October 2017 18 Sponsored by Cowtown Boots • Phoenix • Tempe • Tucson MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Oct. 8, 2017 Million Dollar Quartet is the smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.  Venue: Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226 (800) 946-4452, wingilariver.com/index.php/ wild-horse-pass-hotel-casino LUKE BRYAN Oct. 26, 2017 Bryan moved to Nashville in 2001, quickly landing a songwriting contract with a local publishing house. At night, he performed his own music at local clubs, and when an A&R rep from Capitol Records saw him perform one night, Bryan was signed to the label. In the summer of 2007, Capitol released Bryan’s first major record, I’ll Stay Me, and two years later Doin’ My Thing came out. Both albums peaked at No. 2 on the country charts. The latter release also produced two No. 1 country singles: “Rain Is a Good Thing” and “Someone Else Calling You Baby.” His early success led to an Academy of Country Music nomination for Top New Male Vocalist, and both Billboard and Country Weekly called Bryan an “artist to watch.” Two years later came Tailgates & Tanlines, an album that saw four singles land in the Top 5 of the country charts— with “I Don’t Want This Night to End” and “Drunk on You” both hitting No. 1. It wouldn’t be long before Bryan found true crossover success, as his 2013 album Spring Break... Here to Party hit No. 1 on the pop charts.  Bryan won the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year Award and released his fourth studio album, Crash My Party, which hit No. 1 on both the country and pop charts. With the bulk of songs from the album landing on the country charts, three singles found their way to No. 1. Continuing to thrive, Bryan picked up his first Country Music Association Award win in 2014 as Entertainer of the Year.  Venue: Ak-Chin Pavilion 2121 N 83rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85035 (602) 254-7200, livenation.com CRAIG CAMPBELL Nov. 11, 2017 Delivering heartfelt messages and soulful lyrics, Campbell made a name for himself in country music with timeless songs that tell his life story, including singles “Outskirts of Heaven” and “Family Man.” Venue: Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts 1090 S Vulture Mine Rd, Wickenburg, AZ 85390 (928) 684-6624, dewpac.org WILLIE NELSON Jan. 3, 2018 Danny Zelisko Presents the return of legendary Willie Nelson & Family for one show only on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at the historic Celebrity Theatre. Tickets go on sale this Monday, August 21st at www. celebritytheatre.com. With a six-decade career and 200 plus albums, this iconic Texan is the creative genius behind the historic recordings of Crazy, Red Headed Stranger, and Stardust. Willie Nelson has earned every conceivable award as a musician and amassed reputable credentials as an author, actor, and activist. He continues to thrive as a relevant and progressive musical and cultural force. Venue: Celebrity Theatre 440 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 267-1600, celebritytheatre.com SHANIA TWAIN Jul. 30, 2018 In what promises to be one of the most anticipated tours of 2018, Global superstar Shania Twain has announced that she will hit the road to Phoenix, Arizona July 30, 2018. Shania is a five-time GRAMMY Award-winner and the reigning Queen of Country Pop. With more than 90 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Shania remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Shania’s albums include her Platinum-selling 1993 debut, Shania Twain; the GRAMMY Award-winning, Double Diamond-selling 1995 release, The Woman in Me; Come On Over, the best-selling studio album in Soundscan history by a female artist in any genre and the best-selling country album of all time with over 40 million units sold worldwide; and UP!, Shania’s third consecutive Diamond- selling album release. Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 379-2000, talkingstickresortarena.com ALABAMA Nov. 12, 2017 Catch Alabama live in concert with the Southern Drawl Tour 2017 by The Pool at Talking Stick Resort on Sunday, November 12, 2017! Their music continues to stand the test of time with all-American hits like “Dixieland Delight,” “Mountain Music,” “Feels So Right” and “Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler).” Since forming over 40 years ago, they’ve sold over 73 million albums with 43 #1 singles. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has named them Country Group of the Century. Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 379-2000, talkingstickresortarena.com 96.3 Real Country Concert Page Photo by David McClister