Kenny Chesney Taps Jake Owen, More Opening Acts for Big Revival Tour
When future country superstar Kenny Chesney first arrived in Nashville, he was pitching his songs to music publishers and playing for tips down on lower Broadway. As he has risen through the country-music ranks on tour, the east Tennessee native has continued to pay it forward by introducing fans to up-and-coming acts such as Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves and Grace Potter. Next year’s the Big Revival Tour will carry on that tradition as Chesney announces young hitmakers Chase Rice and Cole Swindell as opening acts on the highly anticipated trek.
“I didn’t have nearly the success Cole and Chase are enjoying right now, but I know the difference getting your music in front of an audience makes,” says Chesney. “For both of these guys, who have a lot of energy and a real way of grabbing people, I think it’s the perfect way to get the audience fired up for the show.”
Also along on the tour will be Jake Owen, who has amassed a string of smash hits, including “The One That Got Away,” “Anywhere With You,” “Beachin'” and the two-million-selling “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.”
A former University of North Carolina linebacker, Rice first gained fame for co-writing Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise.” His Ignite the Night album debuted atop the Billboard Country Albums chart and yielded the Top 5 smash, “Ready, Set, Roll” and his latest single, “Gonna Wanna Tonight.”
Georgia native Cole Swindell has two Number One singles to his credit: the platinum-selling “Chillin’ It” and a gold-certified smash, “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” both taken from his self-titled debut album. He’s also written songs for others, including Luke Bryan (“Roller Coaster”), Thomas Rhett (“Get Me Some of That” and “This Is How We Roll).”
“It’s not just about the big names,” Chesney says. “It’s about fresh faces people need to know. If I can turn people on, or remind them of an artist like Jake, I know they’re gonna get a show that rocks them, but also opens up some new music. To me, that’s the secret of a great show: what you know and what you find out. In just a few days, I’ll have some more news to share that is going to step up this tour to a whole other level….”
Chesney’s Big Revival Tour will also feature Eric Church on select dates, and will join forces with Jason Aldean’s tour for ten stadium shows in spring and summer. Brantley Gilbert is an added opener for those ten stops.