Apr 23
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill show to highlight Infinite Energy Arena schedule
By: Stan Awtrey
Published: April 21, 2018
When Tim McGraw was preparing for his first major tour in 1996, he chose Faith Hill to be his opening act. That worked out OK. They wound up falling in love and getting married that October. Now the old married couple — they’re both 50 — are concluding their third Soul2Soul tour, which includes a stop at the Gas South District.
The two country music icons began Soul2Soul: The World Tour in New Orleans in April 2017 and will end in Sacramento in July. The couple will play more than 100 shows and will be in concert in Gwinnett on June 23. The couple has appeared on stage together many times and performed many duets, but they released their first joint album, “The Rest of Our Life,” in November.
“I don’t see myself as a performer, just as a singer,” Hill said. “But I feel more relaxed on stage now than in the past. To be on stage with one of the greatest performers of our generation. …”
Hill was the first to enjoy success. She had crossover hits in “This Kiss,” “Breathe” and “The Way You Love Me.” In the early 2000s, McGraw emerged as one of the hottest country artists in the world, placing 23 straight singles in the Billboard Hot Country Top 10, including five consecutive No. 1s.
The couple’s special guest will be Minnesota singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith, who was named one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “10 New Artists You Need to Know.”
The Hill-McGraw show is part of an all-star lineup of shows and concerts scheduled this spring and summer at the Infinite Energy Arena. Here’s a look at some of the other top attractions:
Leadercast, May 4: Nine world-class speakers will appear on stage for the all-day event designed to encourage and motivate those who are eager to take the next step in their leadership journey. Speakers scheduled to share their insights and success stories include Hall of Fame baseball manager Joe Torre, former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison and sports psychologist Jim Loehr. It’s a great chance to evaluate your skills and network with other like-minded people.
Justin Timberlake, May 11: The versatile Timberlake brings his non-stop high energy “Man of the Woods Tour” to Gwinnett. The album by the same name was released in February, shortly before his appearance at halftime of the Super Bowl. The first release, a single called “Filthy,” reached No. 9 on the Billboard chart. Who knows? You may get a chance to take a selfie with J.T.
U2, May 28: Bring your sunglasses and join Bono and the Edge as the iconic Irish rockers make their first stop at Infinite Energy. You can expect to hear many of your favorites, as well as selections from the “Songs of Experience” album that was released in December. U2 is one of the best-selling bands of all time, having sold more than 170 million records worldwide.
Shania Twain, June 4: The Queen of Country Pop, who has sold more than 100 million records, is back with her “Now Tour.” Her “Now” album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart and has already produced three hits. The tour began as a way to celebrate the 20-year release of the “Come On Over” album from 1997, which has sold more than 15.7 million copies in the United States and sent 11 of the 16 songs to the top 30, three of which reached No. 1.
Hall and Oates and Train, June 20: The blue-eyed soul duo of Daryl Hall and John Oates have teamed up with Train for the new “Philly Forget Me Not” single that’s enjoying widespread airtime. You don’t have to be a “Rich Girl” or a “Maneater” to enjoy Hall and Oates, considered by some rock critics as the greatest duo of all-time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.