US country stars Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, make Aus debut at CMC Rocks

Two of American country music’s hottest new stars, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, make their Australian debuts at CMC Rocks QLD 2016. The three-day festival, next March, has 18 international acts, the highest in its nine year history.

Aldean, who is headlining, had the fastest selling single of last year in America when Burnin' It Down sold a million copies in nine weeks. His sixth album Old Boots, New Dirt reached #1 on the US Billboard chart in October adding to his tally of 16 #1 singles. The Georgia-born self-taught son of a musician who lives on a 1,300 acre estate outside Nashville and co-owns a hunting company, has notched up 21 million downloads.

His music was not available in Australia until earlier this year when Sony Music Entertainment released his entire CD and DVD catalogue. Aldean was aware of country music’s support in this territory: around the time of his mass release here he said, “Australia has been a talking point for us, and we want to get there soon.”

Florida Georgia Line are current ACM (Academy of Country Music) and CMA (Country Music Association) Duo of the Year. They broke the record for longest #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart (with their crossover hit Cruise ft. Nelly) and selling over 21 million tracks from their 2X Platinum debut album Here’s To The Good Times and follow up Anything Goes.

Other acts announced for the Queensland concert are Lee Brice whose Friday night set at CMC Rocks this year blew the place apart, and US performers Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Tyler Farr, The Hillbenders (doing a bluegrass version of The Who’s classic rock opera Tommy), Blackjack Billy, Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Rice, The Cadillac Three, CAM and Drake White and The Big Fire. From Canada are The Road Hammers and Tim Hicks.

“This is the biggest international lineup we’ve ever had,” said co-promoter Rob Potts. “If you put our list of artists next to the Billboard Country Chart you’d see a lot of names in common, and we expect them to take more songs to the Top Ten between now and the festival. There’ll be stacks of hits, older and brand new, coming off that stage in March!”

Added Matthew Lazarus-Hall, CEO of co-promoter Chugg Entertainment, “Having Jason Aldean or Florida Georgia Line would be massive, but both of them on one festival is going to be unbelievable. With this lineup of international stars, plus some of the best acts in Australian country, this is going to be a totally unforgettable three days”.

Australian and New Zealand acts announced included Morgan Evans, The Sunny Cowgirls, Adam Eckersley Band, Travis Collins, Buddy Goode, Jody Direen, Cam Scott, Kaylee Bell, Melanie Dyer, Caitlyn Shadbolt and Deep Creek Road.

In a first for CMC Rocks, ticket allocation for the Members Loyalty Offer sold out in a day and a half before the acts were announced. Returning this year is Campers Bar, with an international artist each night, an extended daytime program, the popular Songwriters Shows and late afternoon live band karaoke. More info at www.cmcrocks.com.

CMC Rocks QLD 2016 is held on Friday March 11 to Sunday March 13, at Willowbank Raceway near Ipswich. A Time To Pay ticket option allows instalment payments. The festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland’s It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.

Festival Ticket Prices

3 Day Adult: $279
3 Day Junior: $134
2 Day – Friday & Saturday – Adult: $169 2 Day – Friday & Saturday – Junior: $79 1 Day – Sunday – Adult: $169
1 Day – Sunday – Junior: $79

Camping Ticket Prices

Small site – 2 person: $180 Medium site – 4 person: $360 Medium site (with power) – 4 person: $385 Large site (with power) – 6 person: $500

Glamping – Tent City Prices
Small tent only – 2 person: $280
Small tent with extras* – 2 person: $370
Medium tent only – 4 person: $470
Medium tent with extras* – 4 person: $660
*Small Extras include: 2 x stretcher beds or 1 x double bed, 2 x camp mats, LED lantern *Medium Extras include: 4 x stretcher beds or 2 x double beds, 2 x camp mats, LED lantern

CMC ROCKS QLD 2016 ARTIST LINEUP

Jason Aldean (USA) – Florida Georgia Line (USA) – Lee Brice (USA) – Brantley Gilbert (USA) – Kip Moore (USA) – Tyler Farr (USA) – Morgan Evans – Blackjack Billy (USA) – Kelsea Ballerini (USA) – Chase Rice (USA) – The Cadillac Three (USA) – The Road Hammers (Can) – Tim Hicks (Can) – CAM (USA) – Drake White and the Big Fire (USA) –The Sunny Cowgirls – Adam Eckersley Band – Travis Collins – Buddy Goode – Jody Direen (NZ) – Cam Scott (NZ) – Kaylee Bell (NZ) – The Hillbenders (USA) – Melanie Dyer – Caitlyn Shadbolt – Deep Creek Road

MCs

Storme Warren (USA)
Mike Carr & Darren Carr