NASHVILLE, TN (January 27, 2020) – As hard-rocking country singer-songwriter Brantley Gilbert hits the road on his Fire’t Up Tour, he’s challenged his team to reimagine every element – including what fans don’t see, behind the scenes. As America’s heartland struggles to find its footing, Gilbert is partnering withFarmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) to purchase a selection of products for catering on each concert stop, spotlighting the value locally sourced meats, dairy and produce can make on each community. Alignment with FVC is a natural extension for Gilbert given the longstanding support the superstar has shown for men & women in uniform. Charged with curating farming’s next generation via mentorship of returning military veterans, the spirit of FVC is displayed HERE in a video set to “Tough Town,” an album track from Gilbert’s new album Fire & Brimstone (The Valory Music Co.).
“I still live in the town where I grew up and I know that excitement for a show doesn’t start when doors open, it has the power to rally the community well ahead of when we show up to load-in and soundcheck,” shares Gilbert. “Our goal is to help boost local economies, showcase the best foods from the region, and spend a bit of time thanking these great folks for all they do.”
A first for a Country music tour, Gilbert’s tour catering partner, Taste Event, will work with local farmers in 25 cities-and-counting on his 2020 tour to create a farm-to-catering approach for the tour’s footprint. Farmers, and their families, furnishing the food are invited to share their stories, dine with the tour, meet Gilbert, and stay for the show.
“We hear on a regular basis from our veteran members how farming has meaning beyond a livelihood,” relayed Michael O’Gorman, founder and Executive Director of FVC. “Brantley Gilbert’s historic support of veterans is what’s so great about this fit – the veterans are really looking for a purpose and a place when they exit the military, and agriculture offers them this purpose and opportunity, with both a physical and psychological benefit. And America’s farming community just happens to really need them.”
Bringing things full circle on tour, Gilbert is also associating with Musically Fed, a non-profit that distributes excess food each night to organizations tackling hunger in each market.
“Musically Fed is honored to be a partner with Brantley Gilbert on his Fire’t Up 2020 Tour and Farmer Veteran Coalition. What a great way to be associated with and working alongside veterans to serve these communities in ways that will benefit many,” says Insight Management’s Maria Brunner, Founder of Musically Fed. “Our goal is to leave a footprint for it to continue. Special thanks to Brantley Gilbert and his entire team.”
Gilbert, one of the few country artists to have back-to-back Platinum albums this century, borrowed the title of his latest single “Fire’t Up” to brand his current tour, which kicked off Jan. 23 with two shows in Canada, followed by 32 cities in the U.S. Joining Gilbert on the road will be special guests Chase Rice, Dylan Scott and Brandon Lay. For more details on the tour, visit BrantleyGilbert.com.
UPCOMING FIRE’T UP U.S TOUR DATES
1/30 Moline, IL 3/20 Portland, OR
1/31 Highland Heights, KY 3/21 Tacoma, WA
2/1 Salem, VA 3/26 Ontario, CA
2/6 Green Bay, WI 3/27 Fresno, CA
2/7 Minneapolis, MN 3/28 Las Vegas, NV
2/8 Milwaukee, WI 4/16 Greenville, SC
2/13 Greensboro, NC 4/17 Tuscaloosa, AL
2/14 Louisville, KY 4/18 Orange Beach, AL
2/15 Chattanooga, TN 4/23 Florence, SC
2/20 Evansville, IN 4/24 Charleston, WV
2/21 North Little Rock, AR 4/25 Knoxville, TN
2/22 Tulsa, OK 4/30 Lincoln, NE
2/27 Toledo, OH 5/1 Sioux Falls, SD
2/28 Youngstown, OH 5/2 Grand Forks, ND
2/1 Pikeville, KY 5/8 Morrison, CO
3/19 Nampa, ID
