Elle King is launching her “A-Freakin-Men Tour Presented by Slow & Low” on Feb. 14. The Red Clay Strays will join her as special guests on the dates.

Kicking off on Valentine’s Day in New Orleans, the tour will visit Atlanta, Asheville, Boston, Indianapolis, Chicago, Austin and more through March 25. The trek comes on the heels of the release of King’s upcoming project Come Get Your Wife on Jan. 27.

“I am so excited to be going back out on tour, not just because I love to perform, but because I’m finally putting out a new record,” says King. “I have put all of my energy and love into this album and I cannot wait to share it live for everyone.”

Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Oct. 25 through the Citi Entertainment program. King is offering tickets as well as VIP meet & greet packages at every show at ElleKing.com.

The post Elle King Slates ‘A-Freakin-Men Tour’ For February appeared first on MusicRow.com.

The winners of the 60th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards will be unveiled on Monday, Nov. 7 across all ASCAP social media platforms starting at 9 a.m. CT.

Recognize and celebrating the writers and publishers of some of the most performed country songs of the past year, the awards will honor the Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Publisher of the Year. Previous winners include Ashley Gorley, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, Garth Brooks, Josh Osborne, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson and Old Dominion.

ASCAP will celebrate with its award-winning songwriters at an intimate, invitation-only event at Nashville’s Soho House on Monday, Nov. 7.

The post 2022 ASCAP Country Music Awards Set For Virtual Celebration On November 7 appeared first on MusicRow.com.

Taylor Swift starts out in front in the biggest Official Chart battle of the year so far, going up against Arctic Monkeys in the race

Kenny Chesney returned to his roots at his alma mater of East Tennessee State University to help honor the founder of the school’s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies Program, Jack Tottle.

A well-known historian, player and journalist, Tottle created a program that has inspired young musicians, such as Amythyst Kiah, Tim Stafford, Adam Steffey, Ron Block, Becky Buller and the program’s current director Dan Boner, to use music as a way to bring people together, respect the roots, and create music’s future. The internationally acclaimed program, which has graduated Grammy, IBMA, CMA, and ACM awards winners, celebrated its 40th anniversary as part of the school’s Homecoming weekend.

“Jack Tottle taught me how to dream, or inspired me to have the ability to dream enough to believe I could do this,” Chesney notes. “He showed me that music could make connections beyond what we see, that it could communicate beyond language or location. When I was just beginning to really get serious, Jack Tottle was 10 years into this incredible program that focused on the region’s musical roots. He welcomed me, taught me a lot about songs, being in bands and what this music is made of.” He adds, “It was my honor to honor Jack this way. He showed an East Tennessee kid the power of what music can do; and for me, it sure did.”

A surprise guest at the celebration, Chesney was welcomed to the stage by President Brian Noland midway through the evening. Noland and Provost Kimberly McCorkle awarded Chesney an honorary doctorate of letters during the special evening.

“He is a paradigm-shifting artist who helped define country music in the 21st century, selling out stadiums across the world… He is an inspiration, reminding the world—through his art and the example he sets—to live life with joy, humor, passion, and soul,” shares Noland. “Here at ETSU, we have issued a challenge to our faculty, staff and students to ‘go beyond.’ Mr. Chesney, soon to be Dr. Chesney, you exemplify that ideal. You have gone beyond genres, unifying people through your art and your work. You have gone beyond borders, sharing your amazing talent all over the world. And you have gone beyond yourself, using your voice to uplift others and give back to communities.”

“To say I wouldn’t dream this is an understatement,” Chesney explains. “I was spending most of my time at Chucky’s Trading Post, the Downhome, Quarterback’s BBQ and in the rooms at the music building, practicing my guitar. All I wanted was to get a song on the radio, write some things I could be proud of and get out on the road and have some fun. My tour manager and a couple of my friends from back here are still out there with me, but I don’t think any of us would’ve seen this coming. But that’s why no matter what you dream, you have to just keep dreaming and believing.”

The post Kenny Chesney Surprises Mentor Jack Tottle At ETSU, Earns Honory Doctorate appeared first on MusicRow.com.