Joe Nichols on the Grand Ole Opry stage in April 2008. 2008 Copyright Grand Ole Opry® Photo by Chris Hollo, Hollo Photographics.
March 3, 2009 — Joe Nichols is in Australia, George Strait sold out an entire stadium in one hour, and Jason Aldean is planning his first live DVD.
As spring approaches, country music is awash in concert news with Toby Keith, Little Big Town and Billy Currington all adjusting their itineraries.
The latest from the road:
• Joe Nichols launched his first Australian tour last week. He’s staying for a full 10-day run, which prevents him from attending this week’s Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. "So," he says to U.S. programmers, "might I offer a big ‘g’day, mate’ from Down Under?" The first single from his next album ships to those same broadcasters in April.
• Tickets for George Strait’s June 6 christening of the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium are already gone. In fact, he sold out the entire venue in a crisp 60 minutes. Joining George at Tony Romo’s new workplace will be Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough.
• Jason Aldean’s performance on Friday at the Knoxville Coliseum will double as a location shoot for his first concert DVD. "Making a live DVD has been a dream of mine for years," Jason says. "I'm excited to shoot it in Knoxville because you can't find a more fun crowd...They are young and always come ready to party."
• Four new country musicians won a contest through Eventful to open for Little Big Town during the band’s A Place To Land Tour. Who’s with the band? Josey Greenwell, of Bardstown, Ky.; 32 Below, Fargo, N.D.; Corinne Chapman, Nashville; and J.W. Cudd, Nashville.
• Billy Currington is set to headline the post-race concert for the Country Music Marathan and Half Marathon April 25 in Nashville. Billy, Ashton Shepherd and the Carter Twins will play the Sommet Center, the same venue where the Country Music Association presents its annual awards. Among those who’ll actually run the route that morning: Diamond Rio’s Marty Roe and Jimmy Olander, and GAC’s Suzanne Alexander.
• On the heels of his Biggest & Baddest Tour, Toby Keith is preparing America’s Toughest Tour this summer, beginning June 18 in Holmdel, N.J. Opening will be Trace Adkins.
• Mark Wills launches this year’s Honky Tonk Tailgate Party April 17 at Gilley’s in Dallas with Trent Willmon and Jeff Bates. Mark also hosts the GAC series The Year. The next episode goes back to 1993 Thursday at 10 p.m. ET.
• Jamey Johnson plays a live webcast on his site Thursday at 11:30 p.m. CT. Holly Williams will open the webcast at 11.