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NASHVILLE, TN – November 24, 2004 – The 2004 ACM Top New Artist, Dierks Bentley and new Capitol Nashville recording artist Amber Dotson have been pegged as opening acts on George Strait’s 2005 Tour. The 19-city tour will begin on January 13 and run through March 3.

 

George’s audiences will be very familiar with Dierks, he opened all of George’s U.S and Canadian dates in 2004 and his successful debut CD has spawned three hit singles “What Was I Thinkin’?” “My Last Name” and “How Am I Doin’?”  Between tours with George (and Kenny Chesney), Dierks has continued to perform in venues all over the U.S. playing over 200 dates this year.

 

"I am very honored to be invited back to open up shows for the king of country music,” said Dierks. “I guess all my begging and groveling to George and Norma last year paid off."

 

Amber Dotson, one of Capitol Records Nashville’s newest recording artists, is getting the chance of a young artist’s lifetime by receiving an invitation to join award-winning superstar George Strait’s line-up. She joins in a lineage of artists who have gone on to huge success after introducing themselves to George’s fans including Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, JoDee Messina, Lee Ann Womack, Dixie Chicks and many others. The Garland, TX native was chosen for this highly-coveted spot after George heard some of the songs from her upcoming debut album and decided she was the one to round out his tour. Amber, who hits the road with George even before her debut single “I’ll Try Anything” hits radio (add date early 2005),will warm up audiences as the first performer on each of the dates.

 

"When I was told by my managers that George Strait wanted me to open his 2005 tour, I couldn't hold back the tears,” admitted Amber. “Being a girl singer from Texas, you can only imagine how I felt. I couldn't have dreamed a bigger dream."

 

George Strait returns to the road in celebration of his huge hit 2-CD set, 50 Number Ones. Throughout George’s enviable 23-year recording career, he has sold over 65 million albums, played to millions of fans and scored more #1 songs than any other single artist in recording history.  50 Number Ones, George Strait’s 32^nd release debuted at the #1 spot on both the Billboard Country Album and Billboard Top 200 charts. Upon the release of this collection, George added another #1 to his record when “I Hate Everything,” the only new track in the set, shot to the top of the charts and earned George his 51.

 

As is common for George’s tours, each of the shows will be in a center stage configuration with the performers playing to all sides of the stage throughout the evening.

 

Tickets for the first of the tour dates in Charlotte, NC; Birmingham, AL; Lafayette, LA; and Richmond, VA go on sale Saturday, December 4 at 10AM local time. Tickets are $59.50 and $49.50 (plus applicable service charges) and are available at the box office and at all TicketMaster outlets.

 

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