Remember when we told you ShockYa readers, we would give you updates from genres other than rock? Well, we are sticking to our words and announcing the latest country news. Luke Bryan’s third album, “Tailgates and Tanlines” has been certified gold. During his ‘Farm Tour’ shows in Statesboro, Georgia, the country singer was surprised in front of a crowd of more than 8,000 fans with a plaque, which signified that his current album had been certified by the RIAA for sales of 500,000. The album’s lead single, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” which he co-wrote with Dallas Davidson, has also been certified platinum.

So, we send our congratulations to Luke Bryan for his success. To aspiring artists, take note because it is possible to achieve album sales success despite the negativity floating around in the music industry. Celebrate with Luke Bryan and his friend and fishing buddy, Jason Aldean, on the ‘My Kind Party’ tour, which kicks off next year. The only date that has been announced so far is at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on February 24th, which sold out in just minutes. ‘My Kinda Party’ tour will be stopping in Cedar Falls, IA, Champaign, IL, Charlottesville, VA, Dayton, OH, East Rutherfold, NJ, Fayetteville, NC, Green Bay, WI, Greenville, SC, Huntsville, AL, Jonesboro, AR, Kansas City, MO, Nashville, TN, Oklahoma City, OK, Orlando, FL, St. Paul, MN, Tupelo, MS and Wichita, KS.

These are the first cities announced for the 2012 tour. So stay tuned for updates!

by Lonnie Nemiroff