Calling Sam Hunt a country artist is an oversimplification.
Inspired by Usher and Boyz II Men as a kid, The former Division I college football player blends hip-hop and R&B into his sound.
"I do think I'm country," Hunt told Rolling Stone Country, "but your definition of that word might be different from my definition. In my opinion, country music, the sound of country, has always evolved. But the one thing that has not changed is the story element. And I think country songs are truthful songs about life written by country people."
The 29-year-old is hitting the road this winter for his Lipstick Graffiti Tour, with stops in most regions of the country.
Here are the dates, via Rolling Stone, with venue information to come later. Native Run and Michael Ray will be the supporting artists:
1/29/15: West Hollywood, CA
1/30: Anaheim, CA
2/5: Dallas, TX
2/7: Jackson, MS
2/11: New York City, NY
2/12: Boston, MA
2/13: Burlington, VT
2/14: Silver Spring, MD
2/19: Knoxville, TN
2/20: North Myrtle Beach, SC
2/21: Charleston, SC
3/12: Columbus, OH
3/13: Grand Rapids, MI
3/14: Chicago, IL
3/20: Lincoln, NE
3/21: Denver, CO
4/2: Fayetteville, AR
4/3: Columbia, MO
4/4: Milwaukee, WI
Hunt dropped an EP — X2C — earlier this year, and made his Grand Ole Opry debut in August.
From our own Kim Jones Aug. 28: "Newcomer and Georgia native Sam Hunt made his Grand Ole Opry debut, sharing the stage with Carrie Underwood, Craig Morgan, Del McCoury Band, Joel Crouse, Mark Chesnutt, Terri Clark and Trace Adkins.
"Performing 'Leave the Night On,' his hit single from his current EP X2C and his upcoming full-length debut — which is due to hit stores Oct. 27, — he was able to wow the crowds and his family, who — of course — made the ride from Cedartown, Georgia, to be there."
