2016 was one of country music’s biggest years yet! Stars such as Loretta Lynn and Miranda Lambert released new albums filled with songs that still have us singing along. Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and many others embarked on tours that took them around the world. And of course, there was the 50th CMA Awards and “Forever Country,” the mega-hit country music mashup.
After such an eventful year, country music’s biggest artists aren’t slowing down at all in 2017. Some artists have already announced their big plans for the year, including new albums, new tours, and other exciting projects. Many more have plans in store that we don’t know anything about yet, because the year is just getting started after all!
Want to get a short rundown of what some your favorite artists have planned for this year? Then click the button below to get started!
1. Brantley Gilbert: New Album And New Tour
Brantley Gilbert isn’t wasting any time when it comes to getting started in 2017. He’s set to drop his fourth studio album, The Devil Don’t Sleep, on January 13.
The album contains Gilbert’s hit single “The Weekend,” which is still climbing up the charts. His wife, Amber, stars in the song’s rowdy music video, which was released in October 2016.
To go along with his album, Gilbert is embarking on a tour of the same name. The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour will kick off on February 2 in Reading, Pennsylvania. A full list of tour dates can be found on Gilbert’s website. He’s going to be busy, that’s for sure!
2. An All-Star Tribute To Randy Travis
https://www.facebook.com/cma/videos/10154544573361271/
Randy Travis was at the center of some of country music’s most notable stories in 2016. Three years after suffering a stroke, he stunned everyone at his Country Music Hall of Fame induction by singing “Amazing Grace.” He made headlines yet again following the CMA Awards, during which he sang the final line of his song “Forever and Ever, Amen” alongside some of country’s biggest stars.
Now, country music stars are making plans to honor Travis at one of 2017’s biggest tribute concerts. Artists such as Tanya Tucker, Scotty McCreery, Alabama, and Kenny Rogers have signed up for the tribute, which is called 1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes and Friends Tribute to Randy Travis.
The tribute concert will take place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on February 8. The Tennessean reported on January 1 that tickets to the concert were selling from $21.50 to $75.50 through Ticketmaster.
3. Reba McEntire: New Album, Ryman Show, And Additional Las Vegas Residency Dates
Reba McEntire has a lot in store for fans in 2017! In a November 2016 interview with ET, she revealed that she’ll be extending her Las Vegas residency with country duo Brooks & Dunn. The trio has added a bunch of new dates to their residency in 2017, giving fans plenty of chances to catch them. You can see a full list of dates on McEntire’s website.
Later, in a live video McEntire shared on her Facebook on December 15, she revealed her plans to release a new album in 2017 as well. Called Sing it Now: Songs of Faith and Hope, the double album will contain 11 new songs along with McEntire’s renditions of popular hymns such as “Oh, How I Love Jesus.”
In the same live video, McEntire also announced a special performance date at the famed Ryman Auditorium. The one-night-only show is scheduled for February 15. We have a feeling all of this is only the beginning for McEntire in 2017!
4. George Strait: Extended Las Vegas Residency…And A New Album?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuDJwpw9Pbw
George Strait may have retired from full-scale performing, but this cowboy isn’t ready to hang up his hat any time soon! He still only performs a few shows each year, most of which are part of his highly successful Las Vegas residency.
So you can bet that fans were thrilled when Strait confirmed additional Vegas show dates for 2017! The new shows will run under the title “2 Nights of Number 1’s,” and will center around 30 of Strait’s most iconic number one hits.
Strait also confirmed in an interview with Rolling Stone that he is putting together a new album. No word whether or not that album will make its debut in 2017, but it looks like there may be a good chance. He’s already released one of its songs, “Kicked Out of Country, ” which he co-wrote with Jamey Johnson. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that a new album will be part of Strait’s 2017!
5. Tim McGraw And Faith Hill: Soul2Soul Tour
This power couple made an equally powerful announcement during a surprise show at the Ryman Auditorium in October 2016. It was then that Tim McGraw and Faith Hill revealed their plans to embark on a massive tour, called the Soul2Soul World Tour.
It’s been years since McGraw and Hill last toured together, so you can bet that country fans were excited to hear their announcement. However, they’ll have to wait a little while before they get the chance to see them in concert. The Soul2Soul Tour doesn’t kick off until April 4 in New Orleans, Louisiana, but it will be well worth the wait!
There’s plenty of shows on the tour schedule so far, which you can see by visiting the tour’s official website.
6. Brad Paisley: New Album
Brad Paisley surprised fans in October 2016 when he released an emotional new song called “Today.” Fans later learned from Paisley that “Today” is part of a larger project…a new album!
“Today” will serve as the first single off of Paisley’s upcoming album titled Love and War. A news release on Paisley’s website states that the new album will hit the shelves on March 3. The album will be co-produced by Paisley and Luke Wooten, who co-produced Paisley’s last album Moonshine in the Trunk.
Based on the success of “Today,” in 2016 we have a feeling that Paisley’s 2017 will be even bigger with the release of his new album!
7. Alan Jackson: New Tour
After the success of his Keepin’ It Country Tour, Alan Jackson decided to hit the road again in 2017. He announced his tour plans through a news release in December 2016.
The new tour will be called the Honky Tonk Highway Tour, and will take Jackson to cities such as Pensacola, Florida and Durant, Oklahoma. A full list of tour dates and locations can be found on Jackson’s website.
Those who attend certain concerts on Jackson’s tour will be in for a real treat. As he revealed in his news release, Lee Ann Womack is set to join him as a guest performer on select dates. Two country icons on one tour? Get us a ticket!
That’s just a short list of what some of country music’s biggest stars have in store for you in 2017! Which of these things are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments!