Nov. 5, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- Country music and "The Voice" superstar Blake Shelton will headline the Happy Valley Jam, held in Beaver Stadium on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University on Saturday, July 8, 2017. This historic first concert includes a superstar lineup with Chris Young and Big & Rich also slated to take the stage.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting November 16 at www.HappyValleyJam.com.
The inaugural concert was announced Saturday night during the Penn State-Iowa clash in Beaver Stadium, including a video message from Shelton. The concert and date were initially announced on Oct. 22 during the Nittany Lions' gridiron victory over No. 2 Ohio State.
The Happy Valley Jam is presented by Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics and Basis Entertainment, one of the nation's premier live entertainment companies.
"We are elated to welcome Blake Shelton and a tremendous lineup to the first-ever concert in Beaver Stadium," stated Sandy Barbour, Penn State Director of Athletics. "We have been resolute in our efforts to make our first stadium event unique. The Happy Valley Jam will be an historic day for Central Pennsylvania and we can't wait!"
"We are thrilled to be the first to organize a concert at Beaver Stadium," said Gary DeWaard, president and CEO of Basis Entertainment. "We have confirmed our stellar line up to create a historic moment for Penn State."
Shelton was selected the Country Music Association's Male Vocalist of the Year a record-tying five consecutive times from 2010-14. He earned CMA Entertainer of the Year honors in 2012 and CMA Album of the Year in 2013, in addition to numerous other awards and nominations, including the Grammys and Academy of Country Music. Shelton has had 17 consecutive No. 1 singles, with 22 overall atop the charts, during his superlative career.
In 2011, Shelton joined NBC's hit music competition series, "The Voice," as a coach. Shelton is in his sixth year, and the show's 11th season, on the popular program.
Also slated to join Shelton in performing during the Happy Valley Jam is Chris Young, one of the most identifiable voices of any young male singer in country music. With five albums to his credit, CMA Musical Event of the Year nominee Chris Young has amassed eight No. 1 singles, and fifteen Gold/Platinum certifications. Among the RCA Records artist's hits are "Gettin' You Home," "Voices," "Tomorrow," "I'm Comin' Over" and "Think Of You," a duet with Cassadee Pope, Young's latest No. 1 and fastest-rising single of his career. Released in November of 2015 and debuting at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, Young's first co-produced album, I'm Comin' Over, also includes the new single, "Sober Saturday Night" featuring Vince Gill and the three-week No. 1 smash title track. The single and album earned him four ACM Awards nominations, including his first in the coveted Album of the Year category as both the artist and producer, and a Billboard Music Awards nomination for Top Country Song. Young recently embarked on the second leg of his headlining "I'm Comin' Over Tour" and released his highly anticipated, first Christmas album, It Must Be Christmas.
To make the concert even more memorable the larger-than-life duo, Big & Rich, are also slated to perform. Big & Rich is comprised of Big Kenny and NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice" winner John Rich. The multi-platinum hit duo have garnered multiple Grammy, ACM, CMA and CMT Music Award nominations. The first single, "Look At You," from their latest studio album, Gravity, smashed into the top 10 on the Country chart. The follow-up single, "Run Away With You," kept the momentum rolling, also hitting the top 10, while the latest single, "Lovin' Lately" featuring Tim McGraw also just scored top 10 on the country charts. The Country superstars' first studio album, Horse of a Different Color, includes their hit infectious single, "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)." Other hits include "Comin' to Your City," "8th of November" and their No. 1 hit, "Lost in this Moment." Meanwhile, "Comin' to Your City" is nearing a decade as the theme song for ESPN's "College GameDay.
Happy Valley Jam will kickoff at 4 p.m. on July 8th with country newcomers David Ray and Adley Stump opening the inaugural concert.
Concert ticket pre-sales with various Penn State constituencies, including Nittany Lion Club members, students, alumni and staff will begin Nov. 8-15, starting at 10 a.m. for each group. Pre-sale information on ordering tickets will be sent directly to each group.
Public ticket sales will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 16 online only at www.HappyValleyJam.com. On Nov. 17, ticket sales will open to phone sales by calling 1-800-NITTANY (weekdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and in-person at the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Office, (weekdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Tickets, including on-field seating, will be reserved with the exception of a general admission area directly in front of the stage.
Parking information for the Happy Valley Jam is to be announced as it becomes available.
The Happy Valley Jam will include beer sales at concession stands throughout Beaver Stadium, along with wine sales available in the premium areas. More information will be announced.
For more information about the Happy Valley Jam, go to HappyValleyJam.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Office.
For press credentials and inquiries for Happy Valley Jam and Basis Entertainment Contact:
Karen Tallier, LOUDMOUTH Entertainment, 615-210-2130, karen@myloudmouth.com
Press contact for The Pennsylvania State University:
Jeff Nelson, Associate AD for Strategic Communications at 814-865-1757 or jtn4@psu.edu