The Boot News Roundup: Garth Brooks Earns iHeartRadio Artist of the Decade Award + More

Welcome to The Boot's News Roundup, a morning rundown of the news country music fans need to know. Read on to learn more about the latest goings-on in the country, Americana, bluegrass and folk genres.

Garth Brooks has been named iHeartRadio's Artist of the Decade; he'll receive the honor, in recognition of his "impact on the music industry," according to a press release, at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards, which will air on Fox on March 14. Brooks is the first iHeartRadio Artist of the Decade Award recipient. -- AS

In recognition of his philanthropic work, Darius Rucker will be honored with the Music Business Association's Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Awards. Rucker is receiving the award in part thanks to his annual golf tournament and benefit concerts, the proceeds from which are donated to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Rucker will be on hand to accept his honor at Music Biz 2019's Awards & Hall of Fame Dinner, set for May 7 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Nashville. -- AM

The Zac Brown Band will be the Rolling Stones' special guests at their Jacksonville, Fla., No Filter Tour stop. The two bands will play the city's TIAA Bank Field on April 24, one of 15 stops on the Stones' 2019 tour. “We are huge fans of the Stones," say ZBB (quote via MusicRow). "It’s an honor to join them in Jacksonville and share a stage with such legendary musicians." -- AS

Abby Anderson will join pop-rock artist Rob Thomas for his 2019 Chip Tooth Smile Tour, in support of Thomas' upcoming new album, Chip Tooth Smile. The trek will begin in late May and run through early August; tickets will go on pre-sale on Feb. 25 at RobThomasMusic.com. Anderson is clearly psyched about the news: On Twitter, she writes that she'll be "screaming along to "Little Wonders" every night." -- AS

Iconic '90s country group Lonestar are headed out on the road in 2019. The band is set to kick off its Hits & More Hits Tour in Panama City Beach, Fla., on March 2, making stops in Ohio, Virginia, Canada, North Carolina, Michigan and more before concluding at Franklin, N.C.'s Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 21. The tour comes 20 years after the band's celebrated album Lonely Grill, on which hits such as "Amazed" and "Smile" appear. -- AM

Country duo Big & Rich have returned to Revolver Records. According to a press release, the duo will mobilize the label to promote their new single "Brand New Buzz," along with their forthcoming Peace, Love & Happy Tour, set to kick off in April. “We are thrilled to align with Reviver Records as they continue to build momentum for "Brand New Buzz,"” the duo says in a statement.  “They been big believers in our music since we launched our debut single "Wild West Show" in 2004 ... We are ready to rock this new era into the stratosphere.” -- AM