The lineup for “Stars & Guitars” has been announced. The annual country music concert event will take place at Illinois State University’s Braden Auditorium February 7 at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s “Stars & Guitars” lineup features Drew Baldridge, Levi Hummon, Filmore, Morgan Myles, Clayton Anderson, King Calaway, Eric Van Houten, and hit songwriter Adam James. The concert will be hosted by nationally syndicated TV/radio personality Sam Alex ’07.
Tickets cost $35 each, and are on sale at the Braden Box Office, located in the Bone Student Center, 200 North University Street in Normal or at ticketmaster.com. All tickets will be reserved seating.
“Stars & Guitars” is unlike traditional one-artist performances. This show will feature all of the artists on the stage at one time in an acoustic setting, featuring storytelling, song performances and unique interactions between the artists.
“I’m so excited return to my alma mater to bring a night of country music to fans in Central Illinois,” said Alex. “You’ll witness some of the format’s future superstars performing together, swapping stories on stage for a truly unforgettable night!”
Proceeds from the concert benefit Camp Broadcast, a summer program for high school and college journalists and broadcasters. For additional information on “Stars & Guitars”, including sponsorship opportunities, visit campbroadcast.com and contact info@campbroadcast.com.
Artists
Levi Hummon’s viral hit “Paying for It” featuring Walker Hayes cemented Hummon’s status as a rising country star. Coming off of his first headlining tour, Hummon has also opened for Hardy, Jordan Davis, Brett Eldridge, Brett Young, and Dylan Scott.
Drew Baldridge, born and raised in Patoka, Illinois, is taking country music by storm! “She’s Somebody’s Daughter” is out now. His buoyant personality and gift for penning slice-of-life songs that connect with his audience has led him to tour extensively, opening shows for Cole Swindell, Dustin Lynch, and others.
Filmore is a St. Louis native and was Pitbull’s direct support for his “Can’t Stop Us Now” North American arena and amphitheater tour all of 2022. The rising singer-songwriter has also opened for the likes of Sam Hunt, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Dan + Shay. “USA” featuring Pitbull is out now.
Morgan Myles was a finalist on NBC’s The Voice Season 22 on Team Camila Cabello and just made her Grand Ole Opry debut. The soulful country artist and Pennsylvania native, who has made Nashville home, has already earned critical acclaim from outlets such as Billboard, CMT, People, and Rolling Stone, with Rolling Stone saying “a voice that shines with raw might in its upper register.”
King Calaway had recorded and released their debut album, Rivers, on BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records. The album amassed an impressive 59 million-demand streams and featured their hit single “World For Two,” which was the No. 1 most added song at Country radio in its debut week, ultimately garnering 53 million on-demand streams. Building on that momentum, the band has earned massive opening performance slots for Garth Brooks and Gabby Barrett as well as national TV performances on The Kelly Clarkson Show, TODAY, The Late Show with James Corden, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. King Calaway be opening for the Zac Brown Band this summer.
Clayton Anderson is an Indiana native who took home the win for Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star battle of the bands. He’s released several albums including Torn Jeans & Tailgates, followed by Right Where I Belong, Only to Borrow, and a lineup of singles. He performed alongside the Zac Brown Band at the Indy 500 and has opened for Eric Church, Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Jimmy Buffett, Thomas Rhett, Lee Brice, and Carly Pearce.
Eric Van Houten from Nashville by way of Buffalo NY, Eric Van Houten is not your typical country artist. Sporting an edgy, organic, and authentic sound, he transforms you to another place when you listen to his music. With Van Houten’s rock and roll background, the show he puts on stage is exhilarating, captivating, and entertaining. Over the last few years, Van Houten has been on tour with artists such as Canaan Smith, Kelsea Ballerini, Kip Moore, The Cadillac Three, Michael Ray, Chris Young, Jake Owen, Old Dominion.
Adam James was born and raised in Loami, Illinois. As a child of ‘90s country radio, he always dreamed of making music in Music City. Now, James currently writes for Universal Music Publishing Group, and his songs have been recorded by Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley and Zac Brown Band, just to name a few. He recently achieved his first #1 hit with Chesney’s “Knowing You,” which was also nominated for ACM Song Of The Year.
Sam Alex is the executive producer and host of the CMA- and ACM-nominated nationally syndicated radio program The Sam Alex Show. He has appeared on TODAY, Good Morning America, and as himself in an episode of ABC-TV’s Nashville. Alex is the founder of Camp Broadcast, a summer program for high school and college journalists and broadcasters. He is a graduate of Illinois State University and in 2019 received the University’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
