Pictured: (L-R) Lindsay Ell, Tara Thompson, Jennifer Nettles and Brandy Clark. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
CMT unveiled plans for a 2016 tour with Jennifer Nettles, Brandy Clark, Lindsay Ell and Tara Thompson as part of the network’s Next Women of Country initiative.
“I always take any opportunity to champion women in music and throughout society at large,” said Nettles. “I am absolutely energized to headline this year’s ‘CMT Next Women of Country’ tour and celebrate these exciting artists on the precipice of so much greatness.”
Billed as “CMT Presents Jennifer Nettles with 2016 Next Women of Country Tour,” the itinerary will begin Jan. 15 in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, and continue through April 22. Nettles made a surprise appearance at CMT’s third annual Next Women of Country event at Nashville’s City Winery on Tuesday (Nov. 3) to announce the tour. She will be releasing her first single on Big Machine Records in January.
The lunchtime gathering was also a chance for CMT SVP of Music Strategy and Talent Leslie Fram to introduce the 2016 class of CMT Next Women of Country: Ashley Campbell, Courtney Cole, Sara Haze, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, Rainey Qualley, Aubrie Sellers and Tara Thompson. Fram co-hosted the ceremony with Kelsea Ballerini.
In addition, the event featured performances by Nettles and Clark, as well as Lauren Alaina, Danielle Bradbery, Cam, Clare Dunn, Brooke Eden, Ashley Monroe, Morris, and Cassadee Pope. The annual event is an extension of the network’s multi-platform Next Women of Country campaign, which aims to give voice to and raise the profile of women in country music.
“We are honored to have a superstar headline and curate our second ‘Next Women of Country Tour” said Fram. “This will be the year for Jennifer Nettles with new music coming out on Big Machine Label Group. Brandy Clark will release her sophomore album on Warner Bros. Records, Lindsay Ell just premiered her new video on CMT for ‘By The Way,’ and newly-signed Tara Thompson has already generated huge buzz for her talents to round out a stellar lineup for our 2016 Tour.”
“Next Women of Country” Event at City Winery Nashville. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
“CMT Presents Jennifer Nettles with 2016 Next Women of Country Tour” Dates
Jan. 15 – Orillia, Ontario, Canada/Casino Rama
Jan. 16 – Northfield, Ohio/Hard Rock Live
Jan. 17 – Wheeling, W.V./Capitol Theatre
Jan. 20 – New York City, N.Y./Beacon Theatre
Jan. 22 – Upper Darby, Pa./Tower Theater
Jan. 23 – Boston, Mass./House of Blues
Jan. 24 – Lancaster, Pa./American Music Theatre
Feb. 5 – Durham, N.C./DPAC
Feb. 6 – Cherokee, N.C./Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center
Feb. 12 – Wendover, Nev./Peppermill Concert Hall
Feb. 13 – Beaver Creek, Colo./Vilar PAC
Feb. 14 – Colorado Springs, Colo./Pikes Peak Center
Feb. 17 – Hobbs, N.M./Lea County Events Center
Feb. 19 – Phoenix, Ariz./Celebrity Theatre
Feb. 20 – Prescott, Ariz./Yavapai College
Feb. 23 – Los Angeles, Calif./The Wiltern
Feb. 26 – Santa Rosa, Calif./Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
Feb. 27 – Bakersfield, Calif./Majestic Fox Theatre
March 1 – Oakland, Calif./Fox Theater
March 3 – Tacoma, Wash./Emerald Queen Casino
March 4 – Airway Heights, Wash./Northern Quest Casino
March 5 – Grand Ronde, Ore./Spirit Mountain Casino
March 17 – Ft. Wayne, Ind./Embassy Theatre
March 18 – Hammond, Ind./Horseshoe Casino
March 19 – Milwaukee, Wis./Venue TBA
April 8 – Branson, Mo./Venue TBA
April 10 – Lawrence, Kan./Lied Center
April 14 – Ralston, Neb./Ralston Arena
April 15 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa/US Cellular Center
April 16 – Green Bay, Wis./Resch Center
April 21 – Morristown, N.J./Mayo Performing Arts Center
April 22 – Albany, N.Y./The Palace Theatre
Category: Featured
