This in-theater concert and all-access event will feature new music from their upcoming album entitled Changed as well as exclusive concert performance footage of the group’s biggest hits. Additionally, fans will get a peek backstage for rare interviews with band members Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus.

Watch the Trailer:

Rascal Flatts’ new album, Changed, is due in stores April 3.  The upcoming release follows, Nothing Like This, which debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Country albums sales chart.

Chicagoland Showings:

When it comes to summer country music festivals, there’s no competition for Country Thunder. A stellar four-day lineup of some of the biggest names in modern country music combined with all of the qualities of the great outdoors, it’s a country lovin’ paradise. Situated just north of the Illinois border in Twin Lakes, Wisc., the Shadow Hill Ranch, where the festival is held, is second-to-none when it comes to area country music fan retreats. Now in it’s 19 year, this well-oiled, fun machine leaves nothing behind – well except maybe US99 – when it comes to making some of the best country music summer fun.

For this year, the figures continue to look well rounded. With country music stars Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Martina McBride and Rascal Flatts on tap as headliners for the festival’s main stage, this leaves all four nights propped with well-named “hot” act. In addition to the headliners, supporting acts such as Steel Magnolia, Charlie Daniels Band, Neil McCoy, Darius Rucker, Easton Corbin, Sara Evans and Josh Turner, to name a few, pack the 21 artist lineup scheduled for this year. Not to mention the “Frat House” stage featuring a host of named regional and local acts included on the ticket.

Country Thunder 2011 general admission “lawn” ticket prices range from $60 – $200 at the gate and range from one-day pass to a full four-day pass. Parking and onsite camping additional. Check for availability.

Think this is a lot? You’re right in some areas but luckily we’ve run some numbers for you to justify.

Country Thunder, By the Numbers:

• Approx. hours of non-stop music: 25 (Mainstage only)
• Number of artists scheduled to perform: 21
• Miles from Chicago: 67
• Average cost per lawn ticket: $116
• Approx. amount paid if purchase a ticket to each individual artist separately: $735
• Average high temperature in the forecast for the festival: 89.75 degrees – Smokin!

Do you have a little country in your blood? Join LifeSource and US99.5 for their Country Music Blood Drives on Saturday, July 23, at four suburban Chicago locations.

Donate blood for the chance to win lawn tickets to see Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton in concert on August 6 at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. Plus, get free US99.5 merchandise including CDs, t-shirts and more.

Be one of the first 100 donors to pre-schedule your appointment and receive Brad Paisley’s new album, This Is Country Music. Visit lifesource.org or call 1.877.LIFESOURCE for additional information and to pre-schedule your appointment now!

The following locations will be participating:

Holiday Inn Hotel
10AM-4PM
495 Airport Rd.
Elgin, IL 60123

Homewood Suites
10AM-4PM
16245 La Grange Rd.
Orland Park, IL 60467

Libertyville Civic Center
9AM-3PM
135 W. Church St.
Libertyville, IL 60048

Waukegan City of Miracles Event
10AM-5PM
747 Walnut St.
Waukegan, IL 60085

While driving through our great city, listening to some of Strait’s music, it led me to the comparison of another “local” legacy not in country music. A few months back, when Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley announced he wasn’t seeking another term as the City’s CEO, a cloud of uncertainty quickly loomed over me. Like Strait and McEntire, who have ruled country music for the past 20-plus years, in my lifetime a Mayor named Daley had always called the shots in ‘da Windy City.

While the legacy of Mayor Daley is now one for the history books, Strait and McEntire are still making it. Today, the Country Music Association announced that McEntire is the newest “modern era” inductee to their Country Music Hall of Fame. The announcement comes bittersweet to the the country music singer who was absent in Nashville today at the induction ceremony.  McEntire’s father is hospitalized for a recent stroke and McEntire is bedside with him while he suffers a coma induced by the stroke.

On Saturday, Strait and McEntire are expected reign over Rosemont’s Allstate Arena for a one-nighter with Lee Ann Womack. While no official communication has been received, it’s uncertain at this point, it’s if McEntire will attend Saturday’s performance.
CONCERT INFORMATION:

George Strait with Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack

WHEN: Saturday, March 5, 2011 – 7PM

WHERE: Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd, Rosemont

TICKETS: $39 – $89 – ticketmaster.com

Bound for Chicagoland to warm up your February nights, these hunky country music stars are capable of revving anyone’s motor. So on Friday, it’s down to what you’re into!  The longhaired, dark-eyed Jake Owen is set to return to the northwest suburban Sears Centre for the special post-concert for the Professional Championship Bullriders Tour. While the short haired, blue-eyed David Nail will hammer in his charm at Joe’s Bar.

So ladies… Take your pick. If you want to witness a bunch of cowboys getting thrown off of one mean bull then the Sears Centre it is. If you’re looking more towards witnessing one cowboy trying to prove he’s no bull then we’ll see you at Joe’s Bar. Guys… Looks like you’re out of luck this weekend unless you’re willing to ride the bull.

CONCERT INFORMATION:

Jake Owen at the Professional Championship Billriders Tour | Would Tour Finale V

WHEN: Friday, February 4, 2011 – 7:30PM

WHERE: The Sears Centre Arena – 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates

TICKETS: $8 – $50 (All Ages and tickets good for both bullriding and concert) searscentre.com

David Nail with Josh Hoge at Joe’s Bar

WHEN: Friday, February 4, 2011 – 7PM

WHERE: Joe’s Bar – 940 W. Weed, Chicago

TICKETS: $10 (21+) joesbar.com

As in years past, the behemoth concert promoter, Live Nation, has partnered with US99 to bundle five of Chicago’s biggest summer country concerts for their annual Country Mega Ticket. In 2011, all concerts will be held, on Saturdays, at the Southwest suburban First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, Ill, and mainstays Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts will return as headliners. While it appears the Mega Ticket throughout the Throwdown Tour in 2011 and Brooks & Dunn are no longer touring, country rocker Jason Aldean has been promoted to headliner status.

While 2011 official ticket prices haven’t yet been released, mega ticket presale begins on Mon, Jan. 24 at 10 a.m. and the remaining tickets will become available to the general public starting Fri, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. In the past, ticket prices ranged from $150 for lawn to $600 for “platinum” 100 level seats. The Mega Ticket is like “season tickets” for sports teams. Ticket holders are guaranteed the same seats at all five concerts.

Chicago Country Mega Ticket 2011 Lineup:

Rascal Flatts with Easton Corbin and Justin Moore

Saturday, June 25

Tim McGraw with Luke Bryan and The Band Perry

Saturday, July 16

Brad Paisley with Blake Shelton and Jerrod Niemann

Saturday, August 6

Jason Aldean with Chris Young

Saturday, August 27

Toby Keith with Eric Church

Saturday, September 24

Purchase the Mega Ticket here:
Live Nation Mega Ticket

The Great Northern Bluegrass Festival will return to the Chicago area the weekend of March 18 – 20. Citing new digs for 2011, organizers of the suburban bluegrass festival announced the festival is set for an 8,800 square foot ballroom located in the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, Schaumburg, Ill.

While this festival is way more than your typical concert fest, organizers are boasting special Saturday night “headliner” of seven-time International Bluegrass Music Association female vocalist of the year winner, Rhonda Vincent. Other entertainment includes a host of local, and Illinois, entertainers as well as some handpicked imports from Kentucky and Missouri.

This festival is more than just about the concerts. Those interested in learning how to pick bluegrass style, several workshops, camps and instructional jam sessions are scheduled throughout the three-day festival. Learn jamming etiquette, fundamentals, back backup and chord changes by instructor Keith Yoder.

Admission fees range from $5 to $55 plus special hotel room rates are available for attendees. For more information on 2011 Great Northern Bluegrass Festival, call 217-243-3159 or visit bluegrassmidwest.com.

Festival Information:

Great Northern Bluegrass Festival featuring:

Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Monroe Crossing, Special Consensus, James King, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Morgan Daniels Band, Art Stevenson & High Water, Kati Penn & New Town, Southern Raised, New Heir Bluegrass, and The Punches Family.

WHEN: Fri, March 18, 19 & 20, 2011.

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 East Golf Rd, Schaumburg

TICKETS: $5 – $55 plus hotel room fees if applicable.

MORE: bluegrassmidwest.com

Watch: Rhonda Vincent and the Rage with Dolly Parton.

On Saturday, Oct. 9, Sara Evans will take the stage at Dominican University Performing Arts Center in River Forest, for the President’s Signature Concert in the Lund Auditorium.

There’s plenty of reality in the songs Evans sings, including celebrations of love and relief at being strong enough to work through the unforeseen and difficult. Her latest hit “A Little Bit Stronger,” released Sept. 14, earned a Top 10 debut on Billboard’s Country Digital Songs chart and will be featured on the original soundtrack album for the upcoming film “Country Strong.”

“She fits our profile of an artist who seeks to make the world a better place with her art and her music,” said Leslie Rodriguez, managing director of the Performing Arts Center, adding Evans is a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet.

As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sarah’s Inn of Oak Park will be represented during Evans’ concert. Sarah’s Inn was formed in 1981 by a group of concerned individuals who identified a lack of services for battered women. The organization, which will celebrate 30 years of service in 2011, supports women in Chicago’s west side and near-west suburbs by advocating, educating and assisting transitions. The mission of Sarah’s Inn is to stand with women and their families to ensure freedom from domestic violence in every community.

Bringing the two Sara(h)s together seemed a great way for the Performing Arts Center to work toward its mission to participate in the creation of a more just and humane world.

“Through the arts, we have an opportunity to shed light on issues (and) to foster discussion on those issues,” Rodriguez said.

Tickets for the concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., are $49 and $57 and available by calling (708) 488-5000 or visiting www.dom.edu/pac.

Chip Covington (Right) with artist "Harris". chicagobluegrass.com

Now in its 12th year, the Bluegrass Legends Concert Series once again returns to Evanston with a full season line up.

The series, founded by Evanston resident Chip Covington, features one show each month from September to May at the American Legion Music Hall, 1030 Central St.

Growing up in Evanston, Covington received his first banjo at just 11-years-old. At that time, in 1968, there wasn’t a big bluegrass scene to be found. It wasn’t until Woodstock in 1969 that Covington was actually exposed to bluegrass.

“Bluegrass is a participatory music… it’s about passing on the skill,” Covington said. “What impressed me about it as a kid growing up… I went out to these big festivals and these people accepted me even though I was a spoiled little rich kid.”

Nearly every show in the concert series has a capacity 150 person crowd with the bulk of attendees coming from the north side and north suburbs, though several make the trek from Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Missouri. Covington has made an effort to get to know all those that venture out for the concert series. Attendees have also gotten to know each other.

“Now everybody knows everybody at shows,” Covington said. “There’s a sense of community there. It’s pretty impressive.”

The small venue lends itself well to encouraging a connection between the performers and the audience, a connection that is a must to make a good show a great show.

Junior Sisk and Rambler’s Choice will headline the upcoming Sept. 10 show, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Direct from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the men will perform fresh, original and traditional bluegrass music.

Tickets can be reserved online at the series website, chicagobluegrass.com.

The reservation allows concert-goers to pick up their tickets until 7:45 p.m. the night of the show. Tickets must be paid for, in cash, at the door. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children under 12 and seniors 65 and older. For information on future, shows visit the series website.

[singlepic id=372 w=320 h=240 float=left]For country music fans, this is one duo that doesn’t need an introduction. With millions of touring miles under their belt, over 20 number-one hits, countless awards and numerous accolades the duo known as Brooks & Dunn have carved a whole new style of country music while still upholding the true character of the genre.

While the spirit of their 20-plus years of music making will live on, unfortunately, it will not be the way country music fans know it today. After a public announcement of their departure from the duo, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn have decided to pursue projects outside of the Brooks & Dunn label.

“After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have agreed as a duo that it’s time call it a day,” the duo collectively announced in a press statement. “This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed…”

Fortunately, for Chicago area fans, Brooks & Dunn will play the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre one last time on Sunday. Their summer tour, labeled “The Last Rodeo” is a way for the duo to party with their fans one last time.

A humble Brooks and Dunn attributes their success over the years to their fans.

“We owe it all to you, the fans,” the duo posted on their website.

Kix and Ronnie, on behalf of my fellow country music fans in Chicago, we owe it to you.

Thank you.

Concert Details:

Brooks & Dunn with Gary Allan
“The Last Rodeo Tour”

WHEN: Sunday, August 8, 2010 | 7:30PM

WHERE: First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S Ridgeland, Tinley Park

TICKETS: $29 – $74 – ticketmaster.com

“Only in America” on YouTube: