Cranked Up

"I don't think it gets much bigger than Dave and Kenny," says Brian Crowne, general manager of the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion.

The AMP drew in near-capacity crowds several times after last year's grand opening, and the first announcement of artists for 2015 hints at more of the same. The first lineup release includes improvisational and eclectic rock act Dave Matthews Band and country music megastar Kenny Chesney, performing at the Rogers venue on May 19 and July 30, respectively.

Both consistently rank near the top of highest-grossing tours when those bands are on the road, Crowne said.

Booking acts such as Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw last year helped him get off to a good start in 2015, Crowne adds.

"We played off the momentum we built last season," he says. "It kind of put us on the map."

Joining those two acts are three additional shows announced Wednesday: country up-and-comer Brantley Gilbert on May 1, classic rock plus brass act Chicago on May 3 and classic rock with SoCal soul group Steve Miller Band on May 16.

Gilbert is a newer name in country music, but he's making strides in the direction of similar artists such as Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean. His 2014 album "Just As I Am" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, which chronicles album sales across all genres. The Casey Donahew Band will serve as the opening act. Tickets go on sale Feb. 27 and range from $25 to $45.

Chicago recently became the first American rock band to land albums in the Top 40 in six different decades. The band adds instruments such as trumpet and trombone into the standard rock repertoire and has recorded hits such as "25 or 6 to 4" and "Feelin' Stronger Every Day." Chicago tickets go on sale Feb. 20 and range from $42 to $97.

Steve Miller Band has also released many classic rock radio staples, including "The Joker" and "Jet Airliner." Last year, Miller and company released a live version of "The Joker" album to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the recording. Tickets for the Steve Miller Band concert go on sale Jan. 23 and range from $31 to $75.50.

The Dave Matthews Band has sold more than 30 million records in its now 20-plus-year career, and the last six albums have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard sales chart. Known just as well for its extensive, improvisational live shows, the group often goes on extended summer tours like the one coming to Rogers. Tickets go on sale Feb. 13 and range from $40.50 to $85.

Kenny Chesney's recently announced "The Big Revival" tour takes its name from his 2014 studio album. Chesney's recent tours have been stadium affairs, with attendance doubling what will fit at the AMP. He'll play several such shows on the tour, including stops at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, AT&T Stadium in Dallas and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., the latter of the three coming two nights after his concert here. Tickets go on sale Jan. 30 and range from $60 to $105.

The AMP in 2015 will likely host more concerts than it did in 2014, in part because May dates last year were impossible because of construction. Crowne says he expects an announcement soon on a show in late April.

Lots of potential shows are being chased for the remainder of the season, Crowne says. Among the possibilities are contemporary Christian and indie rock acts.