Music

18 Oct 2023

10 Records Michael Jackson Set in His Heyday and Whether He Still Holds Them, Shares Them or Lost Them

The King of Pop rewrote the record book, but records are made to be broken.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson en concierto alrededor de 1986.

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Drake made Billboard chart history on Monday (Oct. 16) when his latest single “First Person Shooter” (featuring J. Cole) entered the Hot 100 at No. 1. This allowed Drake to tie Michael Jackson’s record as the male solo artist with the most No. 1s (13) in the chart’s 65-year history. This had to have been a big moment for Drake, who landed his first Hot 100 hit, “Best I Ever Had,” in May 2009, just one month before Jackson died.

Drake is known to be a chart-watcher. “I’m one away from Michael,” he boasts in “First Person Shooter” (a boast that became outdated the moment the record hit No. 1). Jackson, who was also an avid chart-watcher, had a similar experience in March 1988 when he landed his 10th No. 1 hit, “Man in the Mirror,” which allowed him to tie Stevie Wonder’s then-record for the most No. 1 hits by a male solo artist. Jackson later added three more No. 1 hits to his tally: “Dirty Diana,” “Black or White” and “You Are Not Alone.”

We should point out that Jackson was the only billed artist on 12 of his 13 No. 1 hits. The exception was “Say Say Say,” on which he had co-equal billing with Paul McCartney. By contrast, Drake has been the only billed artist on just five of his 13 No. 1 hits. He has teamed with credited featured artists on five more. On his remaining three No. 1 hits, Drake was a featured artist behind Rihanna (two hits) and Future (one).

Jackson set many records in his 1980s heyday. We decided to see which of those records he still holds, which he must now share and which have since been broken.

18 Oct 2023

Kelly Clarkson Talks Leaving ‘The Voice’ and L.A.: ‘I Thought I Was Making a Horrible Decision’

Kelly Clarkson needed a reboot, so she did what a lot of people do when they feel like shaking up their lives: she moved. But in her case, the Burleson, Texas-born singer and talk show host who lived and worked in Los Angeles for 20 years pulled up roots and moved as far away as possible and is rebooting her life in New York.

With a new Rockefeller Center space for her eponymous daytime talk show — which kicked off its fifth season on Monday — the divorced mother of two young children is now closer to her extended family in North Carolina and fully into living her best life in the city.

“At this point, I’m 40 years old. Mama rented something nice!” Clarkson told USA Today. “I was like, ‘I’m not living here unless it’s right by the park and really nice for the kids.’” And though Clarkson has been doing all the New York things, including cheering for her Dallas Cowboys as they stomped the N.Y. Giants last month and watching her friend Chelsea Handler do standup at the Beacon Theatre.

And as much fun as she’s having, the singer, 41, told the paper that after finalizing her divorce from ex-husband Brandon Blackstock last year she wasn’t sure the mid-life time zone refresh was a great idea. “I’ll be real honest: I thought I was making a horrible decision,” Clarkson said of her nerves before pulling up stakes. “I knew I needed a fresh start and couldn’t be in LA. I really wanted to be in Montana, but you can’t really do a show from there quite yet. So I was like, ‘The only other option would probably be New York.’”

But after a couple of weeks, she said she realized she “genuinely” loves New York, “and I love that my kids love it,” she said of daughter River Rose, 9, and son Remington, 7. She immediately leaned in on the show, spotlighting some quintessentially N.Y. apartment/hotel door people during a taping last week in her new space, which was formerly home to David Letterman’s late night talk show.

Clarkson also talked about learning how to dial back her over-busy calendar, which included leaving her spot in a red chair on The Voice last spring after exhaustedly grinning and bearing it for the first four years of her talk show. “Full disclosure, I put on a smile a lot of those times because I was struggling a lot in my personal life,” Clarkson said. “I’ve learned a lot about what I’m capable of handling, and also what you should not handle. That was me saying ‘bye’ to The Voice and having this big move. I love that family, but I was like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t feel like smiling.’”

Now, with the move and season five of the show on the air, Clarkson said she’s in “such a great place,” with her kids, her new home, the show and in her personal life. “I feel like a weight has lifted. That move was very needed,” she said. “I think the thing I’m most excited about with Season 5, on a selfish level, is just showing up to work smiling and actually meaning it. That’s a beautiful gift that you don’t realize until you’re out of it.”

18 Oct 2023

Luminate Will Incorporate Direct Physical Sales Data From Indie Retailers Starting in 2024

Billboard‘s data partner Luminate is improving the way it collects and reflects album sales data from independent music retailers.

This week, Luminate revealed to all clients that in week 1 of 2024 (the reporting week that begins Dec. 29, 2023), data on physical sales (vinyl, CDs and cassettes) will reflect a direct representation of those reported from indie retailers in the United States and Canada. In the past, Luminate was unable to gather direct sales data from those retailers on a weekly basis, instead employing a modeled methodology.

The improved data will be incorporated into the Billboard charts beginning week 1 of 2024.

Along with communicating this information to retailers directly, Luminate is working with several associations supporting indie music retailers to ensure that instructions are clear and as simple as possible for accurate data reporting. The company is also working directly with major label groups to encourage indie retailers to submit data in order for in-store marketing efforts to be as effective and mutually beneficial as possible.

All indie retailers who wish to provide data can visit Luminate’s partner page at https://luminatedata.com/partners to learn more.

The effort is Luminate’s latest in its continued mission to provide more accurate data to the music industry. At the Music Biz conference in May, the company unveiled a new and improved platform that includes enhanced search functionality, more comprehensive artist metadata, the addition of market-level data from specific countries and support for additional forms of consumption including short-form video and gaming.

Luminate is an independently operated company owned by PME TopCo, a PMC subsidiary and joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge. Billboard is an independently operated company owned by PME Holdings, a subsidiary of PME TopCo.

18 Oct 2023

Kirk Franklin’s ‘Father’s Day’ Debuts at No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums Chart

Gospel music icon Kirk Franklin earns his 14th No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, as Father’s Day debuts atop the Oct. 21-dated list. In the tracking week dated Oct. 6-12, the set earned 9,000 equivalent album units, with 6,000 in album sales, according to Luminate.

Franklin boasts the most No. 1s on the chart since he led for the first time in December 1993, Kirk Franklin and the Family.

“I can’t explain how it feels after 30 years to still have the beautiful opportunity to do music that pushes people to the greatest love story ever told,” Franklin tells Billboard. “Thank you!”

Father’s Day follows Kingdom Book One, Franklin’s collaboration with the Atlanta-based collective Maverick City Music, which started at its No. 2 peak in July 2022. His last solo set before his new LP, Long Live Love, launched at the apex in June 2019.

Dating to Franklin’s first chart-topper, his 14 No. 1s outpace runner-up Fred Hammond, with 10. CeCe Winans follows with seven. Franklin’s 294 weeks at No. 1 in that nearly 30-year span also mark the most for any act.

The 10-song Father’s Day was recorded amid personal struggle for Franklin, as he dealt with his family history. Notably, the man that he grew up thinking was his father passed away and, shortly after, he discovered his actual biological father through a series of DNA tests. He chronicled those events in the documentary Father’s Day: A Kirk Franklin Story.

The Father’s Day album includes collaborations with Kelontae Gavin and Maranda Curtis; LeAndria Johnson; Tori Kelly; Jonathan McReynolds and Jekalyn Carr; and Chandler Moore.

The LP’s lead single, “All Things,” led Gospel Airplay for two weeks in September, becoming Franklin’s 10th No. 1 and tying him with Tamela Mann for the most in the chart’s history. On the latest streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Gospel Songs chart, it pushes 7-5 for a new best.

18 Oct 2023

Jekalyn Carr Claims Her Seventh Gospel Airplay Chart-Topper With ‘I Believe God’

Jekalyn Carr nets her seventh No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay list (dated Oct. 21) as “I Believe God” ascends to the summit.

The song, which Carr wrote solo, marks her fourth Gospel Airplay leader in succession. It follows “My Portion,” which led for a week in June 2022; “Jehovah Jireh,” which dominated for two weeks in July 2021; and “Changing Your Story,” which topped the tally for a week in September 2020.

Carr first led Gospel Airplay in September 2016 when “You’re Bigger” began a four-week command. She subsequently led with “You Will Win” (six weeks, beginning in February 2018) and “It’s Yours” (nine, beginning in February 2019).

Carr has netted the fourth-most Gospel Airplay No. 1s among all acts, dating to the survey’s March 2005 inception. Kirk Franklin and Tamela Mann are tied for first with 10 each, followed by James Fortune & FIYA (eight).

Meanwhile, as Carr rings up her fourth No. 1 in a row, she ties Mann for the longest active streak of leaders among women. Mann’s “Finished” ruled for three weeks beginning in March, becoming her fourth leader in as many tries dating to December 2020.

Among all artists, Todd Dulaney and Jonathan McReynolds are each working on active streaks of five No. 1s. Dulaney has a chance to make it six straight soon: His current single “It’s Working,” with Hezekiah Walker, rises to a new No. 4 high.

“I Believe God” is the first single from Carr’s self-titled album, due Friday (Oct. 20).

18 Oct 2023

Travis Kelce Reflects on His & Taylor Swift’s Surprise ‘SNL’ Cameos: ‘It Was Electric to Be Back’

Saturday Night Live’s season 49 premiere on Oct. 14 was one for the books, thanks in particular to two surprise appearances from Taylor Swift and her new beau, Travis Kelce. But in the Oct. 18 episode of his podcast New Heights, the Kansas City Chiefs tight reflected on their viral cameos, and revealed that the his actually came together somewhat last minute.

“We showed up at SNL having the idea of going to support Ice Spice,” Travis told his brother and New Heights co-host, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. “Her and Taylor are good friends. I always wanted to meet Pete Davidson — been a fan of his for quite a while.”

“I didn’t know what the skit was, like, which skits were coming up,” Travis explained on his podcast. “I’m pretty sure it was just ironic they were doing a skit on Swiftmania. I thought it was hilarious when they asked me to be a part of it. I was like, ‘Man I’d be honored.’”

 “I don’t even remember what I said — I blacked out,” he continued. “As soon as they cued to me, the entire place erupted, which was very overwhelming, and I’m not even sure if I said anything.”

Davidson, who hosted the program, starred in a skit that parodied the NFL’s Swift-centric coverage of the pop star’s recent attendance streak at Travis’ games. At the very end of the sketch, Keenan Thompson (playing NFL sportscaster Curt Menefee) declared, “When we get back, we are going to speak with someone who actually wants to talk football,” prompting cameras to pan to the Ohio native for the closing line.

“It was electric to be back in that place,” the tight end — who hosted SNL in March — added. “There is just something about being in that room and it just being their first episode this season. I had such a frickin’ blast, man!”

Later during the season premiere, Swift herself popped up to introduce Ice Spice, who made her debut as musical guest. “Absolutely killed it,” Travis added of the “Munch” rapper’s performance.

As jaw-dropping as Swift and Kelce’s unexpected appearances were, however, fans may have been even more excited to see the two holding hands on their way to the SNL afterparty. Photos and videos surfaced of the 6’5″ athlete pretty much taking over the role of Swift’s bodyguard, helping her in and out of the car and always keeping a hand or arm around her.

“I feel like whenever I’m on a date, I’m always having the sense that I’m a man in the situation,” Travis recalled to Jason. “I’m protective, yeah, for sure. You always have to have that feeling or self-awareness, I guess.”

Plus, the two brothers poked fun at their father over the much-talked-about moment Ed Kelce was spotted by NFL cameras making conversation with Swift at the Oct. 12 Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos game. “He shouldn’t be talking to Taylor Swift,” Jason said, laughing, as Travis added, “This is a terrifying conversation, I felt terrible for Taylor for being in this.”

“You can see in this picture all he’s doing is just pumping her up,” Travis continued. “He’s started listening to her music a little more.”

Watch the new episode of New Heights above.

18 Oct 2023

10 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: Mitch Rowland, Dogstar, Yeule & More

Billboard has more than 200 different weekly charts in its menu, encompassing numerous genres and formats.

While established artists often compete for a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and Billboard 200 albums ranking, which track the most popular songs and albums of the week, respectively, up-and-coming talents typically start off on genre-specific lists.

Here’s a look at 10 artists who appear on surveys for the first time on the Oct. 21-dated charts.

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Mitch Rowland

Rowland has already forged a successful musical career, largely behind the scenes, but he’s now officially a Billboard-charting artist with his own solo work thanks to his new album, Come June. Released Oct. 6 on Erskine Records/Giant Music, the set debuts at No. 46 on Top Current Album Sales and No. 81 on Top Album Sales with 2,000 copies sold in its opening week, according to Luminate. The set also helps Rowland debut at No. 20 on the Emerging Artists chart.

Rowland — from Dublin, Ohio — has worked on all three of Harry Styles’ solo LPs, and has served as the touring lead guitarist in Styles’ band on both of his tours: Harry Styles: Live on Tour (2017-18) and Love on Tour (2021-23). Rowland is also credited as a co-songwriter on six Hot 100-charting songs by Styles, including the No. 1 “Watermelon Sugar” and top 10s “Sign of the Times” (No. 4) and “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” (No. 8). “Watermelon Sugar” took home the Grammy for best solo pop performance in 2021, earning Rowland his first-ever trophy. Rowland is gearing up for his solo North American Tour, which kicks off in February.

Dogstar

The alt-rock trio released its first two full-lengths, Our Little Visionary and Happy Ending, in 1996 and 2000, respectively, but the group scores its first Billboard chart appearance this week with its new comeback third LP, Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees. The set, released Oct. 6 via Dillon Street Records, debuts at No. 6 on both Heatseekers Albums and Vinyl Albums, No. 17 on Top Current Album Sales and No. 19 on Top Album Sales with 6,000 copies sold. It also sends the band to No. 5 on Emerging Artists.

The Los Angeles-based group is comprised of Bret Domrose (lead guitar, lead vocals), Robert Mailhouse (drums, vocals) and Keanu Reeves – yes, that one (bass and vocals). In a recent interview with Billboard, Reeves shared that he had been hoping for some time that the band would reunite. “I missed playing together, I missed writing together, I missed doing shows together. It’s something I’ve always missed,” he said. “We came to a spot where we weren’t playing anymore, and I missed it. Once we started to play, and it felt good, and really positive and creative, that’s when it was like, ‘OK, let’s make this happen.’”

In May, the band made its first public performance in 20 years when it played the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival. Since going on hiatus, Reeves starred in numerous box-office hit films, including the John Wick and The Matrix franchises. Before that, he starred in the Bill & Ted trilogy, Point Break and Speed, among many other movies.

Dogstar is currently on its Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees Tour, which kicked off in August and runs through December.

Yeule

The Singaporean artist (real name Nat Ćmiel) arrives on Billboard‘s charts with their third studio album, Softscars. The set, released digitally Sept. 22 (and physically Oct. 6) on Bayonet Records/Ninja Tune, debuts at No. 49 on Top Current Album Sales and No. 88 on Top Album Sales with 2,000 copies sold. The album also drives yeule to a No. 25 debut on the Emerging Artists chart.

Before Softscars, Yeule released their first two LPs, Serotonin II and Glitch Princess, in 2019 and 2022, respectively. They had appeared on one Billboard chart before this week: Serotonin II reached at No. 7 on the Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart (which has since been discontinued) in 2019.

Yeule, whose name is derived from the character Paddra Nsu-Yeul in the Final Fantasy franchise, has a string of tour dates scheduled through the end of the year.

Bryan Fowler

Fowler has already forged a successful career on Billboard’s charts as a producer and songwriter, but he notches his first chart appearance under an artist billing thanks to his solo single “What I Really Need.” The song, released in February on Harmony Group, debuts at No. 50 on Christian Airplay (up 396% in airplay audience). A version of the song appears on his debut four-track EP Bryan Fowler Song Sessions, released in March. A remix of the song with Essential Worship and a radio edit are also contributing to the track’s airplay ascent.

Fowler has produced 49 Hot Christian Songs-charting hits, including 16 top 10s and three No. 1s: Ryan Stevenson’s “Eye of the Storm,” featuring Gabereal (2016), and TobyMac’s “I Just Need U” (2018) and “The Goodness” (featuring Blessing Offor, 2022). Thanks to his production work, he spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Christian Producers chart in 2020. As a songwriter, he is credited on 52 titles that have charted on Hot Christian Songs, including all three No. 1s that he produced.

Bloody Civilian

The Nigerian singer-songwriter (real name Emoseh Khamofu) achieves her first Billboard chart hit thanks to her new collaboration with ODUMODUBLVCK and Wale, “Blood on the Dance Floor.” The song, released Oct. 5 on NATIVE Records/Def Jam Recordings, debuts at No. 37 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.

Bloody Civilian has released six other original solo songs, all of which are on her EP Anger Management, released June 8. She also landed a track on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack: “Wake Up” (featuring Rema), which she also co-produced with Ludwig Göransson.

Kenya Vaun

The Philadelphia-based R&B singer is a Billboard-charting artist thanks to her breakthrough single “Summer.” The song, released in May on 300 Entertainment/3EE, debuts at No. 29 on Adult R&B Airplay (up 87% in spins). Vaun has released four additional songs: “Movie Night” (in 2018), “Certified” (2019), “Bout’ Me” (2022) and “Overrated” (February).

Dani Flow

The Mexican artist hits Billboard’s charts for the first time with his new collaboration with Bellakath, “Perreo Champagne.” The song debuts at No. 133 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart with 11.4 million streams earned outside the U.S. in the latest tracking week. The song appears on Dani Flow’s new LP Kittyponeo, released Oct. 5. TikTok has been a key factor in the song’s growing profile, as a portion of its audio has been used in over 300,000 clips on the platform to date. (Activity on TikTok is not included in Billboard’s charts except for the newly launched TikTok Billboard Top 50.)

Aaantonio

The Miami-based singer-songwriter arrives on Billboard’s rankings with his debut single “El Hotel.” The song, which he self-released Sept. 29, debuts at No. 23 on Latin Rhythm Airplay (up 21% in plays). The track is Aaantonio’s only one released on streaming services so far.

Lavaud & Kanis

Both artists make their first Billboard chart visits, thanks to their team-up with Tiwa Savage, Patoranking and Reekado Banks, “Roll on Me.” The track, released Oct. 6 on Saint & Citizen Music, debuts at No. 4 on World Digital Song Sales and No. 28 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.

Lavaud, from Hackney, London, released her debut four-track EP King Vaud in 2021. She previously worked with Reekado Banks on a remix of his song “Rora” in 2019. Haitian-American rapper and singer-songwriter Kanis has released two studio albums: Eneji (2017) and REFLEXION (2021). Earlier this year, she released the songs “Follow Follow” with Nailah Blackman, “Marrakech” (plus two remixes, with Tafia, and Eyo-E and Zama) and “New Bag” with Young Grey, Fetty Wap and PKOLO.

18 Oct 2023

Daniel Caesar Makes Dazzling Madison Square Garden Debut With ‘Superpowers’ Tour: 5 Best Moments

Since scoring a pair of left-field slow jam hits in duets with H.E.R. (“Best Part”) and Kali Uchis (“Get You”) six years ago, Daniel Caesar has sidestepped the quest for the male R&B throne and has instead opted to focus on further developing his dedicated community of fans — one that has grown to the size of a sold-out Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night (Oct. 17).

The Grammy winner has come a long way since those controversial comments on race relations and the subsequent backlash, but a sobering, apologetic self-reflection and a string of major career moves kept the Caesar train chugging. In the time since “Best Part” emerged as Freudian’s breakout hit, Caesar found Billboard Hot 100 success as a songwriter for fellow Canadians Justin Bieber (“Peaches,” No. 1 — also with Caesar as a featured artist) and Shawn Mendes (“Monster,” No. 8), launched another acclaimed Grammy-nominated studio effort in Case Study 01, and released collaborations with Common, Brandy, FKA twigs and Omar Apollo.

On Tuesday night, the acclaimed singer-songwriter took over one of the world’s most iconic venues to perform the biggest show of his career thus far. His Superpowers World Tour — a global trek in support of his major label debut album, Never Enough, a stunningly introspective slice of R&B that peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 — is a terrific showcase of musical dexterity.

On the latest stop of his Superpowers Tour, Caesar tore through his lush discography, showcasing impressive vocal endurance and an intriguing yet entrancing approach to staging. Before he hit the stage, however, Grammy-nominated pop&B lothario Omar Apollo sparkled with an energetic set that dripped with sensuality and playfulness. Evoking Michael Jackson one second and Mick Jagger the next, Apollo swaggered through renditions of hits like “Evergreen,” “Tamagotchi” and “3 Boys.” Between a heartfelt tribute to Mexico (“En El Olvido”) and a hilarious streak of frankness — after he flubbed a riff, he quipped, “Oop, my fault!” before seamlessly executing an even harder falsetto riff — Apollo seemed incredibly comfortable in front of the packed arena.

Caesar began his set enclosed in translucent drapery, with a guest appearance from Mustafa the Poet — the pair performed their “Toronto 2014” collaboration — adding to the enigmatic tone of the night. Once he hit “Cyanide,” the drapes fell, revealing a close-up of a humbled Caesar, ready and excited to delight the crowd with a slew of songs off Never Enough, as well as some fan-favorites (“Entropy”) and a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” Not one for much banter, Caesar instead channeled his appreciation into a series of moving vocal performances that cast his greatest love songs in the context of the love story between him and his fans.

Here are the five best moments of Daniel Caesar’s Superpowers World Tour at Madison Square Garden:

18 Oct 2023

Cher Threatens to Leave the Country If Donald Trump is Re-Elected: ‘I Almost Got an Ulcer the Last time’

Cher has never been shy about her feelings about Donald Trump. The pop icon spent much of Trump’s one-and-done White House term calling out the now four-times indicted former reality TV star for his divisive policies and pronouncements, at one point dubbing DT “President Troll.”

But with Trump still holding a commanding lead over the large group of Republican rivals who are vying against him for the GOP’s nomination in next year’s presidential election — despite the Donald racking up 91 felony counts in four separate cases tied to alleged mishandling of classified documents, falsifying business records, obstructing justice and conspiring to overturn the 2020 election he lost — the “Believe” singer is already making contingency plans.

Speaking to England’s Guardian, Cher, 77, said she is horrified by the possibility that Trump, also 77, could potentially move back into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. if he wins re-election next year in a rematch with President Joe Biden. “I almost got an ulcer the last time,” she said of Trump’s tumultuous four-year term, which concluded with the deadly Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capital by Trump’s followers.

“If he get in, who knows?” Cher said. “This time I will leave [the country].” During the 2016 election, Cher threatened to “leave the planet” if then-political neophyte Trump was elected.

The singer who is gearing up to release her first-ever Christmas album, Christmas, also spoke to the Guardian about about the rise in anti-trans legislation. “It’s something like 500 bills they’re trying to pass,” the longtime ally of the LGBTQ community said about the raft of legislation being pushed by conservative lawmakers across the nation over the past year targeting trans people, drag queens and queer culture. “I was with two trans girls the other night – and of course my own child [Chaz is trans]. I was saying ‘We’ve got to stand together.’ I don’t know what their eventual plan is for trans people. I don’t put anything past them.”

The 13-track Christmas album — featuring guests Cyndi Lauper, Michael Bublé, Stevie Wonder and Tyga — is due out on Friday (Oct. 20).

18 Oct 2023

Blake Shelton’s Back to the Honky Tonk Tour Is Returning in 2024: Here Are the Dates

Blake Shelton‘s Back to the Honky Tonk Tour will return in 2024, when it launches in Feb. 22 at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Penn.

The 17-show trek will include stops in the United States and Canada, including shows at Moody Center in Austin, Texas; Little Caesars Arena in Detroit; and three shows in Canada, slated for Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Edmonton, Alberta; and Calgary, Alberta, before wrapping March 29 in Wichita, Kan.

Joining Shelton on the 17-show trek in the United States and Canada are Dustin Lynch and Emily Ann Roberts. Lynch recently issued his latest album, Killed the Cowboy, and his current radio single, “Stars Like Confetti,” is currently in the top 10 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart. Roberts, known for her time competing on NBC’s The Voice, recently released the album Can’t Hide Country, which includes not only her song “Walkin’ Shoes,” but “Still Searching,” a collaboration with Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs.

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The tour’s first run began earlier this year, and featured Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean as openers.

Tickets for all markets, with the exception of Glendale, Ariz., will be available through an exclusive fan presale launching Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. local time and running through Thursday, Oct. 26, at 10 p.m. local time. General onsale will begin Friday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. local time. Tickets for Glendale will be available via an exclusive fan presale beginning Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. local time through Thursday, Nov. 2, at 10 p.m. local time. The general onsale for Glendale will start on Friday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. local time.

See the full lineup of dates for Shelton’s Back to the Honky Tonk Tour, presented by Kubota, below:

  • Feb. 22: Hershey, PA @ GIANT Center
  • Feb. 23: Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
  • Feb. 24: Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum
  • Feb. 29: Lafayette, LA @ CAJUNDOME
  • March 1: Austin, TX @ Moody Center
  • March 2: Bossier City, LA @ Brookshire Grocery Arena
  • March 7: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CAN @ SaskTel Centre
  • March 8: Edmonton, Alberta, CAN @ Rogers Place
  • March 9: Calgary, Alberta, CAN @ Scotiabank Saddledome
  • March 14: Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
  • March 15: Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome
  • March 16: Portland, OR @ Moda Center
  • March 21: Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center
  • March 22: Palm Springs, CA @ Acrisure Arena
  • March 23: Glendale, AZ @ Desert Diamond Arena
  • March 27: Moline, IL @ Vibrant Arena at The MARK
  • March 29: Wichita, KS @ INTRUST Bank Arena