The last stop on Brooks & Dunn’s Last Rodeo tour, their last concert ever, will be Aug. 10 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Announced at Thursday’s (2/25) Country Radio’s Sony/Nashville Luncheon, the show will benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s All For The Hall initiative. All tickets will be $25, go on sale Saturday (3/6) and will be available at livenation.com,

ticketmaster.com and brooks-dunn.com.

Keith Urban did a similar (notlast) show for the Hall in 2009 and webcast it live.

Live video by Ustream

Taylor Swift Fearless Platinum

NASHVILLE – Superstar Taylor Swift was surprised backstage during the dress rehearsals for “The 43^rd Annual CMA Awards” when Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn presented her with the 2009 CMA International Artist Achievement Award. Brooks and Dunn were last year’s recipients of the Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the United States.

“This is beautiful!” said Swift. “Thank you so much! This is an awesome way to start the day!”

“What Taylor has done for Country Music inside the United States is amazing in itself, but what she has done for the format internationally is outstanding,” said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “She recognizes the importance of taking her music around the globe, and in doing so, has become a phenomenal ambassador for Country Music. She is very deserving of this Award.”

Swift’s second album Fearless has made a huge international impact, achieving Gold and Platinum certifications in fourteen countries that span five continents. In addition to her native United States, those countries include Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Fearless has also reached the Top 10 on album charts in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, The Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and more.

Her hit song “Love Story” raced up airplay charts around the globe, reaching No. 1 in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom; Top Five in the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Norway; Top 10 in Denmark and Finland; and Top 20 in Greece, Holland, Hungary, Spain, Sweden, South Africa, and on the European Chart. Airplay resulted in strong sales, causing “Love Story” to rise on many international Single Sales Charts including No. 1 in Australia; No. 2 in the United Kingdom; No. 3 in Ireland and New Zealand; the Top 10 in Norway, Sweden, and on the European Chart; and Top 20 in Denmark, Finland, and Holland.

Swift performed promotional and concert tours in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom in both 2008 and 2009. Among her sold out shows and appearances was the high profile V Festival series in the United Kingdom.

The CMA and ACM Award winning Kix and Ronnie are calling it quits after years

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn

of success… but just not immediately…. they have a few projects to tie off. Here’s the shocking news from the B and D website:

“To Our Fans:

After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have
agreed as a duo that it’s time to call it a day. This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed…. We owe it all
to you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don’t believe them, it’s just time.

We will release our #1′s and then some” on September 8th and bid
you farewell one last time in 2010, with The Last Rodeo Tour…(dates to be
announced).

Brooks & Dunn”

…hmmmm…. warning in advance of rumors just makes most wonder….