Tim McGraw announces solo tour

After wrapping the most successful consecutive multi-year tour in country music history last year, “Soul2Soul II,” with wife Faith Hill, Tim McGraw returns to touring in 2008 as a solo act. McGraw, an electrifying performer who has headlined and sold out shows since 1993, will kick-off “Tim McGraw ‘08 Live Your Voice Tour” in May with special guest Jason Aldean and Halfway To Hazard. The first leg of the tour is slated to launch in Tampa, Florida on May 9 and will wrap in July 6 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“I’m looking forward to having Jason and Chad and David out there this year,” said McGraw. “They are among the best live performers out there and I think it’s a great combination that the fans will enjoy.”

McGraw will also headline at several festivals prior to the kick off of the Tour including the Houston Livestock & Rodeo March 3, his debut appearance at The New Orleans Jazz Festival April 27 and the Stagecoach Festival May 4.

Known for his dynamic stage performances and state-of-the-art production, McGraw has proven himself as one of the top entertainers in the entire music industry. McGraw is the only country music artist in 2007 to be named a Top 10 earner by Forbes Magazine. He recently won his 11th CMA award and his first-ever BMI award as a songwriter for the co-penned hit “My Little Girl,” and was named Billboard’s Top Male Artist in country music in 2007. McGraw also scored four Grammy nominations this year.

Following closely on the heels of his PLATINUM certified self-titled debut, Jason Aldean’s sophomore album RELENTLESS propelled him to the front lines of country music this year with unprecedented sales. The two albums have produced four hit singles (“Hicktown,” “Why,” “Amarillo Sky” and “Johnny Cash) and four #1 videos to date, along with multiple industry award nominations including CMA’s prestigious “Horizon Award.” His current single “Laughed Until We Cried” is already a Top 20 hit and climbing. Praised by critics and fans alike for his high-energy live show, Aldean has been working audiences since he was 14 in bars and clubs across the Southeast. “I’m excited to get a chance to work with Tim,” says Aldean. “I came up through the clubs covering his music every night, so going on tour with him now definitely feels surreal.”

Halfway to Hazard spent 2007 on the road with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill warming up crowds and promoting their self-titled debut on Mercury/StyleSonic Records. The debut single “Daisy,” produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore, cracked into the Top 40. The energetic duo hails from Hazard, Kentucky and looks forward to sharing the stage with McGraw in 2008. “Tim has been great to us and there’s nothing like being in front of 20 or 30,000 people a night and playing your music,” said David and Chad. “We can’t wait to start.”

McGraw is also known for his innovative touring branding. This year he has chosen to partner with KC Masterpiece® and Kingsford® as official sponsors of the “Tim McGraw ‘08 Live Your Voice Tour.” This summer, KC Masterpiece and Kingsford will inspire family and friends to gather together, whether it’s tailgating before the show or grilling in their backyards. The two brands will be presenting sponsors and hosts of the VIP Pre-Show Party where McGraw performs a private acoustic set prior to each show. "I want to thank KC Masterpiece and Kingsford for their support on this tour," said McGraw. "We’ll have fun seeing who the best griller backstage is this year.”

Fritos ® and McGraw have developed an integrated partnership which includes Fritos ® as the “Official Snack” of the “Tim McGraw ’08 Live Your Voice Tour” and the presenting sponsor of the “StyleSonic Stage,” which will feature artists chosen by McGraw who will perform prior to the start of each concert, including Lance Miller and Catherine Raney. “We appreciate Fritos taking the StyleSonic stage to the next level for the fans and helping us showcase some great new artists,” said McGraw. As a special promotion, McGraw is making StyleSonic music available for free download to everyone who buys a ticket to the tour this year. More details will be made available on www.TimMcGraw.com prior to the start of the tour.

In continuation of the Live Your Voice ™ themed year, McGraw has asked “Rock the Vote” to join the tour to mobilize voter registration awareness. For 18 years, Rock the Vote has fused celebrity and politics in an effort to inspire, engage and mobilize a generation to action. Rock the Vote gives young people the tools to identify, learn about and take action on the issues that affect their lives and empower them in the political process.

“Tim McGraw ‘08 Live Your Voice Tour” will be promoted by Brian O’Connell with Live Nation. McGraw is managed by Scott Siman, RPM Management, and represented by Rod Essig, Creative Artists Agency.

5/9/08 Tampa, FL/Ford Amphitheatre
5/10/08 West Palm Beach, FL/Sound Advice Amp
5/11/08 Orlando, FL/TD Waterhouse
5/15/08 Birmingham, AL/Verizon Wireless Music Ctr
5/16/08 Charlotte, NC/Verizon Wireless Music Ctr
5/17/08 Raleigh, NC/Walnut Creek Amph
5/21/08 Cincinnati, OH/Riverbend Amph
5/22/08 Detroit, MI/DTE Energy Music Theatre
5/23/08 Indianapolis, IN/Verizon Wireless Music Ctr
5/24/08 Chicago, IL/ First Midwest Bank Amph
5/29/08 Wichita, KS/
5/30/08 Oklahoma City, OK/Ford
5/31/08 Waxahachie, TX/Country Thunder
6/1/08 Houston, TX/Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pav
6/3/08 Charleston, WV
6/5/08 Holmdel, NJ/PNC Bank Arts Center
6/6/08 Darien Center, NY/Darien Lake PAC
6/7/08 Boston, MA/Bank of American Pavilion
6/8/08 Hartford, CT/New England Dodge Music Ctr
6/11/08 Atlanta, GA/HiFi Buys Amph
6/13/08 Virginia Beach, VA/Verizon Wireless
6/14/08 Philadelphia, PA/Post Gazette Pavilion
6/15/08 Washington, DC/Nissan Pavilion
6/17/08 Kansas City, MO/Sprint Center
6/19/08 Albuquerque, NM/Journal Pavilion
6/20/08 Phoenix, AZ/Cricket Pavilion
6/21/08 Las Vegas, NV/Indoors
6/24/08 Seattle, WA/Venue
6/25/08 Portland, OR/Amphitheater at Clark County
6/27/08 Salt Lake City, UT/SANA Amph
6/28/08 Grand Junction, CO/Country Jam USA
6/29/08 Greeley, CO/Greeley Stampede
7/3/08 Milwaukee, WI/Summerfest
7/4/08 St. Louis, MO/Verizon Wireless Amph
7/5/08 Cleveland, OH/Blossom Music Center
7/6/08 Pittsburgh, PA/Amphitheater