Every Summer, major country music acts grace the stage of the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater just outside of St. Louis. Nine big shows are lined up this season starting with Brad Paisley and company this Thursday, May 9th.

You’ve probably heard of most of these headliners. Check out these videos and fun facts about some of the openers:

Thursday, May 9th – Brad Paisley with special guests Chris Young and Lee Brice

Chris Young won Nashville Star, a country music reality show, in 2006. He is by far the most successful winner of the show. Miranda Lambert also got her start on the show, finishing third in the show’s first season.

Thursday, May 23rd – Tim McGraw with special guest Brantley Gilbert

Gilbert proposed to fellow country singer Jana Kramer on his birthday this year. He rented out the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for the occasion.

Friday, June 14 – Luke Bryan with Thompson Square and Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line played under the Arch last July. They were the first band of the day and played for a small group of fans before Colt Ford took the stage. The headliner, Dierks Bentley got rained out after a few songs later in the day. FGL shot to stardom a few months later with Cruise. The band recently released a remix of the song with St. Louis’ own Nelly.

Thursday, June 27 – Kenny Chesney with Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves is also a Nashville Star alum. She finished seventh on the show’s fifth season in 2007. Kacey wrote “Mama’s Broken Heart”.  Miranda Lambert’s cover of the song just became the #1 country song in America.

Friday, July 26 – Blake Shelton with Easton Corbin and Jana Kramer

Jana Kramer became a successful television actress before setting off on a music career. She played Alex Dupree on One Tree Hill and a six-episode role before that on Friday Night Lights.

Friday, August 16 – Rascal Flatts with The Band Perry

The Perry siblings were “discovered” in 2008 by Garth Brooks’ manager, Bob Doyle.

Friday, August 23 – Keith Urban with Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch

I first heard Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys and Angels” when my cousin and his new wife danced to it at their wedding.

Friday, September 6 – Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley

Miranda’s first single, “Me and Charlie Talking”, was co-written with her father.

Friday, September 20 – Jason Aldean with Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett

Thomas Rhett garnered major radio play for the first time with his hit “Beer With Jesus”. He co-wrote “1994”, a current hit for Jason Aldean.

These videos leave you hungry for more? Check out this playlist I made using Huzzaz, featuring 53 songs from the acts coming to St. Louis this summer.

Get your tickets before they’re gone.

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