Cole Swindell to play The Arena in first headliner tour

The Arena in Corbin is one of the stops on rising country music star Cole Swindell’s 19-date, “Reason to Drink” Tour.

Swindell, who is headlining his first tour, will play Corbin on Saturday, March 24.

Swindell, who has racked up seven chart topping singles since his debut in 2014, has previously toured with Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and Florida Georgia Line.

“I am excited to be able to take everything I have learned while on the road the last four years watching all that Luke, Jason, Kenny, Dierks, Tyler and Brian did as headliners.” said Cole Swindell. “Everything from how they treat their fans, their high-energy performances, to how they treated EVERYONE on the tour. They were great examples of how much work it takes for a successful tour.”

Arena Manager Kristina Balla said this is a big opportunity for the facility because Swindell’s tour is being handled by Live Nation, which she described at a recent Corbin City Commission Meeting as the biggest promoter in the business.

“I have had a long relationship with Live Nation and have been working on them to come into this building ever since I took over,” Balla said. “It has been a process, but they finally had something they were comfortable with bringing.”

Balla said Live Nation was responsible for the 2014 Arena concert featuring The Band Perry, which was one of the best-attended shows in the facility’s history.

“After that, we kind of disappeared off their radar,” Balla said. “Hopefully, this is the start to a new relationship with them.”

Tickets to the show will go on sale Dec. 8.

Joining Swindell for the show will be Chris Janson, who recently released his second album, “Everybody.”

Janson came onto the scene with his number one single, “Buy Me a Boat,” in 2015.

In addition, Janson wrote Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah,” and “That’s How I’ll Always Be.”

Rounding out the event will be “American Idol” alum, Lauren Alaina.

Alaina, who appeared on season 10 of the show, released her debut album, “Wildflower,” this year.

“I do think this is a test for us,” Balla said of hosting this show.

Balla told the city commissioners that Live Nation would have a big hand in promoting the show.

“They have a very large marketing team,” Balla said of Live Nation. “If we host one of their events, you will see it all over the place.”

Balla said she anticipates April and May to be a particularly busy time for events at The Arena.

“We may announce one or two more shows before Christmas,” Balla said. “The remainder of shows during that period will be announced after the first of the year.”