NASHVILLE – CMT today (9/7) announced multi-platinum singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes will join GRAMMY-winning multi-platinum Zac Brown Band for an upcoming installment of the celebrated series, “CMT Crossroads” debuting Wednesday, October 24 at 10 PM ET/PT. The artists announced the news to fans this morning via Twitter and Instagram. The show will tape outside of Nashville next week.
“I’m so excited to head to Nashville to play with Zac and the band on Crossroads. It’s going to be a blast,” said Shawn Mendes.
“Shawn is an incredibly talented artist and it’s been exciting to watch his career rise over the past few years,” said Zac Brown. “We’ve had fun collaborating together, this Crossroads will be very special with huge vocals and musicality. It will be unexpected and something that both sets of fans will enjoy.”
The news comes on the heels of strong growth. CMT is on track to earn its highest rated year since 2014. In F3Q’18, CMT was one of just 11 channels in the Top 50 to show YOY growth in P18-49. CMT has notched 6 consecutive quarters of YOY growth among P18-49.
Zac Brown Band is a multiplatinum, Grammy Award-Winning Southern Rock group lead by front man Zac Brown. Throughout their decade-long career, Zac Brown Band has had five consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and four consecutive albums debut at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. To date, the group has won three Grammy Awards including Best New Artist in 2010, sold more than 30 million singles, 9 million albums, has achieved 15 #1 radio singles and are the second act to top both the Country and Active Rock formats. Zac Brown Band has headlined 8 North American Tours and currently holds the record for most consecutive sold-out shows at the iconic Fenway Park. Since their debut, Zac Brown Band has developed a reputation with critics and fans alike as one of the most dynamic live performers, marked by strong musicianship that defies genre boundaries.
Toronto born multi-platinum singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes released his highly anticipated self-titled third album in May 2018. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart as well as multiple additional worldwide markets, including Australia, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Holland & more. Shawn Mendes made Shawn the third youngest solo artist to ever have three #1 albums, and became one of the top best-selling album debuts of 2018. The album shot to #1 on iTunes upon release in over 80 countries around the world. Leading up to the album, he released multiple tracks including “Youth” Featuring Khalid, “In My Blood” and “Lost In Japan.” Both “In My Blood” and “Lost In Japan,” the first two songs released off the new album, experienced massive success, soaring to the #1 and #2 spots on the overall iTunes chart in the U.S, Top 5 on iTunes in 50 countries, and held the #1 and #2 spots on Spotify’s “New Music Friday” playlist. With “In My Blood,” Shawn became the first artist to ever have had four #1 singles at AC radio before the age of 20. In April 2017, Shawn released his 3x Platinum hit “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back.” The track scored Shawn his second #1 single at Top 40 radio and on Billboard’s Pop Songs chart, joining 7x Platinum single “Stitches.” Throughout his career, Shawn has achieved 3 consecutive #1 album debuts, 2 Platinum albums, and 7 consecutive platinum and multi-platinum singles. Worldwide, he has sold over 12 million albums, 100 million singles, and has amassed over 16 billion song streams and 5 billion YouTube views. Shawn has completed two sold-out world tours with over one million tickets sold, selling out legendary arenas including NYC’s Madison Square Garden, Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, and London’s O2 Arena in minutes. Shawn Mendes: The Tour begins in March 2019, with over 60 dates currently announced across Europe, North America and Australia, with more to be announced soon. He topped Billboard’s “21 Under 21” in 2017 and has been featured on Forbes “30 Under 30,” Spotify’s “25 Under 25,” and Time Magazine’s “Time 100 Most Influential” for 4 consecutive years. He was also just featured in Time Magazine’s coveted Time 100 annual issue. In February 2018, ROI Influencer Media recognized Shawn as the #1 Most Influential Artist and #1 Most Influential Teen across all social media platforms.
“CMT Crossroads” debuted January 13, 2002 with Elvis Costello and Lucinda Williams and since has showcased dream musical partnerships including Kid Rock and Hank Williams, Jr.; Ray Charles and Travis Tritt; Dave Matthews and Emmylou Harris; Bon Jovi and Sugarland; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; Def Leppard and Taylor Swift; Sting and Vince Gill; John Mayer and Keith Urban; Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood; Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum; Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves; and Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line to name a few.
“CMT Crossroads” is produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin.