you make the decision to go play clubs and honky tonks for a whole 500-600 people, two-hour shows, 100 degrees in there…you’re workin’ at that and it’s a long hard road. Somebody asked me the other day, would I do it again? And the answer is always, ‘Yes, absolutely!’ But, boy…it’s a tough road. It’s a hard road, you have to be younger. You have to really be hungry and we stayed hungry.”

CMT TO DEBUT MINI-MOVIE “MIXTAPE,” INSPIRED BY ERIC CHURCH’S HIT SONG “SPRINGSTEEN”
ON SATURDAY, JULY 7

Short Film to Air Commercial-Free on CMT and Reveals the Backstory to “Springsteen”

Church to Host Watch and Win Contest at www.ericchurch.com

             NASHVILLE – July 2, 2012 – Eric Church will reveal the emotional backstory to his hit song and video “Springsteen” with the premiere of MIXTAPE on CMT Saturday, July 7 at 10:15 a.m., ET/PT (repeats Sunday, July 8 at 8:15 a.m. ET/PT).  The 30-minute short film will air commercial-free and was the basis for his video of the two-week #1 hit single, “Springsteen.”  Fans can watch MIXTAPE on demand at CMT.com following the network premiere.

            “I am very excited to share MIXTAPE with everyone.  I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the music video, asking about the actors, where did the scenes come from, what did they pertain to?  Well, this movie will clear everything up,” said Church.  “Peter Zavadil crafted an art representation that adds a whole new emotional element to the song and video.  In fact, it essentially inspired the video.  I’m honored to show it on CMT.”

            “We were thrilled when Eric approached us to air his mini-movie,” said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy, CMT.  “He essentially created a movie first and then captured that story into a video.  Like Eric, we want to push the boundaries so we jumped at the opportunity to share this with CMT fans.  Eric Church WILL be one of the big music stories of 2012!”

            In conjunction with the premiere, Church will host an online contest for one lucky fan to win two tickets to see and meet him live on his BLOOD, SWEAT & BEERS tour.  Fans must watch to win, making note of the full list of songs and instrumental tracks in order as they appear in MIXTAPE.  For rules and details on how to enter, visit Church’s website at www.ericchurch.com or his Facebook page.  (Hint: fans will hear a never-before-released track).

            MIXTAPE was written by Peter Zavadil and Roger Vaughn, and produced by Taillight TV.  Zavadil has worked with Church on numerous videos in addition to “Springsteen,” including “Drink In My Hand,” “Homeboy,” “Smoke A Little Smoke” and “Two Pink Lines.”

            Eric Church co-wrote his two-week #1 hit “Springsteen,” which is the third single and second #1 from his Platinum-certified album CHIEF.  

“It’s just the saddest thing. I’m just heart broke about all the fires out here,” Jackson told the audience from the stage. “We really appreciate all the great people that have been helping them out here. They sold some of the seats down here on a special deal to try and raise some money to help fight that battle – whoever bought those, that was mighty nice of y’all and I really appreciate it.” 

Donations for wildfire disaster relief efforts can be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or by visiting the Colorado chapter’s website at www.coloradoredcross.org. 

Jackson will be performing tonight at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, TX and tomorrow night will kick off the Fourth of July celebration early for members of the military and their families at Polo Field in Fort Sill, OK.

The music video for reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum’s new single “Wanted You More” from their GRAMMY winning album OWN THE NIGHT premieres today (Friday) across VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform. Directed by Noble Jones and shot in Nashville last month, the dynamic video artistically reflects some of life’s struggles that ultimately result in a moment of realization. 

“Noble did such a great job of capturing the emotion of this song and used some really cool special effects,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “The last scene was crazy…the adrenaline was definitely pumping, I knew I had only one chance to get that shot!” 

The trio will wrap the US leg of their OWN THE NIGHT 2012 WORLD TOUR tomorrow night in Milwaukee, WI before heading overseas for dates scheduled in Europe and Australia. For a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

Country superstar Luke Bryan is adding some extra heat to the hot summer months and doesn’t show signs of cooling down anytime soon.  The singer has been tapped to perform during Good Morning America’s “Summer Concert Series” on Friday, July 13th.  Now in its fourth year, the series features music’s biggest names, with performances held in New York City’s Central Park.  Fans can catch Luke’s performance between 7:00-9:00am on ABC.  

“I have a big smile on my face every time I talk about being on Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series,” says Bryan. “Life’s good. To be a kid from Leesburg, Georgia, and to now be at the point in my career where I’m performing on Good Morning America in the heart of New York City at one of the most recognizable places in the world makes me super excited. It’s gonna be fun.” 

The concert is free and open to the public. Viewers interested in joining “GMA” in Central Park are encouraged to arrive at Rumsey Playfield via the 72nd street entrance on Fifth Avenue at 6:00am when the park opens. For more information on how to attend, click on the “GMA” web site at gmaconcerts.com. 

Bryan is also celebrating his fifth #1 single this week, as “Drunk On You” tops the country radio chart.  The single follows his two-week #1 Platinum smash “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” and Platinum hit “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” both from his Platinum-certified tailgates & tanlines album.  “Drunk On You” has also been the #1 most downloaded country single for five consecutive weeks.

 For more information, be sure to visit www.lukebryan.com.

AUDIO: Luke Bryan talks about performing on Good Morning America‘s Summer Concert Series.

Luke Bryan (GMA) OC: …be fun. :42

“To be a part of Good Morning America Summer Concert Series, just found the news out that we were going to have the opportunity to be a part of that, and we’re just super-excited. A big smile is on my face every time I talk about it. And you know, we found out we were going to do it in Central Park, you know, I fell on a skateboard in Central Park, and now I’m performing in Central Park, it’s pretty good. Life’s good. To be a kid from Leesburg, Georgia, and at some point in my career, life has brought me to where I’m performing on Good Morning America in the heart of New York City at one of the most recognizable places in the world, and I’m just excited. It’s gonna be fun.”

AUDIO: Luke Bryan enjoys taking country music to the Big Apple.

Luke Bryan (GMA-taking country to NYC) OC: …on TV. :14

“City folks, and certainly every time we’ve played this city, they’re like, ‘We love coming to see a country act, because we don’t get to see it as much as all of the other music.’ So, I love bringing that to New York City, and obviously, I love having it on TV.” 

Alan Jackson is set to perform at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on Saturday (June 30th) as an early Fourth of July celebration for members of the military and their families. Alan will be joined by Easton Corbin and Gloriana, and the show will be open to the public.

Alan just released his new album, Thirty Miles West, and will be performing a few selections from the collection, including his latest single “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” when he performs Thursday at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado.