Category: News

An April 23 article in In the Press/Focus on the 615 reported that country music duo Thompson Square released their new single “Testing the Water” to U.S. Country Radio, and said this “fun-filled, frolicking splasher embodies the carefree sound and spirit of summer in the ‘holler’.”

The article went on to say that Thompson Square “also recently added a chart-topping record half a world away to its growing list of accolades when the duo’s song ‘Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About’ reached #1 on Australia’s Official Country Airplay Chart, powered by The Music Network.”

Thompson Square will be at AMT on Thursday, June 12 at 8:00 p.m. Purchase tickets here.

Here’s a fun tidbit we came across this week. In an article written by Tammy Ragusa and published in Country Weekly on April 19, readers selected Chris Young as their choice for Hottest Bachelor!

In her article, Ragusa wrote “He’s the whole package! Breath-takingly handsome, incredibly talented, rib-ticklingly funny, disarmingly charming, not to mention intelligent, warm, family-oriented, focused and grounded. Heck, what’s not to love about Chris Young?”

Come join us when Chris Young, voted Country Weekly’s Hottest Bachelor, plays AMT on Monday, June 2 at 8:00 p.m. Purchase tickets here.

Chris Young photo by Sheryl Nields/Monarch Publicity

On radio, in theaters, and in ballrooms, Big Bands were drawing record crowds during the 1940s Swing era. Vocal groups and soloists sang a repertoire of great songs, and for the last time in the 20th century, the entire country shared a common popular music. This body of song did much to sustain national morale during World War II, the pivotal event of the 1940s. The National Archives in Washington, DC brought In The Mood to their audiences as part of their commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of WWII, and the response was extraordinary.

In 1993, the Archives presented a repeat performance, out-of-doors on Constitution Avenue. Thousands attended, and many stayed to dance the night away. As a result, In The Mood, in affiliation with the USO, began a series of tours which played to audiences across the US. The show’s association with the National Archives and the USO was altogether appropriate, for much of the underpinning research was drawn from resources of these national organizations.

In 1997 the In The Mood Singers and Dancers and the String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra was selected as part of the entertainment for one of the Inaugural Balls at the 53rd Presidential Inauguration for President and Mrs. Bill Clinton.

The show’s 20th anniversary year continues to portray the spirit of the music that moved the nation’s spirit for audiences throughout the US and overseas. In The Mood is a testament to the music and lyrics of America that is timeless.

In The Mood — Sunday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m. — Purchase tickets here

There’s no denying that the connection between American Music Theatre and the Academy of Country Music continues to be strong.

Sunday evening, April 6, was one of country music’s biggest nights — the night when the Academy of Country Music presented their 2014 ACM Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Many of the event’s nominated and award winning country music superstars have played AMT in the past, or are scheduled to perform here in 2014. Check this out:

ACM NOMINEES/WINNERS SCHEDULED THIS YEAR

— Merle Haggard received the Crystal Milestone Award at the ACM Awards. An AMT fan favorite, Merle returns on April 28.

— During the ACM Awards, Sheryl Crow performed with Dierks Bentley (“I Hold On.”) Sheryl was nominated in the Female Vocalist of the Year category, and makes her AMT debut on June 1.

— On June 12, husband/wife duo Thompson Square will hit the AMT stage for the first time. Thompson Square was a Vocal Duo of the Year nominee.

— Vocal Group of the Year nominee, and another newcomer to the AMT stage, the Eli Young Band will perform on August 29.

— There’s one additional 2014 ACM Award winner who’s scheduled to perform at AMT this year, but their identity is still a secret. Keep an eye out for an upcoming concert announcement to find out who it is!

COUNTRY STARS WHO HAVE PERFORMED AT AMT IN THE PAST

— Miranda Lambert graced the AMT stage in 2008. This year, she was named Female Vocalist of the Year, and also won awards for Single Record of the Year (“Mama’s Broken Heart”) and Vocal Event of the Year (“We Were Us.”)

— Song of the Year nominee Gary Allan (“Every Storm “) lit up the AMT stage in both 2011 and 2013.

— Opening for Little Big Town at AMT in 2012, Kacey Musgraves won the Album of the Year award (“Same Trailer, Different Park.”) She was also nominated in the Female Vocalist of the Year category.

— Speaking of Little Big Town, they performed at AMT in 2009, 2010, and 2013, and were nominated in the Vocal Group of the Year category.

— Other country artists who took part during the ACM Awards and have performed numerous times at AMT included awards presenters Jewel and Trisha Yearwood, and Darius Rucker, who performed his Single Record of the Year nominated song (“Wagon Wheel.”)

OUR PROUDEST ACM CONNECTION

This past January, AMT was selected as one of five nominees in the 2014 ACM Awards Venue of the Year, Small Capacity category. The winner will be announced during the 8th Annual ACM Honors event on Tuesday, September 9 in Nashville. A huge THANK YOU goes out to the Academy of Country Music, the extraordinary musicians, and the dedicated fans who continue to support country music at AMT.

Check out all the just announced shows coming to our Central PA theatre in 2014:

Sheryl Crow
Sunday, June 1 at 7pm
Tickets: $106, $91, $76
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 8 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 12 at 9am
Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow is an accomplished singer/songwriter and skillful guitarist. Her music puts an updated spin on classic rock sounds, incorporating folk, hip hop, country and pop. “All I Wanna Do,” “Good is Good,” “Soak Up the Sun,” “Always on Your Side,” and “The First Cut is the Deepest” are some of Sheryl Crow’s many hits.

Chris Young
Monday, June 2 at 8pm
Tickets: $59
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 8 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 12 at 9am
Country singer/songwriter Chris Young appeared on, and subsequently won, the reality TV singing competition Nashville Star in 2006. Since then, Chris has gone on to receive Grammy and ACM award nominations, and climb the Billboard country charts with hits like “The Man I Want to Be,” “Voices,” “You,” “Tomorrow,” “I Can Take It From Here,” and “Aw Naw.”

Natalie Merchant
Wednesday, July 9 at 8pm
Tickets: $59
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 29 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, May 3 at 9am
Singer/songwriter Natalie Merchant’s literate, socially conscious songs of the 1990s established her as one of the preeminent women in pop music. As lead singer of the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs, Merchant helped the band gain critical and commercial success with songs such as “Wonder,” “Carnival,” “Jealousy,” and “Kind.”

THIRD DAY
Friday, August 8 at 8pm
Tickets: $60, $45, $29
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 15 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 19 at 9am
Faith and passion have always been the bedrock of contemporary Christian rockers THIRD DAY. During nearly 20 years in the spotlight, THIRD DAY has earned four Grammy and 24 Dove Awards. “Show Me Your Glory,” “I Believe,” “Call My Name,” “Born Again,” and “Trust in Jesus” are just a handful of the THIRD DAY hits that inspire and uplift audiences.

Jackie Evancho
Sunday, August 10 at 7pm
Tickets: $115, $99, $85
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 15 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 19 at 9am
Jackie Evancho’s first performance on America’s Got Talent left audiences astonished that such a beautiful voice could come from a 10-year-old. Now 13, the young soprano’s understanding of classical phrasing and perfect pitch allow her to tackle difficult music — everything from Puccini to pop. Jackie will be accompanied by a 28-piece orchestra.

Eli Young Band
Friday, August 29 at 8pm
Tickets: $39
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 22 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 26 at 9am
Fusing heartland rock with alternative country and Texas country sounds, the Eli Young Band has charted eight times on the Billboard country charts, with three of their singles having reached #1 — “Crazy Girl,” which was the top country song of 2011 according to Billboard Year-End, along with “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” and “Drunk Last Night.”

Don Williams
Sunday, September 14 at 3pm
Tickets: $49
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 15 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 19 at 9am
With his laid-back, straightforward vocals, country singer/songwriter Don Williams has 17 #1 hits to his credit, including “Stay Young,” “Lord, I Hope this Day is Good,” “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend,” “If Hollywood Don’t Need You (Honey, I Still Do,)” and “Tulsa Time.” Spend an evening with this Country Music Hall of Fame inductee.

STYX
Friday, September 19 at 8pm
Tickets: $75
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 22 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 26 at 9am
Formed in the early 1970s, STYX became one of the top arena rock acts in the US, due to their fondness for large stage shows, huge rock anthems, and soaring power ballads. These progressive rockers had numerous hit singles and classic rock standards including “Show Me the Way,” “The Best of Times,” “Mr. Roboto,” “Come Sail Away,” “Lady,” and “Babe.”

Jay Leno
Sunday, September 21 at 7pm
Tickets: $118, $99, $86
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 22 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 26 at 9am
Acclaimed TV late night show host, Jay Leno, is an admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, lovable TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder, philanthropist, and Emmy Award winner. Leno spent more than two decades as host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Monday, October 6 at 8pm
Tickets: $67
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 29 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, May 3 at 9am
One of the best-selling female rock stars of all time, Pat Benatar, and husband, guitarist Neil Giraldo, are returning to AMT. This four time Grammy winner’s powerful, unmistakable vocals and intense lyrics are heard on her classic 80s hits “Heartbreaker,” “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Shadows of the Night,” “Love is a Battlefield,” and “We Belong.”

The Golden Boys
Sunday, October 12 at 7pm
Tickets: $72
Members On Sale: Tuesday, April 22 at 9am
Public On Sale: Saturday, April 26 at 9am
Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Bobby Rydell return to AMT as the Golden Boys. Join us for a night of nostalgic hits such as “De De Dinah,” “Venus,” “Bobbysocks to Stockings,” “A Boy Without a Girl,” “Turn Me Loose,” “Tiger,” “Volare,” “Wild One,” “We Got Love,” “Kissin’ Time,” and “Forget Him.” This show is sure to bring back many a teenage memory!

More 2014 concerts and shows will be announced soon. To view our complete schedule, click here.

AMT Members can purchase tickets before the general public. Click here to find out how!

April has finally arrived, which means that Music of the Night: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber will be on stage soon. Our Singers, Dancers, and Orchestra all arrived early this week to begin rehearsals, and our design, lighting and construction teams are hard at work creating the perfect atmosphere to go along with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s remarkable music. In just a few short weeks, all the rehearsing and hard work will pay off when we reprise this critically acclaimed show.

Audiences will be treated to music from classic shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and The Phantom of the Opera.

Come join us as we once again pay tribute to the music of Broadway’s master. Music of the Night: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber opens April 15 and runs through October 11. Great seats are available for morning, afternoon and evening performances, and can be purchased at the Box Office, by calling 800-648-4102, or online by clicking here.

Philadelphia-born musician Amos Lee performed his hit “Chill in the Air” on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! on Tuesday evening, March 18. If you missed this moving performance, check out the video below.

Amos has been touring in support of his recent release “Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song.” He’ll be making his AMT debut on Monday, June 9 at 8:00 p.m. Seats are still available for Amos’ upcoming AMT concert. Don’t miss out — click here to get your tickets now!