Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw’s recent Brothers of the Sun tour stop at NJ’s MetLife Stadium set the record for the largest ticketed country event in NYC/NJ history, with 56,285 tickets sold. The show broke the previous record, set by Chesney during his 2011 Goin’ Coastal tour.
“The excitement and buzz for this show was through the roof since the day it was announced,” said Interim MetLife Stadium President Ron VanDeVeen. “We couldn’t imagine how last year’s ‘Goin’ Coastal’ show could be topped, but this truly was the biggest country show we’ve ever seen.”
The show included a special appearance by Grace Potter on the duet “You & Tequila,” as well as a full cast encore of Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty.”
• • • •
Kellie Pickler will join celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon, and Carla Hall, as well as style expert Clinton Kelly and health enthusiast Daphne Oz on ABC’s The Chew Thursday, August 16 to create some summer dishes with farm fresh fruits and veggies. The episode airs at 12 pm/CT.
(L-R): Carla Hall, Michael Symon, Kellie Pickler, Mario Batali, Daphne Oz and Clinton Kelly.
• • • •
(L-R): President Grand Ole Opry Group Steve Buchanan, Watkins, Buckley and Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo, Hollophotographics for 2012 Grand Ole Opry.
A&M Octone Records’ Miss Willie Brown made their Grand Ole Opry Debut on Saturday (8/11). The duo, which consists of Kasey Buckley and Amanda Watkins, performed “Bonafide” and the ballad “Let Me In.” “I remember being a little girl and taking a tour of the Opry with my parents, so to be standing on that stage was beyond humbling for me. It was a moment I’ve dreamed about since I was 10 years old,” said Watkins.
• • • •
Nashville singer Etta Britt will appear on NBC’s The Today Show on Saturday, August 25. Britt’s new release Out of the Shadows gained national attention following a recent piece about the artist on The Huffington Post.
• • • •
Streamsound Records flagship artist Jaida Dreyer has released her new single “Confessions,” which is available today (8/14) at all digital retailers. The song was written by Dreyer with Angelo and Robert Ellis Orrall. Dreyer is currently working on her debut album with producer and Streamsound co-founder Byron Gallimore.
• • •
Following Exile’s recent appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, the band met up backstage with the members of Rascal Flatts, who were also performing. Exile recently released People Get Ready, its first studio album in 15 years.
