Blake Shelton Added to Grandstand Lineup

Blake Shelton is one of the most recent additions to the Minnesota State Fair's Grandstand lineup.

Tickets for Shelton's August 25 show will go on sale at noon Saturday, June 16.

The Minnesota State Fair runs August 23 - September 3.

Grand Old Day 2012

Grand Old Day is almost here! I am giving you the inside scoop on one of the best events to kick off your summer.

Sunday, June 3 is Grand Old Day - a celebration that takes place on Grand Avenue from the cross streets of Cretin to Dale in St. Paul, Minnesota.

There are four 'zones' that make up the celebration: Family Fun District (Cretin to Snelling), Art District (Saratoga to Albert), Sporting District (Hamline to Dunlap), and the Entertainment District (Lexington to Dale).

The Family Fun District features games, pony rides, a petting zoo, music and entertainment fit for the entire family! In the Whole Foods Market lot, there are several entertainers provided. The day starts at noon with Paul Spring and progresses to Koo Koo Kangaroo, Snapdragon Seeds, and Radio Disney. At Grand & Cambridge, the little ones can enjoy free pony rides, petting zoo, inflatables, mini-golf and other games!

The Art District is likely to draw major crowds as it features art and crafts by local and regional artists. From Saratoga to Albert, you can get your fill of art and crafts. Noon-5pm will feature the Artstart Art Project at Pascal & Grand. There you can make your own Grand Hand Headpiece out of recycled materials!

The Sporting District features interactive games and fun from the Minnesota Wild, St. Paul Saints, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Rollergirls and more!

Also in the Sporting District is Bike Parking. Free bike parking is available on the Ayd Mill Bridge. There are over 140 bike parking spaces installed along Grand Avenue for convenient parking. Generally it will be easier to find a bike parking space than a space for your vehicle.You should bring your own bike lock. 

Perhaps the most popular area of the Grand Old Day is the Entertainment District! This district, from Lexington to Dale, presents live music in 6 festival gardens.

In the Grand Garden (between Lexington and Oxford), bands will kick off the day in the US Bank Lot. At noon Zachary Scot Johnson will perform, followed by Dan Rodriguez at 1pm and SarahLou at 3pm. This garden is presented by Summit and Barefoot Wine, which means you should gear up for a good time!

At the Billy's Stage you will hear performances by Arc Flash Hazard, Orange Whip and Hookers and Blow. The Wild Onion Stage will bring White Iron Band and Rocket Club. The Grand Country Stage, located in the Pier 1 Lot, will feature Maiden Dixie and Tim Sigler. The 80's Stage in the Walgreens Lot will highlight Mish Mash and Boogie Wonderland. The Dixie's Stage will feature a heavy and fun lineup with Charlie Parr, Blind Shake, The Soviettes and Solid Gold.

The Grand Old Parade starts just after Dale & Grand and finishes in the Family Fun District at Fairview & Grand.

7:45am
ON THE GO SPORTING EVENTS w/ start/finish line at Wheeler & Grand

7:45am In-Line Skate
7:50am 8K Run
9:05am 1/2 Mile Youth Run
9:15am 5K Walk/Jog

10:00am
GRAND OLD DAY PARADE - "A Grand Salute to St. Paul" from Dale to Fairview

10:15am
 KID'S PARADE - registration at 10am, from Dale to Fairview

10:30am
FAMILY FUN ZONE until 5pm

12:00pm 
ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT from Dale to Lexington
6 festival gardens with live music (21+)

TEEN BATTLE OF THE BANDS until 5pm
WHOLE FOODS MARKET FAMILY FUN STAGE until 5pm
ART FAIR STAGE until 5pm

6:00pm
EVENT CONCLUDES

There is free parking located in the Anderson Parking Ramp at the University of St. Thomas (Cretin & Grand). A free shuttle runs along Summit Avenue (one block north of Grand Avenue) from Cretin to Dale from 10am to 7pm.

2012 MN State Fair Grandstand Concerts

The Minnesota State Fair announced its 2012 Grandstand Concert Series. Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 19. Here are the concerts coming to the MN State Fair (there is some great country music representation)!

An Evening with Anita Baker 8pm Sunday, Aug. 28

Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller 630pm Monday, Sept. 3

Journey 7pm Saturday, Sept. 1

Other grandstand shows available now are:

Bonnie Raitt with Mavis Staples 8/23
Alan Jackson 8/24 The Happy Together Tour 8/27
Kiss and Motley Crue 8/29
Rascal Flatts w/ Little Big Town, Eli Young Band & Edens Edge 8/30

Carrie Underwood CD: Blown Away

It’s been three years since Carrie Underwood fanatics heard any new music from the “Good Girl” singer. Thankfully, that all that will change this Tuesday (May 1) when Carrie releases her fourth studio album Blown Away.

I'm definitely planning on previewing the songs on Itunes and probably purchasing most, if not all of them. Let me know what you think of the new CD!

Brothers of the Sun Tour: Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw

Wow. How pumped are you for the Boys of Country to be performing at our very own Target Field? The Brothers of the Sun Tour will feature Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw... basically two of the best country artists of all time.

You won't want to miss this show. Seriously... there will be nothing better this summer. Get your tickets!! DO IT!

Kenny and Tim

ACM Awards Recap

Below are the results of the ACM Awards last night. I have listed the actual winner and my choice for the winner in caps.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney MY CHOICE
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift WINNER

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean MY CHOICE
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton WINNER
Chris Young

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert WINNER
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood MY CHOICE

Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum WINNER & MY CHOICE
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

New Artist of the Year
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Scotty McCreery WINNER & MY CHOICE

Vocal Duo of the Year
Love and Theft
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland MY CHOICE
Thompson Square WINNER

Vocal Event of the Year
"Country Boy" - Aaron Lewis and Charlie Daniels
"Don't You Wanna Stay" - Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson WINNER & MY CHOICE
"Old Alabama" - Brad Paisley and Alabama
"Remind Me" - Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood
"You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter

Video of the Year
"Tattoos On This Town" - Jason Aldean
"Homeboy" - Eric Church
"Red Solo Cup" - Toby Keith WINNER & MY CHOICE
"Just a Kiss" - Lady Antebellum
"Mean" - Taylor Swift

Album of the Year
Chief - Eric Church MY CHOICE
Four the Record - Miranda Lambert WINNER
Hemingway's Whiskey - Kenny Chesney
My Kinda Party - Jason Aldean
Own the Night - Lady Antebellum

Single of the Year
"Crazy Girl" - Eli Young Band MY CHOICE
"Don't You Wanna Stay" - Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson WINNER
"Red Solo Cup" - Toby Keith
"Tomorrow" - Chris Young
"You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter

Song of the Year (goes to songwriters)
"Crazy Girl" - Eli Young Band WINNER
"Home" - Dierks Bentley MY CHOICE
"Just a Kiss" - Lady Antebellum
"Threaten Me With Heaven" - Vince Gill
"You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan at the X

Luke Bryan. Jason Aldean. Wow.

I was fortunate enough to go to the Luke Bryan - Jason Aldean concert at the Xcel Energy Center. With songs like "All My Friends Say," "Drunk on You," "Country Girl (Shake it for Me)" by Luke Bryan and "Dirt Road Anthem," "Crazy Town," and "She's Country" blasted out by Aldean, you knew it would be a good show.

I don't think people really knew that it would be such a great show.

Luke Bryan was a charismatic performer that catered to the crowd in a way that Kenny Chesney would have. While Aldean wasn't as crowd-savvy, he definitely satisfied with a certain sexy cool behind his electric guitar and cowboy hat.

Bryan was as sexy as ever, almost stealing the show from Aldean for us younger gals. However, the show was perfect and I am again reminded of how much I love country!

Eric Church is My Favorite Country Artist

I know I have mentioned various artists in the past

and I can see where some of those posts may have led you to believe that they are my favorite country artist. I am here to clear that confusion

Undoubtedly, Eric Church is my favorite country artist. I love every single one of his songs, plus he is completely attractive. He has that sexy, savvy air about him that I just can't resist. Plus the ruggedly good looks that stems from his dark hair.

On a less creepy note, here are my top ten favorite Eric Church songs:

10. Love Your Love the Most

9. Jack Daniels

8. Guys Like Me

7. Homeboy

6. Smoke a Little Smoke

5. Sinners Like Me

4. Hell on the Heart

3. Drink in My Hand

2. Carolina

1. Springsteen

Ugh... that was hard and I still feel slightly unsettled about the results. I really love all of his songs. I should have just said my favorite song is Springsteen, because after that it gets really blurry.

Anyway, if I were able to get Eric Church tickets that go on sale soon... I would be a happy camper. I would also be happy if he wasn't married, but since he is and since I'm no home wreck... I'll settle for tickets!

Brad Paisley concert tickets St Paul Xcel Energy Center

Omigoodness! Brad Paisley will be playing a concert on Saturday January 14 at the St. Paul Xcel Energy Center! This Minnesota country concert is wildly popular! Who wouldn't want to see Brad Paisley in concert!?

Brad Paisley has some up and comers on his tour with him, American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and popular sibling band The Band Perry!

Brad Paisley concert tickets are hard to come by right now! I wasn't able to get any from the box office at this point, and even my old faithful, Ticket King, is almost sold out! If you're wanting to see Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, and Scotty McCreery, you better act fast! Brad Paisley tickets will be sold out before you know it! There is only a couple of weeks left to get your Xcel Energy concert tickets!

Zac Brown Band Tour Minneapolis Target Center

The Zac Brown Band is touring and coming to the Minneapolis Target Center! There are Zac Brown Band tickets still available, but not very many! If you're wanting to see the Zac Brown Band in concert, you better get your tickets quick!

The Zac Brown Band lead the nominees for the 46th annual Academy of Country Music Awards 2011. The Band had 9 nominations including: Top Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Single Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Vocal Event of the Year.

See why the Zac Brown Band had nine nominations this year! Be at the Target Center on Sunday, November 20th!

Ticket King has Zac Brown Band tickets starting at $59/each in the upper level of the Target Center! Call Ticket King today! 612-341-4131, or stop in the Minneapolis office. Ticket King's address is 212 Chicago Avenue South, on the corner of Washington and Chicago.