Unlike most country concerts, the Throwdown Tour isn’t just about the headliners. For the full experience, ticket holders should prepare head down to the Southwest Suburban amphitheatre a bit earlier than normal. With doors opening at 1 p.m., early birds can catch a special series lead by the acclaimed Bluebird Café. For Nashville locals and visitors, the Bluebird is where fans, and artists, can examine the newest, and brightest, in the local songwriting community.

Tickets for Saturday’s event range from $21 – $41 (plus fees) and can be purchased through ticketmaster.com.

Event lineup for Sat, May 22, 2010.

Doors open at 1PM

Bluebird Café Singer – Songwriter Tent
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Local Songwriters

Bluebird Café – Country Throwdown
Singer – Songwriters:
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Brad Tursi, Ashley Ray and Dave Pahanish
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Cory Branan, Jedd Hughes and Sarah Buxton
5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Troy Olsen, Walker Hayes, Heather Morgan

Stage I
1:45 p.m. Tyler Reeve Band
2:45 p.m. Heidi Newfield
3:45 p.m. The Lost Trailers
4:45 p.m. Eli Young Band

Stage II
2:15 p.m. Emily West
3:15 p.m. Jonathan Singleton & The Grove
4:15 p.m. Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses
5:25 p.m. Eric Church

Main Stage:
6:25 p.m. Jack Ingram
7:10 p.m. Singer – Songwriter Group I
7:30 p.m. Little Big Town
8:15 p.m. Singer – Songwriter Group II
8:35 p.m. Jamey Johnson
9:25 p.m. Singer – Songwriter Group III
9:45 p.m. Montgomery Gentry

CONCERT DETAILS:

Country Throwdown Tour
Featuring Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, Little Big Town and many more.

WHEN: Saturday, May 22, 2010 – 1PM
WHERE: First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre – 19100 S Ridgeland, Tinley Park
TICKETS: $21 – $41 -  ticketmaster.com.

Looking forward: In June, Country USA will kick it off in Oshkosh on June 22 and Country Fest will fire up in Cadott on June 24.

Country Thunder in Twin Lakes and Country Jam in Eau Claire share the July 22 weekend. Country Thunder is considerably closer than Country Fest but they’re both well worth the trip. The new kid on the block this year is the Log Jam Fest in Phillips and it boasts a great lineup and fun additional activities. If you time it correctly, you could hit this festival with Country Thunder or Country Jam.

They ALL have excellent star-studded lineups, tons of great brew and for the outdoor enthusiast they all offer on-site camping. Be sure to book now. Early bird offers end soon and VIP/reserved seating move quickly. Camping generally requires multi-day passes and reserved sites go quick. Hotel rooms are typically very limited and usually way off site.

- North Central

NEW: Log Jam Fest – Phillips (July 30 – Aug. 1, 2010) logjamfest.com

Log Jam Fest is the newest addition to this list. While it’s the farthest North, the lineup and activities look well worth the drive and the Philips area is beautiful. You could really turn it into a great vacation. Bonus, it’s produced by AStar Promotions (Zoo Tunes/Pheasant Run/Joliet NASCAR /Southern Lights in Kentucky/ numerous events in Nashville & Country on the Beach in Cancun) they always put on a awesome show!

Major headliners include Montgomery Gentry, Cowboy Troy, Jake Owen, The Lost Trailers, Josh Gracin, Jeffrey Steele, Randy Houser and Gretchen Wilson. Plus one of our local artists, the PenneMaeDixon Band.

Ticket Options: 1 – 3 Day General Admission, Reserved Seating, Camping add-on

- South Central

Country Thunder – Twin Lakes (July 22 – 25, 2010) countrythunder.com

Country Thunder has been a Stateline favorite for many years and 2010 boasts a stellar lineup. Best of all, if you can’t manage the whole festival, you can hop up for a night or two but the best seats and camping are reserved for 4-day pass holders. Kenny Chesney is on a very limited engagement tour this summer. Could be one of his last shows for awhile!

2010 Headliners include, Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Miranda Lambert, Sawyer Brown, Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Kevin Costner and Modern West, John Michael Montgomery, Big Kenny, Craig Morgan, Jo Dee Messina, Luke Bryan, Collin Raye, Eric Church, Randy Houser, David Nail, Gloriana, Trailer Choir, Kate & Kacey and Jason Jones.

Ticket Options: 1 – 4 Day General Admission, Reserved Seating, Camping add-on

- Northwest

Country Jam – Eau Claire (July 22 – 24, 2010) – countryjam.com

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Country Jam but as I recall, we had one heck of a time. If you have a bit more time for the extra drive, I highly recommend it. Eau Claire is a wonderful city and the festival is pretty impressive.

Featuring Jason Aldean, Sugarland, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Billy Currington, Sawyer Brown, Big Kenny, LoCash Cowboys and Tim Sigler with additional acts to be announced.

Ticket Options: 1 – 3 Day General Admission, Reserved Seating, Skybox Seats, Camping add-on

Country Fest – Cadott (June 24 – 27, 2010) countryfest.com

I’ll be honest, I’ve never even heard of the town of Cadott prior to researching for this article but I wanted to share Country Fest because the lineup is pretty impressive.

Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Jamey Johnson, Darius Rucker, Rodney Atkins, Pat Green, Eric Church, Jo Dee Messina, Little Big Town, Neal McCoy, Heidi Newfield, Jason Michael Carroll, Darryl Worley, Eli Young Band, Trailer Choir and Walker Hayes.

Ticket Options: 1 – 4 Day General Admission, Reserved Seating, Camping add-on

- Northeast

Country USA – Oshkosh (June 22 – 26, 2010) countryusaoshkosh.com

Personally haven’t had the opportunity to attend this fest yet but it looks very promising. The lineup is impressive and it’s in June so it doesn’t overlap with the July fests.

Festival headliners include, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Zac Brown Band, Randy Houser, Jason Aldean, Darryl Worley, Rodney Atkins, Jason Michael Carroll, Confederate Railroad, Luke Bryan, Jack Ingram, Tracy Byrd, Lonestar and Sawyer Brown. Additional announcements to come.

Ticket Options: 1 – 4 Day General Admission, Reserved Seating, Camping add-on

FREE Festival Tips: Always make sure you bring the following: sunscreen, bug spray, a camera, rain gear, a 4×4 vehicle if possible and an open mind. Have fun but always play responsibly and respect fellow concertgoers. Remember, we’re all fans. See you this summer, Eh.

Who do you want to see?

Cadillac Ranch
1175 West Lake St, Bartlett
cadranch.com

Cadillac Countdown to 2010 – Get wild at the Ranch as they count down to 2010 high tech style. Join DJ Hillbilly for a champagne toast with super cool party favors and of course dancing. The club is open till 4 a.m.

Joe’s Bar
940 W. Weed Street, Chicago
joesbar.com

Well, doesn’t look like Joe’s is goin’ country this New Year’s Eve. Why not support our favorite entertainment venue any way. The Rum Runners will rock the night away with pop hits from U2 to Journey.

Saddle Up Saloon and Dancehall
4440 W. Ogden Ave, Aurora
saddleupsaloon.com

As the newest hot spot on the block, Saddle Up Saloon and Dancehall is quickly becoming a local favorite among the suburban country joints. Located in West suburban Aurora, the Saloon is hosting Decadance “The Dance Party of the Decade” on New Years Eve. Admission includes line dancing lessons, “roadhouse” dance party and a giant cash-ball drop at Midnight.

Sundance Saloon
300 Lakehurst Rd, Waukegan
sundancesaloon.com

Probably one of most known suburban country bars, the Sundance Saloon is open and celebrating the New Year with the local band Easy Louise. All tickets include entertainment, champagne and party favors. Pop for a little extra and they’ll throw in a buffet!

Nashville’s NYE – “Bash on Broadway”
Broadway Ave. between 1st and 3rd, Nashville, TN
visitmusiccity.com/newyearseve/

Pack your bags because Nashville is throwing a street party on New Year’s Eve. Ring in 2010 with country music artist Rodney Atkins and GAC-TV/XM Radio host, Storme Warren, as they headline/emcee the countdown to 2010 with music, fireworks and a guitar drop at Midnight.

Chicago’s Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave, Chicago
navypier.com

Looking for more of the downtown flare and not country? Navy Pier will be hosting its annual New Year’s Eve celebrations for both kids and adults with fireworks at 8:15 p.m. and Midnight.

Don’t forget to check out the Bank of America Winter WonderFest in Festival Hall. The 170,000 square-foot winter wonderland features North Pole inspired attractions for kids of all ages. Entrance to the Winter WonderFest is free, rides and attractions require an activity wristband. Special tip, if you bring your own ice skates, you can skate in the indoor ice rink for free. winterwonderfest.com

Just looking for dinner?

The Texas Roadhouse
Various Locations (Naperville/Rockford)
texasroadhouse.com

The country music infused Texas Roadhouse is perhaps one of the few places in the Chicagoland area where country music plays while you eat. Known for their steaks and buttered rolls, each Roadhouse is part of a larger, regional chain but each kitchen features its own local flare. While the food is great for any occasion, expect long waits.

Some attractions may require attendees to be over the age of 21 and may require additional entrance fees. Please check with the venue prior to planning your night. Please remember to act responsible when drinking and do not drive.

What are you doing on New Year’s Eve? Did we miss something?

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