Jason Aldean and Wife Brittany Reveal Baby’s Gender

Jason Aldean and his wife Brittany, along with his two daughters Keeley (14) and Kendyl (9), revealed the gender of their baby. As announced earlier in the month, Jason and Brittany are expecting their first child together later this year. Their first child will be a BOY as revealed today and shared with fans across social media.

Congratulations and Best Wishes go out to the Aldean family!

its a………

A post shared by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean) on

CMA Music Festival Announces FREE Nightly Concerts at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage

CMA Music Festival announces free nightly concerts at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage located in downtown Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater Thursday, June 8 through Saturday, June 10, beginning at 7:00 PM/CT each evening.

Big and Rich “Bring the Party” will kick off the 2017 festivities Thursday with special guests DJ Sinister & the Country Fried Mix and Cowboy Troy. Additional performers include Deana Carter, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys, presented by Nash Icon.

Sara Evans will headline Ladies of Country Friday. Also performing are songstresses 3 Girls Rock into a Bar featuring Kelleigh Bannen, Ruthie Collins, and Natalie Stovall; Danielle Bradbery; Kellie Pickler; and Aubrie Sellers, hosted by media partner WKRN-TV, ABC’s Channel 2 Nashville.

SiriusXM The Highway presents Saturday with Dan + ShayHunter Hayes, High Valley and RaeLynn, with additional performances by newcomers Cale Dodds, Ryan Kinder and Bailey Bryan, all powered by Warner Sound.

“With tens of thousands of Country Music fans pouring in from all over the U.S. and over two dozen countries, CMA’s partnership with Cracker Barrel to present free nightly concerts at Ascend offers non-four-day ticket holders access to additional nighttime options and the chance to see even more of their favorite artists,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

“Music and entertainment are an important part of the Cracker Barrel brand experience because the platform provides an invaluable and resounding connection with our guests, which is why we’ve committed to this partnership for the next three years,” said Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Senior Vice President of Marketing Don Hoffman. 

During the Festival, Cracker Barrel will also launch “Rock-A-Thon,” a rocking chair experience to raise money for the CMA Foundation, Thursday through Saturday evening. The brand will bring a little piece of home to downtown Nashville by displaying 644 rocking chairs, a symbol of its nationwide store count. If Festival-goers collectively rock at least 150,000 times in a rocker, Cracker Barrel will donate $15,000 to the CMA Foundation. Fans can follow along online and on smart phones to track the progress at www.CBRockathon.com. For more information on Cracker Barrel activations at CMA Music Fest, follow along on social media using hashtag #CBMusic.

Funds generated through CMA Music Festival benefit music education. Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $17.5 million to support quality, sustainable music education initiatives across the country on behalf of the artists who participate in the event for free, impacting the lives of one million children through the power of music.

Joining the star-packed lineup of the Nightly Concerts at Nissan Stadium to sing the National Anthem each evening will be Phil Vassar on Thursday alongside the United States Customs and Border Protection color guard, Brooke Eden on Friday, the Knoxville, Tennessee Central High School Bobcat Company choral group, led by Choral Director Matt Parks Saturday, and Restless Heart Sunday.

The HGTV Lodge returns to the 2017 CMA Music Festival with Country Music’s hottest stars taking the stage in the network’s popular and unique venue. The 3,500-square-foot HGTV Lodge, located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Broadway, will offer Festival-goers the Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™, including live musical performances by popular artists Maren MorrisOld DominionDarius Rucker and Keith Urban, as well as special appearances by HGTV stars Mina Starsiak and Karen E Laine (“Good Bones”), Ben and Erin Napier (“Home Town”), Jonathan and Drew Scott (“Property Brothers”) and Dave and Kortney Wilson (“Masters of Flip”).

The HGTV Lodge, which celebrates its sixth consecutive year at CMA Fest, also will host performances and autograph signings with many more Country Music stars, including Lauren Alaina, Bobby BonesBrothers Osborne, Kane BrownLuke CombsRussell Dickerson, Tyler FarrChris JansonEric Paslay, RaeLynn, Michael Ray, Josh Turner and Brett Young. Great American Country’s Suzanne Alexander will serve as the HGTV Lodge emcee during the four-day event.

Social discovery app Bumble is teaming up with Grammy and seven-time CMA Award-winning trio Lady Antebellum to bring the “You Look Good” Beetique to CMA Fest on Saturday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM/CT at The Bell Tower. The Beetique will feature a beautiful indoor aesthetic and create a space that complements both Bumble’s mission of empowering women and the meaning behind the group’s new single — the lighthearted spirit of feeling good. Bumble users are invited to attend and experience a beauty bar powered by Sephora and styling studio from The Dry House, as well as a BFF Lounge, photo booths, a custom menu of bites and refreshments provided by Brancott Estate Wines, all curated by Cassie Kelley of Womanista.

The event will also feature artist appearances throughout the day from Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini, Bannen, Bradbery, CamSara Evans, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman of Little Big Town, Megan & Liz, Kacey Musgraves , Post Monroe and influencers Caroline Hobby and Brooke Webb of KBStyled. Select attendees of the Beetique will have the chance to attend the evening’s exclusive private event “Hottest Date Night Ever” with special performances by Walker Hayes, Lady Antebellum and Young. Fans can follow the event and join the conversation using hashtags #BumbleBeetique and #YouLookGood, and see highlights at @Bumble on Instagram or blog.bumble.com.

“CMA identified a unique opportunity in partnering with Bumble for this digital activation so that fans can interact with some of their favorite artists in an engaging, and more accessible way,” said Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer.

A limited number of tickets for the Nightly Concerts at Nissan Stadium are still available through the CMA Box Office at 1-800-CMA-FEST. Nightly Concert tickets also include four-day access to Xfinity Fan Fair X. Outdoor daytime stages including the Chevrolet Riverfront and Park Stages, Budweiser “Forever Country” Park Stage, Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe and the Music City Stage inside the Nashville Visitor Center at Bridgestone Arena are free and open to the public.

CMA is offering a special CMA Fest Nash Pass for $50 plus tax which includes a four-day Xfinity Fan Fair X ticket, a self-guided tour of the Ryman Auditorium (that must be used during the Festival), admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and VIP entry and seating at Ascend Amphitheater’s nightly concerts. Nash Pass VIP entry will be accessible from 5:00 PM/CT to 7:00 PM/CT. Gates open to the general public at 6:00 PM/CT.

Updates to the Official 2017 CMA Fest App, including information on more stages, real-time alerts for secret shows, schedule customizations and share options, and connecting with friends, are all now available. Fans can also register for CMA Fest Fan Access within the app for a chance to win a VIP trip for two to the 2018 CMA Fest, airfare, hotel accommodations, and front row tickets to the Nightly Concerts at Nissan Stadium. Fans who sign up can enter the Ultimate Fan Experiences Drawing starting Tuesday, May 30 at 10:00 AM/CT for chances to win meet & greets with artists and special performances in the HGTV Lodge, plus register their QR code at scan stations throughout the Festival for chances to win instant prizes. 

The app is available for iOS in the Apple App Store and Android in the Google Play Store. For more details, visit CMAfest.com/app.

Stay connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, Facebook.com/CMA, Twitter.com/CountryMusic, Instagram.com/CMA, “CMAsnaps” on Snapchat, and sign up for CMA Country Connection, CMA’s e-newsletter.

Gary Allan Returns With Brand New Single “Mess Me Up”

EMI Nashville’s Gary Allan delivers his sexy new single, “Mess Me Up” which marks “a return to form for the cool California country singer” (Rolling Stone Country). Co-written by three of Nashville’s most revered songwriters: Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman and Shane McAnally, and co-produced by Allan alongside Copperman and Greg Droman, “Mess Me Up” will go for adds at Country Radio on Tuesday, May 30. Download “Mess Me Up” HERE

Rolling Stone Country shares the exclusive premiere of the new lyric video for “Mess Me Up.” Watch the lyric video HERE.

“I have been a fan of ‘Mess Me Up’ since the first time I heard the demo,” Allan tells Rolling Stone Country. “It sounded like a song I could have written, or wish I had written. From the first time I played it live, it got a huge reaction from the fans. It is definitely a fan favorite, and I am glad it is now a single.”

“Mess Me Up” fits in seamlessly with two decades of smoldering hot heartbreak songs delivered in Allan’s signature style including “Smoke Rings In The Dark,” “See If I Care,” “Songs About Rain,” and “It Ain’t The Whiskey.” The new single will be featured on his forthcoming studio album which will serve as the follow up to his #1 Billboard 200 and Billboard Top Country Albums chart-topper SET YOU FREE.

For more information about Gary Allan, visit garyallan.com.

Rascal Flatts Announce Vegas Residency at The Venetian Theater

The best-selling country vocal group of the past decade, Rascal Flatts, will headline a limited Las Vegas engagement, “A Night to Shine,” presented by SiriusXM, in The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian® Las Vegas October 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 18, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m.

With only 1,800 seats, the breathtaking Venetian Theatre will give fans the rare opportunity to see Rascal Flatts in an intimate venue in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. The theater is tailor-made for musical engagements, having hosted a number of other international entertainment icons such as Diana Ross, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, The Judds, Willie Nelson and The Moody Blues, as well as Il Divo’s upcoming engagement this September.

“Vegas just keeps pulling us back in,” said Gary LeVox. “Our previous two residencies were such an amazing experience and opportunity to connect with our fans on a more intimate level.  I think moving over to The Venetian will provide a totally different setting and fan experience that we’re really excited about!”

Tickets starting at $49 (plus applicable fees) go on sale to the public Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. PST and can be purchased at any box office at The Venetian or The Palazzo, online at ticketmaster.com or venetian.com or by calling 702.414.9000 or 866.641.7469. A limited number of VIP packages with meet and greets will also be available.

Rascal Flatts fan club members will have access to a pre-sale beginning Monday, May 22 at 10 a.m. PST. American Express® card members will have access to a pre-sale beginning Thursday, May 25 at 10 a.m. PST. Grazie loyalty members, SiriusXM, Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will receive access to a pre-sale beginning Wednesday, May 31 at 10 a.m. PST. All pre-sales will end Thursday, June 1 at 10 p.m. PST.

A force to be reckoned with in any genre, Rascal Flatts’ tenth studio album, BACK TO US (Big Machine Records) is available now.

To purchase BACK TO US and more, visit rascalflatts.com.

Chris Janson Is Fixin’ To Send New Single “Fix A Drink” To Country Radio + Release New EP

Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville recording artist Chris Janson is bringing brand new music to country radio on May 22 with the summer anthem “Fix A Drink.” The music video is hitting TV airwaves this weekend exclusively on CMT and features some special guests and familiar faces. You won’t want to miss it!

“The reaction and support for ‘Fix A Drink’ has been amazing and overwhelming,” said Janson. “I am thrilled to have it on country music radio! This video is just icing on the cake. We had a ball. My good buddies took the time to be in it, and that meant the world to me.”

Co-written with Chris Dubois and Ashley Gorley, “Fix A Drink” is the first single from his forthcoming album due later this year. The breakout star is currently on the road and will join Sam Hunt this summer for the “15 in a 30” tour, kicking off June 1 in Cleveland (full dates below). Janson will make five of new his songs available for fans at the shows with his Fix A Drink – EP, featuring its namesake single, due out June 9.

The summer will also bring the singer/songwriter to select dates of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “Soul2Soul” tour. A widely praised performer, Janson has continued to tour throughout the winter and recently sold out shows in Iowa, Mississippi and more.

CHRIS JANSON SUMMER TOUR DATES:
May 19, 2017 Knoxville, TN Cotton Eyed Joe
May 20, 2017 Valdosta, GA Wild Adventures Theme Park
May 26, 2017 Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry
May 27, 2017 Skiatook, OK Osage Casinos
May 28, 2017 Daytona Beach, FL Country 500 Music Festival
*June 1, 2017 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center
*June 2, 2017 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
*June 3, 2017 Cullman, AL Rock The South
June 8, 2017 Nashville, TN Annual Friend Club Party
June 8, 2017 Nashville, TN CMA Music Festival
June 10, 2017 Vernon, NY FrogFest – Bands, Bulls, & Beer
*June 15, 2017 Toronto, Canada Budweiser Stage
*June 16, 2017 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
*June 17, 2017 Pittsburg, PA KeyBank Pavilion
June 22, 2017 Brainerd, MN Lakes Jam
*June 23, 2017 Gilford, NH Bank Of NH Pavilion
*June 24, 2017 Hartford, CT Xfinity Theatre
*June 25, 2017 Holmdel, NJ P.N.C. Bank Arts Center
June 29, 2017 Hays, KS Wild West Festival
June 30, 2017 Algona, IA Abate Of Iowa Freedom Rally
July 1, 2017 Oklahoma City, OK Frontier City
*July 7, 2017 Saint Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
*July 8, 2017 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
*July 9, 2017 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
*July 13, 2017 Alpharetta, GA Verizon Amphitheater
*July 14, 2017 Tampa, FL MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
*July 15, 2017 West Palm Beach, FL Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre At The S. Florida Fairgrounds
July 19, 2017 Hastings, NE Adams County Fairfest
*July 21, 2017 Bangor, ME Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
*July 22, 2017 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center
*July 23, 2017 Canandaigua, NY CMAC
July 26, 2017 Cheyenne, WY Cheyenne Frontier Days
*July 27, 2017 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater At VA Beach
*July 28, 2017 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park At Walnut Creek
*July 29, 2017 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
August 4, 2017 Cowichan Lake, Canada Sunfest
August 5, 2017 Sweet Home, OR Oregon Jamboree Music Festival
*August 10, 2017 Chula Vista, CA Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
*August 11, 2017 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
*August 12, 2017 Sacramento, CA Toyota Amphitheatre
*August 15, 2017 Los Angeles, CA THE GREEK
*August 16, 2017 Los Angeles, CA THE GREEK
*August 19, 2017 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion
*August 21, 2017 Denver, CO Red Rocks
*August 22, 2017 Denver, CO Red Rocks
*Sam Hunt’s “15 in a 30” Tour