TRACE ADKINS’ SONGS & STORIES TOUR TO COME TO GRAND FORKS

Trace Adkins announced the SONGS & STORIES TOUR, which will visit many of America’s most beautiful theaters this Spring. One of those stops includes the Chester Fritz Auditorium in Grand Forks, ND, on Saturday, March 17, 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 3, 10 a.m. Reserved seating costs $35, $45 and $59.50. Applicable fees may apply. Purchase at the Chester Fritz Auditorium Box Office (3475 University Avenue), all TicketMaster outlets, via phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Inspiration for the SONGS & STORIES TOUR came as Trace released his 10th studio album, Proud To Be Here, last summer with a CMT Invitation Only special. The special featured new hits “Just Fishin’” and “Million Dollar View,” a Q&A session and the most-loved songs from Adkins’ twenty year career. The taping was so fun for Trace and his guests that he began laying plans for a tour.

Fans can share their own stories, questions and the songs that have inspired or shaped their lives on the Songs & Stories page at www.traceadkins.com .

Kellie Pickler - 100 Proof

Kellie Pickler will release 100 Proof on Jan. 24. The album is her third release. It includes 11 songs, including six that Kellie co-wrote.

With 100 Proof, Kellie brings a more traditional sounding country album, with her intent to pay homage to her musical influences, such as Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn.

100 Proof track listing:

1. Where’s Tammy Wynette
2. Unlock That Honky Tonk
3. Stop Cheatin’ On Me
4. Long As I Never See You Again
5. Tough
6. Turn On The Radio And Dance
7. Mother’s Day
8. Rockaway (The Rockin’ Chair Song)
9. Little House On The Highway
10. 100 Proof
11. The Letter (To Daddy)


Fans can pre-order 100 Proof now on iTunes at http://bit.ly/tHNwQz.

Kellie is also giving fans the opportunity to unlock and stream one new song a day from 100 Proof by "liking" her Facebook page.

Gene Watson - Best of the best

Gene Watson will be celebrating his 50 years of making country music with a release of "Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits" on February 14.

The album features re-recorded versions of his classics, such as "Love In The Hot Afternoon," "Farewell Party," "Fourteen Carat Mind," "Memories To Burn," and more.

Earth, Wind & Fire to perform at PACER’s May 5 benefit

Earth, Wind & Fire – one of America’s top-selling musical groups of all time – is bringing its soul-funk fusion to PACER Center’s 30th Annual Benefit on Saturday, May 5, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Tickets are available now.

“They sold out the house when they performed at a previous PACER Benefit,” says Paula Goldberg, PACER’s executive director. “People were dancing in the aisles at that show, and we’re looking forward to another fantastic evening.”

Inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Earth, Wind & Fire has earned six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards alongside numerous other accolades. The band recently received the prestigious Legend Award at the 2011 Soul Train awards on Nov. 27, 2011. On Jan. 31, the band will release a new album, “Now, Then & Forever,” what Legacy Recordings calls “the ultimate single-disc celebration of Earth, Wind & Fire.”

In addition to the Earth, Wind & Fire concert, PACER’s benefit includes silent and live auctions. The evening begins at 6 p.m., and tickets start at $65. A pre-benefit gourmet dinner is available by separate ticket, and a post-concert patron party is available for people purchasing Benefit tickets of $140 or more.

The Benefit supports free PACER Center programs for children with disabilities and their families as well as PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. To reserve tickets, visit PACER.org or call (952) 838-9000.

Tim McGraw to release "Emotional Traffic"

Tim McGraw & Curb Records will be getting the new year off & running with the release of Tim's new album, Emotional Traffic, on January 24th. The album was produced by Tim's longtime producer, Byron Gallimore.

Emotional Traffic includes 12 new tracks, with "Felt Good On My Lips" as the first single released, which has already been certified digital gold. His current single from the album, "Better Than I Used To Be", has just recently been released and is now climbing the charts.

Tim collaborates with R&B pop artist Ne-Yo on "Only Human". Other highlights include "I will not fall down", a song co-written by Tim, Martina McBride and The Warren Brothers.

The track listing for Emotional Traffic:

1. Halo
2. Right Back Actha Babe
3. One Part, Two Part
4. I Will Not Fall Down
5. The One
6. Better Than I Used To Be
7. Touchdown Jesus
8. The One That Got Away
9. Felt Good On My Lips
10. Hey Now
11. Only Human
12. Die By My Own Hand