Lon Helton wins, Rascal Flatts Chicago controversy, Reba is coming to town, Keith Urban acoustic, Country’s Hottest Party, more ACM nominees and America’s Got Talent on CountryMusicChicago.com
Lon Helton Wins ACM Award
Congrats to CMT Country Countdown USA host, Lon Helton, who has picked up a prestigious Academy of Country Music Award for National, On-Air Personality of the Year. Helton, who has interviewed almost all of country music’s biggest artists over the years, has deep roots in Chicago and Illinois. You can catch the CMT Country Countdown USA on WUSN (US99), Sunday mornings. Helton will officially receive his award on April 5, at the 44th Annual ACM Awards Show in Las Vegas.
Rascal Flatts Controversy
Chicago’s Wrigleyville residents are protesting this summer’s scheduled Rascal Flatts concert at the historic, Wrigley Field, because it may violate a city ordinance. The Chicago Sun-Times has the complete scoop on the RascalVille controversy.
Reba, here on a Mission
The Queen of Country Music, Reba McEntire, will perform on March 21, at the Northwest Suburban Sears Centre for a benefit concert. Proceeds of the concert will go to a local, high-school wrestling coach who has been diagnosed with a rare spine disease. Tickets go on sale Monday on Ticketmaster.com
Keith Urban “No Frills” Tour
Country music mega star, Keith Urban, has announced a “no-frills” acoustic tour to promote his Defying Gravity album release. Fans will probably have to be able to “deify gravity” in order to get into this show. Urban is set for Joe’s Bar, March 30. Verizon Wireless is sponsoring the tour and customers can win tickets by using their V-Cast service. US99.com has the scoop: http://us99.com/pages/3917961.php
Busy, busy weekend!
Hopefully the weather will stay nice this weekend so country music fans can enjoy all of the great concerts. Joe’s Bar has Jason Michael Carroll on tap for Friday and Chuck Wicks & TelluRide on Saturday. The word on the street is the hit television show, Dancing with the Stars, will film Wicks performance for the show. Maybe his girlfriend and dance partner, Julianne Hough, will be around too. Tickets
You can join us in St. Charles, Saturday, to party out with John Rich (Big & Rich) and Illinois’ own Gretchen Wilson. Country’s Hottest Party 2009 is this weekend at the Pheasant Run Mega Center, St. Charles. We here from the venue there will be some crazy, un-expected surprises. Also, stick around after the show for the US99 after party. Click here for tickets: Ticketmaster.com
Speaking of Joe’s
Congrats to Joe’s Bar for picking up the very prestigious Academy of Country Music nomination for Nightclub of the Year. We’re sure rooting for you!
A congratulation also goes out to:
WXXQ‐FM (Rockford, IL) – Rockford’s Country; WFYR‐FM (Peoria, IL) – River Country; and WXCL‐FM (Peoria, IL) – Number One For New Country, nominated for Radio Station of the Year for a Small Market and WFYR‐FM (Peoria, IL) – Rick Stephenson & Lisa Franks who were nominated for On-Air Personality of the Year – Small Market.
Watch the ACMs on CBS – 2 (WBBM) on Sunday, April 5.
Aspiring Country Music Singers
The hit reality television show, America’s Got Talent, will be hosting an open-call on Sunday and Monday at McCormick Place in the South Building, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Contestants are encouraged to pre-register at http://www.nbc.com/AGT
Well, that’s the word on the street. Remember to support our local country music scene and we hope to see you at the next concert.
- Scott Winterroth
