Thursday, April 28, 2011

Willie Nelson to tour

Billy Bob’s Texas and 4Fini announce the return of Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic to Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Stockyards hosted the iconic “Willie's Picnic” in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Willie is currently on the Country Throwdown Tour 2011 which will wrap up with the always-anticipated Willie Nelson’s annual 4th of July Picnic. The long-standing Texas tradition will break new ground as it will be held outside and inside of the famed Billy Bob's Texas. Headliners at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic & Throwdown will perform on the venue's main stage outside with many artists taking the stage indoors for a full complement of multi-talented entertainers.

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic & Throwdown is designed to provide guests a not-to-be-missed afternoon and evening of exceptional performances by artists from all musical genres, along with some unexpected jam sessions. Country Throwdown tour artists include Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Craig Campbell, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, plus recent tour addition, Drake White, an Alabama native known for his unique brand of freestyle twists on original country songs, ad-libs and audience participation antics. Willie’s Picnic will feature many artists who are traditionally featured on the Willie’s Picnic lineup, including Ray Price, David Allan Coe, Paula Nelson, and more.

This year's unique setup will feature the air-conditioned comfort of Billy Bob's opening to the landscaped beauty of Rodeo Plaza in the Stockyards. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. with the first artist taking the stage at 12 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, available through www.ticketmaster.com, and tickets through Billy Bob’s box office will go on sale May 2 at 10 a.m. Because of the unique inside/outside nature of this year's event, it will be the first time that “Willie’s Picnic” in Fort Worth will set a ticket and headcount limit, and organizers are expecting a quick sellout.

"Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic is a long-standing tradition, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it. We couldn’t think of a better way to end this tour than by bringing together the legendary picnic talent with the big-name artists performing throughout the Country Throwdown Tour,” said Kevin Lyman of 4Fini. “Billy Bob's in Fort Worth is known as the World's Largest Honky Tonk, so I can’t think of a better place to host this year's finale."

The tour also is known for spotlighting emerging singer-songwriters on the Bluebird Cafe Stage. Adam Hood, Caitlyn Smith, Austin Lucas, Brent Cobb, Dani Flowers, and Erin Enderlin have signed on for this special tour attraction, giving fans the opportunity to hear some of Nashville’s best in the “in-the-round”-style sets made famous at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe. This unique singer-songwriter showcase will be a first for Willie’s Picnic in Fort Worth.

4Fini also announced today that Country Weekly has signed on as an official sponsor of the tour. Country Weekly will produce the official souvenir program, which will be distributed free of charge at all Throwdown dates, provide extensive coverage in Country Weekly and on CountryWeekly.com and will host a sponsor tent on the tour where fans can sign up for a special Throwdown subscription offer and get autographs from Throwdown artists.

"Country Weekly is beyond thrilled to be teaming up with Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour," says Editor in Chief Lisa Konicki. "Our two organizations are a perfect fit, and we're happy to be joining together to bring great music and news to the core country music fan." Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour 2011 sponsors include COUNTRY WEEKLY, HARLEY-DAVIDSON, DICKIES, CMT, NAMM, THE BLUEBIRD CAFE, BMI, Y'ALLWIRE, KEEP A BREAST, SHIRTS FOR A CURE, AZUNIA, WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE, and U.S. MARINES.

For more information about Willie's Picnic event, visit www.williespicnic.com. For more information about 2011 Country Throwdown dates and venues, visit www.countrythrowdown.com.

Confirmed Dates:
5/27 - Philadelphia, PA @ The MANN
5/28 - Gilford, NH @ Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion
5/29 - Essex Junction, VT @ Champlain Valley Expo
5/30 - York, PA @ Sovereign Bank Stadium
6/3 - Nashville, TN @ The Woods at Fontanel
6/4 - Little Rock, AR @ North Shore Park at the Arkansas River in North Little Rock
6/5 - Orange Beach, AL @ The Amphitheater at the Wharf
6/9 - Southaven, MS @ Snowden Grove Amphitheater
6/10 - Columbia, MO @ Midway Exposition Center
6/11- Sparta, IL @ World Shooting & Recreation Complex
6/12 - Lawrenceville, GA @ Coolray Field
6/16 - Roanoke Rapids, NC The Rapids Jam Festival*
6/17 - Simpsonville, SC @ Charter Amphitheater at Heritage Park
6/18 - Waldorf, MD @ Regency Stadium
6/19 - Knoxville, TN @ World’s Fair Park
6/21 - Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheater
6/23 - Del Mar, CA @ Grandstand
6/24 - Ontario, CA @ Citizens Business Bank Arena
6/25 - Pozo, CA @ Pozo Saloon
6/30 - Mission, TX @ Las Palmas Race Park
7/1 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Amphitheater
7/2 - Eufala, OK @ Eufala Cove Amphitheater
7/3 - Siloam Springs, AR @ Osage Creek Amphitheater, Willie's Throwdown and Picnic
7/4 - Fort Worth, TX @ Billy Bob's, Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic & Throwdown

* Rapids Jam is a three-day country music and camping festival in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, June 16, 17, 18. The first day of the festival kicks off with the Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour featuring Willie Nelson, etc. Single day and weekend general admission tickets, plus reserved tickets are available at www.rapidsjam.com.

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