BIGGEST INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC TALENT LINEUP EVER IN AUSTRALIA!

Chugg Entertainment, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and XYZnetworks’ Country Music Channel (CMC) are proud to announce the lineup for CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2011, being held at Hope Estate* in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales over the weekend of Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March.

This unprecedented roster of international and local country music stars is headlined by US legendary superstar, ALAN JACKSON.

Alan will be joined by Miranda Lambert (US), Joe Nichols (US), Jack Ingram (US), Troy Cassar-Daley, Emerson Drive (Canada), The McClymonts, Buxton Hughes (US), Jasmine Rae, Russell Morris, O’Shea (US), Dean Brody (Canada), Jonah’s Road and many more.

There is also one more surprise guest artist to be announced.

Alan Jackson (US) has spent two decades at the top of country charts. Countless hits, including 34 #1s, Grammys and CMA awards have cemented his place as an icon of modern country music.

“With Alan’s first-ever Australian Tour having sold-out everywhere within an hour, we are very happy to be able to offer his Aussie fans this additional chance to catch him performing live!”, says CEO of Rob Potts Entertainment Edge, Rob Potts. “To get this many international stars on the one bill, for this one event, proves the strength of audiences here for quality country music.”

Also making her first trip down-under, Miranda Lambert (US) made history this year, when she received more CMA nominations than any other female artist in history. Her three best-selling, critically acclaimed albums, including Revolution (which has just gone Platinum in the US), have made her a cross-genre favourite and the hottest female country star today.

Our returning champion is Joe Nichols (US). One of the great modern singers, Joe has a catalogue of contemporary classics like ‘Brokenheartsville’, ‘The Impossible’ and the cheeky ‘Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off’. He drew a rave reception from local fans when he rocked the Snowys in 2009 and is back to satisfy the call of Aussies eager for his return.

Jack Ingram (US) is one of the hardest working men in country music. He cut his teeth in the Texas red-dirt country scene, building a reputation as a killer live performer whose on-stage charisma could transfix any crowd – as Oz witnessed when he toured in 2010. He channelled that charisma into his recording career, yielding hits like the summer anthem ‘Barefoot and Crazy’ and the rowdy ‘Love You’.

Troy Cassar-Daley is synonymous with country music in Australia. A soulful singer, gifted guitarist and stellar songwriter, Troy has been a massive star on the Aussie country scene for over a decade. Six studio albums, 14 Golden Guitars, three ARIAs, countless tours and two stints of TV’s It Takes Two – he has a career most artists would envy, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Emerson Drive (Canada) is one of music’s most acclaimed country groups, known for their word-class harmonies, pop-flavoured sound and non-stop touring. Their tour bus recently clocked one million miles. Their last album featured the worldwide smash ‘Moments’ and they’re ready to bring their world-class live show to a brand new continent.

The McClymonts helped launch CMC Rocks the Snowys in 2008. Since then, they’ve gone from strength-to-strength, with their sophomore album ‘Wrapped Up Good’ grabbing big sales and mainstream attention. Their first album has recently been released in the US, where they’ve just finished touring. These three gorgeous sisters, with angelic voices and thrilling stage presence, are bringing it all back home for CMC Rocks the Hunter 2011.

Buxton Hughes (US) has been a long time coming. Jedd Hughes and Sarah Buxton are two of the most talented singer/songwriters working today. Ex-pat Aussie Jedd and ‘Stupid Boy’ writer Sarah turned their friendship into a duo and are hard at work with their first single, ‘Big Blue Sky’, which already reached #1 on CMC last month.

Jasmine Rae has had one of the fastest rising careers of any local artist in recent years. Her debut album ‘Look It Up’ yielded three #1 singles and the King of Australian Country, Lee Kernaghan, described Jasmine as ‘the hottest new artist to come out of Australia in a long time’. The ARIA-nominee will release her second album the day before the festival begins.

Russell Morris is a true Aussie rock icon, an ARIA Hall of Famer whose career reaches back almost 50 years, and is still wowing crowds around the country today. He’ll be opening up his classic songbook for the Hope Estate punters in March.

O’Shea (US) is an exciting mix of local and international. Husband-and-wife duo Mark and Jay O’Shea were born and raised in Oz, but set off to Nashville in 2007 to pursue their dream of a country music career. After a successful run on the US TV series, Can You Duet, the couple got the exposure they needed to kick-start their career and released their debut single, ‘Old School’, earlier this year.

Dean Brody (Canada) is a true storyteller. A singer-songwriter whose journey through his life and career has inspired the honesty of his songs. The romance that infuses the young hitmaker’s music is built on a truth that connects him to those that love his music. ‘Brothers’ broke through in the US and put him on the map, and now his journey is bringing him down under.

Jonah’s Road is no stranger to big stages. They rocked packed arenas this September with Tim McGraw, leading a whole new host of fans down the Jonah’s Road. This tight, energetic trio specialise in indestructible melodies, dynamic vocals and harmonies, and a memorable live experience, in a league of their own.

Hosts for the event are Storme Warren (US) and Steve Forde. Storme Warren is once again bringing his cameras and crew to record an Australian edition of his top-rating US television programme, Headline Country. Steve Forde, CMC Presenter and mainstay of the festival, is hosting the highlights and behind-the-scenes for his CMC Rocks the Hunter special, to be broadcast on the Country Music Channel after the festival.

Also appearing at the festival will be local artists Peter McWhirter, Dianna Corcoran, Mike Carr & Springfield, Victoria Baillie, Busby Marou, McAlister Kemp, The Wilson Pickers, Mark Wells, Harmony James, Liam Brew, Markus Meier, Jayne Denham and Stephanie Brownlee.

“It’s been a huge thrill for me to see the audience for this event grow and the talent get better every year”, says CEO of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg. “The move to the Hunter will make the festival more accessible to more music fans and establish this as a major date in every country music fan’s calendar. It’s an incredible line up this year, including the biggest country star in the world, Alan Jackson.”

“The CMC Rocks brand is now firmly established on the Australian Country and Roots Music scene. After three fantastic years at Thredbo the decision to move in 2011 to the Hunter Valley is extremely exciting for all the partners”, says General Manager, XYZnetworks Music Channels, Shaun James. “We continue to see audience numbers grow and line-ups strengthen – 2011 is no exception and CMC looks forward to another fantastic event.”

Australia’s premiere roots and country music festival, CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2011, will take place on Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th March in the luscious surrounds of Hope Estate* in The Hunter Valley, New South Wales.

Now in its fourth year, CMC ROCKS has a reputation for offering music fans mind-blowing line-ups not seen anywhere else in Australia, and has become a major fixture on the roots and country music festival calendar. Line-ups from previous years have included Taylor Swift, Gary Allan, SugarLand, Lee Kernaghan, John Butler Trio, The Waifs, Ian Moss and Kasey Chambers.

For the latest pre-sale offers be sure to sign up to the Entertainment Edge (Red Carpet Club) mailing list before midnight Thursday 28 October – www.entertainmentedge.com.au

Tickets for CMC ROCKS THE HUNTER 2011 go on sale Wednesday 3 November at 9.00am from www.countrymusicchannel.com.au or call 1300 369 882.

For tickets, camping, travel and accommodation details go to www.countrymusicchannel.com.au.

Alan Jackson hat-trick meets Metallica head-on!

Country music gave heavy metal a run for its money this morning when legendary singer songwriter Alan Jackson sold out his third Brisbane Entertainment Centre concert in less than 30 minutes.

The Brisbane hat-trick put Jackson in stead with metal giants, Metallica—the only other announced touring act with three sell-outs at the venue.

“It’s fantastic,” said co-promoter, Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg.

“The Eagles, Michael Buble, Andre Rieu and Muse have all got two Brisbane concerts, but country and metal take the lead with three and they sell-out!

“Country’s the new heavy-weight and most of the mainstream hasn’t even really noticed yet,” he chuckled.

Jackson extended his first tour of Australia last Friday when tickets to all four of his east coast concerts, including two in Brisbane, sold-out within an hour. Co-promoter, Rob Potts, on-ground in Nashville with Jackson’s management at the time, undertook swift negotiations and a third Brisbane concert for Saturday March 12 was added. Tickets went on-sale at 9am Queensland time this morning.

“This is such great news,” said an elated Potts, who’s spent more than a decade working to get country music’s big names like Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson to Australia.

“I always knew there was a market for the big names to come here,” he said, “but I am so grateful to the fans who have made it even bigger and better than I thought it could be.

“To be sitting above the likes of the Eagles and alongside Metallica is just amazing.”

Alan Jackson tours Australia for Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge in March next year. The hottest girl in country Miranda Lambert and Australia’s Jasmine Rae are special guests.

All shows SOLD-OUT!

Friday 4th March Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne - SOLD OUT!
Monday 7th March Acer Arena, Sydney - SOLD OUT!
Thursday 10th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!
Friday 11th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!
Saturday 12th March Entertainment Centre, Brisbane - SOLD OUT!

3RD BRISBANE SHOW ANNOUNCED FOR ALAN JACKSON!

The biggest country music tour of the past fifteen years just got bigger—adding a third Brisbane concert for Saturday March 12, on-sale this Thursday October 14.

Touring Australia for the first time and proving undoubtedly he’s one of the greats, country music legend, Alan Jackson, sold-out his four east coast concerts this morning as fast as a speeding freight train.

Concerts in Melbourne and Sydney and two in Brisbane were all but gone in the three price categories – platinum, gold and silver – by 10am eastern standard time.

The phenomenal demand, obvious within minutes of general sales opening at 9am, prompted promoters’ Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge to consider additional shows.

Potts himself, on-ground in Nashville with Jackson’s U.S management, watched speeding reports as fans burned through ticket sales. Negotiations were immediate and it was a quick decision to add a third Brisbane concert.

When reached on his boat about adding another date to the Australian tour, Jackson said, “I‘m a Southern man, and that‘s about as far South as we can go. Let‘s do it!”

“We’re over the moon,” said Potts.

“Alan and his team over here are excited too. And humbled. I guess no matter how famous you are it’s hard to imagine just how big you are in a country so far away.

“We told Alan Aussie fans would go crazy for him, now he knows it’s true.”

Jackson’s team agreed to extend the tour and a third concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre has been confirmed for Saturday March 12. Tickets go on-sale from www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849 at 9am eastern standard time this Thursday October 14.

Alan Jackson will tour Australia with the hottest name in country right now, the CMA female record-breaking nominated Miranda Lambert, and Australia’s hottest up-and-comer Jasmine Rae.

“This is an amazing line-up, certainly the biggest-name country music tour we’ve done,” said Potts.

In Australia, Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge have joined forces on the biggest-name country music tours of the last few years including Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw and now Alan Jackson with Miranda Lambert and Jasmine Rae.

“They just keep getting bigger,” said Executive Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg.

“Working with Rob Potts and getting the names, the big ones the fans want to see, has been a revelation.

“The fans have turned out in amazing numbers, made these tours hugely successful and paved the way for us to bring bigger and bigger names like Alan.”

No doubt about it people, today country music is the Promised Land and Alan Jackson its king!