BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP SCORES  2011 CMT MUSIC AWARD NOMINATION TRIFECTA

Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and The Band Perry All Score Three Nods

Online Voting Underway at CMT.com

Nashville, Tennessee (Thursday, April 28, 2011) – The Big Machine Label Group scored big during yesterday’s 2011 CMT Music Award Nominations with a collective 13 nods – at least one in every category. Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, The Band Perry each earned a 3 and Reba garnered 2, while Martina McBride and Steel Magnolia received 1. The 10^th Anniversary 2011 CMT Music Awards will air LIVE from Nashville on Wednesday, June 8 on CMT and CMT.com. Online voting runs through Tuesday, June 7 at CMT.com.

Rascal Flatts’ “Why Wait,” Taylor Swift’s “Mine” and The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” provide some stiff competition for Video of The Year, which is award to the artist and video director. This is the only award where final voting will be held online at CMT.com and via text message throughout the show, with final nominees being announced during the live telecast.

Female Video of the Year contenders include Taylor Swift (“Mine”) and Reba (“Turn On The Radio”) while Rascal Flatts (“Why Wait”) and The Band Perry (“If I Die Young”) vie for Group of the Year. Steel Magnolia’s Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones are up for Duo Video of the Year with “Last Night Again.” Rascal Flatts and Justin Bieber bested the other cross-genre duos for a spot in the Collaborative Video of the Year category with “That Should Be Me.” Reba and Martina McBride both achieved CMT Performance of the Year nominations for “If I Were A Boy” from UNPLUGGED: REBA and CMT CROSSROADS: TRAIN AND MARTINA MCBRIDE. Tech savvy Taylor Swift is up for Best Web Video of the Year (new for 2011) with “Mine” (Live from the Speak Now Album Release Party).

“I’m so proud of our artists and their creative vision and how they present their music in this visual medium. I also want to give a big shout out to all of the video producers, directors and our own in-house Creative Services team for continually raising the bar in bringing our songs to life in our music videos. June 8th is going to be a great party!” said Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group President and CEO.

CMT’s Evan Farmer and TODAY show hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb revealed the nominees live from New York yesterday morning. The Band Perry was in the studio as well for the announcement to perform their platinum hit, “If I Die Young,” which merited them all of their first-ever CMT Award nominations. As previously revealed, they are also in the running for USAWEEKEND Breakthrough Video of the Year for the tune, which earned David McClister a spot in the Video Director of the Year category.

ABOUT THE BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP: Scott Borchetta serves as President/CEO of the independent Big Machine Label Group, which includes Big Machine Records (founded in 2005), The Valory Music Co. (founded in 2007) and Republic Nashville (a partnership with Universal Republic founded in 2009 with Jimmy Harnen serving as President). In 2010 Big Machine was named Country Label of the Year by Country Aircheck Magazine/Powered by USA Today. Signature artist Taylor Swift’s third album, SPEAK NOW, became the best-selling Country studio album debut of all time with over 1 million units sold in its first week, making Taylor the 4^th female artist in history (across all genres) to debut with more than 1 million units sold. In 5 years, Big Machine Records artists have received 6 Country Music Association Awards, 7 American Music Awards, 4 GRAMMY Awards, 7 Academy of Country Music Awards, 4 CMT Music Awards, 3 Teen Choice Awards, 1 MTV VideoMusic Award and 1 People’s Choice Award as well as 1 Brit Award and 1 JUNO Award nomination.

The Big Machine Label Group’s current artist roster includes Multi-Platinum superstars Taylor Swift, Reba, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride and Jewel, Platinum sensations The Band Perry, established acts Justin Moore, Jack Ingram and the Eli Young Band and hot newcomers Steel Magnolia,Sunny Sweeney, Edens Edge, Brantley Gilbert and comedienne Melissa Peterman.

Rascall Flatts will perform June 26, and The Band Perry will perform May 21 with Tim McGraw, both at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at St. Louis this summer. For show and ticket information, log on to www.livenation.com.

NEAL McCOY BRINGS HIS MULTI-PLATINUM CAREER TO BLASTER RECORDS

(Nashville, Tennessee) – April 21, 2011 – Neal McCoy, referred to by fans & musical comrades as ‘The Entertainer’s Entertainer', is bringing his multi-award winning, multi-platinum career to the roster of Blaster Records, as announced this week by label Chairman Tom Porter.

The consummate performer boasts a career track of three platinum album certifications, beginning with his breakthrough disc “No Doubt About It” in 1994, which produced back-to back #1 singles with both the title track and Wink. McCoy has gained Entertainer of the Year honors twice on his way to winning numerous industry and fan voted awards. His endearing style and charismatic music helped the Texas native to earn multiple Top 10 singles along with gold certification on the Billboard charts.

One of the industry’s most active touring artists, McCoy is credited with amassing a major fan following and brand loyalty in his 21 year career in the industry—a fact attributed to his consistent dedication to showmanship and producing innovative new music.  Anticipation has already started to build for his eleventh studio project-- under the new alliance with Blaster - slated for a January 2012 street date.

McCoy’s latest endeavor in the field of entertainment introduced his talents as an author with the release of his first book, A NEW MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB: Heroes I’ve Met And The Mountains They Climb Every Day.

Blaster Records label head Tom Porter stated about making the signing announcement:  "Anytime you can add a performer of the caliber of Neal McCoy to your label roster, you can't help but feel an inexplicable and exhilarating advantage in the popular world of country music. Blaster Records is excited and honored to be a part of Neal’s incredible team and we look forward to big things in the future.”

In signing to the growing Blaster roster, McCoy joins break-out brother duo Brother Trouble as a major immediate concentration in the label’s focus in the field of country music.

About Blaster Records
Cleveland based, Blaster Records was founded in 2007 by Blaster Chemical Chairman Tom Porter.  A division of the Blaster Music Group, the label is committed to artist development and its dedication to building careers. Blaster has sought talented songwriters, unique musicians and excellent live performers that show a genuine passion for their craft.  The label is dedicated further to providing their artists with teams of professionals that express a true interest in maximizing an artist’s full potential.  Through touring, strategic marketing campaigns, promotion and artist development, Blaster Records is committed to the success of its artists.  (www.blastermusic.com)

 

COREY SMITH TO RELEASE THE BROKEN RECORD ON JUNE 21, 2011

Lead single, “Twenty-One (2011),” from forthcoming album at radio now; music video to premiere exclusively on CoreySmith.com today

Smith makes debut performance on NPR’s Mountain Stage

 

Nashville, Tenn. (Thursday, April 21, 2011) – The number twenty-one signifies a rite of passage for many, but to Average Joe’s Entertainment recording artist Corey Smith, twenty-one has taken on an entirely different meaning.  As a song originally penned over seven years ago, “Twenty-One” has gone on to be a top-seller for Smith—a troubadour who is known for sold-out shows and anthemic tunes.  The single, now available on iTunes, has since been revamped from its original form and found a new home on his upcoming album, THE BROKEN RECORD, which will hit shelves on June 21, 2011.  The music video for the single will debut exclusively today on CoreySmith.com.

Caption: "Twenty-One (2011" Music Video for Average Joe's Entertainment's Corey Smith

 

“I'll never forget the first time I played 'Twenty-One' in front of an audience,” says Smith. “It was in a small bar in my hometown of Jefferson, Georgia and the crowd was hootin' and hollerin' and carrying on as usual until I introduced this new song. By the time I got to the second verse, I could feel everyone hanging onto the words. I could hear them reacting to lines as they were being sung—some met with nostalgic sighs, others with laughter, and others with cheers. When it was over, my friends roared with approval and I looked around the room at their expressions. Some were grinning from ear to ear, others were fighting back tears, and a few were already saying, ‘Hey C-dawg! Play it again.’  I knew I had done something right.” 

Smith began testing the waters for a career as a musician shortly after penning “Twenty-One” in 2003 when he began touring night clubs and college bars while maintaining his job as a high school Social Studies teacher.  Eventually, Smith could not deny the demands for more live performances—the crowds were just too convincing—so he made the decision to leave the classroom in order to expand upon his audience with a shift in careers from traditional education to touring musician.  Since then, Smith has certainly made quite a name for himself through 750 performances, 850,000 digital tracks sold, and over 150,000 albums sold. 

When recalling his road to THE BROKEN RECORD, Smith shares, “This record epitomizes where I am, both personally and professionally.  For new fans, it will be a comprehensive introduction while long time fans will discover it is my most revealing self-portrait, underscoring the familiar alongside the unexpected.”

THE BROKEN RECORD was co-produced by Rick Beato (NeedToBreathe) and Smith, himself, who also penned each of the tracks on the release.   

THE BROKEN RECORD Track-by-Track in Listing Order:
1. “If I Could Do It Again”
2. “Carolina”
3. “I Love Everyone”
4. “No Way (Out with a Smile)”
5. “Heart Attack”
6. “Broken Record”
7. “Maybe Next Year”
8. “Backroad”
9. “New Day”
10. “Sugar Daddy”
11. “Twenty-One”
12. “Something to Lose”
13. “Down to Earth”
14. “Silly”

Corey Smith Upcoming Tour Dates:

4/26 Greensboro, NC -  Spartapalooza at UNC-Greensboro - on the EUC West Lawn
4/27 Silas, AL-  War Bama Club
4/28 Houston, TX - Firehouse Saloon
4/29 Lubbock , TX - Pavilion at the Lonestar Amphitheater
4/30 Blanchard, OK - Private Function
5/1 Augusta, GA - A Day In The Country
5/20 Norfolk, VA - The Norva
5/21 Dunn, NC - The Pasture Party - The Regency
5/29 Simpsonville, SC - Freedom Weekend Aloft Presented by Greenville Hospital System at Heritage Park Amphitheater
6/3 Richmond, VA - Brown's Island
6/4 Danville, VA - Danville Harvest Jubilee Concert

6/11 Nashville, TN - CMA Fest
6/16 Akron, OH - Musica
6/17 Chicago, IL - Joe's
6/18 Martin/Grand Rapids, MI - WBCT Michigan Birthday Bash
7/1 Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
7/2 Jacksonville Beach, FL - Freebird Live
7/3 North Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues

Stay tuned to www.coreysmith.com for additional information and appearances.

Dierks Bentley and friends at Family Arena Friday

The Jagermeister Country Music Tour will stop at the Family Arena Friday night, April 29, headed by country superstar Dierks Bentley.
The tour will also feature rising star Josh Thompson, along with country newcomers and female duo Miss Willie Brown.
For Thompson, it’s a long way from pouring concrete during the day and writing songs at night, just a couple of years ago.
Thompson is a veteran of the Jager tour, as he was also on the bill last year with Eric Church at The Pageant
“I had a great time out with Eric last year, and I remember the Pageant as a very nice venue,” Thompson said. “I’m ready to come back to St. Louis with Dierks, though.”
Thompson said that  the camaraderie of the three acts on this tour is like going out on the town.
“With Miss Willie Brown, Dierks, and myself and our bands, it’s cool,” Thompson said. “We check each others shows out. It’s cool when you look to the side of the stage and see Dierks taking in your show. He’s a hell of an entertainer, so you can feel it. Then, we are all out there to see his show every time we can.”
Although they enjoy each other’s sets, at the time of the interview there hadn’t been any stage antics yet.
“We haven’t joined each other on-stage yet,” Thompson said. “That’d be super cool if we got to do that.”
In recent weeks, the trickery has been let out of the bag amongst those on the tour. Just last week, the girls in Miss Willie Brown, Kasey and Amanda, shrink wrapped Bentley’s jeep.
The duo, which actually hails from California, met while both of the girls were working in a barbecue restaurant as waitresses. Since meeting their friendship has grown into a sisterhood, and a musical act.
“There was something there from the instant we met, and didn’t know a thing about each other,” Kasey said in an interview. “We just clicked.”
“It was like we knew each other for years,” Amanda said. “We decided to hang out and we were up all night talking, and we learned about our mutual love of music and songwriting, and it became like a destiny thing. It’s very rare to find someone that you can relate to over a period of time, but when it happens instantly you know you’ve got something special.”
Amanda says that the two are indeed like sisters, twin sisters in fact.
“It’s like we are twins, we’ll finish each others sentences,” Kacey said.
That connection is what make the audience take notice of them as the opening act on the Jager Tour.
“A lot of time people don’t pay attention to the opening act, or don’t even arrive on time, but our fans are spreading the word,” Amanda said. “We’ve even had nights where we have sold the most merchandise, which is crazy.”
The duo is gaining a lot of attention with their lead single, “Sick of Me,” of their self-title debut EP. They are currently writing and recording between tour dates for their upcoming album, hopefully to be released in the fall.
Thompson’s current single, “I Won’t be Lonely Long,” is following in the path of his previous singles, “Beer On The Table,” and “Way Out Here.”
“It’s a song about how this girl breaks up with this guy, and he get the raw deal on Friday,” Thompson said, “but he takes it on the chin and doesn’t let it get him down because after he has that first beer, he’s not gonna be lonely long at all.”
It’s a beer-drinking, hell-raising song,” Thompson added. “I write and sing about what I know about, which is the common things in life. Hard work, struggling to make ends meet, and just when you think you got it something knock you off the path. You don’t let it hurt you though, you just gotta bounce back, like the guy in the song.”
Thompson is already working on material for his second album, consistently touring, and is producing a debut project by labelmate Chris Cavanaugh, along with Cliff Audretch.
“I love to keep working, and I believe in Chris,” Thompson said. “It pays to know your business that you are in, too.  I love music and all aspects of it. It doesn’t seem like work to me.”
Bentley, of course is known to millions for his hit songs “Sideways,” “Come A Little Closer,” “What Was I Thinkin’” and more. His current single, “Am I The Only One,” is rising up the charts to become another one of country’s chart-topping singles.
Dierks is also known as one of Nashville’s most charitable personalities, heading up his own “Music and Miles For Kids,” annual motorcycle poker run, and performing at benefits including a show with Brad Paisley May 3 at the Grand Ole Opry, for the first anniversary of the devastating floods there. Dubbed Play On, Nashville!, which will raise money for several area charities including the American Red Cross, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville and Hands On Nashville, a resource center responsible for connecting more than 125,000 volunteers to flood-related projects.

Who: Dierks Bentley, with guests Josh Thompson and Miss Willie Brown
When: Friday, April 29
Where: Family Arena, St. Charles
Tix and Info: www.familyarena.com

TONY BENNETT RESCHEDULED:

Due to scheduling conflicts related to recording sessions for his forthcoming album, the singer's upcoming concert on Sat. May 7 at the Fox is now rescheduled to NOV. 16 AT 8 PM. Tickets for the original concert date will be honored on the new date. We regret any inconvenience this scheduling change may cause and look forward to welcoming Tony Bennett back to St. Louis in the fall!

USO Tour Veteran and Superstar Toby Keith to Return to the Middle East on Ninth USO Tour

Award-winning singer/songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith will soon deploy to the Middle East on what will be his ninth USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour. Keith began volunteering with the USO in 2002 and has lifted the spirits of more than 159,000 troops and their families. As part of his upcoming 12-day, 3-country USO tour, the country music star will perform a series of concerts, sign autographs, pose for photos and lift the spirits of service men and women.
A huge supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces, Keith was presented the 2009 Military Offices Association of America (MOAA) Distinguished Service Award in recognition for his ongoing support of troops and their families. He also served as the inspiration behind USO2GO, a USO program designed to deliver much needed electronics, entertainment and personal care items to troops in remote locations. Keith wrapped up 2010 with a Grammy nomination for his emotional tribute “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song),” and is keeping the momentum going in 2011 with a nomination for Academy of Country Music (ACM) Entertainer of the Year and recently announced plans to return to Europe on his Locked and Loaded World Tour.
WHAT: USO tour featuring singer/songwriter Toby Keith
WHEN: Spring 2011
WHERE: The Middle East
Note: Due to security reasons, the countries and tour dates cannot be released at this time.

"TEDDY GENTRY'S BEST NEW NASHVILLE" TO TAKE THE STAGE AT CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE

 
Exclusive CD Pairs 12 New Artists and 12 New Songs_

LEBANON, Tenn_.  (April 18, 2011) Teddy Gentry has long been celebrated as a member of the country supergroup Alabama, and he is also the force and inspiration behind multiple other music successes in Nashville. Now, Gentry,
and Porter-Gentry Productions, are lending a guiding hand to a very special CD that provides country music fans with an inspired assortment of new music, among which many a new favorite might be found. The CD,  Teddy
Gentry's Best New Nashville,  produced by Gentry, includes 12 new songs performed by 12 new artists and will be available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, starting May 16.

Each pairing of song and artist on this CD was carefully considered and planned by Gentry, who collects songs the way some people collect stamps.
Gentry regularly works with up-and-coming artists on stage and in the studio, and his advice in choosing a new song is to always make sure that there is an emotional connection. "I tell them that they really have to love a song because, if it's a hit, they'll be performing it for a very long time," said Gentry, who knows a lot about hits, having written and performed
quite a number of them as a member of the renowned group Alabama.

Gentry also knows about talent, and he regularly works with what he considers to be the best of the new artists to help them learn the ins and outs of the Nashville scene. He says this is his way of giving back because he knows from his own early experiences how hard it is to make it in this
very tough business. And Gentry believes that making his new CD, _Teddy Gentry's Best New Nashville_, available through Cracker Barrel, provides some fresh new sounds and some quality tunes for Cracker Barrel's guests. He worked with some of Nashville's top engineers, studios, and songwriters to ensure the quality of the CD.

"Cracker Barrel is pleased to work with Teddy Gentry on this special project to provide a showcase for some very talented artists from whom we might well be hearing more in the future," said Chris Ciavarra, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. "These are artists who have worked hard and have honed their skills, and with this CD they are stepping up onto a larger stage," he added.



Tracks on _Teddy Gentry's Best New Nashville_:
1.     Every Mile I'm Missing You - Jimmy Stewart
2.     I'm Gonna Cry - Chanel Campbell
3.     That's The Kind Of Love I Need - Garrett Steele
4.     A Good Place To Turn Around - 3 Lanes Crossing
5.     A Better Woman - Laura Fedor
6.     In His Hands - Chip Davis
7.     I'll Find You - Samantha Landrum
8.     Chip Away - Dillon Dixon
9.     My So Called Life - Southwind
10.  Long Lost Smile - Brad Long
11.  Run Baby Run - Adrianna Freeman
12.  Are You Ever Gonna Love Me - Amber Shalene

NEW ST LOUIS SHOW ADDED FOR FEBRUARY 8, 2012
Longtime Michael Jackson Collaborator Greg Phillinganes,
Top Musical Designer Kevin Antunes Joining Creative Team
Tickets Available Starting Monday, April 18
St‐Louis, April 18, 2011 – Due to strong demand, an additional performance has been added to the St‐Louis stop of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ at the Scottrade Center. The new performance is Wednesday, February 8, 2012, which is in addition to the previously announced performance on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.
Starting Monday, April 18, tickets will be available at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1‐800‐745‐3000. Tickets range from $50 to $250 each. Groups of 20 and more can get a 10% dicount by calling 314‐622‐2541.
Cirque du Soleil also announced that Greg Phillinganes, one of Michael Jackson’s key creative collaborators on some of his most memorable tours and albums, has joined the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour creative team as music director, providing an unparalleled depth of knowledge of Michael’s music and the live Michael Jackson experience. Phillinganes was music director for Michael’s Bad and Dangerous tours and worked on such iconic albums as Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad, Dangerous, Invincible, and the latest release Michael.
Kevin Antunes, one of the industry’s top musical designers, will join creative team as musical designer and will also team with Phillinganes to work on the score for this landmark production. Antunes has worked directly for Madonna, Justin Timberlake and *NSYNC, and has performed with artists such as Janet Jackson, Timbaland, Britney Spears, Aerosmith, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Snoop Dogg and Christina Aguilera, among others.
Written and directed by Jamie King, this once‐in‐a‐lifetime electrifying production will combine Michael Jackson music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil creativity to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit, passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture.
A riveting fusion of visuals, dance, music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michael’s creative world and literally turns his signature moves upside down, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour unfolds Michael Jackson’s artistry before the eyes of the audience. Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michael’s creative genius for the first time, the show captures the essence, soul and inspiration of the King of Pop, celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generations.
THE IMMORTAL World Tour takes place in a fantastical realm where we discover Michael’s inspirational Giving Tree—the wellspring of his creativity. The secrets of Michael’s inner world are unlocked—his love of music and dance, fairy tale and magic, and the fragile beauty of nature.
The underpinnings are Michael Jackson’s powerful, inspirational music and lyrics—the driving force behind the show—brought to life with extraordinary power and breathless intensity. Through unforgettable performances Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour underscores Michael’s global messages of love, peace and unity.
For complete tour and ticket information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/MichaelJackson.

Old Rock House announces shows

Natasha Bedingfield Tour Presented by Freschetta Simply...Inspired
Saturday, July 9th
Doors 7pm • Show 8pm • $20 Flat • All Ages • $2 Minor Surcharge • On-Sale 4/22 @ 10am

Natasha Bedingfield is a Grammy nominated singer/songwriter from London, England. Her debut album, Unwritten, released in 2004, has sold more than 10 million singles and albums worldwide. In 2004, “These Words” became her first UK #1 single, and was followed by worldwide smash “Unwritten” which has been certified double platinum, and became the most played track at U.S. pop radio in 2006; also becoming the first #1 pop single by a British Female Solo artist in the U.S. in over 20 years and garnered the singer-songwriter her first Grammy® nomination for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.” Natasha released her sophomore album, Pocketful Of Sunshine in 2008, which featured the hits “Love Like This” with Sean Kingston and “Pocket Full of Sunshine,” which has sold nearly 3 million copies to date. Natasha will release her third studio album, Strip Me, on Phonogenic/Epic Records.


Rockin’ Chair
Saturday, August 13th
Doors 8pm • Show 9pm • $10 Flat • Over 21 Only • Tickets On-Sale @ Metrotix.com

Rockin’ Chair is a reunion of some members from 70′s regional bands Mesa and Nickels. The group has put together a show that celebrates the music of Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, The Band, The Allman Brothers Band and the groups that were later formed by it’s members. These groups created the supergroups of the the 70s. Crosby Stills and Nash, The Eagles, Firefall, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Loggins and Messina and Little Feat. The Allman Brothers created a southern country blues sound that influenced groups such as Lynryd Skynrd and Marshall Tucker.


Cadaver Dogs & The Up All Nights
w/ StillLine & Scotty and the Future
Saturday, August 6th
Doors 7pm • Show 8pm• $10 Cover • Over 21 Only

Cadaver Dogs are a motherfucker. With their paws planted firmly at the front of the party bus, Cadaver Dogs are happy to take you on a fast ride to the ends of decency, showing no mercy for those foolish enough to step in the path of their roaring rock spectacle. Like fireworks stuffed into live rats, the five tracks that make up their debut EP "Thrill Ride" explode with a nasty flash, leaving their grime behind to fester in your boiling brain. Three rock n’ roll stallions have finally created the perfect soundtrack to gambling on Doberman fights in Reno and getting your first hand job behind a carnival side show tent. It’s dirty, vivacious, and you know you shouldn’t be allowed to like it, but your head keeps spinning and now there’s no turning back. This is music for the depraved and the decadent, the fiendish and the self-indulgent. 

KINKY FRIEDMAN
A very rare Midwest and East Coast tour.

Friday, April 29 • 
ST. LOUIS  
• Off Broadway
3509 Lemp St.
Showtime: 8 p.m.; Tickets $25 - $28
<http://www.offbroadwaystl.com/calendar/>

THE SPRINGTIME FOR KINKY TOUR OF 2011

Kinky Friedman to revisit scenes of his crimes throughout the Midwest and East Coast

AUSTIN, Texas — This spring, starting April 27th in Kansas City, Missouri, Kinky Friedman, author, musician, politician, and self-proclaimed Governor of the Heart of Texas, will be performing dates throughout the Midwest and East Coast as part of his Springtime for Kinky Tour of 2011. Often returning to places he has not visited in two decades, the Kinkster will appear solo (primarily) and promote his most recent books, What Would Kinky Do? and Heroes of a Texas Childhood. There will be a book signing at each venue.

Buoyed by his Go West Young Kinky Tour last spring and his monster appearance on the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in October, Kinky will take his show to many of his favorite American cities. Playing the songs for which he is best known, such as “They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore” and “Sold American,” reading passages from his books, and carrying on his hilarious running commentary on the state of the union, Kinky, the prodigal son of Texas, will, indeed, return to the scenes of his crimes of years gone by.

Though years have passed since the last full-on Texas Jewboys show, Kinky continues to be associated with that infamous band of his early career, partly because of his long friendship with Bob Dylan (Kinky did, of course, travel with the Rolling Thunder Revue), but mostly because of the band’s total outrageousness and those legendary songs. On the projects list for 2011 is a Willie Nelson CD of Kinky's songs, which will be no less than the third tribute album to Kinky and his work. Willie, who has a new Sony record deal, and who has been swapping stories and playing chess with Kinky for decades, will confirm these tunes as American standards.

Meanwhile, Kinky continues to “spit out books like sunflower seeds,” with a brand new deal to co-write one with old pal Billy Bob Thornton. And he is now being immortalized onstage with a play called Becoming Kinky . . . The World According to Kinky Friedman, written by Ted Swindley, who created the long-running hit Always . . . Patsy Cline, and starring up-and-comer Jesse Dayton.

Kinky may be finished with politics, but politics may not be finished with Kinky.  He continues to be a popular guest on cable news channels, appearing with hosts as diverse as John Seigenthaler and Bill O’Reilly, and his regular contributions to Texas Monthly never fail to take proper shots at the insanity of Texas politics.  He also contributes to such national media as The New York Times and Playboy, more often than not skewing deserving politicians wherever they may be.

And that’s not all in 2011: an Australian tour is on the agenda for June. Kinky will be joined by long-time Brian Wilson collaborator Van Dyke Parks, as the two old friends visit Kinky's second favorite continent. But in the meantime . . .

Springtime for Kinky Tour 2011
Wed., April 27  KANSAS CITY, MO Knuckleheads
Thurs., April 28  LITTLE ROCK, AR  Juanita's
Fri., April 29  ST. LOUIS, MO  Off Broadway
Sat., April 30  OKLAHOMA CITY, OK The Blue Door
Sun., May 1  NEWPORT, KY (CINCINNATI, OH) Southgate House
Mon., May 2  NASHVILLE, TN  3rd and Lindsley
Tues., May 3  CLEVELAND, OH  Wilbert's
Thurs., May 5  MILWAUKEE, WI Shank Hall
Sat., May 7  BERWYN (CHICAGO), IL  Fitzgerald's
Sun., May 8  PHILADELPHIA, PA  World Cafe Live
Mon., May 9  NEW YORK, NY Highline Theater
Tues., May 10  ROCHESTER, NY  Water Street
Fri., May 13  ALEXANDRIA, VA (WASHINGTON, DC) Birchmere
Sat., May 14  WOODSTOCK, NY Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble

# # #

Cardinals Homestand Highlights for the week

HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS (Tuesday, April 19 - Sunday, April 24, 2011) Green Week, Fireworks and a Stan Musial Bobblehead Highlight the Second Homestand

 

 St. Louis (April 19, 2011)- The Cardinals return to Busch for the second homestand of the season after a west coast road trip that had them playing three games in San Francisco (1-2), three in Arizona (2-1) and a four-game set with the Dodgers (3-1). The Cardinals come home to play host to the Washington Nationals and a weekend series with 2010 Central Division Champions the Cincinnati Reds. This Cardinals homestand will be headlined by the second annual Green Week with activities designed to promote recycling both inside and outside Busch. For complete information visit cardinals.com/greenweek. Other highlights include fireworks on Friday, April 22, Red Schoendienst statue replica on Saturday, April 23, and the first ever Cardinals Stan Musial bobblehead giveaway on Sunday, April 24.

New This Homestand

Green Week/ 4 A Greener Game

·         Green Week Festivities: The Cardinals, in partnership with Shoeman Water Projects, will collect new and used shoes at the Busch Stadium gates.

• Saving Energy: During Green Week Cardinals will offset energy consumption by purchasing renewable energy credits. With this the Cardinals will prevent 332,490 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering Missouri’s atmosphere, which equates to 25 Cardinals players, nine coaches and Fredbird not driving their cars for six months. Since “4 A Greener Game” launched in 2008, the Cardinals have diverted roughly 1300 tons of solid waste from local landfills and has reduced the team’s energy use by 15 percent.
• April 25-26: The Cardinals will host their 2^nd annual e-cycling drive, in collaboration with Wits, A-Mrazek and the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis. Fans may drop off unused or unwanted electronic equipment at trailers in the Ballpark Village Lot located at the corner of Clark and South Broadway. The e-cycling drive will kick off at 12:15 p.m. Monday, April 25 with Fredbird and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay making the first donation.

Japanese Relief Fund

The Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Auction will take place at mlb.com and will begin 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 18 and close at 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 25.  Fans will have a chance to bid on an exclusive ticket package for four (4). The Cardinals tickets are good for any Monday through Thursday home game, complete with a pre-game field visit and an opportunity to get their photograph taken in the Cardinals dugout.

Monday, April 18, 2011—Cardinals: Scheduled Off Day

·         Lindenwood University will unveil and dedicate a sculpture of St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Lou Brock at 3 p.m. at the Lou Brock Sports Complex on the Lindenwood campus. The bronze sculpture, designed by Harry Weber, is a slightly larger-than-life pose of Brock sliding into second base and will sit at the Home Plate entrance of the Lindenwood complex.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011--Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals (7:15 p.m.)

·         Cardinals Care Field Dedication: Cardinals Care today will dedicate Yadier Molina Field in Wellston, Mo at 9:30 a.m. The field is one of 19 established by Cardinals Care in conjunction with their Redbird Rookies program.

Footage from the event can be found on the Cardinals ftp site at ftp://stanmusial.cardsnet.net.

·         Dynamic Pricing: as part of the Cardinals new Dynamic Ticket Pricing system, fans can purchase Terrace level tickets for this Cards/Nationals game for as low as $5.

·         Twitter Tuesday: The Cardinals will meet fans at Qdoba’s St. Charles location today and give away 50 pairs of tickets for an upcoming game this homestand. The Twitter Tuesday promotion is a unique way for the Cardinals to reward fans that follow the team on their social media sites.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011--Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals (7:15 p.m.)

·         Cardinals Care Grant Ceremony: Cardinals Care along with Cardinals’ players, executives, Fredbird and hundreds of children and representatives from many of the organizations who will benefit from the Cardinals Care grants will be in attendance for a special ceremony at Busch Stadium at 3:00 p.m. Cardinals Care will donate over 115,000 to 97 area non-profit youth organizations.

·         Mike and John are in the Club: Mike Shannon and John Rooney will be doing tonight’s radio broadcast live from the Champion’s Club located on the second level of the stadium.

·         Dynamic Pricing - as part of the Cardinals new Dynamic Ticket Pricing system, fans can purchase Terrace level tickets for this Cards/Nationals game for as low as $5.

Thursday, April 21, 2011--Cardinals vs. Washington Nationals (12:45 p.m.)

·         Haircuts in the Plaza sponsored by Great Clips: Fans who come out to enjoy the special treat that is afternoon baseball can also visit the Ford Plaza for the latest fashion in hair design. Great Clips will sponsor the event every weekday afternoon game during the season, haircuts are $10 and all proceeds go to Cardinals Care.

·         Dynamic Pricing - as part of the Cardinals new Dynamic Ticket Pricing system, fans can purchase Terrace level tickets for this Cards/Nationals game for as low as $5.

Friday, April 22, 2011—Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds (7:15 p.m.)

·         Busch Bash in the Ford Plaza: Fans are able to participate in all the fun starting two hours before every Friday night home game. A great way to kick-start the weekend—there will be music, prizes and autographs by former or current Cardinals players. This week will feature Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The first 200 fans in line are guaranteed an autograph. Players scheduled are subject to change.

·         Dog Days: Tickets for the 7th Annual Purina Pooches in the Ballpark Day go on sale at 10 a.m. The purchase of a special ticket will grant you and your pooch the opportunity to enjoy the game in a pet-friendly section of the stadium, the opportunity to participate in a pre-game costume parade around the warning track, and a goodie-bag courtesy of Nestle Purina.  For more information visit cardinals.com\pooches.

·         Fireworks Night: After the game fans are encouraged to stay in their seats for a post-game fireworks display by Zambelli Fireworks Internationale of New Castle, Pa.

Saturday, April 23, 2011—Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds (3:10 p.m.)

·         Gold Glove Presentation: In a pre-game ceremony, first baseman Albert Pujols and catcher Yadier Molina will be presented their 2010 Rawlings Gold Gloves as the best defensive player at their respective position.

·         Red Schoendienst Statue Replica: The first 25,000 fans ages 16 and older will receive a Red Schoendienst statue replica with paid admission courtesy of Edward Jones. The statue is a replica of the original located outside Busch Stadium at the corner of 8^th and Clark.

 ·         Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Relief: Fans can get involved by participating in a special on-line auction or by making a donation at one of Busch Stadium’s six gates as they enter the ballpark today.

·         MLB 2K11: The Major League Baseball 2K11 nationwide RV Tour will be at Busch Stadium outside of Gate 5. The tour will provide fans with the opportunity to have a hands-on experience of the game and enjoy both pitching and batting cages to test out their skills.

Sunday, April 24, 2011—Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds (7:05 p.m.)

·         ESPN: Tonight’s game will be televised nationally on ESPN and the network’s Baseball Tonight Presented by Chevrolet crew will have their set located outside Busch Stadium in the Ballpark Village parking lot beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Cardinals are the fourth team this season to host the crew as they debut this new format designed to catch the atmosphere surrounding Busch during the show.

·         Silver Slugger Awards: In a pre-game ceremony, first baseman Albert Pujols and outfielder Matt Holliday will be presented their 2010 Louisville Silver Slugger awards as the top offensive player at their respective position.

·         Stan Musial Bobblehead: The first 25,000 fans with paid admission will receive a Stan Musial bobblehead compliments of Tickets.com. This is the first time ever the Cardinals have offered a bobblehead of the legendary Cardinals slugger. 

• North Star Ice Cream Sunday: All fans can visit the Ford Plaza during pre-game for free frozen treats (while supplies last) sponsored by North Star. Bring the entire family to the plaza as there will be music and plenty of fun in addition to the delicious frozen desserts.

·         MLB 2K11: The Major League Baseball 2K11 nationwide RV Tour will be at Busch Stadium outside of Gate 5. The tour will provide fans with the opportunity to have a hands-on experience of the game and enjoy both pitching and batting cages to test out their skills.

Dynamic Deals of the Week

The Cardinals new value-based dynamic pricing system allows for the Cardinals to offer outstanding ticket savings to fans throughout the season. Special values will be highlighted each Monday as part of the “Dynamic Deals of the Week” promotion. When single-game tickets went on sale to the public on February 28, 2011, more than 25 percent of games this season started as low as $5 for select ticket locations. The goals of value-based ticket pricing include broadening the ticket-buying fan base, rewarding fans for buying earlier in the season and protecting Season Ticket Holder value.

The deal for the week of Monday, April 18 features Rightfield or Leftfield Loge tickets for just $12. That means a family of four can attend Stan Musial Bobblehead Day for just $48! Don't wait - get your tickets today!

Cardinals Care Stadium Auctions

Every Tuesday and Friday, fans can get the unique opportunity to bid on exclusive autographed Cardinals memorabilia.The auction is a great way for fans and collectors alike to obtain specialty Cardinals items while helping to support the programs that Cardinals Care provides to youth in the community. The auction tables will be located at Gate Three, on the first baseline concourse, Cardinals Club, Redbird Club and in section 452 of the Terrace level.

Cardinals Care and Rawlings Team Up

Fans are encouraged to donate new or gently used baseball and softball equipment at a special bin located in the US Cellular Family Pavilion in center field. All fans who make a donation will receive a 10 percent discount on Rawlings products at ShopRawlings.com.  All members of the Cardinals Crew Kids Club presented by Rawlings would receive a 20 percent discount for donating.  To sign up for the Kids Club, visit the kiosk in the Family Pavilion or online at cardinals.com/kidsclub.

Wings on Display

On display at Plaza Frontenac is a St. Louis Cardinals butterfly, sponsored by Cardinals Care and designed by artist Daniel McCarthy and signed by the 2011 Cardinals. The butterfly will remain at Busch Stadium until May 20^th. More than 50 butterflies are on display around St. Louis and will be auctioned off on May 21 at an event at the Hyatt Regency at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Expressive Therapy Program of Wings – the BJC Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care program. To find out more visit www.wingsinthecity.org

Cardinals Publications
Cardinals Magazine is offering a terrific Opening Month special for fans: a one-year subscription and a voucher for two tickets to any Monday through Thursday home game in 2011—all for just $35. Issue 1 features a cover story on newcomer Lance Berkman, the debut of Ryan Theroit’s monthly journal, a celebration of the first five years at the new Busch Stadium and additional insider coverage. Enjoy Cardinals Magazine all season long by signing up today at 314.345.9303 or cardinals.com/publications.

Cardinals Authentics

Fans will want to stop by the Cardinals Authentics store in Ford Plaza, the only place to get official, game-used, limited edition and autographed Cardinals memorabilia directly from the team. New this year are two collectibles commemorating Stan Musial receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a special collectible commemorating  Matt Holliday’s 2010 Silver Slugger award that includes a piece of a game-used bat, as well as a variety of items to fit every budget.

Monday through Thursday Special Ticket Offers

·         Members of the Automobile Association of America (AAA) receive a $10 discount off the price of select tickets to most Monday through Thursday games.

·         The Grand Slam Ticket Pack allows fans to purchase four Terrace-level tickets, four hot dogs and four Coca-Colas for the special price of $60.

Everyday Specials

Phillips 66 Step Up to the Plate- Fill up with 10 gallons or more at participating Phillips 66 and receive a buy-one-get-one ticket offer for select games through June 30, 2011.

Cardinals/Six Flags Double Play Combo- fans can take advantage of a pair that just goes together in the summer in St. Louis. This combo pack includes one ticket to a 2011 Cardinals game and one single-day admission to Six Flags for just $55. For a full listing of all the fan friendly ticket values in 2011, visit cardinals.com/values

All 2011 Home Games

The Cardinals are pleased to team up with KMOX 1120 to offer the KMOX 1120 First Pitch Tickets. At 9 a.m. on the day of each game, fans may purchase a voucher for two tickets to that day’s game for a total cost of $11.20 ($5.60 per ticket). The voucher may be redeemed for tickets 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the game. The tickets may be anywhere in the park, depending on availability.

For information of all promotions and scheduled events visit www.cardinals.com\promotions.

R. Kelly coming to Chaifetz

R. Kelly to Bring His "Love Letter" Tour to the U.S.

Grammy Award Winning R. Kelly Prepares To Hit The Road With Keyshia Cole And Marsha Ambrosius

 Three time GRAMMY winning King of R&B, R. Kelly will bring his "Love Letter " tour to the United States beginning June 2, 2011.  This electrifying performer will tour in support of Love Letter (Jive Records) his R.I.A.A. gold-certified eleventh studio album.   Love Letter has produced two hit singles, " When A Woman Loves " and the title track which held the # 1 position on the Urban AC chart for four consecutive weeks. Kelly is one of the biggest-selling R&B artists in the world selling over 34 million albums, releasing 12 No. 1 singles and eight No. 1 albums.  His new CD incorporates classic soul music influences and features chivalrous lyrics concerning love and forgiveness.  Kelly, who wrote, produced and arranged Love Letter , pays homage to soul artists such as Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Donny Hathaway , Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder .
Love Letter received praise from critics and made the New York Times Pop Top 10 Albums of 2010 list, while its single "When A Woman Loves" made Associated Press' Best Singles of the Year List.
"Kelly is singing as vigorously as ever, on songs that are some of the most elegant of his career…the songs are in essence, secular spirituals, bombastic and warm."
                                                                                                            The New York Times
"The first single, the epic 'When A Woman Loves,' is a tour de force that not only puts Kelly's wondrous songwriting on display, but also showcases a voice that has little competition when it comes to pure power and passion."
                                                                                                            Associated Press
"A refreshingly tasteful foray into classic soul and PG lovemaking."
                                                                                                            Entertainment Weekly
"Slow-simmered, grown-man emoting…and Kelly's melodicism and vocal powers."
                                                                                                            Los Angeles Times
"The R&B lothario reminds listeners that he's still got it…"
                                                                                                            Rap-Up Magazine
Joining Kelly on the "Love Letter" tour are four-time GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter and the star of a top-rated BET reality show, Keyshia Cole and six-time GRAMMY nominated singer/songwriter/producer Marsha Ambrosius who achieved success as the "Songstress" in the now defunct duo Floetry. Ambrosius released her solo debut album Late Nights & Early Mornings, which entered at #1 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and #2 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart. 
For more information, please go to  www.r-kelly.com

Date	City	Venue
June 2	Southaven, MS	DeSoto Civic Center
June 3	New Orleans, LA	UNO Lakefront Arena
June 4	Mobile, AL	Civic Center
June 5	Houston, TX	Toyota Centre
June 10	Oakland, CA	Coliseum
June 11	Los Angeles, CA	Nokia Theater L. A. Live
June 16	Chicago, IL	Allstate Arena
June 17	St. Louis, MO	Chaifetz Arena
June 18	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center
June 19	Dallas, TX	Verizon Theater
June 24	Raleigh, NC	RBC Center
June 25	Atlanta, GA	Philips Arena
June 26	Birmingham, AL	BJCC
June 29	Cleveland, OH	CSU Wolstein Center
June 30	Newark, NJ	Prudential Center
July 1	Baltimore, MD	1st Mariner Arena
July 2	Washington, DC	Verizon Center
July 3	Philadelphia, PA	Mann Music Center

SOURCE Jive Records

Toby Keith will perform at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at St. Louis with Eric Church on Friday, Sept. 23. For show and ticket information, log on to www.livenation.com.

NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Troy Olsen

By Bob Doerschuk
© 2011 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.
It’s reassuring to know that there’s still room for young artists whose music takes us to a specific time and place without sacrificing its appeal to the broad base of listeners.
Troy Olsen, for example. His self-titled and self-produced debut EP, with co-producers and co-writers Brett Beavers and Jim Beavers joining him on “Tumbleweed,” has an epic regional feel reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam or Marty Robbins. Brushes stir a gentle but restless snare rhythm on the debut single, “Summer Thing,” written by Olsen, Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary, with lyrics that recall a seasonal idyll. There’s a dose of Glen Campbell too, in the yearning of Olsen’s vocal and chords that roll like freight down tracks on “Ghost Town Train,” which Olsen penned with Marv Green.
The vistas conjured in Olsen’s songs recall his early years in Duncan, a tiny Arizona town near the New Mexico border. He spent a lot of time there with his grandparents; though their home had no electricity, the music beckoned to Olsen through a battery-powered radio and images from The Nashville Network flickering through a TV hooked up to a cigarette lighter in a truck. Inspired, he got himself a guitar, taught himself to play, wrote songs modeled initially on the work of Yoakam and Steve Earle and began recording demos on his Walkman.
He started performing while in high school, picking up enough work to lead him to seek greener pastures in Nashville. Arriving in 2002, Olsen made the right connections, eventually co-writing Blake Shelton’s “I’ll Just Hold On” and “Ghost Town Train,” which Tim McGraw recorded for Southern Voice.
The final, essential step came in late 2009, when Olsen showcased six original songs and walked home with a deal as the first artist signed to EMI Records Nashville. Judging from the evocative content and material packed onto Troy Olsen, his future is clearer even than the sky stretched wide over those mesas back home.
IN HIS OWN WORDS Q&A
SONG YOU’D SECRETLY LOVE TO COVER “‘Watching the Wheels,’ by John Lennon.”
DREAM DUET PARTNER “Linda Ronstadt.”
PET PEEVE “Pet peeves.”
FIRST GIG “At a livestock auction. It went really bad. I forgot the words to most of the songs because I was so nervous.”
TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY
“The Eternal Optimist.”
MUSICAL HERO“Dwight Yoakam.”
BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND“Into the Wild.”
On the Web: www.TroyOlsen.com

DARIUS RUCKER SCORES FIFTH #1

“This” Tops Country Singles Charts

Rucker to Perform on NBC’s TODAY Show, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, and The Wendy Williams Show

“Live From Home with Darius Rucker” New York City Benefit Performance Nearing Sold-Out

Nashville, Tenn. (Monday, April 18, 2011) – Capitol Records Nashville’s Darius Rucker is no stranger to success, but this week he has reached a milestone that he never dreamt would be possible: his fifth chart-topping single.  “This,” the second single from his 2010 release Charleston, SC 1966, is currently #1 on both Billboard and MediaBase charts. 

“When we set out to record this album, we tried to choose songs that would mean something to the fans,” says Rucker.  “The single, “This,” was a song I never thought would be a single, but that just shows you the power of the fans because they were the ones requesting it, downloading it, and playing it for their friends.  It’s their support that has made my career in country music possible.” 

Rucker will celebrate his latest hit with a series of performances next week in New York City including TODAY Show, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, The Wendy Williams Show, and a benefit concert “Live From Home with Darius Rucker” at Housing Works’ Bookstore Café located at 126 Crosby Street.  A few tickets still remain available for purchase for “Live From Home” with every dollar supporting Housing Works’ mission to end homelessness and AIDS.  For more information and ticketing information, please visit DariusRucker.com.

“TODAY SHOW”
Monday, April 25 (NBC, 7:00 AM/ET)

“LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON”
Monday, April 25 (NBC, 12:35 AM/ET, 11:35 PM/CT)

“THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW”
Tuesday, April 26 (Syndicated, check local listings: http://www.wendyshow.com/tv-listings/)  

Charleston, SC 1966, the chart-topping follow-up release to Rucker’s platinum-selling debut country album Learn To Live, is home to the single, “Come Back Song,” which spent two weeks at #1 and has been featured on Good Morning America and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.  “This” is the second single from the album and was co-written by Rucker, his producer Frank Rogers, and Kara DioGuardi. 

Rucker will be touring throughout the summer in support of Charleston, SC 1966.  See below for a full list of tour dates.

Darius Rucker Tour Dates:
04/26/11     New York, NY                Housing Works Bookstore Cafe    
04/28/11     Bakersfield, CA                Bakersfield Fox Theater
04/29/11     Henderson, NV                Sunset Station Hotel Casino    
04/30/11     Indio, CA                         Empire Polo Field
05/05/11     Newark, OH                    Midland Theatre
05/06/11     Windsor, CA                    Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino    
05/07/11     South Bend, IN                Morris
05/11/11     Ponte Vedra Beach, FL    Tournament Players Club Sawgrass    
05/12/11     Boca Raton, FL                Sunset Cove Amphitheater    
05/14/11     St. Petersburg, FL             Tropicana Field    
05/15/11     Fort Myers, FL                 Lakes Park    
05/28/11     Pittsburgh, PA                   Heinz Field    
06/04/11     Comstock, NE                  Comstock Country Music Festival
06/05/11     Hampton Roads, VA         Patriotic Festival at Virginia Beach    
06/06/11     Nashville, TN                    The Wildhorse Saloon (Darius & Friends Benefit Concert for St. Jude)   
06/10/11     Winsted, MN                     Winstock Country Music Festival
06/16/11     Ashland, KY                      Paramount Arts Center    
06/17/11     Roanoke Rapids, NC         Rapids Jam Music Festival    
06/18/11     Rome, GA                          Ridge Ferry Park    
06/23/11     Hyannis, MA                     Cape Cod Melody Tent    
06/24/11     Hyannis, MA                     Cape Cod Melody Tent    
06/25/11     Cohasset, MA                   South Shore Music Circus    
06/26/11     Mashantucket, CT             MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods    
07/09/11     Fort Loramie, OH              Hickory Hill Lakes    
07/14/11     Columbia, MO                  The Blue Note    
07/15/11     Atchison, KS                     Warnock Lake Park    
07/17/11     Craven, CA                       Craven Country Jamboree    
07/20/11     Red Deer, AB, CA            Enmax Centrium
07/23/11     Twin Lakes, WI                 Country Thunder    
07/24/11     Wabash, IN                       Honeywell Center    
07/31/11     Sweet Home, OR              Oregon Jamboree    
08/04/11     Davenport, IA                   Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds    
08/05/11     Prairie Du Chien, WI          St. Feriole Island    
08/06/11     Detroit Lakes, MN            WE Fest
08/25/11     New Brunswick, NJ          State Theatre    
08/27/11     Danville, VA                     Carrington Pavilion    
08/28/11     Easton, PA                       State Theatre Center For the Arts    
09/01/11     New York, NY                Best Buy Theater
09/02/11     Lancaster, PA                  American Music Theater
09/03/11     Westbury, NY                 NYCB THEATRE

For more information, please visit www.dariusrucker.com.