Old Dominion is hitting the road in 2023 for their No Bad Vibes tour. As one of country music’s most popular bands, fans are eager to see Old Dominion perform hits like “Break Up with Him,” “Hotel Key,” and “No Bad Vibes.” An opening act can help hype up the crowd and get fans excited for the headliner. So who will have the honor of opening up for Old Dominion on their huge arena tour?
About Old Dominion
Old Dominion is a 5-member country band that formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2014. The members are Matthew Ramsey (lead vocals), Trevor Rosen (guitar, keyboards), Whit Sellers (drums), Geoff Sprung (bass guitar), and Brad Tursi (guitar).
The band got their start writing songs for other country artists. Some of their early songwriting credits include “Chainsaw” for The Band Perry, “Song for Another Time” for Luke Bryan, and “Sangria” for Blake Shelton.
In 2015, Old Dominion released their first EP followed by their debut album “Meat and Candy” in 2015. The album included their breakout hit single “Break Up with Him” which reached #1 on the Country Airplay chart. Their music is contemporary country with pop and rock influences.
Over the years, Old Dominion has continued releasing hit albums and singles. They’ve won numerous awards including Group of the Year from the ACM Awards and CMA Awards. They are known for their outstanding live shows and high energy on stage.
About the No Bad Vibes Tour
The No Bad Vibes tour is scheduled to kick off in January 2023. It will run through cities across the United States through the summer. Some of the scheduled tour stops include Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, New York, Atlanta, and more.
Most of the shows will be held in large arenas due to high demand. Old Dominion has gained a large fanbase with sold out headlining shows in the past. Their previous tours include the Make It Sweet tour and the We Are Old Dominion tour.
The name No Bad Vibes fits Old Dominion’s positive vibe and feel-good music. Fans can expect to hear all their hit songs and new music from the band’s upcoming 4th studio album. The high-energy shows will also feature the band’s signature fun banter with the audience.
Frank Ray Announced as Opener
In November 2022, Old Dominion revealed that up-and-coming country singer Frank Ray would be joining them on the tour as their opening act. Frank Ray expressed his excitement on social media saying “Pumped to be on the road with @OldDominion in 2023!”
Frank Ray is a rising new artist in the country genre. He’s already opened for top stars like Blake Shelton, Kane Brown, and Dierks Bentley. But the Old Dominion tour will be his biggest opportunity yet to play large venues and gain more fans.
Originally from Texas, Frank Ray released his first single “Country’d Look Good on You” in 2021 which reached the top 40 on country radio charts. His next single “Tequila Don’t Work” off his 2022 EP “All I Got” also gained radio success.
The singer-songwriter mixes country music with R&B and pop influences. His smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics have quickly captured fans’ attention. Many are predicting Frank Ray will become country’s next superstar.
How Frank Ray Was Chosen
So how did Frank Ray score the coveted opening spot on the No Bad Vibes tour? Based on interviews, it seems he developed a friendship with Old Dominion that paved the way.
Back in 2021, Frank Ray co-wrote a song called “Somewhere in the Night” with Brad Tursi of Old Dominion. During the writing session, the two really hit it off creatively.
In an interview with Taste of Country, Frank Ray explained “I became great friends with Brad in the session.” He added, “It’s always beneficial when you become friends with an artist because that door stays open.”
After staying in touch, Frank Ray ended up opening a string of shows for Old Dominion in 2022. These shows went so well that Old Dominion invited him to join their upcoming arena tour in 2023.
Frank Ray said this opportunity “means the world to me…That’s an artist believing in me enough to bring me on the road with them.” It validates him as an up-and-comer in Nashville.
Past Openers
In the past, Old Dominion has brought along other new country artists as opening acts. On their 2019 Make It Sweet Tour the opening acts were Ryan Hurd, Jordan Davis, and Morgan Evans.
Ryan Hurd is a singer-songwriter married to Maren Morris. Jordan Davis had breakout hits with “Singles You Up” and “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot.” Morgan Evans is married to Kelsea Ballerini.
On their 2021 We Are Old Dominion tour, the openers were Frank Ray, Catie Offerman, and Steve Moakler. Catie Offerman is an emerging female vocalist who co-wrote songs for Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town. Steve Moakler is known for his song “Suitcase” with Dierks Bentley.
What to Expect from Frank Ray’s Set
During his opening sets on the No Bad Vibes Tour, fans can expect Frank Ray to play around 30 minutes. He’ll likely perform songs from his “All I Got” EP like:
- “Tequila Don’t Work”
- “Country’d Look Good on You”
- “All I Got”
- “Bad Idea”
He may also debut new unreleased music. Previous tours have been a chance for Frank Ray to test out new songs and gauge fan reactions.
Beyond his original music, Frank Ray will probably cover songs by country influences like Keith Whitley and Elvis Presley. He’s been known to engage the crowd with his personalized mashups of hits by Post Malone, Michael Jackson, and Bell Biv DeVoe.
With his mix of high energy songs, moving ballads, and creative covers, Frank Ray is sure to get the crowd fired up for Old Dominion each night.
How Frank Ray is Preparing
Opening for an established headliner like Old Dominion in huge venues is a big task for a new artist. In interviews leading up to the tour, Frank Ray has talked about how he is preparing:
Band Rehearsals
Frank Ray said he and his band have extensive rehearsals planned before the tour kicks off. They want to get comfortable with seamless transitions between songs and be tight on harmonies.
Vocal Rest
He knows doing back-to-back shows on a touring schedule requires stamina. So he’s focusing on getting plenty of sleep, staying hydrated, and not overdoing it vocally as the tour gets closer.
Watching Footage
To prepare for playing big rooms, Frank Ray said he’s been watching footage of artists he admires in arena shows. He’s taking notes on their stage presence and crowd interaction.
Collaborating with Old Dominion
There’s no better way to prep than learning from the headliner. Frank Ray said Old Dominion has generously offered to give him advice to get tour ready. Their team is also collaborating on the production.
Frank Ray’s Goals for the Tour
When asked what he hopes to accomplish on the No Bad Vibes Tour, Frank Ray said:
Win Over Fans
His #1 goal is to win over Old Dominion fans and make new admirers. This will be his chance to make a big impression performing for larger crowds.
Gain Experience
He wants to gain valuable experience on his first major arena tour. Learning how to engage big crowds will be helpful for his own eventual headlining shows.
Build Relationships
Of course, Frank Ray hopes to continue building his friendship with Old Dominion. He said he wants to “soak up their knowledge” and creative process.
Have Fun
Most importantly, Frank Ray plans to enjoy this opportunity and give crowds a high-energy good time. He said the tour is going to be an “absolute blast!”
How Fans are Reacting
Old Dominion fans seem excited that Frank Ray will be the opening act on the No Bad Vibes tour. On social media, many fans have posted reactions like:
- “Yay I love Frank Ray!”
- “His voice is amazing, he’s going to rock those arenas.”
- “Awesome, can’t wait to see him live for the first time!”
- “The perfect match for Old Dominion’s good vibes.”
- “He’s so talented, glad he’s getting this opportunity.”
Some fans admit they don’t know Frank Ray yet, but they are looking forward to discovering his music from the opening set. Others are thrilled he’ll be visiting more cities so they can finally see him live.
Overall the combination of Frank Ray’s talent and Old Dominion’s fan base seems promising. This tour is sure to take Frank Ray’s career to the next level.
Setlist Prediction
Based on Frank Ray’s past live shows and singles, here is a predicted setlist he could perform on the No Bad Vibes tour:
Song | Album |
---|---|
Tequila Don’t Work | All I Got – 2022 |
Country’d Look Good on You | Single – 2021 |
All I Got | All I Got – 2022 |
Crazy Over You | Unreleased Song |
New Song? | Unreleased |
Bad Idea | All I Got – 2022 |
Mashup Medley | Covers Mix |
Always on My Mind | Willie Nelson Cover |
Tour Dates
Here are the currently announced dates and venues on the No Bad Vibes tour:
Date | City | Venue |
---|---|---|
January 19 | St. Louis, MO | Enterprise Center |
January 20 | Kansas City, MO | T-Mobile Center |
February 16 | Louisville, KY | KFC Yum! Center |
February 17 | Indianapolis, IN | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
February 18 | Cleveland, OH | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse |
And more to be announced! |
Ticket Info
Tickets for the No Bad Vibes Tour are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Fans can expect to pay around the following for tickets:
Seat Type | Average Price |
---|---|
Lower Level Seats | $150+ |
Floor Seats | $200+ |
Upper Level Seats | $70-$120 |
Of course, prices can vary by city and venue. Tickets are selling fast, so fans are encouraged to buy soon for the best seats!
Fun Facts About Frank Ray
Here are some interesting facts about rising country star Frank Ray:
- His full name is Frank Ray Alverado.
- He was born in 1989 in Carrizo Springs, Texas.
- Frank Ray started learning guitar at age 8 from his father.
- He moved to Nashville in 2015 and signed his record deal in 2019.
- Frank Ray blends country, R&B, pop, and Tejano music influences.
- He co-wrote Old Dominion’s song “Somewhere in the Night.”
- Frank Ray is known for wearing his signature black cowboy hat.
- His dog Moonshine has her own Instagram account.
Conclusion
The No Bad Vibes tour is shaping up to be one of the biggest country tours in 2023. Old Dominion remains a powerful force in country music with a string of hit songs over the past several years. The five members’ musical chemistry shines through in their live shows making them a popular concert draw.
Frank Ray looks more than ready to charm arena crowds as Old Dominion’s opening act. The rising star has been strategically laying the groundwork with a radio-friendly sound, writing credits, and past touring experience. The early reviews are positive from Old Dominion fans eagerly anticipating Frank Ray’s opening set. There’s no doubt this opportunity will be a career game-changer and catapult Frank Ray to the next level of stardom.
The tour promises to spread plenty of “good vibes only” all around. With Old Dominion’s feel-good anthems and Frank Ray’s high energy, the No Bad Vibes tour is destined to be one of the hottest country concerts this year.