Jason Aldean to Headline Night One of 3-day 'Rock The Rapids
Aldean, who won the Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Male Vocalist in 2006, has had four #1 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts ("Why," "She's Country," "Big Green Tractor" and "The Truth"). He has been nominated for the 2007 Horizon Award and 2008 New Artist of the Year by the Country Music Association; for the 2007 Breakthrough Music Video of the Year ("Amarillo Sky") by CMT Music Awards; for the 2007 Song of the Year and Video of the Year (both for "Amarillo Sky") by the Academy of Country Music Awards; and for the 2009 Favorite Country Male Artist by the American Music Awards.
Aldean's success at radio is a direct result of his ability to connect with fans at his concerts. Performing more than 200 concerts a year, Aldean built a huge following early in his career due to his relatable songs, a powerful, dynamic voice, and total dedication to giving himself up for an audience, whether that audience is a small venue of less than 50 fans or a huge sold-out arena. His music has been called "amped-up contemporary country, with Southern rock and honky-tonk influences;" Aldean himself calls his style "aggressive country."
Opening for Aldean is country musician David Nail, whose single "Red Light" peaked in the top 10 on Billboard's country singles chart last year and was nominated for Single Record of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, which held its awards show last weekend. He followed that single up with his current single "Turning Home;" both are from his debut album titled "I'm About To Come Alive."
Dan McCrath, vice president/partner of Blue Cap Entertainment, said he looks forward to seeing the expansion of 'Rock The Rapids,' both this year and in years to come. "We're excited about having great media partners such as Clear Channel Communications and WOOD TV 8," McCrath said. "With their help, I truly believe that 'Rock The Rapids' will be branded as the music festival of Grand Rapids' future."
Clear Channel Events Manager Rich Berry just can't wait to see Aldean perform. "We are delighted to partner with Blue Cap Entertainment and Fifth Third Ballpark on the 'Rock The Rapids' series," Berry said. "We couldn't have picked a better performer than Jason Aldean to kick off the series. Country fans, myself included, will be thrilled to see such an amazing live performer as Jason. This is going to be a great show."
'Rock The Rapids' is one of a growing number of non-baseball events hosted at Fifth Third Ballpark, among them both indoor and outdoor concerts and festivals, weddings, football games and private company parties, as the Whitecaps continue to brand Fifth Third Ballpark as a multi-use facility.
Last year's inaugural 'Rock The Rapids' festival at Fifth Third Ballpark featured Chickenfoot, Flo Rida, Sean Kingston and the hottest teenager on the planet, Justin Bieber. This year's festival has been expanded from two to three days and is poised to become known as the music and entertainment festival of Grand Rapids. Music and entertainment acts for the final two days of the 2010 'Rock The Rapids' festival are currently under consideration and will be announced in the near future by Blue Cap Promotions, and plans are already under way for an expanded 'Rock The Rapids' in 2011.
Tickets for the Jason Aldean and David Nail concert will go on sale Friday, April 30 at 10 a.m. at the Fifth Third Ballpark Box Office (616-784-4131) and online at fifththirdballpark.com. Advance tickets are $49.50 for field level, $30.00 for box seats and $25.00 for reserved seats; prices will increase by $5.00 on the day of the show. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m.
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