Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Highlights Jason Aldean with New Exhibit Presented By Field & Stream

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will explore the life and career of Jason Aldean, two-time and reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, with the exhibition Jason Aldean: Asphalt Cowboy, presented by Field & Stream, opening May 26.

RIAA’s top digital Country male artist of all time has helped define today’s Country music with his wide-open sound. The exhibit will showcase the early encouragement Aldean received from both parents, his move to Nashville, his struggle to get his music heard and his groundbreaking success with an independent record company. Running until November 5, Jason Aldean: Asphalt Cowboy will also include childhood mementos, memorabilia from Aldean’s early career, stagewear, guitars, awards, photos and more from his personal collection.

“In ‘Asphalt Cowboy’ Jason sings about running underneath the stars on a ride that won’t let him go,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “Years of touring across the country, burning up the asphalt, have led him to country music superstardom on a ride that’s far from over. We are pleased that he will join Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood among the contemporary artists we have featured in special summer exhibits examining country music in the twenty-first century.”

“I could not be more honored to have an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Aldean. “To look around the space and see my personal heroes and artists who helped shape country music is a surreal feeling. To be a part of a legacy like this really is a dream come true.”

Field & Stream, a specialty outdoor retail and product brand owned and operated by DICK’S Sporting Goods, is sponsoring the exhibit to enable country music fans and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country to get a closer look at one of the most iconic country music artists in the industry. Aldean has been a Field & Stream spokesperson since 2016.

“When we first started working with Jason, it was our goal to create an authentic partnership with someone who is genuinely passionate about the outdoors” said Lauren Hobart Executive Vice President & Chief Customer & Digital Officer, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “We are not only thrilled to be supporting Jason’s exhibit in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, but we’re excited to help bring country music fans and outdoor enthusiasts closer to the music they enjoy.”

Jason Aldean: Asphalt Cowboy exhibition highlights include:

  • Wooden childhood rocking horse with Aldean’s name engraved
  • First guitar, given to Aldean by his father
  • High school graduation photo
  • T-shirt, bio and set list for Aldean’s high school band the Young Guns
  • Poster for Trisha Yearwood and Aldean, when he opened for her homecoming concert in the late ’90s
  • Contract cover letter for signing with Broken Bow Records, 2004
  • Brown short-sleeve shirt worn in “Johnny Cash” video
  • Note from Jay Leno to Aldean before Tonight Show performance, November 2010

One of the most visited museums in the United States, with an unduplicated collection of more than 2.5 million artifacts, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2017. Aldean’s installation leads a year packed with revealing exhibitions on topics including Loretta Lynn, Shania Twain, and country music couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

Follow the museum on FacebookTwitterInstagram and Snapchat, and join the conversation using #CMHOF50 and #JasonAldeanExhibit. For more information, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.

RaeLynn Partners With Forever 21 for Exclusive In-Store Appearances

Adding yet another splash of style to her one-of-a-kind RaVe TOUR experience, chart-topping country star RaeLynn has partnered with FOREVER 21 for a round of exclusive in-store appearances.

In support of her groundbreaking RaVe TOUR – equal parts country concert and dance party – the Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville artist will visit stores in select cities to meet fans and sign copies of her new #1 album, WILDHORSE. Fashionable fans are invited to stop by, pick up an album and say hello, then two lucky winners at each event will be selected randomly to receive tickets for the night’s show.

RaeLynn’s special FOREVER 21 appearance schedule begins Friday (May 12) at the Jordan Creek Town Center in Des Moines, Iowa, and will continue through May 23 at Nashville’s Cool Springs Galleria. 

Meanwhile, the RaVe TOUR itself – the rising star’s first ever headlining run – shifts into high gear on Thursday (May 11) with a hotly-anticipated show at JOE’S LIVE in Rosemont, IL. After wowing opening weekend crowds in Columbus, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, RaeLynn will welcome fans with a Radio Disney curated pre-party, perform a full set of tunes like her Top 10 hit “God Made Girls,” and then return to groove the night away with fans and a live DJ.

The heartbreakingly raw video for “Love Triangle” earned RaeLynn her second CMT nod for BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR at this year’s CMT Music Awards, after also scoring a nomination in the category for her hit “God Made Girls” in 2015. Voting is open now here.  

Last week, she made her late-night TV debut on NBC’s Late Night With Seth Meyers performing the powerful divorce ballad “Love Triangle,” the lead single from her critically acclaimed debut album. The RaVe TOUR continues through May 24 at Nashville’s Mercy Lounge.

Here’s a complete list of RaeLynn’s exclusive FOREVER 21 appearances:
Friday, May 12
4:30-6:30 PM
Forever 21 at Jordan Creek Town Center
Des Moines, IA

Friday, May 19
4:30-6:30 PM
Forever 21 at Eastwood Towne Center
Lansing, MI

Saturday, May 20
4:30-6:30 PM
Forever 21 at Circle Centre Mall
Indianapolis, IN

Tuesday, May 23
4:30-6:30 PM
Forever 21 at Cool Springs Galleria
Nashville, TN

Granger Smith Announces New Single “Happens Like That”

 Granger Smith took to social media this morning revealing the title, artwork and release date of his new single. “Happens Like That” will be available worldwide on Friday, May 19 and will impact radio Monday, June 12.

He posted: “HAPPENS LIKE THAT”… my brand new single available everywhere May 19! #HappensLikeThat 

“Happens Like That” is the first single off his upcoming new album, slated to release this fall. Granger recently sat down with Billboard to express his excitement in bringing his fans new music saying, “Writing on tour, in the heart of all our fans, where ultimately the songs will be delivered, is a game changer for me. We can literally look out the window of the bus and write songs about the town where we are parked. That’s exactly how ‘Happens Like That’ was penned, sitting on the bus in a parking lot in Tacoma, Washington watching fans file into the show. I can’t get more connected than that.”

Granger penned the track with Tyler Hubbard from Florida Georgia Line, Jordan Schmidt, Justin Wilson and Andy Albert. “The song came from the idea that as soon as you sort of stop looking and are content with being single, that’s when the love of your life walks into your life. That narrative unfolded as all of us had lived it. It’s when we least expect it – it happens like that.”

Smith plans to release his next full length album this fall. He will take a break from his national, headlining tour this fall to go on the road with Luke Bryan on the “Huntin’, Fishin’, And Lovin’ Every Day Tour.”

Florida Georgia Line Adds Three New Country Newcomers To The Smooth Tour 2017

Just weeks away from the kickoff of their groundbreaking THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017, Country mega stars Florida Georgia Line have now rounded out their headline trek’s already stellar lineup with three new supporting artists.

Joining THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 on select dates are rising stars Morgan Wallen, Ryan Hurd and Russell Dickerson (full schedule below). They’ll fire up massive crowds each night before a genre-busting cast of fellow stars take the stage, including FGL, Hip-Hop icon Nelly and breakout Country talent Chris Lane.

Wallen’s debut single, “The Way I Talk,” has just entered Country radio’s Top 30, while Hurd and Dickerson recently turned heads on Thomas Rhett’s HOME TEAM TOUR and with attention-grabbing debut EPs.

Pop idols BACKSTREET BOYS will also be featured on THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 in three historic stadium concerts – Boston (July 7), Minneapolis (July 29) and Chicago (August 12) – FGL’s first-ever headlining stadium shows.

Meanwhile, FGL’s Country dominance continues as they’ve been nominated in three categories for the 2017 CMT MUSIC AWARDS: Video of the Year (“H.O.L.Y.”), Duo Video of the Year (“H.O.L.Y.”), and Collaborative Video of the Year (“May We All” featuring Tim McGraw). Voting is now open on CMT.com. The RIAA also recently presented them with four new sales certifications. Current single “God, Your Mama, And Me” is now GOLD-certified for moving over 500,000 units, while “Confession” and “May We All” (featuring Tim McGraw) have both reached PLATINUM status for crossing 1 million units. Likewise, the 2016 smash “H.O.L.Y.” has gone 3X PLATINUM, bringing the duo’s total number of tracks sold to over 29 million worldwide.

On May 17, FGL will perform at the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s 8th annual Catwalk for a Cause fundraiser. Featuring a James Bond theme and a guest list of NASCAR stars, the night raises money for the fight against childhood and ovarian cancers and will celebrate 15 “Catwalk Heroes” aged 3 – 17 who have beaten or continue to battle the disease. Culminating in a fashion-show style event, each honoree will be escorted down the runway by NASCAR drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, Joey Logano, and Truex Jr. More information can be found at martintruexjrfoundation.org.

Here’s a complete list of dates featuring THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017’s new supporting artists:
* with MORGAN WALLEN
# with RYAN HURD
+ with RUSSELL DICKERSON

June 2 – Austin 360 Amphitheatre – Austin, TX *
June 3 – Starplex Pavilion – Dallas, TX *
June 15 – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY #
June 16 – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center – Darien Center, NY #
June 17 – BB&T Pavilion – Philadelphia, PA #
June 24 – Klipsch Music Center – Indianapolis, IN #
June 25 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis, MO #

July 14 – The Amphitheater at the Wharf – Orange Beach, AL *
July 15 – The Amphitheater at the Wharf – Orange Beach, AL *
July 21 – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC *
July 22 – Hershey Park – Hershey, PA *
July 23 – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY *
July 27 – BOK Center – Tulsa, OK #

August 3 – PNC Music Pavilion – Charlotte, NC #
August 4 – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater – Virginia Beach, VA #
August 5 – Jiffy Lube Live – Bristow, VA #
August 10 – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – Bethel, NY #
August 11 – Blossom Music Center – Cleveland, OH #
August 17 – PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ #
August 18 – XFINITY Theatre – Hartford, CT #
August 19 – KeyBank Pavilion – Pittsburgh, PA #

September 1 – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH *
September 2 – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH *
September 7 – Honda Center – Anaheim, CA +
September 8 – Glen Helen Amphitheater – San Bernardino, CA +
September 9 – Mattress Firm Amphitheatre – San Diego, CA +
September 10 – AK-Chin Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ +
September 14 – Toyota Amphitheatre – Wheatland, CA +
September 15 – Concord Pavilion – Concord, CA +
September 16 – Shoreline Amphitheatre – Mountain View, CA +
September 21 – Toyota Center – Kennewick, WA +
September 22 – Adams Center – Missoula, MT +
September 23 – Brick Breeden Fieldhouse – Bozeman, MT +
September 29 – USANA Amphitheatre – Salt Lake City, UT +
September 30 – Pepsi Center – Denver, CO +

October 1 – ISLETA Amphitheatre – Albuquerque, NM +
October 6 – White River Amphitheatre – Seattle, WA +
October 7 – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater – Portland, OR +
October 12 – Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena – Jacksonville, FL *
October 13 – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL Fairgrounds – Tampa, FL *
October 14 – Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre at the S. Florida Fairgrounds – West Palm Beach, FL *
October 19 – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre – Birmingham, AL *
October 20 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park – Alpharetta, GA *
October 21 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park – Alpharetta, GA *

Live Nation is the official promoter of THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 and tickets can be purchased at LiveNation.com. For more information on Florida Georgia Line, visit floridageorgialine.com.

Chris Lane’s Latest Single “For Her” Rises to the Top 25 on the Charts

Poised and prepared for a massive summer of success, breakout talent Chris Lane’s star continues to rise as his latest single, “For Her,” has now cracked the Top 25 on the Billboard and Country Aircheck airplay charts, his second trip into the upper echelons of Country radio.

Foreshadowing a year sure to be filled with career milestones, the R&B-infused hit has also made a huge impact on digital platforms, gathering over 20 MILLION Spotify streams and rocketing to #1 on the iTunes Top Country Songs chart in January following Lane’s special appearance on ABC’s reality romance series The Bachelor.

Written by Kelly Archer, Sarah Buxton and Matt Dragstem, “For Her” is a devoted, hearts-on-fire confession of love and the second release from Lane’s Big Loud Records debut album, GIRL PROBLEMS, which arrived in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Albums chart upon its release in August 2016.

It’s the follow-up to his GOLD-certified #1 debut, “Fix,” which first introduced the North Carolina native as a genre-defying crooner with sky-high vocals and swagger to spare, leading to nominations for New Male Vocalist of the Year at the 52nd ACM Awards and Best New Country Artist at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Lane recently took “For Her” to late-night TV, delivering an energetic performance of the track on CONAN, and thrilled Canadian fans over the weekend as he wrapped up the last few sold-out shows as an opening act on Florida Georgia Line’s DIG YOUR ROOTS TOUR.

This summer, he’ll join select dates of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s long-awaited SOUL2SOUL TOUR reboot, and also serve as the featured supporting artist on FGL’s THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 alongside hip-hop icon Nelly. THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 – which will also feature pop idols Backstreet Boys for three historic stadium concerts – kicks off June 2 in Austin, Texas.