Jake Owen and Dirty Heads Announce Genre-Bending Florida Mini-Tour Featuring The Original Wailers
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Get ready, Florida! Country music sensation Jake Owen and beloved reggae-rockers Dirty Heads are joining forces for an exciting four-date mini-tour this October. Presented by Deuterman Productions and Live Nation, this unique co-headline event promises a diverse musical experience, with a special guest appearance by The Original Wailers (featuring Al Anderson). Kicking off in Jacksonville on Thursday, October 23, and wrapping up in Pinellas Park on Sunday, October 26, this short but sweet run is set to be a highlight of the fall concert season.
“We’re gonna create a unique experience for audiences with all-around great music and big-time fun,” shares Jake Owen. He describes the upcoming shows as “a mini-fun fest with a little bit of beachy, modern and vintage country, hip-hop, reggae and rock,” hinting at the eclectic blend fans can expect. Dustin Bushnell, also known as “Duddy B,” vocalist and guitarist for Dirty Heads, echoes this sentiment, stating, “We’re looking to create a laid-back atmosphere full of good music, good times and good people.”
This collaboration brings together two acts known for their distinct yet appealing styles. Jake Owen, a mainstay in country music, boasts a career filled with gold and platinum records, 10 No. 1 singles, and over 2.5 billion U.S. on-demand streams. His laid-back style and hits like “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Beachin’,” and “Anywhere With You” have solidified his place as a fan favorite. Owen is currently in the studio with plans to release new music in late summer 2025, following his ongoing “The Driftwood Ramble Tour.”
Dirty Heads, on the other hand, have carved out a significant niche with their signature blend of hip-hop, reggae, and rock since 2001. Their global appeal skyrocketed in 2021 with the resurgence of their 2017 hit “Vacation,” which garnered over six billion views and streams across social media thanks to the viral #VacationTransition challenge on TikTok. The band released their highly anticipated eighth studio album, Midnight Control, in August 2022, and a deluxe version in July 2024. They are currently in the studio working on their ninth album.
With the legendary Al Anderson from The Original Wailers also on the bill, these shows are poised to offer an unforgettable cross-genre musical journey, promising something for every taste.
Fri. 10/24 IThink West Palm Beach, FL
Sat. 10/25 Apopka Amphitheater Apopka, FL 32712
Sun. 10/26 England Brothers Park Pinellas Park, FL
Jake Owen: A Decade of Dominance and the Enduring Appeal of Country’s Laid-Back Superstar
Jake Owen stands as an undeniable force in contemporary country music, a true mainstay whose career trajectory is marked by an impressive collection of gold and platinum records, a remarkable ten No. 1 singles, and a staggering 2.5 billion U.S. on-demand streams. His signature laid-back style, coupled with an innate ability to craft infectious, relatable anthems, has cemented his place as a fan favorite and an Academy of Country Music (ACM) award winner. From the sun-soaked nostalgia of “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” to the romantic introspection of “Alone With You,” Owen’s hit recordings, including “Beachin’,” “Anywhere With You,” and “The One That Got Away,” have become integral parts of the modern country soundscape.
Dirty Heads: Blending Genres and Breaking Boundaries with Southern California Soul
Since their inception in 2001, Dirty Heads have carved out a distinctive niche in the music world, seamlessly fusing hip-hop, reggae, and rock into a unique sound that both deeply embodies their Southern California roots and resonates with audiences across the globe. Their genre-bending approach has not only defined their artistic identity but has also allowed them to transcend traditional musical boundaries, attracting a diverse and ever-growing fanbase.
The band’s global reach experienced an extraordinary surge in 2021, driven by the viral resurgence of their 2017 hit, “Vacation.” This track exploded across social media platforms, garnering over six billion views and streams, largely propelled by the ubiquitous #VacationTransition challenge that organically originated with users on TikTok. This unprecedented online phenomenon breathed new life into the song, leading to an astonishing 850% increase in consumption on Spotify in the past year alone. “Vacation” effectively introduced Dirty Heads to millions of new international fans, demonstrating the remarkable power of grassroots digital engagement.
Building on this momentum, the band released their highly anticipated 8th studio album, Midnight Control, in August 2022. The album featured ten brand-new songs, including their compelling take on Joe Walsh’s 1978 hit, “Life’s Been Good.” Midnight Control quickly proved to be another success, holding the #3 spot on BDS for multiple consecutive weeks. The band further expanded on this release with a deluxe version of the album in July 2024, offering fans even more of their signature sound. With a consistent drive to create and innovate, Dirty Heads are currently back in the studio, diligently working on their ninth album, promising to deliver more of the laid-back, yet intensely creative, musical fusion that has become their hallmark. Their journey continues to be one of artistic evolution and widespread appeal, firmly establishing them as pioneers in their unique sonic landscape.