It’s like Colt Ford knew… “Every CHANCE I Get”
In a year of touring throughout the West with the likes of Dierks Bentley, Dwight Yoakam, Mark Chesnutt, Alan Jackson, David Nail, Gloriana, Sunny Sweeney, Phil Vassar, Steve Azar, John Rich, Sebastian Bach, Eden’s Edge and Kenny Rogers… what better way to finish off 2011 than a December run with Hick-Hop artist COLT FORD.
It’s as if Colt Ford knew we’d be hangin’ together. His latest CD release “Every CHANCE I Get” hit shelves this past May and has been on an iTunes tear ever since! The CD itself has featured artists on it including Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Nappy Roots, Nic Cowan, Josh Thompson, Trent Tomlinson, Craig Morgan and Charlie Daniels. It’s an All-Star event… not just a CD.
About two weeks ago I got a call from my agent at William Morris Endeavors who said the Country Rapper Colt Ford was comin’ through the Pacific Northwest in mid-December. Now, Colt and I aren’t on the same roster (he’s on Buddy Lee Attractions), but sometimes when acts fit together (or they think it’d be mutually beneficial) they put together deals on the fly like this. Needless to say, when Barrett asked if I’d be interested in doin’ shows with Colt Ford, I was grinnin’ ear to ear.
As of right now, the “dates and states” stand at:
Thursday – 12.08.11 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Rail Event Center
Friday – 12.16.11 – Springfield, OR – Whiskey River Ranch
Saturday – 12.17.11 – Portland, OR – The Ponderosa
Sunday – 12.18.11 – Spokane, WA – The Knitting Factory
Ticket links are available at http://www.ChanceMcKinney.com/tour.html for those who want to catch Colt n’ Chance out on the road… in the middle of December… workin’ hard through the holiday season… tryin’ to bring quality entertainment… weathering the Pacific Northwest storms, poor road conditions, cold nights… (yeah, I’m milkin’ it at this point.)
A quick “thank you” to all of those who’ve made this dream a reality since the CMT win almost 2 years ago… I really appreciate all you’ve done (and continue to do) for me!
CM
P.S. There will be more details on:
http://www.twitter.com/ChanceMcKinney
and
And that’s another, Cougar, First “Chance”
Sometime early in the Summer of 2011, Chance received two calls in the same day from an old fling. Nahhh, it wasn’t one of those un-welcomed kinda awkward, silent calls you’d expect. It was good news… no, make that great news! See, Chance moved from Missoula, MT to Pullman, WA straight out of high school to attend the closest Pac-10 (now Pac-12) school and compete for Washington State University’s perennial powerhouse of a track team. She beckoned him, lured him in and has held a place in his heart since graduating 10 years ago. Well, “she” called. And when your first love calls, you can’t help but pick up the phone and see what she wants and how she’s doin’… right?!
But before we get to that, we need a little context to the story…
Summer 2010. Chance is on a Southwest Airlines flight makin’ a stop in Boise before heading onto Seattle to meet up with Blake Shelton for a week’s worth of shows up n’ down the coast of Washington State and Oregon. He’s still tryin’ to comprehend the CMT win, the CMT Studio 330 session (recorded with Reba McEntire and Steel Magnolia), tour dates with Dwight Yoakam, Jamie O’Neal, Grand Funk Railroad and all the dates (including Blake, Luke Bryan, CCR, Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special) yet to come. On that flight sat a girl who struck up a conversation with him talkin’ of her internship at the capital in Boise for the summer, until she returned back to WSU in the Fall (see where this is heading?).
Anyway, that girl… let’s call her DB (to protect her identity) happen to also be finishing her Masters and working for the WSU Athletic Department after completing her scholarship in swimming the year prior. She asked what “what do you do?” Chance, still not accustomed to sayin’… “well, I sing for a livin'” told her he was a former high school math teacher who just happened to be in the right place at the right time recently and ended up out on tour with some of her favorite acts (luck of the draw, she was a country fan). They made introductions, realized they were both Cougar Alumni and chatted about Pullman and athletic careers for a bit. DB got off the plane, Chance went onto Seattle, tour schedule got busy… add another new friend on the new career path.
Skip ahead to Fall of 2010. Chance gets an email from DB… actually DB’s boss (then Director of Marketing) in the WSU Athletic Dept inquiring about shows and what it would take (logistics-wise) to get him back to his stomping grounds. Emails bounce back n’ forth, ground work is laid, and the picture starts to take shape.
Now, back to Summer of 2011 and the “tw0-call” day. The editor of WSU’s Alumni Magazine calls asking if he can do a review and write an article on former All-American Javelin Thrower, now country singer, Chance McKinney. On the same day, WSU Director of Marketing calls asking if Chance would be interested in performing at some point during the upcoming football season. Not bad, the ol’ fling still has a little interest… umm how ’bout yes, and yes.
So, here’s the result of a 45-minute SWA flight sittin’ next to a former WSU Alum…
October 15th, 2011. Homecoming Weekend. WSU v. Stanford. Chance McKinney and the CrossWire boys will be performing at the Pre-Game Rally as the Cougs try to knock of the #4 nationally ranked Cardinal of Stanford. CMCW will do a pre-game show in Hollingbery Fieldhouse from 2:30 – 4:00pm and then Chance has a little surprise at halftime for the 35,000+ fans there ready to support the Cougars of Washington State!
Think Pullman is ready for a little “Industrialized Country?” Think WSU and Chance have a nice little recipe for success in the future? Yeah, that’s what we think too!
Kenny Rogers… no way! Yes way!!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to say how thankful I am for opportunities like this that come up in this journey. I stepped off the plane last week in Portland, OR preparing for the Willamette Country Music Festival with artists like Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town and Blake Shelton only to find a text message from one of the biggest promoters in the Pacific Northwest on my phone. It read… “You’re IN for Kenny Rogers.” Period. That’s it. No, not quite eloquent, but damn fine in spirit and “cut to the point”-ness.
Taking the stage with ALAN JACKSON…
Can you say JaneDear Girls, David Nail, Diamond Rio, Chance McKinney
n’ CrossWire, Sunny Sweeney, Steve Azar, Phil Vassar, Alan Jackson,
The Harters, Amy Clawson, Little Big Town and Blake Shelton all in the
same sentence? Of course you can, if you can “read” it you can
probably “say” it… stupid question on my part.
Welcome to the Willamette Country Music Festival in Brownsville, OR on
August 19th – 21st. Thirteen of Country Music’s hottest acts take the
stage for the Premier Country Music Festival in the Pacific
Northwest. VIP tickets sold out over two months ago. General
Admission has exceded the original capacity. Hotel rooms are gone.
Parking is spoken for. Campgrounds are max’d out. And now, it’s game
time!
If you think touring with Mark Chestnutt through Montana… and Dierks
Bentley through Oregon and Washington was fun… wait until you get a
load of this! (Although, I will say that the DB shows we’re
particularly off-the-hook… but I digress.)
I would just like to thank all of you who’ve made this possible.
Since the CMT Award in December of 2009, I’ve had the opportunity to
share the stage with…
Dwight Yoakam
Jamie O’Neal
Grand Funk RailRoad
Blake Shelton
Pat Green
Luke Bryan
Creedence Clearwater
.38 Special
Lynyrd Skynyrd
John Rich
Sebastian Bach
Mark Chestnutt
Dierks Bentley
Edens Edge
Sunny Sweeney
David Nail
Gloriana
Jane Dear Girls
Diamond Rio
Steve Azar
Phil Vassar
and Mr. Alan Jackson.
It’s been a special treat for me and the boys in the band. Thank you
for your continued support and stay tuned for some additional news
coming down the pipe after we complete the shows this month!
Sincerely,
Chance McKinney
HUGE weeks in August for Chance and the boys!
Let’s just start with the schedule over the next couple weeks and who
we’re playin’ with… then we’ll get those ticket links out for those
of you who feel the need to come catch us if we’re close enough.
Saturday, August 6th – Opening for Mark Chestnutt in Anaconda, MT
Tuesday, August 9th – Benefit Concert for Montana Education in
Missoula, MT
Wednesday, August 10th – Opening for Dierks Bentley in Bend, OR
Friday, August 12th – Opening for Dierks Bentley in Manson, WA
Saturday, August 13th – Headlining at the Mt. Si Festival in North
Bend, WA
Sunday, August 14th – Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire, Eden’s Edge, Sunny
Sweeney, David Nail and Gloriana at The Festival of the River in
Arlington, WA
Saturday, August 20th – Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire, Sunny Sweeney,
Steve Azar, Phil Vassar and Alan Jackson at The Willamette Country
Music Festival in Brownsville, OR
That’s a whole lotta muscle for CMT Music City Madness Winner Chance
McKinney n’ CrossWire to be tourin’ around the Pacific Northwest
with. Good luck fellas and do us proud!
For event details and ticketing information go to:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Chance-McKinney/160688966444
www.Twitter.com/ChanceMcKinney
P.S. We’re givin’ away FREE tickets to the Dierks Bentley show on
August 12th in Chelan, WA as well as the August 19-21 Willamette
Country Music Festival (Alan Jackson, Blake Shelton, Little Big Town,
etc) on our Facebook Fan Page… get over there quick!
Kenny Chesney back in Washington
Chance McKinney and CrossWire have been goin’, goin’, goin’ and this week is no exception. Coming off a week of shows in Oregon, the CMCW boys head back to Washington for a run at some good weather and great shows. Yes, we’re fully aware that Kenny Chesney will be in town on Friday Night at the Tacoma Dome and yes, we know we have a show scheduled for that night as well. Hmmm, Kenny Chesney or Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire… Kenny Chesney or Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire? As you ponder which you’d choose why not make it easy and just do both?!
Thursday Night (7/21): Let us get you geared up just a little Northeast of the Tacoma Dome in Kent, WA at the “Thursdays at the Lake” Concert Series in Meridian Park.
July 21 – Chance McKinney & Crosswire
CMT Award Winner, Chance McKinney was recently dubbed CMT’s #1 “unsigned” Country Artist in the Nation. He has opened for acts such as Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, and Brooks n’ Dunn. This up and coming band’s “Industrialized Country” is a blend of country, rock, metal and soul.
Thursdays at the Lake, 7:00 – 8:30pm, Lake Meridian Park, 14800 SE 272nd Street
|
http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/content.aspx?id=2972
Friday Night (7/22): Kenny Chesney Night! However, in case you don’t have tickets OR Tacoma is just too far to drive we’ll be at the beautiful Tulalip Casino Resort with south Puget Sound’s own Robbie Walden opening at 8pm. We’ll be your Kenny Chesney Alternate… or, possibly your Kenny Chesney Chaser! Come on by the Casino on your way back from the Kenny Chesney concert and let us finish off the night for you. If you look at it that way, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker are opening up the night and Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire are closin’ it out!
The biggest benefit to the CMCW show at the Tulalip… is that the Tulalip is pickin’ up the bill. No cover charge. This claim cannot also be made about the Kenny Chesney concert. Last we saw, tickets we’re goin’ for $375 each in the front floor section on stubhub. So, if you’re lookin’ for a good “after party” for Kenny or you’re runnin’ low on scratch… we’ve got you covered.
http://www.tulalipcasino.com/events.aspx
Saturday Night (7/23): IF, somehow, you haven’t manage your “country fix” after Thursday AND Friday then the HARD ROCK CAFE in downtown Seattle, WA welcomes Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire back to the stage. It ain’t easy breakin’ country into new venues… especially when the title of the place is “hard rock”, but we’re doin’ our best. Bring a group downtown and leave a little redneck mark on Seattle’s premier “live” music venue! The better the boys do, the more likely the HRC will have ’em back to the most centralized meeting spot for all the Puget Sound country fans.
Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 10:00 PM PDT (9:00 PM Doors)
Hard Rock Cafe – Seattle, Seattle, WA
21 years and over
Utah… Utah… Washington…
Chance and the boys of CrossWire are at it again. Coming off a week in Washington with Dwight Yoakam, they’ll head down to Utah for 2 shows and then finish off Father’s Day Weekend with a show back in Washington. “Yes, it’s busy, but it’s that time of year when we get to get OUT and see folks all over the West. We’re not bundled up inside doin’ shows only on weekends in 21 and older joints. To be honest, it’s my favorite time of year and favorite types of shows,” says Chance.
This Friday, the CMCW boys will hit the Uintah Valley playing Tabiona, UT at the Tabby Valley Centenial Park. Opening act, Blue Saige, will take the stage at 6:30pm with Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire to follow. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.
Saturday night, the fellas will head down the road a stretch to South Jordan Utah to play CountryFest at the South Jordan City Park in South Jordan, UT. Chance n’ CrossWire will headline Saturday night at 8:30pm right up until the fireworks begin at 10pm. Local group, Vocalocity will open the show and get the crowd fired up for the CMCW boys.
Sunday mornin’ they fly to Marysville, WA for the Strawberry Festival. Callie Cash will open the show and Chance will close it out from 2pm to 4pm on what we hope is a beautiful northwest day!
A “busy” week to say the least, but it’s what they do… it’s what they love.
Shows on the Horizon:
June 17th, Tabiona, UT
June 18th, South Jordan, UT
June 19th, Marysville, WA
June 24th, Shelton, WA (with Charlie Pride)
June 25th, Shelton, WA (with Charlie Pride)
July 15th, Portland, OR
July 16th, Roseburg, OR
July 21st, Kent, WA
July 22nd, Tulalip, WA
July 23rd, Seattle, WA
August 6th, Anaconda, MT (with Mark Chestnutt)
August 9th, Missoula, MT
August 10th, Bend, OR (with Dierks Bentley)
August 12th, Chelan, WA (with Dierks Bentley)
August 13th, North Bend, WA
August 14th, Arlington, WA (with Eden’s Edge, Sunny Sweeney, David Nail & Gloriana)
August 20th, Brownsville, OR (with Sunny Sweeney, Steve Azar, Phil Vassar & Alan Jackson)
Tulalip Casino and 20 FREE Dwight Yoakam Tickets this Saturday Night
Saturday, June 4th at the Tulalip Casino in Marysville, WA… Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire (along with special guests Cloverdayle) will re-open the doors of the Canoes Caberet to COUNTRY! It’s been a long time since COUNTRY MUSIC has graced the Tulalip on a weekend night, but they finally figured out where their roots are so they’re bringin’ it back.
Be part of something special. Show the Tulalip that the Northern Puget Sound region NEEDS more country venues. By the way, it’s not like your efforts will go un-rewarded. Chance and the boys are bringin’ 10 SETS of DWIGHT YOAKAM tickets with ’em for the show to give away… yep, just give away. All you gotta do is show up and support your country!
Hmmm… I wonder if there’s some NEW news afoot as well?! “Am I The Only One” who thinks things might get a little “Sideways” if we let this news “Come A Little Closer” to leakin’ out?
New 2011 Concert Announcements
Things continue to move at a blistering pace for Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire as they roll into the Summer of 2011. Let’s just go ahead and add a couple NEW names to the list of National Recording Artists Chance and the CMCW boys will be performing with this summer. Ready?
Mark Chestnutt
David Nail
Craig Morgan
Joe Nichols
How’s that for some additional “power” to a line-up? Let’s review… that makes CMCW the most prolific opening act in the northwest this year!
John Rich (WA)
Sebastian Bach – Skid Row (WA)
Dwight Yoakam (WA)
Charlie Pride (WA)
Mark Chestnutt (MT)
Dierks Bentley (WA)
Eden’s Edge (WA)
Sunny Sweeney (WA)
David Nail (WA)
Gloriana (WA)
Sunny Sweeney (OR)
Steve Azar (OR)
Phil Vassar (OR)
Alan Jackson (OR)
David Nail (UT)
Craig Morgan (UT)
Joe Nichols (UT)
How much fun is that? Buckets! See you on the road and everywhere in between.
FREE Dwight Yoakam Ticket Giveaway on FACEBOOK
Beginning at 10am PST, May 17 and running through 7pm PST on June 11th the boys of Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire will be giving away sets (2 at a time) of tickets to the Dwight Yoakam / Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire concert at the Deep Water Amphitheatre in Chelan, WA.
All you need to do is “like” the Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire (www.facebook.com/pages/Chance–McKinney/160688966444) Fanpage on FaceBook.
Once you get there, find the EVENT “Free Dwight Yoakam Ticket Giveaway” and enter 5 names you’ve persuaded to “like” the page on the EVENT WALL. We’ll enter you in each drawing an additional time for every NEW 5 FRIENDS you get added to the page. No money required… no email address… no tricks or gadgets. Just a few referrals to your friends on Facebook and you’re in the game!
Try the DIRECT LINK to the GIVEAWAY and get started today!
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150190718301445&id=160688966444
Auburn Avenue Theater – May 14th @ 7:30pm
McKinney n’ CrossWire take to the stage at The Auburn Avenue Theater
on May 14th at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/158270
CMCW will make some major announcements that night about their
upcoming summer concert schedule. They will be adding names to their
already amazing summer line-up that includes, Dwight Yoakam (WA),
Three Dog Night (UT), Charlie Pride (WA), Dierks Bentley (WA), Eden’s
Edge (WA), Sunny Sweeney (WA), David Nail (WA), Gloriana (WA), Steve
Azar (OR), Phil Vassar (OR) and Alan Jackson (OR)
Once again, grab some friends… grab a date… grab your spouse (not
all at the same time) and head down to the Auburn Avenue Theater on
May 14th, 2011 for a great evening with Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire.
SUMMER 2011 CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Well looks who’s back at it! Chance McKinney (CMT’s #1 “unsigned” Country Artist in the Nation and winner of Music City Madness) and the boys of CrossWire are piling up concerts for the Summer of 2011. We are proud to announce that 2010’s momentum continues to roll for the CMCW fellas. After a successful campaign last year touring and racking up dates with Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Dwight Yoakam, Jamie O’Neal, Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, Grand Funk Railroad, Pat Green and Creedence Clearwater the boys are proud to announce the start of 2011’s Summer Tour.
Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire will join Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Sunny Sweeney, Steve Azar, Phil Vassar and Alan Jackson out on the road this summer. Three major links are listed below where you can find tickets. The first of the three is actually an exclusive offer for Pre-Sale tickets to the CMCW / Dierks Bentley concerts coming in August! As always, we’re thankful for all you do for us and can’t wait to see you out on the West Coast in the near future.
DIERKS BENTLEY / CHANCE MCKINNEY n’ CROSSWIRE – MILL BAY CASINO (Chelan, WA) *These are PRE-SALE tickets with password “chance” for verification.*
http://www.showclix.com/event/33282/
DWIGHT YAOKAM / CHANCE MCKINNEY n’ CROSSWIRE – MILL BAY CASINO (Chelan, WA)
http://www.showclix.com/event/33268/
BI-MART WILLAMETTE COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL – AMPHITHEATRE (Brownsville, OR)
http://www.willamettecountrymusicfestival.com/tickets.php
As more Summer 2011 Concerts roll in, we’ll keep you in the loop. Look for us from WA to OR to ID to MT to UT and beyond as 2011 really starts gearing up! Also, feel free to join us at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chance-McKinney/160688966444
CMCW to Headline at The Auburn Avenue Theater
CMT Award Winner, Chance McKinney was recently dubbed CMT’s #1 “Unsigned” Country Artist in the Nation. A native Montanan who migrated to the West Coast has been wowing audiences in the Pacific Northwest for the past 5 years. Having opened for acts such as Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Martina McBride and many more. He’s been hard at work making “Industrialized Country” a household phrase. Teamed up with longtime drummer Brian Bujacich and newly partnered with guitar “super duo”, Paul Schille and Rey Neyens, they form Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire.
2010 marked a new era for Chance and the boys. They’ve recently recorded a World Famous CMT Studio 330 Session and signed on for tour dates with Dwight Yoakam, Joe Nichols, Blake Shelton, Creedence Clearwater, .38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd and most recently… Jamie O’Neal and Grand Funk Railroad. Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire are riding the wave of momentum and bringing their special blend of country/rock/metal/soul to your neck of the woods. Welcome to Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire’s Industrialized Country.
2011 already promises to be a great year for CMCW. Early shows in January with John Rich (Big n’ Rich) and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), along with Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Sunny Sweeney, Phil Vassar, Steve Azar and country music legend Alan Jackson throughout the summer makes this another exciting year for the guys. Let’s do our best to welcome them to the southern tip of Seattle in the city of Auburn on May 14th!
TICKETS: $17 or $15 student/senior. Call Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation at 253-931-3043, Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM, or online at Brown Paper Tickets.
A week in Nashville…
After spending 19 of the past 27 weeks out on the road, it’s time to make a trip to the homeland. I can’t say I’m not lookin’ forward to a couple months of “downtime” before we get geared up for the Summer Run of shows. Already on the books are John Rich, Sebastian Bach, Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Sunny Sweeney, Steve Azar, Phil Vassar and Alan Jackson.
I’m totally lookin’ forward to this week in Nashville. Not only will I get an opportunity to sit down with some good friends (my booking agent BS, my attorney WH and my co-writer KL), but I’ll also get to meet with some folks who could take this to another level AND write at a clinic with some of the greatest writers of all time (Rivers Rutherford and Bob DiPiero).
This is just ONE of the many cool aspects of this job. It’s ONE that off-sets so many of the negatives we hear about in the media. The friendships that exist “behind the scenes” and the creation of new music keep me going. The idea of bringin’ something new to the table (whether it be songs, bookings, appearances, whatever) is always an exciting time especially when it comes to making a living at something you love.
Back on the road in April, but for now… it’s “creativity” time and “family” time. See you soon, CM
New TOUR DATES added as of 03/09/11
Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire have added additional 2011 Tour Dates to their online schedule (http://www.ChanceMcKinney.com/tour.html). More Tour Dates are on the way as Summer and Fall scheduling gets finalized for the National artist. Rumored dates include, Sunny Sweeney, Phil Vassar, Steve Azar, Alan Jackson, Three Dog Night, Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town and Blake Shelton.
Back to Mukilteo… what a “welcome home.”
McKinney and the band CrossWire are scheduled to play an all-ages show at the Rosehill Community Center on Friday, Feb. 11, to benefit Kamiak High School’s senior class. It will be the first concert at the new venue.
McKinney, a former math teacher at Kamiak, beat out 63 other unsigned country singer-songwriters to win CMT’s Music City Madness contest in 2009.
Since winning CMT’s contest, McKinney has been touring nationwide, performing most of his shows in the Pacific Northwest.
“I love it,” McKinney said of the change from teaching to performing. “I get to do music for a living.
“It’s huge, really. It’s like being a kid and playing all the time.”
When the Kamiak Grad Knight Committee contacted him about returning to Mukilteo for a benefit concert, he was more than willing to do it.
“We thought this would be a great opportunity for him to come back and see the community again, help the senior class and promote his music,” said Mary Cartwright, chair of the concert.
“Most of the shows are 21 and over, so it’s a rare all-ages opportunity. Most of the places are either bars or casinos.”
All proceeds from the concert go to Kamiak’s Grad Night, an all-night safe and sober party for Kamiak seniors after they graduate.
This is the second concert McKinney has performed to benefit Kamiak. The first was held last January.
Ever since the first benefit concert in Mukilteo, Cartwright and her friend Janet Hammond – they met at the concert – have been Chance McKinney fans. They go to as many shows as they can where they help to manage T-shirt and CD sales for the band.
“I’m proud of them,” she said. “It’s been very fun to say, ‘Wow, we were there from the beginning.’”
McKinney said the concert at Rosehill represents his continued thanks to the 2,200 students at Kamiak for telling friends and family in at least 28 states and five countries to vote for his original song “Be Real.”
“After all of the opportunities they opened up for me in this last year, the least I can do is come back whenever it makes sense to help out any way I can.”
After the first benefit concert, the band immediately started touring. They performed on TV and radio and for venues all over Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Utah – reaching the ears of 13 million in their first week.
In between concerts, they flew to Nashville, Tenn., to film a Studio 330 session for http://www.cmt.com and audition with the Valory Music Co., which signed Reba McEntire.
So far, the band has toured with the likes of Blake Shelton – the CMA male vocalist of the year – as well as Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Pat Green, Jamie O’Neal and more.
With all the touring, McKinney had to resign as a math teacher at Kamiak. He now has places in Washington, Tennessee and Utah, which alternate as his home whether he’s off or on tour.
“It’s been a little bit hectic,” McKinney said. “I’ve been on the road quite a bit.”
Valory held onto McKinney’s signing rights until December – the company decided to sign Rascal Flatts instead of him – so now he’s back on the market, looking for a label. McKinney said they’ve met with several other labels since then.
“There’s a bunch of labels out there,” he said. “It’s just finding the right fit, I mean, who believes in what you’re doing, and we’ll see what shakes out.”
Since last February, the band has added 62 new and original songs to their repertoire. They’ll be performing some of the new songs, some covers and some songs from their CD “Be Real” at the Feb. 11 concert.
Cartwright said the support from the Mukilteo community – and especially the Kamiak High School community – was instrumental in McKinney’s success. The concert is an opportunity to see that success, she said.
“Just to see where he’s gone and where he’s going, and to be a part of that exciting ride,” she said. “In less than a year, he’s gone from being a math teacher to touring nationwide.”
“We’re all a part of the history of the band. I know that sounds corny, but it’s just been really neat. I really think they’re going to go places.”
Advance tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults, and are available now. All tickets are $15 at the door. For tickets or more information, e-mail khs2011seniorparty@hotmail.com.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for concessions and raffles; the concert starts at 7 p.m.
Check out Chance McKinney at his Web site http://www.chancemkinney.com or follow him on Twitter @ChanceMcKinney. Download the songs from his “Be Real” CD before the concert at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/be-real/id354579911.
Country Done Come To Town
There’s a right foot, there’s a left foot, and then there’s a RICH foot! 2011 sure starts off with a bang for Chance McKinney and the CrossWire boys. John Rich, of Big n’ Rich, will invade the Pacific Northwest by taking over the Little Creek Casino Events Center. Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire will open the show and then turn it over to the Godfather of Nashville’s Musik Mafia!
You know you’re in the “Big Time” when John Rich is in the house throwin’ not-so “Holy Water” from the stage. He’s “Comin’ To Your City” Shelton, WA and it’s time to get “Lost In This Moment” with CMCW and John Rich! So “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” and head on out to the Little Creek Casino January 29th for the biggest country party to kick off 2011. The man is “Somewhere Between Hell and Amazing Grace”, but he’s “Shuttin’ Detroit Down” to get up to the Pacific Northwest. So grab your tickets at:
It’s gonna get real… “LOUD!”
The Little Creek Casino is also pleased to announce than Chance McKinney n’ CrossWire will not only OPEN for John Rich, but will also perform at the John Rich AFTER PARTY. With your purchase of a concert ticket, you’ll gain FREE access to the Starlight Lounge where CMCW will keep the night rollin’. Who knows? With all the prizes we’re giving away, maybe John Rich himself (a known party connoisseur) will make an additional appearance and join the boys in “Shuttin’ Shelton Down!”
To learn more about Chance and the CrossWire fellas, click http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chance-McKinney/160688966444 and “like” ’em on Facebook!
.38 Special… Montana… Lynyrd Skynyrd!
What’s a great way to top off your first summer of touring after winning CMT’s Music City Madness and doing shows with Dwight Yoakam, Jamie O’Neal, Grand Funk Railroad, Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan? How about opening for .38 Special on Tuesday in Monroe, WA at the Evergreen State Fair, then flying to Montana to headline at the Ravalli County Fair the next night and then flying back to WA to meet up with Lynyrd Skynyrd for the final show of the year at the Tulalip Amphitheatre?
That’s what Chance McKinney and the CrossWire boys have planned for this upcoming week. Just your everyday normal routine. Open for two of the greatest southern rock bands in history AND fly to the Bitterroot Valley where Chance grew up. Sounds like a plan!
.38 Special Link for Tickets:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/122941/
Ravalli County Fair Link:
http://www.ravallicountyfair.org/schedule_events.htm
Lynyrd Skynyrd Link for Tickets:
SOLD OUT
Tour Time with LUKE BRYAN!
No rest for the weary! After a week of shows on the road with BLAKE SHELTON, Chance and the boys are back at it again. Beginning August 4th in Spokane, WA the CMCW boys will jump on tour with LUKE BRYAN and head all the way to Salt Lake City, UT with the owner of the #1 Song on the Country BillBoard Charts “Rain is a Good Thing.”
Tickets to August 4th, 2010 show at the Knitting Factory in Spokane, WA:
http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/11281
Tickets to August 5th, 2010 show at The Westerner in Salt Lake City, UT: