Tim McGraw signs with Big Machine Records

Tim McGraw says joining the Big Machine Records roster is "my next big career move."

At Monday's (May 21) press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville, McGraw told the press, "I'm just getting started. That's the message I wanted to give you guys."

Big Machine Records announced the press conference last week without divulging the reason for it. McGraw and Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta surprised reporters and tourists with the news.

"Like many musicians, I came to town with a dream. I wanted to see if people outside of my family liked my music. I wanted to see if maybe I'd fall in love one day. And I did. I fell in love with Nashville. I fell in love with music. And I fell in love with the most beautiful woman in the world," McGraw said, choking up. "And without her, I think it's safe to say that my path would have ended a long time ago. She's the reason I'm here today."

During his opening commentary, McGraw thanked his managers -- past and present -- as well as his lawyer, producer and booking agent. He also said he wants to keep making music for another 20 years. He was legally freed from his longtime contract with Curb Records in November 2011 following a lawsuit with the label about being allowed to release new music.

"When I knew that I was going to be looking for another record label deal, I knew there would be lots of different scenarios and lots of different places I could take it," McGraw said. "Ultimately, I wanted someone passionate about what they did and believed in their artists. That's what drew me to Scott Borchetta."

Although McGraw has already recorded approximately 20 songs for the project, details are vague about when new music will be available to country radio and fans. The singer did indicate he'll unveil some of the new material on the Brothers of the Sun tour with Kenny Chesney this summer.

Asked when fans can hear his first single for the label, McGraw pointed at Borchetta, who said only it would be "sooner rather than later." Later in the press conference, Borchetta joked that the upcoming album would be titled Greatest Hits 4.

McGraw explained that the new music has "a lot of energy" and "freshness" and that although he's been writing for the project, he doesn't believe that any of the songs have been good enough to make the album. Asked if an album with his wife Faith Hill is in the works, McGraw replied that it's just a matter of finding the time, but there's no way to put a time frame on it.

Noting he'd traveled to Nashville 23 years ago on a Greyhound bus, McGraw said he asked for his contract with Big Machine Records to be signed at a bus station on May 9 -- the anniversary of his arrival -- because of the symbolism. Just returning from a family vacation at the time, McGraw said his wife and daughters were with him when he signed the Big Machine paperwork.

"They were a little concerned that we were in front of the Greyhound station," he joked.

Reflecting on his initial arrival in Nashville, McGraw said, "I was a wide-eyed kid from Start, La., who didn't have a clue. In many ways, I still feel like a wide-eyed kid from Start, La., who doesn't have a clue. I'm just starting to figure myself out a little bit. It's like for my whole career, I've been chipping away at this stone, and I'm finally starting to see the form."

Asked how the new contract will affect his fans, McGraw said, "First off, they'll hear music, and they'll hear music when I want them to hear it. They'll hear music that's got my heart and soul in it. Look, I've made my career by putting everything I've got into my music. Now I'm going to put everything I've got into my music in a way that feels fresh to me and that feels good to me. And I know that people are going to hear it when I want them to hear it."

He added, "I can't sit here and say that it's a different day as far as how I approach music. I've always approached my music in one way -- and that is to make the best music I can make and to make music that moves me. But certainly the sense of enthusiasm and sense of freedom and rebirth that I have, there will be something in the music that reflects that."

McGraw is the latest veteran artist to sign with the Big Machine Label Group. The roster also includes the Mavericks, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts, as well as The Band Perry, Edens Edge, the Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore and Taylor Swift.

Carrie Underwood confirms second Sydney show

CARRIE UNDERWOOD
CONFIRMS SECOND SYDNEY SHOW

After selling out her Monday 2 July concert at Sydney Opera House in just a few days, Rob Potts Entertainment Edge and Chugg Entertainment are pleased to announce Carrie Underwood will play a second night at the iconic venue on Tuesday 3 July.

Tickets for her second Sydney concert, and final show on her Australian tour, will go on sale 9am, Thursday 24 May.

Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg wasn’t wrong when he warned tickets to Underwood’s shows would sell quickly.

He said, “It’s great news for Sydney fans who’ve missed out on tickets to Carrie’s first show and also for Carrie herself who’ll now enjoy two nights at the majestic Opera House.”

Sponsored by Olay, Underwood’s four-stop Australian tour will begin at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on Tuesday 26 June, play TRECC in Australia’s “country music capital”, Tamworth on Friday 29 June, Brisbane’s Convention Centre on Saturday 30 June and now two special nights at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 July.

Carrie Underwood to tour Australia for the first time!

From London’s Royal Albert Hall on June 21 to Sydney’s Opera House on July 2 – the 14-million-album-selling, five-time Grammy-Award-winning, 14-US#1-hit-scoring dynamo – CARRIE UNDERWOOD will tour outside North America for the first time and include Australia, promoters Chugg Entertainment and Rob Potts Entertainment Edge confirmed today.

Chairman of Chugg Entertainment, Michael Chugg, said it was fitting Underwood would end her first Australian tour at another of the world’s most iconic venues, the Sydney Opera House.

Sponsored by Olay, Underwood will play four intimate and exclusive concerts in Australia, including a special show in Tamworth.

“The last concert we did in Tamworth was Keith [Urban],” said Chugg, “and we blew the lid off it.

“Carrie will too. We worked the itinerary to get her there on a weekend night and it’s the start of the school holidays.”

Underwood’s tour will kick off at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre on Tuesday June 26; play TRECC, in Tamworth, on Friday June 29 and the Brisbane Convention Centre on Saturday June 30.

Underwood will end her first Australian tour at the Sydney Opera House on Monday July 2.

“Tickets to Carrie’s Royal Albert Hall concert sold-out in 90 minutes,” warned Chugg.

“We’re expecting Australian fans will be equally as quick.”

Tickets for all shows fan pre-sale this Wednesday and Thursday and general public tickets are on-sale from Monday May 14.

“Touring is more fun now because I know what it’s like to headline a tour,” said a clearly modest Underwood, whose 2008 and 2010 North American headline tours (200-plus shows to 2.2millions fans) clocked her as the Top-Selling Country Female Touring Artist Of The Year on each occasion.

“I feel like I’m able to be more and more creative all the time.

“I always feel like I’m taking steps forward.”

Underwood will tour Australia on the back of her self-described “stormier” fourth studio album, Blown Away, released in Australia last Friday, which includes the new hit single, Good Girl.

Get ready to be Blown Away Australia.

TOUR DATES:
Tuesday June 26 Melbourne Palais Theatre www.ticketemaster.com.au
Friday June 29 Tamworth TRECC www.visittamworth.com
Saturday June 30 Brisbane Convention Centre www.ticketek.com.au
Monday July 2 Sydney Opera House www.sydneyoperahouse.com