Sizzling breakout duo Florida Georgia Line will rock AEG Live’s Best Buy Theater in New York on Nov. 13 when they perform a special anniversary benefit concert celebrating Billboard’s 10th Annual Touring Conference & Awards. Opening the show will be country rocker Dallas Smith and new Big Loud Mountain artist Chris Lane, both of whom Florida Georgia Line has stepped up to mentor. The concert, presented by Citi, will benefit Musicians on Call – a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities across the country. Doors open at 8:00pm and the show begins at 9:00pm.
“For me music equals healing,” shares FGL’s Brian Kelley. “We are huge supporters of the work that Musicians On Call does to bring music to hospital patients and are honored to be a part of this event.” FGL’s Tyler Hubbard adds, “We have been given so much this year and love to give back in any way that we can. Always trying to make it bigger than the music.”
One of the most compelling artist development stories of the past year, Florida Georgia Line-Brian Kelley (Ormond Beach, FL) and Tyler Hubbard (Monroe, GA)-will also take part in the Artist Development Case Study at the Billboard Touring Conference on Nov. 14. A radio and retail smash out of the gate on their PLATINUM-certified Republic Nashville debut album, HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES, FGL will storm New York on their first headlining tour for three shows at Best Buy Theater, the first two having sold out in minutes.
“The Billboard Touring Conference is all about being on the cutting edge of what is happening in live music, and Florida Georgia Line is a perfect example of this. We are thrilled they and Citi will help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary,” says Ray Waddell, Billboard’s executive director of content and programming for touring. “I’ve seen in person the joy that Musicians On Call can bring to those who need it, so I cannot imagine a better cause to be associated with our 10th Anniversary Concert.”
Citi cardmembers will have exclusive access to presale tickets beginning today, Wednesday, October 30 via www.citiprivatepass.com.
“The continued rise of Florida Georgia Line has been one of the biggest stories in country this year, and their first headlining tour will no doubt be one of the hottest tickets around,” said Jennifer Breithaupt, SVP of Entertainment Marketing at Citi. “We’re thrilled to celebrate with Billboard and kick off Florida Georgia Line’s tour with this special event benefiting Musicians on Call, and our Citi cardmembers can enjoy exclusive early access to tickets for what is sure to be a sold out show.”
“Musicians On Call is so honored and grateful to be chosen by Citi, Billboard and Florida Georgia Line as the beneficiary of this amazing event. The proceeds from this show will enable Musicians On Call to bring more live music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities in all of our branches around the country!” says Dr. Leslie Faerstein, Executive Director of Musicians On Call.
2013 marks the 10th anniversary of Billboard’s Touring Conference & Awards, taking place on November 13-14th. The two-day event features unique programming that informs, educates and provides a forum for all touring-related businesses about the industry’s latest opportunities and current challenges. It culminates in The Billboard Touring Awards, which honors the industry’s top artists, venues, and professionals and recognizes true box office success based primarily on achievements on the Billboard Boxscore chart between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013.
Billboard is owned by Prometheus Global Media, a diversified company with leading assets in the media and entertainment arenas, including: Music (Billboard and its related conferences, events, and awards shows such as The Billboard Music Awards on ABC, and The Billboard Latin Music Awards on Telemundo), Entertainment (The Hollywood Reporter, ShowEast, CineAsia, and CineEurope); and Advertising & Marketing (Adweek, Adweek conferences and The CLIO Awards).
For more information about the 10th Annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, please visit: www.BillboardTouringConference.com
About Citi Private Pass
Citi Private Pass offers Citi credit and debit cardmembers access to thousands of events each year across music, sports, dining, comedy and family entertainment, ranging from presales and preferred seating to VIP experiences and more. The only way to get access is by purchasing tickets with a Citi credit or debit card. Citi cardmembers can find information on upcoming events and sign up for the Citi Private Pass newsletter at www.citiprivatepass.com.
About Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line has skyrocketed since releasing consecutive, multi-week #1 smashes in the US and Canada with the GOLD-certified “Round Here,” PLATINUM-certified “Get Your Shine On” and 6X PLATINUM “Cruise.” Breaking the record for longest #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart, “Cruise” has sold over 6 million downloads in the US alone and is the second best-selling Country single ever, according to SoundScan. FGL is theonly artist in history to join Brooks & Dunn in having their firstthree singles hit #1 for multiple weeks each. Poised to follow in the success, FGL’s new emotionally-fueled single, “Stay,” showcases another side of their unique sound and tight harmonies. Amassing international appeal, the duo recently crossed a new career threshold — tallying more than 10 million tracks sold worldwide from their debut album HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES (Republic Nashville), which has been certified PLATINUM in the US and GOLD in Canada. On 11/25, FGL will release HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES…THIS IS HOW WE ROLL, a deluxe version of their chart-topping debut. Garnering buzz among fans, media and several Superstars across genres – including Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Ed Sheeran – the hot newcomers have taken home ACM and CMT Music Awards and garnered multiple TEEN CHOICE nominations. FGL recently earned their first-ever CMA Awards nominations for Vocal Duo of the Year; New Artist of the Year; Single of the Year for “Cruise” and Musical Event of the Year with Nelly for the “Cruise” remix. The awards show will air LIVE from Nashville on 11/6 at 8P ET on ABC. The hot duo also racked up their first American MusicAward nominations for New Artist of the Year; Single of the Year (“Cruise” Featuring Nelly); Favorite Band Duo or Group (Country), Favorite Album (Country) and fans can vote for all four categories via https://ama.votenow.tv. Results will be revealed on ABC live from the Nokia Theater 11/24, beginning at 8P ET. They have performed on Conan, TODAY, The Voice, The Tonight with Jay Leno, LIVE with Kelly & Michael, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and FOX & Friends, in addition to a presenter spot on the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. Comprised of Tyler Hubbard (Monroe, Georgia) and Brian Kelley (Ormond Beach, Florida), FGL is currently on their first headline run, HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES TOUR 2013, breaking venue sales records nationwide with sold-out shows on all stops to date. www.FloridaGeorgiaLine.com
About Musicians on Call
Musicians On Call (MOC) was founded in 1999 with the mission of bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. To date, its volunteers have played for over 400,000 people nationwide. Musicians On Call continues its mission through room-to-room hospital performances by both local musicians and national celebrities as well as the Music Pharmacy Program. www.musiciansoncall.org
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