Colt Ford has announced he will be kicking off a tour this Spring, titled The Declaration of Independence Tour 2012. It will kick off in Albany, GA on April 6th, and Ford will be joined on the road by JB an The Moonshine Band, Lenny Cooper, Rehab and The Lacs. The tour will run through June 6th and cover considerable territory from Florida to Texas to Kansas to all over! A special detail added by Ford at each concert will be a area specifically for families.

“I have the most die-hard, rockin’ country music fans and they come in ALL ages…When I look out in the crowds I see people anywhere from six to sixty years old. I really wanted to set up an all ages tour and create ‘family friendly’ zones to play for everyone that enjoys my music. This ‘Declaration of Independence’ tour will offer just that… fun for the whole family and then some!”

Be on the lookout because pre-sales will start Wednesday, February 15th.

Colt Ford’s Declaration of Independence Tour 2012, Complete Dates

4/6/2012: Albany, GA
4/7/2012: Florence, AL
4/13/2012: Forest, MS
4/14/2012: Monroe, LA
4/15/2012: New Braunfels, TX
4/20/2012: Hiawassee, GA
4/21/2012: Florence, SC
4/27/2012: Danville, VA
4/28/2012: Beckley, WV
5/4/2012: Fort Smith, AR
5/5/2012: Shelbina, MO
5/12/2012: Blytheville, AR
5/18/2012: Pinnacle, NC
5/19/2012: Cookeville, TN
5/26/2012: Lake Wales, FL
5/27/2012: Perry, FL
6/1/2012: Lake Charles, LA
6/2/2012: Pensacola, FL
6/8/2012: Wichita, KS
6/9/2012: Blevins, AR

Rascal Flatts announced that they will launch a brand new tour beginning this summer, June 15. The American Band Tour will feature an all band set-up with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge opening.

“We are always looking for new ways to re-energize our live shows. We thought bringing these bands, whom are among some of our favorite vocal groups, would make a great night of entertainment!” -Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts

The American Band Tour Dates:

6-15 Hartford, CT Comcast Theatre
6-16 Boston, MA Comcast Center
6-23 Washington DC Jiffy Lube Live
6-24 Virginia Beach, VA Farm Bureau Live
6-29 Cleveland, OH Blossom Music Center
6-30 Darien Center, NY Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center
7-6 Bangor, ME Bangor Waterfront Pavilion
7-13 Dallas, TX Superpages.com Center**
7-14 Houston, TX Woodlands Pavilion**
7-20 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theater
7-22 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
7-27 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7-28 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amp.
8-9 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
8-10 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Center
8-11 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
8-31 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
9-1 Pittsburgh, PA First Niagara Pavilion
tba Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
tba San Diego, CA Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
tba Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheatre
tba Tampa, FL 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre
tba W Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre

**Thompson Square will replace Eli Young Band.

Lauren Alaina is currently on tour with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan, and the young star has nabbed the opportunity to sing the duet role in Aldean’s “Don’t You Wanna Stay“. This particular performance choice clearly delights fans, and I have to agree, its a great choice.

A fan recently caught their live performance on camera, and Alaina featured the video below on her homepage. The camera work is a little shaky, but Lauren’s obvious talent shines through anyway! Watch it and let us know what you think. Does she fill Clarkson’s shoes or not?

Lauren Alaina and Jason Aldean Live Duet of “Don’t You Wanna Stay”

I was very fortunate to attend the first show of Eric Church’s Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour. It took place in Fort Smith, Arkansas at the Fort Smith Convention Center. I (again so very grateful) had VIP tickets which included lots of goodies! There was a dinner before (with great food), a bag full of merchandise (including a very classy set of shot glasses), an acoustic set and great seats!

The acoustic set consisted of two songs between dinner and the actual show. He sang “Like Jesus Does,” a track from Chief and “Before She Does,” a track from his first album Sinners Like Me. After those there was time for some questions from the fans.

I managed to get some talk time, where I first told him it was my birthday and then asked where he got the idea to write “Lightning.” He replied with a VERY “Happy Birthday” and said it came to him one day after watching the Green Mile. For those of you who haven’t heard it, go listen now! It will definitely tug at your heartstrings! After questions (and one more drink) me and my friends headed to the main building!

Brantley Gilbert was the opening act, but I only caught the first and last songs of his set…that’s because I was waiting in line for a cold beverage for, no joke, at least 30 minutes. This was one thing, that I feel, wasn’t thought out very carefully.

Once Church hit the stage all complaints or worries were out the door!!!! He ROCKED that stage, and when I say this I mean it 100 percent! I have seen him perform on several occasions (over 10) and I’m never disappointed, but last Thursday I was attacked with the amount of energy coming off of the stage and exuding in the audience. He packed the place, it was mentioned several times that this was a record breaking amount of people in the building! That’s with it being a Thursday night and previous artists such as Willie Nelson and Miranda Lambert playing the venue!

He played his classics “Two Pink Lines,” “Sinners Like Me,” “Guys Like Me,” “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag,” “Smoke A Little Smoke,” “Carolina,” “Hell On the Heart” and many others. Like clock-work, as soon as he started to sing “These Boots,” the majority of the crowd shucked their kickers and raised them high in the air! Church also played songs from his most recent album, Chief! Of course he sang “Drink In My Hand,” but what has become one of my all-time favorite songs, “Springsteen,” stole the show! He played the piano during the memory-lane, reminiscing tune, this is after learning the 88 keyed instrument days prior!

Basically it was one of the best shows I have seen in a LONG time! Most definitely the best show I’ve seen in 2012!

I strongly encourage you to catch a show if there is one near you, but hurry because tickets are selling out QUICK!

Trace Adkins has announced a low-key tour for Spring 2012 titled “Songs & Stories Tour“. The tour will hit theaters and auditoriums across the U.S., and will take a more down to earth approach than big budget arena tours. Adkins was inspired by his experience with CMT Invitation Only special last year after the release of his Proud To Be Here album. The concerts will feature not only performances of Trace’s tunes, but also stories and anecdotes that highlight his working-man roots and musical heritage.

“I’ve had many narrow escapes and blessings in my life. The right song at the right time has been my saving grace and that’s something I have in common with the audience. Sharing meaningful songs, stories and some laughs ‘around the campfire’ is the Country music tradition and I’m looking forward to it.” -Trace Adkins

Tickets go on sale Friday, January 27th, and fans can share their own stories and inspirations by clicking here.

Luke Bryan and Eric Church will be participating in “The Week Vegas Goes Country” otherwise known as the week leading up to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The two will be headlining performances as part of the Fremont Street Experience with Luke Bryan heading the concert on Friday, March 30th and Eric Church taking over Saturday, March 31st.

This is the 6th consecutive year that these free and open-to-the-public concerts will be held in five-block entertainment zone in downtown Vegas know as the Fremont Street Experience. Luke Bryan and Eric Church both put on one heck of show, and I can’t even imagine how rowdy it will get with both them in Vegas!

The 2012 ACM Awards will broadcast live out of Vegas on Sunday, April 1st at 8pm ET on CBS. This year’s festivities will again be hosted by Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire.

Scotty McCreery will be making a special appearance and performing at the 7th annual Hoops 4 Hope women’s basketball game at NC State. The game will take place on Sunday, February 12th and will be televised on ESPN2.

Scotty released his debut album Clear As Day in 2011 with two hit single releases “I Love You This Big” and “The Trouble With Girls“. Fans can catch the young star on tour with Brad Paisley’s “Virtual Reality Tour 2012″ which also features The Band Perry.

The Houston Rodeo is a HUGE event in the country music community and it’s almost here! Take a look at the schedule below and plan your trip to the rodeo!

Tuesday, Feb. 28 - Alabama

Wednesday, Feb. 29 – Armed Forces Appreciation Day Kid Rock

Thursday, March 1 - Lady Antebellum

Friday, March 2 – Black Heritage Day sponsored by Kroger John Legend

Saturday, March 3 – Luke Bryan

Sunday, March 4 – Big Time Rush,

Monday, March 5 – Eli Young Band

Tuesday, March 6 – Enrique Iglesias

Wednesday, March 7 – Blake Shelton

Thursday, March 8 – ZZ Top

Friday, March 9 – Paint the Rodeo Pink Day Reba McEntire

Saturday, March 10 – Chris Young

Sunday, March 11 – Go Tejano Day sponsored by State Farm®. – Duelo, La Original Banda El Limon

Monday, March 12 – Zac Brown Band

Tuesday, March 13 – Miranda Lambert

Wednesday, March 14 – The Band Perry

Thursday, March 15 – Jason Aldean

Friday, March 16 - Train

Saturday, March 17 – RodeoHouston BP Super Series Championship: Brad Paisley

Sunday, March 18 – Cinch RodeoHouston Super Shootout: Alan Jackson

Eric Church has added 25 brand new dates to his 2012 tour, Blood, Sweat and Beers so that it now extends through May (You’ll find a complete list of dates and locales below!). This is Church’s first ever arena headlining tour and it kicks off on January 19th in Fort Smith, AR. Eric will be joined on tour by Brantley Gilbert and additional acts, the Cadillac Black, Blackberry Smoke, Sonia Leigh, Jon Pardi and Drake White on select dates.

Eric Church’s most recent album, Chief, is currently nominated for a Grammy.

Guess what? Our very own HaleighT will be at the opening date of Church’s tour. Hear all about below!

2012 is offering up a huge selection of amazing tours, but which one is HaleighT most excited about? That’s right, Eric Church’s first ever headlining tour! If you’re Church fan, check in with this short video to get the skinny on his upcoming “Blood, Sweat and Beers Tour” with Brantley Gilbert!

Not as excited about Eric Church’s tour as HaleighT is? Comment below and let us know which tour of 2012 you’re looking forward to the most!

Hear Details on Church’s Tour Here!