Old Dominion is an American five-piece country music band that has become widely popular over the past decade. Formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2007, the band consists of Matthew Ramsey (lead vocals), Trevor Rosen (guitar, keyboards), Whit Sellers (drums), Geoff Sprung (bass guitar), and Brad Tursi (guitar). With catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and polished production, Old Dominion has crafted a dynamic country-pop sound that has propelled them to the top of the charts. Their first two albums, Meat and Candy (2015) and Happy Endings (2017), have produced multiple #1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. In addition, the band has won numerous accolades from the Academy of Country Music, Billboard Music Awards, and Country Music Association Awards. With their meteoric rise, Old Dominion has established themselves as one of the premier country acts today.
Opening Band History
As Old Dominion has ascended into headlining status, they have brought along talented up-and-coming acts to open their tours and expose those acts to larger audiences. The choice of an opening band is an important decision that the headliner’s team carefully considers based on the style, fanbase, and touring schedule of the acts. The goal is to choose bands that complement and enhance the overall concert experience for fans. Over the years, Old Dominion has provided crucial early exposure to artists like Morgan Evans, Jordan Davis, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Ryan Hurd by inviting them to open shows across North America and Europe. These opening slots have helped kickstart the careers of the next generation of country stars.
2019 Make It Sweet Tour
In 2019, Old Dominion embarked on their largest headlining tour yet in support of their newly released sophomore album Happy Endings. Titling the tour after their feel-good single “Make It Sweet,” Old Dominion brought the album to life with a setlist of new songs and old favorites. The extensive Make It Sweet Tour ran from May through September, hitting over 40 cities in the United States and Canada. To warm up audiences each night, Old Dominion hand-picked up-and-comer Brandon Lay to join them as direct support.
Brandon Lay
Brandon Lay is a country singer/songwriter originally from Jackson, Tennessee. After some initial success with songs “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers” and “Yada Yada Yada,” Lay broke out in 2018 with his top 40 single “Speak to Me.” The track built excitement around the artist and paved the way for him to land the coveted opening slot on the Make It Sweet Tour. Lay brought his working-class brand of country to large venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Bridgestone Arena, introducing his music to thousands of Old Dominion fans. The tour experience was invaluable for Lay as he worked to convert new listeners into his own fanbase. Following the tour’s completion, Lay continued to gain momentum with songs like “For Me” and “Heart On Fire” ahead of his debut album release.
2020 We Are Old Dominion Tour
On the heels of their Make It Sweet run, Old Dominion returned to the road in early 2020 for another extensive headlining trek in support of Happy Endings. Dubbed the We Are Old Dominion Tour, this run saw the band play their largest venues to date, including their first headline show at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. To set the tone each night, Old Dominion tabbed newcomer Catie Offerman to open the tour.
Catie Offerman
An upstart from Nashville, Catie Offerman gained notoriety from her 2019 debut EP Run. Blending pop hooks with country storytelling, Offerman impressed the industry with songs like “Girl With a Record” and began generating buzz around her live shows. This momentum along with her Nashville connections helped score her the We Are Old Dominion support slot for 35 dates. Though her time on the road was cut short due to the pandemic, Offerman made the most of her opportunity. Her spirited stage presence and upbeat anthems like “Dance About Anything” got arenas moving and cheering each night. The tour helped establish Offerman’s viability on the country scene as she now works towards her first full-length release.
2021 We’re Really Old Dominion Tour
Coming off an extended live music hiatus in 2020, Old Dominion were eager to get back on the road in 2021. They announced the We’re Really Old Dominion Tour, named as a humorous nod to their dormant period. The tour once again found the band headlining sheds and arenas across the United States, leaning heavily on fan favorites from Happy Endings and their self-titled debut. For support on this run, Old Dominion looked to an unsigned artist who had cut his teeth playing dive bars in Nashville: Jackson Dean.
Jackson Dean
Jackson Dean is an emerging vocalist and guitarist who garnered attention with his 2019 song “Don’t Come Lookin’.” Combining a vintage vibe with modern production, Dean cultivated a retro-leaning country/rock sound that stood out from contemporaries. Though lacking the industry push of other openers, Dean won over Old Dominion with his gritty live show and earned the tour slot. Each night, his raw, impassioned performances captivated audiences and helped build his profile. The opportunity motivated Dean to keep honing his throwback sound and improving as an artist. In late 2021, he finally achieved a breakthrough with the single “Don’t Come Lookin’,” which soared into the top 20 on country radio. Dean continues his upward trajectory as one of the format’s most unique new talents.
2022 No Bad Vibes Tour
Gearing up to release their highly anticipated third studio album, Old Dominion announced their 2022 No Bad Vibes Tour in support of the record. Slated to kick off in mid-March, the tour will run through late May and take the band to major venues across about 30 cities. Continuing their tradition of spotlighting emerging artists, Old Dominion announced that country singer Frank Ray would be serving as their opener for all dates.
Frank Ray
Based out of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Frank Ray is a vocalist making waves with his smooth country/pop fusions. After releasing two promising EPs in 2018, Ray broke onto the Billboard charts in 2020 with the infectious top 40 single “Tequila Mockingbird.” The runaway success of songs like “Country’d Look Good on You” and “Just the Way I Am” have cemented Ray as a rising talent worth watching. Securing the No Bad Vibes Tour opening slot marks a major opportunity for Ray. Night after night, his slick, romantic tunes will endear him to Old Dominion fans and rapidly expand his audience. As arguably country’s hottest new commodity, Ray seems poised for a true star turn in 2022.
Conclusion
Throughout their rise, Old Dominion has prioritized giving talented newcomers a shot at success by inviting them on tour. From Brandon Lay to Frank Ray, these opening acts have gained invaluable exposure and momentum from the opportunity. In turn, Old Dominion has enriched the concert experience for fans by highlighting some of country’s most promising talent. As the band continues headlining arenas and sheds for years to come, expect them to keep shining the spotlight on country’s next big stars.