Odds & Ends: Kenny Chesney, Sammy Hagar & James Hetfield, Tragedy In Georgia

Three people are reported to have died when a 15-member passenger van carrying two heavy metal bands crashed into a tree alongside I-85 in Georgia, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The van was carrying members of Atlanta-based band Khaotika and Huntsville, Ala., group Wormreich.  Eight people were taken to local hospitals.  Three people are reported to be in critical condition.

Georgia State Patrol Cpl. Scott Smith told the newspaper that the driver “apparently fell asleep and allowed the vehicle to leave the roadway.”

The bands played a gig Sunday Night in Spartanburg and were reportedly heading to Atlanta when the crash occurred.

Evidently Kenny Chesney loved playing The Joint @ Hard Rock Hotel / Casino so much this weekend that he’s booked more shows at the venue.  The country superstar is bringing his “Big Revival Tour” back to the Las Vegas venue July 3-4.

Chesney is no stranger to The Joint.

“We helped open this place [six] years ago,” Chesney said.  “It feels good to be back, we’re going to a lot of places this summer but we’ll be coming back here in July.  This is the eighth time we’ve played here and we can’t get enough.”

Aside from artist residencies, Chesney has played 9 shows at The Joint, putting him at the top of the list for most appearances at the venue by a single performer.  The Joint originally opened as a 1,500 seat venue in 1995.  A new and larger Joint opened in 2009.

Tickets for Chesney’s newly announced gigs go on sale April 10 at 10 a.m. PDT.

Sammy Hagar and James Hetfield of Metallica have announced details for their second annual “Acoustic-4-A-Cure” in San Francisco, benefitting the Pediatric Cancer Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

Happening May 15 at The Masonic, the lineup includes Jerry Cantrell, Pat Monahan, Linda Perry, Joe Satriani, Chad Smith and others.

Tickets go on sale April 10 at 10 a.m. PDT.  Click here for more info.