CHRIS STAPLETON: Room at the Top

Chris Stapleton's new album, From A Room: Volume 1, debuts at the top of Billboard's Country Album chart.

The record sold 219,000 copies in its first week. It is the largest sales week for a country album since Luke Bryan's Kill the Lights moved 320,000 albums in its first week.

VIDEO: DIERKS BENTLEY: Reunites Soldier and His Family

Dierks Bentley orchestrated a reunion between Sergeant Steven Mendez and his sons at a meet-and-greet during a tour stop in Fresno, California. Sergeant Mendez has been overseas serving for almost a year.

He later brought the family onstage during the show. Dierks says, "I can’t begin to imagine the sacrifice of being away from your family for sometimes years. I love the fact that country music fans hold our military and their families in such high regard and always jump at the chance to say thank you. It was a really cool moment in the show, and a really special thing for me to be part of.”

IMPORTANT GARTH BROOKS INFO

Important Information

State Farm Center strongly encourages fans attending this show to NOT arrive early.

Concert: Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Double check ticket/order confirmation to ensure correct date and show time.

Garth Brooks returns to Champaign for the first time in 20 years with four shows at State Farm Center! With multiple shows over a three-day period, fans are reminded to double check that their ticket order confirmation is consistent with the date and time of the concert they are attending. Additionally, to ensure fans have an enjoyable concert experience, State Farm Center advises people attending the shows to review the following concert information carefully.

DOORS OPEN:  DOORS ARE EXPECTED TO OPEN AT APPROXIMATELY 6:15 p.m., BUT DUE TO THE NATURE OF DOUBLE HEADERS, THEY MAY OPEN LATE.

ENTRANCE:  Fans may enter through all entrances of State Farm Center. Guests are encouraged NOT TO arrive early to allow traffic from the 3:00 p.m. show to clear.

TICKETS:  Fans are advised to pick up will call tickets in advance of the show date. The Illinois Ticket Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. On show day, the box office will open at noon and will remain open until after the performance starts.

PARKING INFO:          Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Lots open as soon as possible following the 3 p.m. show.  Additional overflow lots may be available based on weather conditions.  Please follow instructions from local authorities regarding the overflow lot availability. A parking lot map can be found on our Parking & Transportation page. Overnight parking is NOT available in any State Farm Center lot.

PICK UP & DROP OFF LOCATIONS:  The West and East circle drives off of First and Fourth Streets are available for patron drop off and pick-up.  First Street is closed to through traffic, so those wishing to drop off on the west side will need to wait for the barricades at Kirby Avenue or St. Mary’s Road to be moved by a police officer to gain access.

TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS:  Due to the nature of doubleheader events, note that there will be high volumes of outbound traffic around the State Farm Center. Please DO NOT arrive early so this traffic has time to clear.  Please note that First Street between Kirby Avenue and St. Mary’s Road is closed to through traffic and only available for those accessing the west circle drive for drop off and pick up. 

CAMERA POLICY:  No commercial or flash photography of any kind is permitted. Camcorders or any other audio/visual equipment are prohibited unless authorized by the promoter and/or the Garth Brooks team.

Specifically, the use of the following equipment is not permitted:

•          Telephoto or zoom lenses of any kind

•          Interchangeable lenses of any kind

•          Monopods, tripods or selfie sticks

•          Flash equipment of any kind

•          Audio-Video recording

•          iPad or tablets

BAG POLICY: All large bags including backpacks, suitcases, beach bags, etc. will be prohibited from entry into State Farm Center. Purses, diaper bags and other small bags are subject to search prior to entry.

SECURITY POLICY:  All bags are subject to search at points of entry.

FOOD/BEVERAGE:  Patrons are NOT allowed to bring outside food/beverage into the arena. 

JOSH TURNER: Hometown Number-One

Josh Turner is busy celebrating another number-one after "Hometown Girl" peaked at the top of the Mediabase Country Airplay chart over the weekend.

The song seizes the top spot from Jason Aldean’s “Any Ol’ Barstool,” which falls to number-four. 

BLAKE SHELTON: Tired of the Attention

Blake Shelton isn't thrilled with all the attention his relationship with Gwen Stefani is getting, but he understands it.

He says, "In people's defense, I think it's so hard for people to wrap their head around why Gwen would want to be with me. I don't blame 'em."

Blake and Gwen are back in the coaches' chairs tonight (Monday) when the Top 12 contestants perform on The Voice. Shania Twain will be an adviser when the show airs at 8 p.m. on NBC. (Today)

GEORGE STRAIT: Adds Vegas Shows

George Strait has added two dates to his Two Nights of Number-Ones show at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. He played his first two shows earlier this month.

George says, “Back when we announced Two Nights of Number-Ones shows, I said if the fans wanted to hear more, we would look at it. Well, we heard them loud and clear. This is something they want more of, so that’s what they will get.”

The new shows are booked for July 28th and 29th. 

Here's a list of the remaining shows:

• Friday, July 28th
• Saturday, July 29th
• Friday, Sept. 1st
• Saturday, Sept. 2nd
• Friday, Dec. 8th
• Saturday, Dec. 9th

Eric Church Choir Loft Tickets Starting At $25:

ERIC CHURCH BRINGS 2017 HOLDIN’ MY OWN TOUR

TO PEORIA!

** GREAT SEATS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ONE-OF-A-KIND 360 STAGE EXPERIENCE

STARTING AT JUST $25 plus fees!!! **

TICKETS AVAILABLE at TICKETMASTER.COM

May 12 – Peoria Civic Center – Peoria, IL

Peoria, IL -- EMI Nashville recording artist Eric Church will bring the Holdin’ My Own Tour to Peoria Civic Center in Peoria on May 12, 2017, doors at 6:30 p.m. For the first time ever, 2016 CMA Album of the Year winner Eric Church will play two full sets with no support act on the tour, performing more than 30 songs each night with an intermission in between sets. Only three weekends into the tour, Church has entertained more than 125,000 fans on just nine stops, selling out every stop thus far while drawing capacity crowds.

With Eric Church’s one-of-a-kind 360 stage, every seat is a great seat in the house.

Tickets available now starting at just $25 plus fees while supplies last at Ticketmaster.com

ACM Winners List

For the second year in a row, Jason Aldean nabbed the coveted Entertainer of the Year award at the 52nd annual ACM Awards on Sunday night.

It was also a big night for Thomas Rhett, who managed a clean sweep. He took home three trophies, including Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Die a Happy Man,” which scored him two awards as both an artist and songwriter.

Miranda Lambert held onto her Female Vocalist of the Year title for the eighth year in a row, continuing to hold the record for most wins in this category. She also nabbed the Album of the Year award for The Weight of These Wings.

Along with the previously announced New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year award, Brothers Osborne was also named this year’s Vocal Duo of the Year, ending Florida Georgia Line’s three-year run with the award.

Other winners included Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Little Big Town, Lori McKenna and those involved in “Forever Country.”

Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley co-hosted the show.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean - WINNER
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert - WINNER
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Dierks Bentley
Thomas Rhett - WINNER
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brothers Osborne - WINNER
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae

Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Little Big Town - WINNER
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Lady Antebellum

New Male Vocalist of the Year
Kane Brown
Chris Janson
Chris Lane
Jon Pardi - WINNER
Brett Young

New Female Vocalist of the Year
Lauren Alaina
Cam
Brandy Clark
Maren Morris - WINNER

New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year
A Thousand Horses
Brothers Osborne - WINNER
Dan + Shay
LoCash
Maddie & Tae

Songwriter of the Year
Ashley Gorley
Luke Laird
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Lori McKenna - WINNER

Album of the Year
Black – Dierks Bentley
Dig Your Roots – Florida Georgia Line
Hero – Maren Morris
Ripcord – Keith Urban
The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert - WINNER

Single Record of the Year
"Blue Ain’t Your Color" – Keith Urban
"H.O.L.Y." – Florida Georgia Line - WINNER
"Humble and Kind" – Tim McGraw
"My Church" – Maren Morris
"Vice" – Miranda Lambert

Song of the Year
"Blue Ain’t Your Color" – Keith Urban (Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey, Steven Lee Olsen)
"Die a Happy Man" – Thomas Rhett (Thomas Rhett, Sean Douglas, Joe Spargur) - WINNER
"Humble and Kind" – Tim McGraw (Lori McKenna)
"Kill a Word" – Eric Church Featuring Rhiannon Giddens (Eric Church, Luke Dick, Jeff Hyde)
"Tennessee Whiskey" – Chris Stapleton (Dean Dillon, Linda Hargrove)
"Vice" – Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)

Video of the Year
"Fire Away" – Chris Stapleton
"Forever Country" – Artists of Then, Now & Forever - WINNER
"Humble and Kind" – Tim McGraw
"Peter Pan" – Kelsea Ballerini
"Vice" – Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event of the Year
"Different for Girls" – Dierks Bentley Featuring Elle King
"Forever Country" – Artists of Then, Now & Forever
"May We All" – Florida Georgia Line Featuring Tim McGraw - WINNER
"Setting the World on Fire" – Kenny Chesney Featuring P!nk
"Think of You" – Chris Young Featuring Cassadee Pope

GWEN STEFANI, BLAKE SHELTON: Producers Want Lip Service

NBC is apparently less than thrilled with ratings at The Voice lately, so producers want to feel a little more heat between coupled co-stars Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton.

According to Radar Online, the powers that be brought Gwen back this season because viewers loved the romantic vibe between her and Blake -- and they haven't been delivering lately. A source says, “They basically told her that they are really just disappointed in how her and Blake seem to be lacking the in the love department this season. The producers just told Gwen and Blake that they have to honor their contracts. Part of the reason that they invited Gwen back on the show was so that the two of them could let their love blossom on screen -- and they just aren’t!”

MAREN MORRIS: Debuts a New Short, Sassy Haircut

Maren Morris has ditched her long hair for a short and sassy new look.

She posted a photo of the new 'do on Instagram with the caption, "New woman." She followed that with a post on Twitter saying, "What do I do with my hair ties?! #shorthairproblems"

What do you think?