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Honky Tonk Tailgate Party returns with Wills, Willmon, Bates

Monday, March 2, 2009 – The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party, headed up by Mark Wills, kicks off in Dallas on April 17, at Gilley's. Wills invited Trent Willmon to return and with Jeff Bates also playing.

"I am so excited to get back on the road and start performing with my buds again," said Wills. "The Honky Tonk Tailgate Party really is a party on stage, and I just enjoy sharing it with some good guys. I was happy when Trent agreed to come back on the road and then to add in Jeff Bates makes it ever cooler."

Bates said, "It's truly an honor to join Mark and Trent on this year's line-up. I can't think of two better guys to share the road and stage with."

"Not only do we have a great line-up of artists, but we have the most talented musicians in our band to back us up," said Willmon. "I'm grateful to be asked back and look forward to hitting the road with Mark and Jeff."

The 90-minute party is a fast paced show with one band and no set changes. Wills, Willmon and Bates will each play their most popular hits and close the show by performing a finale together.

Tour dates are:
April 17 Dallas, TX Gilley's Dallas
April 18 Star City, AR 6th Annual StarDaze Festival
May 2 Porterville, CA Eagle Mountain Casino
May 23 Monticello, MS Atwood Music Festival
June 7 Blue Ash, OH Blue Ash Towne Square
June 13 Georgiana, AL Hank Williams Festival
June 18 Marinette, WI Porterfield Country Music Festival
June 27 Hamler, OH Hamler Summerfest Park
Aug. 8 Cambridge, OH Deerassic Classic '09
Aug. 16 Wyoming, RI Washington County Fairgrounds
Aug. 22 Katy, TX Mo's Place
Aug. 29 Nashville, IN Little Nashville
Oct. 18 Kumamoto, Japan Aspecta at Mount Aso
Oct. 24 Phoenix, AZ Veteran's Memorial Coliseum

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