Nashville, TN management company Dale Morris & Associates, home to Kenny Chesney and Big & Rich, has been acquired by Ticketmaster Entertainment's Front Line Management, in what is the latest acquisition by the world's largest ticketing company. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Dale Morris & Associates also represents Gretchen Wilson, Louise Mandrell, Julio Iglesias Jr., Jake Owen and Blaine Larson. Chesney, country music’s top touring artist, has called Dale Morris & Associates home since the beginning of his career.

The acquisition further solidifies Front Line's established Nashville presence and growing stature in Country Music circles. The company already has associations with RPM Management and Spalding Entertainment, which represent Brooks & Dunn, Pat Green, Terri Clark, Jason Aldean and Ashley Monroe.

Front Line’s recent merger with Ticketmaster and the new resulting company Ticketmaster Entertainment, currently hoping to close on its proposed merger with Live Nation later this year, presents a curious situation. Chesney has a multi-year touring agreement with TMG/AEG Live. TMG founder, veteran promoter Louis Messina, has been Chesney’s longtime tour promoter, breaking him into stadiums. Front Line was owned by new Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff.

Front Line’s acquisition also comes on the heels of losing another top grossing country music artist, Tim McGraw, who left for Coran Capshaw’s Red Light Management, home to the Dave Matthews Band, Phish and others.

Chesney’s manager, Clint Higham, was out of town and unavailable for comment.