Jason Aldean has 31 No. 1 songs, so when he says a song is a hit, people tend to listen — and his kids made the call before he did. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
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Jason Aldean has 31 No. 1 songs, so when he says a song is a hit, people tend to listen — and his kids made the call before he did. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
As concert ticket prices continue to climb across the live music industry, Garth Brooks promises to stand by his belief that every fan should have an equal shot at the best seat in the house.
Ahead of launching his Blame It All On My Roots Tour next month, the country icon explained why he’s once again choosing to sell every ticket at the same price, regardless of where fans are in the very front or the very back of the venue.
Brooks reveals that an artist’s decision to keep ticket prices fair begins long before the sales even begin. They first have to determine whether or not they’re willing to hand over pricing control to a promoter through a “guaranteed tour,” something that has become an “industry standard,” according to him.
A guaranteed tour means that promoters pay artists a predetermined fee and assume all the financial risk, allowing the artist to get paid no matter the outcome of the tour. While this seems like the best option for the artist, it does come with risks, like losing control of their own ticket prices. For Brooks, giving up that control isn’t an option.
The conversation comes as Brooks points out that the average country concert ticket now costs around $175, and that’s before fans factor in parking, merchandise, food and transportation.
“Let’s talk for a moment about the cost to go to a concert,” the Oklahoma native says. “There’s the ticket price. Currently, the average country concert ticket price is $175. That’s the average. Dang! You never go alone, so double it, at least. Parking? Want a T-shirt or two? Maybe dinner? You are looking at one expensive evening,” he explained.
By overseeing ticket prices himself, he says he’s able to ensure that the people who have supported his career from the very beginning, regardless of their financial situation, will have the option to come see his show at an affordable price.
“We have always chosen to do the one overall ticket price simply based on this thought: Where you sit in the arena shouldn’t depend on how much you can afford,” he says. “It should be all just luck of the draw.”
Fans have been assured that every seat on Garth Brooks’ Blame It All On My Roots Tour will be priced the same. The decision to stray away from the typical pricing model was personal, because he wants his concerts to feel welcoming for everyone in the building that night.
“It would break my heart if I was at a show and my kids said, ‘Hey, why aren’t we sitting down there?’ and my answer was, ‘We can’t afford to sit down there,’” he says. “My thing is, make every ticket the same price, and then it’s just a matter of luck where you’re sitting in the arena.”
Brooks continued, “When this is achieved, there is a family feel in the arena that everyone is equal, and everyone is there for the same reason … to have the experience of a lifetime … equally … together.”
There’s no denying that it has been a challenge in his career to keep his promise, especially in today’s age. But seeing the prices of concert tickets “skyrocketing out of control” has made him feel more driven than ever.
“Did I think in the ’90s that $20, $50 was a lot of money? You bet,” he admits. “Do I think $20 or $50 is still a lot of money? Yes, I do. With that said, touring costs are not the same as they were in the ’90s. Hell, on the Comeback Tour, I saw in some cities that parking cost more than tickets.”
Brooks knows there will always be fans who can’t easily make the numbers work. He believes it’s his responsibility as an artist to be mindful that paychecks only go so far.
While the “Friends In Low Places” singer acknowledges that there will always be people who can’t spend any extra money to attend one of his live shows regardless of the prices, he says making his shows as affordable as possible remains a priority, with the goal of giving more people the opportunity to experience the concert.
“There are always going to be people who tell you, ‘I’d love to come see you, I just can’t afford it,’” he stated. “Those people have all of my respect. I believe it is my job to try to make the number of people who say that as small as possible.”
Garth Brooks’ Blame It All On My Roots Tour will kick off Aug. 21-22 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tickets for these first two dates go on sale at 10 a.m. ET Friday, July 17, at Ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks or through the Ticketmaster app.
The post Garth Brooks Shares Why He Continues To Prioritize Affordable Concert Tickets Ahead Of All On My Roots Tour appeared first on Country Now.
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Zach John King has announced he will be canceling all of his shows over the next two weeks following the sudden loss of his father, Erick.
The rising country act took to social media on Tuesday, July 14 to share the devastating news that his father “suddenly went home to Jesus.” Amid the sadness, he was able to pen a thoughtful and heartfelt message in remembrance of the man that had such a strong impact on his life.
“He was our family’s rock. My best friend. The greatest man I will ever know. John King was the kind of husband, father, grandfather, friend, and follower of Jesus you’ll only find once in a lifetime,” King began.
He went on to reflect on the fact that his father’s faith gave him the ability to always find the brightness in the darkest days, a perspective the singer admits he has always admired.
“Those that knew him knew his eyes were never fixed on this weary world. It used to frustrate me how joyful he could be even in the worst moments of life. In his own words, that joy came from ‘the hope I have in Jesus.’”
While his cause of death was not revealed, King admits that in just a “blink of an eye,” his dad went to Jesus, “where his soul longed to be.”
“We wanted 25 more years with him and that pain will cut deep for the rest of my life. However, if there were ever a moment to be sure my dad is waiting for me in the very place all of our souls long for, it would be now,” he continued.
The “Get To Drinkin’” singer will spend the next two weeks off the road in order to grieve with his family. Then, he plans to do what he thinks his father would have wanted him to do and return to work.
King concluded his message with a powerful and fitting statement that honors his late loved one, paired with a slideshow of photos that captured moments of their relationship from King’s childhood all the way through the present day.
“I’ll leave ya’ll with what he said every morning even when I didn’t want to hear it… ‘today is the day the [Lord] has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.’ I love you dad. I’ll see you soon.”
Growing up in the small town of Fayetteville, Georgia, Zach John King developed a passion for country music through his grandparents, but it was his dad who expanded his knowledge on all different genres of music by giving him a preloaded iPod shuffle with everything from Otis Redding to Alabama on it.
His father’s influence extended far beyond introducing him to music. It’s clear that he also shaped the man and artist King has become today. Fans filled the comment section with uplifting and supportive messages as his family navigates this difficult time.
He was originally scheduled to perform at several upcoming fairs and festivals including Country Jam USA, Country Thunder Wisconsin and Freedom Fest Little Falls, MN, in a addition to serving as support on select dates of Luke Bryan’s Word on the Street Tour and Riley Green’s Cowboy As It Gets Tour.
It’s unclear what date Zach John King will return to the road.
The post Zach John King Announces Father’s Sudden Passing, Cancels Upcoming Shows appeared first on Country Now.
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Macy says she is grateful for this season! Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Macy says she is grateful for this season! Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
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RaeLynn Files For Divorce From Josh Davis
RaeLynn shared in a social media statement that she has filed for divorce from Josh Davis, her husband of 10 years. Court records show that the singer filed divorce paperwork in June. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
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RaeLynn Files For Divorce From Josh Davis
RaeLynn shared in a social media statement that she has filed for divorce from Josh Davis, her husband of 10 years. Court records show that the singer filed divorce paperwork in June. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Jason Aldean just asked his newly married daughter to slow down — and the reason he gave is pretty relatable for any parent in his shoes. Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
Jason Aldean just asked his newly married daughter to slow down — and the reason he gave is pretty relatable for any parent in his shoes. Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs