Tim McGraw Free From Curbs Record, Touring With Kenny Chesney

Over the years, I've written hundreds of articles about popular music. In those wonderfully composed and amazingly insightful tomes I've discussed just about every aspect of an artist's life a fan can imagine. I've penned prose about their reading habits, their diets, what they bring with them on the road, and even their tawdry affairs, but I've never discussed (or mentioned) their record labels.

That's because record labels are meaningless.

They don't affect the sound of the music, or its availability, and who really cares what company cuts the checks that are eventually cashed by our favorite artists. The only groups truly interested in record labels are record collectors, industry insiders, and unsigned acts.

I will make an exception if an artist and their record label are embroiled in a major contract dispute. That's important because it usually means no new music, or in Tim McGraw's case, a whole bunch of old music.

Country music superstar Tim McGraw recently won a court battle against his former record label, Curb Records (the only label of his career). McGraw is now free to record with any label his wishes or he can form his own.

As alluded to, the dispute was responsible for six compilations released in a five-year period (the label was trying to draw out McGraw's expiring contract). McGraw accused his former label of holding onto a finished album called Emotional Traffic. Although nothing has been announced, fans should expect Emotional Traffic to hit store shelves in the very near future.

It makes sense since the judge's ruling was handed down six months and two days prior to McGraw's big tour with Kenny Chesney. One can safely assume that McGraw would love a new album to promote when he and his good buddy hit the road to play football stadiums all over the United States.

McGraw and Chesney's "Brothers of the Sun Tour 2012" launches June 2 in Tampa, Florida. The 20-date trek ends Aug. 25 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Speaking of Foxboro, the duo just added a second show at the home of the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium. McGraw and Chesney will play at the venue on Aug. 24 and 25.

The two country music superstars have been close friends for years. Long before they combined forces to sell hundreds of thousands of Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw tickets, the would-be icons shared an apartment in Nashville.

In case you're wondering, McGraw will perform first. Chesney is closing but he has promised fans that the evening's finale will feature plenty of McGraw.

Opening for the dynamic duo are Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Jake Owen.

 
"Brothers of the Sun Tour 2012" Itinerary
>>June 2 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium
>>June 3 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Atlanta, GA @ Georgia Dome
>>June 9 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Dallas, TX @ Cowboys Stadium
>>June 10 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Kansas City, MO @ Arrowhead Stadium
>>June 16 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field
>>June 23 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Nashville, TN @ LP Field
>>June 24 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Charlotte, NC @ Bank of America Stadium
>>June 30 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Field
>>July 1 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Cincinnati, OH @ Paul Brown Stadium
>>July 7 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
>>July 8 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Minneapolis, MN @ Target Field
>>July 14 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Anaheim, CA @ Angel Stadium
>>July 21 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Denver, CO @ Sports Authority Field at Mile High
>>Aug. 11 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in East Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium
>>Aug. 12 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Landover, MD @ FedExField
>>Aug. 18 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Detroit, MI @ Ford Field
>>Aug. 24-25 - Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw in Foxboro, MA @ Gillette Stadium