Country music star Luke Bryan has announced his first ever headlining tour. The tour was announced on October 11, according to CMT. It will kick off in Indiana in January and wrap up in Virginia in March of 2012. Bryan previously had been opening for country stars such as Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, and the Rascall Flatts. This tour marks Bryan’s transition to headliner.
The Dirt Road Diaries Tour will kick off January 17, 2013 in Evansville, NJ, at the Ford Center, according to Bryan’s official website. After over two months of performances, the tour will wrap up at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA, on March 23. During the tour, Bryan will play venues such as the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY, and the Amphitheatre at the Wharf in Orange Beach, AL.
This headlining tour follows a successful stint for Bryan opening for Jason Aldean on his most recent tour. “He’s what made Jason Aldean so hot this year,” explains David English, the Operations Manager of Universal Events. “There were a couple shows where Luke Bryan didn’t perform with Jason Aldean and those shows were weak,” English further explains. “I know that’s what drove the sales.”
Luke Bryan, a native of Leesburg, GA, released his debut album “I’ll Stay Me” in 2007. His following album “Doin’ My Thing,” released in 2009. His sophomore effort included the song “Rain Is A Good Thing,” which charted in 2012 and became his first No. 1 song. Additionally, he released his “Spring Break” EP albums to appeal to college students. He released the fourth in March of this year, according to CMT.
“I have dreamed about this day for a very long time,” Luke Bryan stated in Pollstar. “We are having the best time putting together all the bells & whistles for the tour. I have spent a lot of time out on tours with some really great artists, and each night we have tried to learn from them. I couldn’t be more excited about this!”
Thompson Square is on board with the Dirt Road Diaries Tour. The band, comprised of married couple Keifer and Shawna Thompson, entered the country music scene with their debut album in 2011, according to their official website. Their single “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” won the “iTunes Country Song of the Year, Most Played Song at Country Radio in 2011, and reached No. 1 on the Country Digital Soundscan chart. Their most recent single “If I Didn’t Have You” will be released on October 29.
Florida Georgia Line is another duo going on tour with Luke Bryan. Their band name generates from their home states. Tyler Hubbard is from Monroe, GA, and Brian Kelley is from Ormond Beach, FL. Their debut album “Here’s To The Good Times” will be released on December 4, according to USA Today. The single, “Cruise,” off this debut has already sold over 500,000 copies
Tickets for Luke Bryan’s tour will go on sale on October 26. Citi cardholders have a chance to purchase pre-sale tickets, as Citi is the “official credit card for the tour,” according to Pollstar. Pre-sale tickets will go on sale on October 22. Additional information is available at Luke Bryan’s official website.