BROOKINGS – Twelve of the 2019 Country Music Association (CMA) Award nominees have performed at the Swiftel Center, with some of the nominees performing multiple times at the Brookings arena. The Swiftel Center has made a name for itself as being a stop on the road to country music fame.
The earliest performer nominated for a 2019 CMA Award dates to November 2010. Eric Church opened for Miranda Lambert on Lambert’s arena headlining tour “Revolution.” Church is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for “Desperate Man” and Music Video of the Year for “Some Of It.” In March 2017, Lambert returned to the Swiftel Center on her arena headlining tour “Highway Vagabond.” She is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year.
In 2011, Blake Shelton brought his arena headlining tour “All About Tonight” to the Swiftel Center. Shelton is nominated for Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “God’s Country” as well as Musical Event of the Year for “Dive Bar” featuring Garth Brooks.
In 2013, Florida Georgia Line kicked off their first ever arena headlining tour at the Swiftel Center – “Here’s to the Good Times” – which sold out in less than 2.5 minutes. The duo is nominated for a seventh consecutive year for Vocal Duo of the Year.
Early in 2014, Lindsay Ell opened for The Band Perry on their arena headlining tour “We Are Pioneers.” Ell is nominated for Musical Event of the Year for “What Happens in a Small Town” along with Brantley Gilbert who is also nominated. Gilbert brought his arena headlining tour “The Blackout Tour” to the Swiftel Center in April 2016.
Later in 2014, Dierks Bentley sold-out the Swiftel Center on his arena headlining tour “Riser.” Bentley is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year as well as Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Burning Man.”
In 2015, two of the 2019 CMA Award nominees hit the stage at the Swiftel Center for one epic night of country music. Little Big Town sold out the Swiftel Center on their arena headlining tour “The Pain Killer,” bringing along special guest Maren Morris. Little Big Town is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year. Morris is nominated for a third consecutive year for Female Vocalist of the Year and second consecutive year for Musical Event of the Year for “All My Favorite People” featuring Brothers Osborne; Morris is also nominated for Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year with all nominations for her “GIRL.”
In 2016, Dan + Shay opened for Chris Young on Young’s arena headlining tour “I’m Comin’ Over.” Dan + Shay are nominated for Vocal Duo of the Year and Album of the Year as well as Single of the Year for “Speechless” and Song of the Year for “Tequila.”
In 2017, Swiftel Center hosted several sold-out concerts which featured three of the 2019 CMA Award Nominees. In March 2017, Miranda Lambert rocked the Swiftel Center with over 4,900 in attendance. In December 2017, Thomas Rhett set the sold-out record for most concert attendees in Swiftel Center history with over 5,600. This was Rhett’s second time performing at the Swiftel Center; he opened for Jake Owen in 2014 on Owen’s first ever arena headlining tour “Days of Gold.” Rhett is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for “Center Point Road.” Both Lambert and Rhett’s concerts were opened by Old Dominion who returned in 2019 on their own arena headlining tour “Make It Sweet.” Old Dominion is nominated for Vocal Group of the Year.
To learn more about the 2019 CMA Award Nominees who have performed at the Swiftel Center, visit www.swiftelcenter.com/cma. For more information on the Swiftel Center, visit www.swiftelcenter.com, call (605) 692-7539 or follow us at www.facebook.com/swiftelcenter.
