Author name: Jaclyn Duske

Scotty McCreery | Harper Grace  Scotty McCreery On Tour | Blue Gate Performing Arts Center | Shipshewana, IN | Friday February 13th, 2026 at 7:30pm Scotty McCreery at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Fifteen years after his debut album first introduced country fans to his rich baritone and traditional sound, Scotty McCreery returned to the stage in Shipshewana, Indiana with plenty to celebrate. Playing to a sold-out crowd, McCreery marked the milestone with nostalgia, as well as confidence and polish that come from a decade and a half in the spotlight. From the first note, the night felt less like a routine tour stop and more like a full-circle moment — a heartfelt thank-you to the fans who have been there since the beginning and a reminder that the songs that started it all still resonate just as strongly today. Before McCreery took the stage, Harper Grace warmed up the crowd. Harper Grace at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Harper Grace at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Harper Grace is a rising star in the country music industry from Texas. She is most known for her audition on American Idol back in 2018, where she made it to the top 50 before being eliminated. She was later brought back for the season finale to sing her original song “Yard Sale.” The biggest take away from her time on the show was learning who she was as an artist and making sure to stay true to who she is. Grace opened her set with her song “Dear Heart,” which is the title track for her new album releasing later this year. She shared that she got her first guitar at age seven and performed the first song she learned, which was “Jolene” by Dolly Parton. “Mr. Mystery,” “Heart I Didn’t Break,” and “Jodi (Don’t Take My Money)” are a few other original songs Grace performed. She closed out her set with her new single “If Daddy Says No,” which will be released on February 27th. Scotty McCreery at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 After Grace’s set, it was time for McCreery to take the stage. McCreery is a North Carolina native who rose to fame after winning season 10 of American Idol. His debut album, Clear as Day, was released in 2011 after winning the show and was certified platinum in the US. Since then, McCreery has released five more albums with the most recent being Rise & Fall in 2024. This year he is celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the release of his debut album. Spencer Peppard at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Scotty McCreery at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 The stage music began as the lights dimmed, signaling the start of the show. The crowd erupted in cheers as the band took the stage, followed by McCreery. He kicked off his set with “You Time,” followed by “Can’t Pass the Bar” and “Little More Gone.” He followed by performing his wife’s favorite song of his “It Matters to Her.” McCreery shared with the audience how he went up to the mountains and wrote his album Rise & Fall, and felt his creative juices were flowing. He decided to keep writing and created his EP Scooter & Friends, which has collaborations with Charlie Wilson, Hootie & The Blowfish, and Lee Brice. He then performed “Whiskey Said,” which was recorded with Lee Brice. McCreery shared with the audience how he had many musical influences growing up and wanted to honor them in his show. He performed “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley last year at the Low Dough Show at Joe’s Live benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital as a spur of the moment encore. He enjoyed it so much he decided to add it to the setlist. Along with that, he covered “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty. Scotty McCreery at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 A stool was brought out on stage and McCreery sat and shared more about his career. He traveled to Milwaukee for the first round of auditions for American Idol which were held in front of the producers. He arrived at 4 a.m. and was finally able to perform around 7 p.m. He sang a Frank Sinatra song, followed by a Travis Tritt song. After four rounds of producer auditions, he was able to audition in front of the celebrity judges where he performed “Your Man” by Josh Turner. His first album was released after his win on the show. He decided that for the 15-year anniversary of the album, he wanted to celebrate by performing some of those songs, including “Walk in the Country,” “The Trouble with Girls,” and “I Love You This Big.” Jeffery Harper and Justin Ward at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Scotty McCreery at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 The first two albums McCreery recorded were songs that were written for him, and he dove into his own songwriting for his 3rd album. His label at the time rejected the songs, so McCreery decided to leave the label. After battling with legal action for years, he was able to get back ownership of his music and decided to release his first song independently, which is extremely difficult for country artists. He released “Five More Minutes,” which was the first song that charted number 1 by an independent artist. Following this story, McCreery performed the song for the crowd. Scotty McCreery at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 McCreery shared a lot about himself and his journey on the show, while also keeping the crowd singing along to some of his biggest songs, such as “In Between,” “Cab in a Solo,” “See You Tonight,” and “This is It,” which was his wedding song. He closed out the night with two of his biggest songs “Damn Strait” and “Bottle Rockets, ending the performance without an encore. The audience left the venue buzzing from

Josh Turner | Will Jones This Country Music Thing Tour | Blue Gate Performing Arts Center | Shipshewana, IN | Friday January 16th, 2026 at 7:30pm Josh Turner with Paul Harrigill and Grayson Lilly at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 With a voice as deep and familiar as the roots of the genre itself, Josh Turner brought his “This Country Music Thing Tour” to a sold-out crowd in Shipshewana. From the moment he stepped onstage, Turner made it clear this was a celebration of country music in its purest form — built on storytelling, faith, and tradition rather than flash. Backed by a tight band and greeted by an audience that knew every word, Turner turned the Shipshewana stop into a reminder of why his music continues to resonate decades into his career. Will Jones at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Josh Turner at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Warming up the crowd was Will Jones, who has bluegrass roots and a traditional country sound. He was raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is carving his path where Appalachian soul meets outlaw grit. Jones was born into the family band, The Cana Ramblers, and ventured out on his own. His music combines honest storytelling with his rich acoustic guitar tones. Ashley McBryde, Tracy Lawrence, and Josh Turner are just a few of the artists he has had the honor of singing alongside with. He married a preacher’s daughter, and they just welcomed their second child 6 weeks ago. “Lonesome Dove,” “Devil’s Den,” and “When It Rains” are a few of the original songs Jones performed along with a new song, “Sounds Like Home to Me.” He later closed out his set with a cover of Travis Tritt’s “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde.” Josh Turner and Band at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 After a brief intermission, it was time for Josh Turner to take the stage. Turner was born in South Carolina and is known for his unmistakable, buttery baritone voice and timeless songs. He originally started falling in love with music while he sang in his church. In 2003, he was signed to MCA Nashville Records where he released his debut album Long Black Train. Turner originally debuted his song “Long Black Train” on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 2001, where he was interrupted with a standing ovation halfway through the song. Since his debut, Turner has released 10 albums with “This Country Music Thing” as his most recent release from 2024. In 2023 he awarded the Order of the Palmetto in his home state of South Carolina, which is the highest civilian honor, as well as being inducted into the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame in 2024. Josh Turner at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Turner has had much success in his career but loves to give back to the community. Turner and his wife, Jennifer, established the Josh Turner Scholarship Fund for Arts to support students from rural areas who are interested in pursuing the arts. He was invited to perform his song “Two Steppin’ On The Moon” for NASA astronauts on the International Space Station from Mission Control at Houston’s Johnson Space Center. Turner was also asked by NBC’s TODAY to perform “Unsung Hero” for Veteran’s Day, which was written about his grandfather who was a WWII veteran. When the music video for “Unsung Hero” released, it was debuted on CMT and the Paramount Times Square Billboard in NYC. Josh Turner at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Steve Nelson and Shawn Bailey at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 The arena went dark as two red lights ran through the crowd while thunder cracked and sirens started. The band made their way to the stage, followed by Turner as they began playing “Whirlwind.” He followed with “Firecracker” and “Deep South” and later played a new song, “Unsung Hero.” Turner later introduced each of his band members with some jokes and banter which had the crowd laughing and cheering for each member. “Hometown Girl,” “Me and God,” and “Time is Love” are a few of the songs Turner sang during the first half of his set. He later performed a cover of Hank William’s song “I Saw the Light” followed by one of his new songs off his most recent album, “My Side.” Will Jones at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Before closing out the show with some of his hits, Turner sang “Two Steppin’ On The Moon” and “This Country Music Thing,” which are both from his newest album. During his performance of “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Turner’s band had some fun and danced on stage. A two-person kick line was started and later two more band members did a simple heel and toe shuffle. He ended the night with some of his biggest hits, “Would You Go With Me” and “Your Man.” After the final notes, Turner and his band made their way off stage while the crowd gave a standing ovation. Shawn Bailey at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 They waited with anticipation, while shining their phone lights, in hopes for Turner to come perform a specific encore song. With the sound of a train whistle, crowd erupted in cheers as Turner and his band made their way back to the stage to perform “Long Black Train.” As the song came to a close, Turner thanked the crowd for a great night while the band played. Once the stage was cleared out, fans made their way out of the venue carrying the warmth from the night of live music. Josh Turner at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 For additional information on these artists and events happening at Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, please visit: Josh Turner- https://www.joshturner.com Will Jones- https://willjonescountry.com Blue Gate Performing Arts Center- https://www.thebluegate.com/shipshewana/blue-gate-theatre/schedule/ Additional Images: Grayson Lilly at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 2026 Will Jones

Pentatonix Christmas in the City Tour | Allstate Arena | Rosemont, IL | Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 7:30pm Pentatonix at the Allstate Arena, 2025 Pentatonix returned to Rosemont on Tuesday night, bringing their now-iconic Christmas tour to a packed Allstate Arena. Using a multi-level stage with large projection screens for their two vocal performances, the quintet showcased their vocal precision and theatrical flair that helped them dominate the modern a cappella landscape. Kirstin Maldonado and Scott Hoying at the Allstate Arena, 2025 Mitch Grassi and Matt Sallee at the Allstate Arena, 2025 The A Cappella group consists of vocalists, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee. They are characterized by their pop-style arrangements with vocal harmonies, riffing, beatboxing, vocal percussion, and scat singing. The group got their start on NBC’s The Sing-Off and won the third season. After winning the show, they received a record deal with Sony Music but was later dropped. The group then began posting their music on YouTube. Later in 2014, Pentatonix signed with RCA Records. The original group members consisted of Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Kelin Olusola, and Avi Kaplan. In May of 2017, it was announced that Kaplan was leaving the group and was replaced with Sallee. Their debut EP PTX, Volume 1 was released in 2012, and the group has released 11 other albums since then. The most recent album release was on October 24, 2025, with Christmas in the City. Pentatonix also produces covers of modern pop work and Christmas music, along with writing original songs. Pentatonix at the Allstate Arena, 2025 As the stage visuals came to life, the audience began cheering awaiting the arrival of Pentatonix. The group began to individually emerge from different sections of the stage and came together to begin act one singing their original song “Christmas in the City,” followed by “Silver Bells” and “12 Days of Christmas.” After performing a few songs, the a cappella group brought out a single inflatable die. For each show on their tour, they roll a die to determine what song they will sing. The first 2 songs the Rosemont crowd enjoyed were “We Need a Little Christmas” and “Jingle Bells.” For the next two songs selected by the dice, the group would roll a second die to see what style of music they would sing that song in. “Feliz Navidad” in the style of pop rock and “Let it Snow” in the style of country had the crowd laughing and singing along. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Mary, Did You Know?” and “Please Santa Please” were a few other Christmas songs performed during the first act of the show. Pentatonix ended Act 1 with “Santa Be Good to My Baby,” which included a vocal percussion solo by Kevin Olusola and a tap solo from Kirstin Maldonado. Kirstin Maldonado at the Allstate Arena, 2025 Pentatonix at the Allstate Arena, 2025 After a brief 15-minute intermission, the lights dimmed as Pentatonix again took the stage for Act 2 with an outfit change, performing “Holly Jolly Christmas.” “Snowing in Paris,” “Meet Me Next Christmas,” and “Please Santa Please” and many more. Pentatonix discussed that there are many Christmas heroes, but there are also Christmas misfits that don’t get enough love. They had a section of the set honoring them, with songs including “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “Elf,” “Blitzen,” and “Bah Humbug.” Later in the set, Hoying came out and shared his incredible experience with being on this year’s season of Dancing with the Stars and how he learned about the importance of social media. He asked the crowd if they would help him with a TikTok, where the whole audience got to participate in. Next up in the show was a performance that showcased Olusola on the cello and Sallee on the drums, performing “The Love Melody.” Kirstin Maldonado, Scott Hoying, and Mitch Grassi at the Allstate Arena, 2025 Pentatonix then moved from the main stage to their B Stage which was located by the soundboard. This allowed the whole audience to see the a cappella group up close. They performed “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Humankind,” which touched everyone’s hearts. The group then made their way back to the main stage where they performed “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and then closed off with performances of “Hallelujah,” “Pure Imagination,” and “Christmas Time Is Here.” Scott Hoying at the Allstate Arena, 2025 Kirstin Maldonado and Kevin Olusola at the Allstate Arena, 2025 As the show came to a close, fans left the arena buzzing with the Christmas Spirit and ready to finish off their week on a high note. From the opening chord, it was clear Pentatonix weren’t just performing—they were inviting all the fans in Allstate Arena into their holiday world. Every harmony landed like a spark, and the thousands of fans singing along only amplified the magic. Pentatonix at the Allstate Arena, 2025 For additional information on Pentatonix and events coming to the Allstate Arena, please visit: Pentatonix- https://www.home.ptxofficial.com Allstate Arena- https://rosemont.com/allstate/ Rosemont- https://rosemont.com Additional Images: Matt Sallee at the Allstate Arena, 2025 Kevin Olusola at the Allstate Arena, 2025 Mitch Grassi at the Allstate Arena, 2025 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske

Scotty McCreery | Mac O’Brien Joe’s Low Dough Show with Scotty McCreery | Joe’s Live | Rosemont, IL | Sunday November 23rd, 2025 Scotty McCreery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Country star Scotty McCreery returned to the Chicago area on Sunday, November 23rd drawing a sold-out crowd to Joe’s Live in Rosemont for a Low Dough Show brought together by US99. With tickets starting at a low cost of $15, concertgoers gathered for a great live performance to help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Before McCreery took the stage, Mac O’Brien took the stage to get the crowd ready for the night of music ahead. Mac O’Brien at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Mac O’Brien is an Illinois native from McHenry with a country-rock sound. She was recognized early on for her gift of songwriting and was a part of Nashville’s “up and comer” program. Rodney Adkins, Lonestar, Parker McCollum, and Jordan Davis are just a few of the many artists she has opened for. She will be releasing her debut album soon, including some of the songs she performed throughout her set. O’Brien grabbed the audience’s attention by starting out her set with a cover of Mily Cyrus’s “Flowers.” “Addicted to Pain,” “Heavy Chains,” and “Cold Blooded” are a few of her own personal songs she performed throughout her set. She later closed out her set with another original sone, “The War Within” and announced she would be meeting fans off to the side of the stage after her set. Scotty McCreery and Spencer Peppard at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Before McCreery took the stage, Melissa, Austin, and Scotty K from US99 came out to warm up the crowd. They informed the audience about the booth where members of St. Jude Children’s Hospital were set up and taking donations throughout the night. The group then introduced McCreery to the stage. Scotty McCreery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Jeffery Harper and Nathan Thomas at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 McCreery is a country singer who was born and raised in North Carolina. At the age of five, McCreery received a book about Elvis Presley from his grandmother, and quickly fell in love with music. He began learning to play the guitar at age 10. At the age of 16, McCreery traveled to Milwaukee to audition for season 10 of American Idol and later won the show. After winning the show, McCreery released his first studio album Clear as Day and was certified platinum in the United States. Later in 2016, McCreery left his original management and eventually found his new home at Triple Tigers Records/Sony Music Entertainment. His single “Five More Minutes” was released as his first single with his new management, which became his first number one song on country radio. McCreery married his longtime girlfriend in 2018 and have welcomed two baby boys into their family. Scotty McCreery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 The band took the stage as the lights dimmed and McCreery emerged from the side of the stage. He kicked off his show with “Can’t Pass the Bar” which elevated the energy in the entire room. “Little More Gone,” “Can in a Solo,” and “In Between” are a few of the songs McCreery performed during the beginning of his set. Before performing “It Matters to Her,” which is his wife’s favorite song, McCreery performed two songs that were released off of his most recent EP Scooter and Friends that came out this past July. He performed “Whiskey Said” which was recorded with Lee Brice and “Swim Up Bar” that brings out more of his Puerto Rican heritage. Scotty McCreery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Mac O’Brien at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 While performing some of his well-known songs such as “See You Tonight” and “You Time,” McCreery realized a mistake in his setlist. He accidentally left out his wedding song “This Is It”, which he told the audience about how he wrote the song 2 weeks before proposing. Deciding to have some fun and honor 70’s and 80’s country, McCreery performed a variety of covers, including “Hello Darlin’” by Conway Twitty, “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis, “Folsom River Blues” by Johnny Cash, “Chattahootchie” by Alan Jackson, “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘til the Sun Comes Up) by Garth Brooks, and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” by John Michael Montgomery. Scotty McCreery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 McCreery then informed the audience that he didn’t feel right accepting payment for his performance so he announced that the money would be donated back to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital so they could continue their concerted efforts in finding a cure for all childhood cancers. After his tribute performance, McCreery sang a melody of “Your Man” by Josh Turner, which was requested by a fan all night long. This was the song McCreery performed at his audition for American Idol and kickstarted his journey. “Five More Minutes” and “Damn Straight” were the last songs to be performed during McCreery’s show before closing out the night with his current number 1 song “Bottle Rockets” which was recorded with Hootie and the Blowfish. Scotty McCreery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 As the band left the stage, fans lingered in hopes of an encore performance. Fans cheers erupted when the band again took the stage and McCreery followed. He told the audience this was not planned but they thought they would perform one last song for fun. They didn’t rehearse it before performing, so McCreery joked with the crowd to not record this performance. The room was buzzing with excitement as McCreery performed a cover of “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley. After the song ended, McCreery stayed out to sign items for the fans who were close to the stage. The crowd slowly left the building, ready to start off the upcoming week on a high note. Scotty McCreery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 For additional information on these artists and events happening at Joe’s Live, please visit: Scotty McCreery-

Chris Young | MaRynn Taylor It Must Be Christmas- An Acoustic Evening | Rialto Square Theatre | Joliet, IL | Friday November 21st, 2025 at 7:30pm Chris Young at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 Snow may not have been falling outside, but inside the Rialto Square Theatre on Friday night, Chris Young brought all the warmth and shimmer of the season as he kicked off his Christmas tour weekend. With the whole theatre decorated for the Christmas season, the historic venue felt transformed into a holiday postcard. Before Young took the stage, MaRynn Taylor warmed up the crowd. MaRynn Taylor at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 MaRynn Taylor is an up-and-coming country pop singer-songwriter from Michigan. At the age of 12, she received her first guitar and found her love for music. She began writing songs at a young age and taught herself how to play the guitar. She released her debut album MaRynn this past August, which features 12 songs, most of which she co-wrote with other song writers. The vast majority of the album was written while touring the country as the opener for Kelsea Ballerini’s arena tour. MaRynn Taylor at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 Taylor performed an acoustic set and sang a variety of Christmas classics, including “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and “Mistletoe,” as well as one of her originals “Snow Globe.” She also performed some of her songs off her debut album including “Same Girl Same” and “Pretty Much” and closed out her set with “Santa Tell Me.”  After her set she met fans one-on-one at her merchandise booth conversing and taking candid photos. Taylor stayed out in the theater lobby until she met with every person that was in line. Chris Young at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 As the stage lights dimmed, fans cheered as Chris Young came to the stage. Young is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Tennessee. He rose to fame after winning season 4 of Nashville Star. After signing with RCA Records, he released his self-titled debut album that same year. Since his career began, Young as released 9 studio albums under RCA Nashville before later signing with Black River Entertainment in December of 2024. He released his first single “Til’ the Last One Dies” with Black River in April of 2025, which was featured on his 10th studio album I Didn’t Come Here to Leave that was released this past October. Young also got the honor of being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2017, which is every country artist’s dream. Seth Costner at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 Young started off his acoustic set with “The Christmas Song” and moved into “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and “There’s a New Kid in Town.” He then introduced his band members on stage with him, Seth on the piano and Kevin on the guitar. Kevin wowed fans with an amazing guitar solo of “Freebird Young .” Young mentioned that Seth had a fun surprise for everyone. Seth joked that he set up some of his keys to play famous Christmas lines in case Young’s show got boring. “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “The First Noel” are a few of the Christmas classics that Young performed during the first half of his set. Seth also played “All I Want for Christmas is You,” which had the crowd and Young singing and clapping along. While this was an acoustic Christmas show, Young still played some of his songs, including “I Can Take It from Here” and “Getting You Home,” which he told the audience is his grandmother’s favorite song of his. Chris Young at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 Kevin Collier at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 After performing “Santa Clause is Coming to Town,” Young mentioned to the crowd that he had a special guest. Since it was too early in the season, he couldn’t get Santa to come to the show, but he got the next best thing: Santa Paws. Porter, Young’s German Shepard, emerged from the side of the staged all dressed in Christmas gear and brought out a signed t-shirt which Young threw into the crowd. After Porter left the stage, the Christmas music continued with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” and his new original Christmas song “Christmas Ain’t Christmas.” Young ended his set with his hit song “Famous Friends” which was originally recorded with Kane Brown. While that was supposed to be the end of the show, Young decided to play one more song for the enthusiastic crowd. Cheers erupted as he started playing the first cords of his song “Aw Naw.” MaRynn Taylor at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 As the last chords were played, the whole theatre was on their feet giving a standing ovation to Young, who bowed and thanked the crowd for an incredible night on his opening weekend of his first Christmas tour. Fans left the venue with spirits high, eager for the holiday season to fully begin. For additional information on these artists and events coming to the Rialto Square Theatre, please visit: Chris Young- https://www.chrisyoungcountry.com MaRynn Taylor- https://www.marynntaylormusic.com Rialto Square Theatre- https://rialtosquare.com Additional Images: MaRynn Taylor at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 Chris Young at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 MaRynn Taylor at the Rialto Square Theatre, 2025 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske 

Randall King | Carson Jeffery Randall King Tour | Joe’s Live Rosemont | Rosemont, IL | November 1st, 2025 at 8:00pm Randall King at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 The neon lights at Joe’s Live glowed against cowboy hats and cold beers as Randall King took the stage Friday night, turning Rosemont into a little slice of Texas honky-tonk heaven. While the crowd gathered to get their drinks and merchandise, the show kicked off with Carson Jeffery. Carter Jeffery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Jeffery is a Texas-based musician with a country and Americana sound. He is a full-time cowboy who juggles ranch life during the week while playing gigs on the weekend. While playing over 100 shows a year, his music mirrors the Texas experience and ties in the heart and soul of Texas in his melodies. “Rope the Moon,” “Tall Boy,” and “Take Away This Pain” were a few of the original songs that Jeffery performed throughout his 45-minute set. He explained during his set that they are traveling in a truck and a car to each show since his van broke down. He described it as a true country experience. Jeffery later closed out his set with “Ranch Girl Dream,” leaving the crowd buzzing with anticipation for Randall King’s performance. Randall King at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 The lights dimmed as an American Flag appeared on the stage screen while “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith played out. The band then took the stage with Randall King emerging not far behind them. King is a West Texas native with an old soul sharing his honky-tonk sound. He has amassed over 300 million streams and helped keep the country twang alive in country’s mainstream. He released his debut self-titled album back in 2018 and has released 2 albums since then along with an EP. He gets his sound from classic artists such as George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Keith Whitley, along with modern artists including Dierks Bentley and Gary Allen. King was named a Country Artist to Watch by Country Now and Pandora and continues to pave his path in the country music scene. Randall King at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 King kicked off his set with “Small Town BS” that had the crowd singing along. He kept the crowd entertained throughout the show with his graphic displays on the stage screen and the creative lighting. “When My Baby’s in Boots,” “What Doesn’t Kill You,” and “Mirror, Mirror” are a few of the songs performed during the first part of King’s set. The crowd was on their feet dancing as King performed “Cheatin’ on My Honky Tonk,” “One Night Dance,” and “Burns Like Her.” Randall King at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Later in the show, the band left the stage, leaving King in the spotlight with his guitar. He performed two songs acoustic for the crowd after sharing the story of one of his guitar straps. Instead of having his name on his guitar strap, the name Leanna was tooled into the leather strap. Leanna is the name of his sister who passed 5 years ago. He wanted to take her with him wherever country music takes him. He also wrote an EP for her which was titled after her. King wanted his sister’s name to be associated with country music since it was one of the things she loved the most. “Hey Moon” was the first song he sang acoustic, which was off of his EP Leanna. King then moved on to sing “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” which is a Keith Whitley cover. Carson Jeffery at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 The band then returned to the stage to continue the show, where “I Keep Your Memory Around,” “I Could Be That Rain,” and “Hey Cowgirl” were played before he concluded his set with “You in a Honky Tonk.” As the stage cleared out, the crowd began chanting for one more song. The band then reemerged and performed their encore of a melody of 90’s country hits. “John Deer Green” by Joe Diffie, “Should Have Been a Cowboy” by Toby Keith, “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain, “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, and “We’re from the Country” by Tracy Byrd were a few of the classic 90’s country songs King performed while the audience danced and sang along. As the show came to a close, King stayed on the stage to sign items fans presented to him while the crowd lingered, enjoying a cool night of country music. Randall King Band at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 For additional information on these artists and events happening at Joe’s Live, please visit: Randall King- https://www.randallkingmusic.com Carson Jeffery- https://www.instagram.com/carson.jeffrey/ Joe’s Live Rosemont- https://www.joesliverosemont.com Additional Images: Randall King at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Carson Jeffery Band at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Randall King at Joe’s Live Rosemont, 2025 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske 

Emily Ann Roberts | SJ McDonald Hobart Art Theater | Hobart, IN | Sunday October 5th, 2025 at 7:00pm Emily Ann Roberts at Country Thunder Wisconsin, 2024 Fans travelled from near and far to see Emily Ann Roberts headline her first show in Indiana. Before the lights flickered, signaling the start of the performance, guests grabbed their drinks and merchandise awaiting the night ahead. As the lights dimmed, it was time for the opener of the evening, SJ McDonald to take the stage and introduce herself to waiting fans. Jordan Larson at The Back Road Music Festival, 2025 SJ McDonald is an emerging singer-songwriter who grew up in Virginia near the Appalachian Mountains. She is known for her authentic, gritty country sound that has a blend of modern storytelling with 90’s country. McDonald has been recognized as CMT’s Next Up Now Artist and has been touring the country independently, showcasing her grit, charisma, and raw talent. Her fully acoustic set kicked off with her newest release “Honkey Tonk Pie” and moved into an unreleased song “You Say Vegas.” She also played covers of Mily Cyrus’s “The Climb” as well as Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s in Love with the Boy.” McDonald ended her set with “Rosemary,” “Beans,” and “Wild Women.” While the crowd may have not known who McDonald was at the start of her performance, they certainly became fans by the end.  She had the crowd engaged and cheering for her throughout her entire set. She is not only a talented artist, but an amazing entertainer. Emily Ann Roberts at The Back Road Music Festival, 2025 As the band took the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers, anticipating the arrival of Emily Ann Roberts. She got her start on NBC’s The Voice where she came in second place. After The Voice, she went back to finish school before pursuing music. She later married her high school sweetheart, Chris Sasser, in 2020. Roberts released her first EP Someday Dream in 2019, followed by her first album Can’t Hide Country in 2023. She has opened for countless artists in 2025 including Megan Moroney, Clink Black and Cody Johnson. In September of this year, Roberts announced the release of her new EP Memory Lane coming October 3rd after signing her first record deal with Sony Music Nashville. Emily Ann Roberts at Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 2025 Torey Harding at The Back Road Music Festival, 2025 Roberts hit the stage and kicked off her set with “Whole Lotta Little” followed by “Chickens.” She also sang a melody of country hits sung by female artists, including “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” by Loretta Lynn, “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That” by Dolly Parton, “Fancy” by Reba McEntire, “This One’s For The Girls” by Martina McBride, “Goodbye Earl” by the Chicks, and “Any Man Of Mine” by Shania Twain. The crowd was singing along with smiles on their face. “Easy Does It,” “The Fence,” “Memory Lane,” and “Pretty in Pink” were a few of the other songs off her new EP that Roberts sang throughout the night. She later performed covers of some of her favorite songs, “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford and “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton. The band then left the stage, leaving just Roberts and her guitar. She sang her song “Keep on Going” acoustic after delivering a speech about chasing your dreams no matter how hard and long the journey. She then performed an acoustic version of “There’s a Record Book” by Rhonda Vincent. Roberts closed out her set with performances of “He Set Her Off,” “Jack and Jill Daniels,” and “On Down the Road,” which is a new song she wrote to close out her shows. Instead of performing encores, Roberts decided to write her own song to end her shows. Emily Ann Roberts at Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 2025 After the performance, both Roberts and McDonald stayed at the venue to meet the many fans that waited. Both artists took their time talking with every one of the fans as well as posing for pictures. Fans left the theatre riding the high from Roberts show, ready to take on the week ahead. Emily Ann Roberts at The Back Road Music Festival, 2025 For additional information on these artists and events coming to the Hobart Art Theatre, please visit: Emily Ann Roberts- https://www.emilyannroberts.com SJ McDonald- https://sjmcdonald.com Hobart Art Theater- https://brickartlive.com Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske 

Parker McCollum | Ashley Cooke | Hudson Westbrook Parker McCollum Tour | Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre | Tinley Park, IL | October 4th, 2025 at 7:30pm Parker McCollum and at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Crowds gathered as the sun set, awaiting the night of country music ahead. Fans streamed into the venue and purchased their fan merchandise and drinks before heading to their seats to be entertained by Hudson Westbrook, Ashley Cooke, and Parker McCollum. Hudson Westbrook at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Hudson Westbrook was the first to hit the stage for the night. Westbrook is a Texas native who found his passion for music at the age of 15. He blends sentimental and modern melodies to create his own unique sound. He released his debut track “Take It Slow” which gained over 1.2 million streams in the first week. Westbrook sang songs including “Painted You Pretty,” “5 to 9,” and his current song on the radio, “House Again.” While this was Westbrook’s last show on Parker McCollum’s tour, he left on a high note gearing up the crowd for Ashley Cooke and Parker McCollum. Ashley Cooke at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Cheers erupted as the lights dimmed, signaling the start of Ashley Cooke’s set. Cooke is a singer-songwriter from Florida who independently released her first album Already Drank That Beer in 2021. She later won Belmont’s prestigious Country showcase and released her debut album Shot in the Dark under Big Loud/Back Blocks Music. Cooke won her first CMT Award for Breakthrough Female Video of the Year in 2024 and was also nominated twice for ACM’s New Female Artist of the Year, as well as Best New Country at the iHeart Radio Music Awards in 2025. Ashley Cooke and Chauncey Arner at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Ashley Cooke at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Cooke kicked off her set with “Getting Into,” and followed with “The Hell You Are” and “Moving on With Grace.” She also performed some of her newest songs “Swear Words” and “The F Word,” which had the crowd on their feet. Cooke’s energy was infectious, and she made it clear that she loved being on stage. Earlier this summer, Rascal Flatts announced their new album Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets where Ashley Cooke was featured. In honor of that, Cooke sang her duet with Rascal Flatts from that album “Summer Nights.” Later in her set, Cooke sang two songs that will be released later this year, which are “Baby Blues” and “Tin Foil Hat.” With her set coming to a close, Cooke wrapped up with “Back in the Saddle” and ended her last tour stop with McCollum with “Your Place.” Parker McCollum at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 As the lights dimmed, the stage screen exploded to life, featuring an old movie entrance with a lion below McCollum’s name. Fans cheered loudly, eager for him to come on stage. McCollum is a singer-songwriter based in Texas. In his early life, he was exposed to classic country, such as Willie Nelson, Porter Wagoner, and Buck Owens, as well as red dirt musicians such as Pat Green, Chris Knight, and Cross Canadian Ragweed. McCollum spent a vast majority of his early life working on cattle ranches and was further exposed to more classic country artists. He released his debut album The Limestone Kid in 2015 and later signed with MCA Nashville in 2019. The first single he released under the label was Pretty Heart reached number one on the US Billboard Country Airplay Charts and has become 3x Platinum. His first studio album Gold Chain Cowboy was released in 2021, with his most recent release being his self-titled album from 2025. He has been nominated for many awards, with his most recent win being Visual Media of the Year for his song “Burn it Down” at the 2024 ACM Awards. Parker McCollum at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Hudson Westbrook and band at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 McCollum started off his set with “My Blue” which had the crowd singing along. “To Be Loved by You,” “What Kinda Man,” and “Why Indiana” are just a few of the other songs McCollum sang throughout his hour and a half set. While McCollum played his guitar for the entire show it didn’t hinder him from moving freely around the stage and connecting with audience members. He also performed one of his new songs from his new self-titled album “Hope That I’m Enough.” Later in the show, Hudson Westbrook was brought back to the stage and performed “Rest of My Life” with McCollum, and he followed with “Handle on You” and “Burn it Down.” Ashley Cooke was then brought to the stage to join McCollum in singing “Pretty Heart.” Since this was Cooke’s last show with McCollum, she pranked him by coming out dressed like him, which had the fans cheering and screaming with laughter. McCollum closed out his show with “My Worst Enemy” with crowd singing along at the top of their lungs. Chauncey Arner at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 As the show ended, the crowd slowly started to gather their belongings and exit the amphitheater. While fans didn’t want the night to end, they enjoyed a nice night of country music outdoors to end off the summer and celebrate the start of fall. Parker McCollum at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 For more information on these artists and events coming to Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, please visit: Parker McCollum- https://www.parkermccollum.com/#/ Ashley Cooke- https://ashleycooke.com Hudson Westbrook- https://www.hudsonwestbrook.com Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre- https://www.creditunion1amp.com Additional Images: Hudson Westbrook at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Ashley Cooke at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Parker McCollum’s Belt Buckle at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 2025 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske 

Lee Brice | Jackson Dean | Lewis Brice What You Know About That Tour | Rosemont Theatre | Rosemont, IL | September 29, 2025 at 7:00pm Lee Brice at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 Cars full of fans lined up in the parking lot ready for a night of country music with Lewis Brice, Jackson Dean, and Lee Brice. As the doors of the theatre opened, crowds made their way to get refreshments and tour merchandise before heading to their seats. Travis Bettis at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 Lewis Brice was the first artist to take the stage for the night. Brice is a seasoned singer/songwriter with a country, southern rock, and R&B sound. He released his self-titled EP in 2017, and his most recent release is with his album Product Of, which was released in 2023. “Summer Time Vibes,” “She Loves My Country,” and “Blessed” were a few of the songs he performed for the crowd during his set. He got the night off to a great start, building the excitement for more country music. Next up in the lineup was Jackson Dean, bringing his country rock style to the stage. Dean is a singer/songwriter from Maryland. He signed with Big Machine Records and released his first EP in 2021. Since then, he has released two other albums, Greenbroke and On the Back of My Dreams. He has charted with three singles, which have also become some of his most known songs. Dean kicked off his set with “Still Raging,” and followed with songs including “Fearless,” “Make a Liar Outta Me,” and “Heavens to Betsy.” Dean has created and hand burned multiple guitars and fans were in awe when they saw four of these guitars throughout the concert. He later covered “49 Tons,” which was originally performed by Fred Eaglesmith. Dean then closed out his set with his first hit song, “Don’t Come Lookin.” Lee Brice at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 The lights dimmed as cheers erupted from the theatre, awaiting Lee Brice’s appearance. Brice is a singer/songwriter who has released five studio albums. His most recent release was his album Hey Worldback in 2020. He has co-written singles for artists such as Eli Young Band, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, and Adam Gregory. Brice started his career as a songwriter and later signed with Curb Records and released his debut single “She Ain’t Right.” He has been nominated for many awards over his career, with his most recent win being at the 2020 Country Music Association Awards for Musical Event of the Year. Lee Brice at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 Brice kicked off his set performing one of his hit songs titled “Hard to Love” which sparked the audience to get up and dance. “Parking Lot Party,” “Memory I Don’t Mess With,” and “Love Like Crazy” are a few other hit songs Brice performed during his set. He also performed one of his older songs “Upper Middle Class White Trash,” which was on the baseball hat he wore throughout the show. Brice later brought out his brother Lewis to sing “Said No Country Boy Ever” with him. Brice then sang his hit duet song titled “I Hope Your Happy Now., which he recorded with Carly Pearce, “I Hope Your Happy Now.” The band then left the stage while Brice performed “When the Kingdom Comes” acoustic in honor of the late Charlie Kirk. Proposal during Lee Brice’s set at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 A piano was brought out to center stage for Brice to perform “I Don’t Dance,” which brought an extra special meaning to the night. During Brice’s performance, a young couple made their way to the aisleway to dance along with Brice, when midway through the song the young man got down on one knee to propose. His girlfriend tearfully said yes and had the crowd celebrating along with them. After the song, Brice noticed the proposal and congratulated the couple and professed he was very happy to be able to be a part of their special moment. Lee Brice at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 After the proposal, Brice continued his performance singing “Drinking Class” and “I Drive Your Truck,” which had the whole theatre lit up with cell phone flashlights. He closed out his set with his song “Rumor,” leaving the crowd in anticipation for the encore. As the band reemerged to the stage, Brice performed his hit “One of Them Girls,” with the energy of the crowd increasing even more. The joyful energy from the night carried with everyone as they left the theatre recounting the amazing events of the night. Lee Brice at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 For additional information on these artists and events coming to the Rosemont Theatre, please visit: Lee Brice- https://www.leebrice.com Jackson Dean- https://www.jacksondeanmusic.com Lewis Brice- https://www.lewisbrice.com Rosemont Theatre- https://rosemont.com/theatre/ Additional Images: Lee Brice at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 Paul Rippee at the Rosemont Theatre, 2025 Photographs and writing by Jaclyn Duske