Get Ready for Chesney

Concert Alert

Country music mega star Kenny Chesney will return to Soldier Field for what is becoming a routine stop in his summer Sun City Carnival Tour. This year, the four-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year is bringing half of Nashville with him. Joining Chesney on the June 13 Chicago stop are the ACM Duo of the Year, Sugarland; soon-to-be newest members of the Grand Ole Opry, Montgomery Gentry; Miranda Lambert, who is just off the release of her newest single “Dead Flowers” and one of Nashville’s newest and hottest groups, Lady Antebellum.

Call it a concert but mini fan-fare festival just might be a bit more appropriate. From the all-star lineup to the parking lot, pre-show festivities, Chesney’s concertgoers have the opportunity to catch some of the biggest and brightest stars all on one ticket.

Be sure to head down to the lakefront early. Starting at 12:30 p.m, concertgoers can catch a free, live performance from Luke Bryan and local bands Cross Country Junction and the Penny Mae Dixon Band in the Soldier Field South Festival area near Gate 14.

Tickets for the Sun City Carnival Tour concert range from $20 – $200 and are available through Ticketmaster.com. Four-pack tickets are available for a special rate of $99.

DETAILS:

Kenny Chesney with Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum.

WHEN: Saturday, June 13, 2009 | 4PM

WHERE: Soldier Field, 1400 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, Ill.

TICKETS: $20 – $200 available through Ticketmaster.com

Post-Memorial Day Fun

Concert Alert

But wait, there’s more! Even after country music stars like Keith Urban and George Strait kept country music fans rockin’ in Chicago, area venues aim to make sure Memorial Day is not the last hurrah in May.

Here to celebrate the unofficial first week of summer are country music stars Jason Michael Carroll on Wednesday at Joe’s Bar, Sara Evans on Thursday at the Venue at Horseshoe Casino and newcomers David Nail with The Lost Trailers on Friday at Joe’s Bar.

Jason Michael Carroll has been quite a busy guy since his February appearance at Joe’s Bar. He has released is second album, Growing up is Getting Old and the album’s first single “Where I’m From” is edging it’s way up the country music charts. Carroll isn’t just around for his concert this week. He has been asked by the Chicago Cubs to throw the ceremonial first pitch and sing the National Anthem at Tomorrow’s Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates game at Wrigley Field. Catch Carroll at Joe’s Bar on Wednesday, tickets are available exclusively through US99’s Eight Shows at Joe’s Series. US99.com

Like Carroll, Sara Evans is no stranger to Chicago as she has performed for a handful of various venues festival around Chicagoland. Take advantage of this opportunity to catch Evans at the Venue at Horseshoe Casino. Located just minutes from Chicago in Hammond, Ind, The Venue offers a very comfortable seating arrangement and super-friendly staff. Tickets for Thursday’s show range from $38 – $58 and are available through the Venue’s Box office and Ticketmaster.com.

To top off the week, The Lost Trailers with newcomer David Nail are headed to Joe’s Bar for Friday Night, Country Night series. The Lost Trailers are making country music waves with their diverse hit singles “Holler Back”, the come-on ya’ll lets have some fun single, and “How ‘Bout You Don’t” the slow, she’s leaving song. Accompanying the Trailers is Missouri native David Nail who recently released his first single titled “Red Light” to country radio. Head down to Joe’s on Friday to support new music, you won’t be disappointed with this lineup! Tickets are $10 and available at the venue’s box office or on Ticketmaster.com.

Word on the Street – May 21

Jason Michael Carroll – Play Ball!

Although Jason Michael Carroll sings about going without sleep, Chicago Cubs fans will need the country music singer to be well-rested and focused for his debut at Wrigley Field. Carroll has been asked to perform the National Anthem and throw out the first pitch of the Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates game Tuesday at the friendly confines. He will also lead the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch. chicago.cubs.mlb.com

Can’t make the game? Catch Carroll the following night at Joe’s Bar where he will perform for US99’s Eight Shows at Joe’s Series. More info on us99.com.

2009 CMT Awards – The Final Round!

Tuesday marked the beginning of the final round of fan-voting for the 2009 CMT Music Awards. At the top of this year’s nomination list are Sugarland in the lead with five final nominations and Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift tied in a close second with four nominations each. Fans have till June 14 to log-on to CMT.com and cast their vote.

The music video focused awards show will premiere live on Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. CDT on CMT and CMT.com. This year’s show includes performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and British rockers Def Leppard.

For information on voting or to view the artists nominated, visit CMT.com.

State Fair Lineup Announced

State Fair officials announced the Grandstand entertainment lineup for the 2009 Illinois State Fair. This year’s fair themed “An All American Fair,” boasts a solid lineup including some of today’s hottest country music artists. Josh Turner with Jamey Johnson and Chuck Wicks will take the stage on August 16. Montgomery Gentry with Kellie Pickler and James Otto will follow on August 21. Grandstand entertainment tickets range from $15 – $30 (slightly more day-of) and are available from the Grandstand Ticket Office starting June 6. The annual fair runs from August 14 – 23 and is located at 801 East Sangamon, Springfield. illinoisstatefair.info

Sugarland Soundstage Date Announced

Country Weekly Magazine reported the pre-recorded Sugarland Soundstage performance is set to air on PBS networks, July 2. The “intimate-live concert” style television show was recorded at Chicago’s very own WTTW Studios back in early April. The Soundstage Series kicks-off June 18. countryweekly.com

Going on this Weekend:

Catch the Eli Young Band with Joey & Rory and the Carter Twins on Friday at Joe’s Bar, Chicago. George Strait with Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough on Saturday at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater, Tinley Park. Leann Rimes is also in town on Satuday at the Stardust Events Center at BlueChip Casino, Michigan City, Ind. Her performance is soldout.

If you’re not headed to one of the above concerts, head down to Navy Pier for the start of the Summer Beer Garden and Fireworks show. Summer is here! navypier.com

***

Well that’s the word on the street. Don’t forget, Taylor Swift is the subject of a Dateline NBC special set to air on May 31.

Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend. My sincere gratitude to all the brave Men and Woman who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our great Nation.

Scott

Everyone loves George Strait

Concert Alert

Commonly known as the King of Country Music and a modern-day traditionalist, country music mega star George Strait will roll into town this weekend bearing his multi-generational charm and countless #1 hits. Maybe Strait knows a secret or has a magic potion or spell but everyone, including myself, seems to love George Strait. Even Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is on the Strait band wagon. With the help of US99 Chicago’s country music radio station Quinn is poised to proclaim Saturday as George Strait Day and would like to invite Strait to stay at the Governor’s Mansion at the State Capitol.

Accompanying Strait is another country music favorite Blake Shelton and dancing with the stars/country music star Julianne Hough at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park. This combination should produce quite an awesome show.

The George Strait concert is the first in a series of country music concerts this summer at the south-suburban venue. Following Strait’s concert is another country music heart-throb Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne on Friday, August 7, and Toby Keith with Trace Atkins on Saturday, September 19.

Tickets for all of the aforementioned concerts are available exclusively through LiveNation.com

Speaking of George Strait, don’t forget to set your DVR for the Academy of Country Music television special that will honor Strait with the prestigious Artist of the Decade Award. The previously recorded, star-studded program will air on Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. CDT on CBS (WBBM-2 Local).

Concert Details:

George Strait with Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough

georgestrait.com | blakeshelton.com | juliannehough.com

WHEN: Saturday, May 23, 2009 – 7:30 PM

WHERE: First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 South Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park, IL

TICKETS: Some seats are still available! $35 – $75 – LiveNation.com

What Hurts the Most to Jeffrey Steele

 

PEOPLE Magazine writer Eileen Fisher in a heartbreaking interview with Steele and his family details how they are coping with the loss of Steele’s 13-year-old son to a tragic ATV accident. Alex, Steele’s son, who had been wearing a helmet, lost control and was thrown off his vehicle, fatally tearing his aorta in the fall.

“The irony is that he had the biggest heart,” said Steele, “I’ll have a day where I’m great, but then I’m shot with an arrow with some insignificant memory – the smirk on his face, the way he hugged me – that makes you cry. It’s like I’m walking with an anchor dragging behind me for the rest of my life.”

“Living without Alex” is part of PEOPLE’s Magazine June “Country Special” issue on newsstands now. The all-things country issue also highlights some of Country Music hottest guys, goes backstage of the ACM Awards and the ACM George Strait Artist of the Decade Tribute that will air on May 27 and tons of other great country music features. Be sure to pick up your copy today.

people.com  | jeffreysteele.net

Concert, Fair & Festival Guide

Summer Concert Preview

CHICAGO – Get ready, get set…go! Just a few days from now, Keith Urban will ring-in Chicago’s summer mega country music concert season when he takes the stage with the Zac Brown Band at the Northwest Suburban Allstate Arena, Friday. Shortly after Urban kicks it off, mega stars like Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Big & Rich and Carrie Underwood, will join him by bringing their summer tour stops to the Windy City.

Chesney will return to Soldier’s Field on June 13 with Sugarland, Montgomery Gentry, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum while Rascal Flatts along with Vince Gill and Darius Rucker will make history on July 18 as the first country music act to play at Wrigley Field.

Now in its 17th year, Country Thunder USA is continues to be one of the best country music tickets of the summer. Although this year brings some stiff competition, the Twin Lakes, Wisc, amphitheater style festival not only boasts a mega star line-up of Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence and Taylor Swift – just to mention a few – festival management promises new features like redesigned camping, updated vending and most importantly cheaper beer.

If you’re looking for a more traditional 1-day style of concerts, George Strait with Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith with Trace Atkins are set to play the First Midwest Bank Amphitheater throughout the summer.

Those of you looking for an economical alternative, the Lake County Fair, located in Grayslake, Ill, has a first prize lineup on a beer budget. Blake Shelton, Jamey Johnson, James Otto and Randy Houser, to name a few, are on tap starting July 28.

Artist like Phil Vassar, Chris Cagle, Heidi Newfield and Keith Anderson as well as a handful of local talent like Lucky Town and Yard Fulla Cars are set to Joe’s Bar. Be sure to grab your tickets soon, they’re selling out fast.

CMC

View the 2009 Concert, Festival and Fair Guide

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