Brantley Gilbert Announces 2012 Headlining Tour Dates

Brantley Gilbert has definitely earned his slot on the list of up-and-coming country stars. This year, the rising hitmaker has watched 'You Don't Know Her Like I Do' become his second-consecutive No. 1 single, and he's gained major songwriting success, too. Gilbert penned 'Dirt Road Anthem' and 'My Kinda Party,' both of which Jason Aldean has taken to the top of the country charts. After gaining fans for his fist-pumping, hell-raising stage performances as an opener for Toby Keith and Eric Church, Gilbert has decided to trek out on his own headlining tour.

Fans of the wild and crazy country boy won't be surprised to learn that Gilbert chose to name his 2012 tour after his song 'Hell on Wheels.' The 'Country Must Be Country Wide' crooner will kickoff a series of headlining gigs in Lafayette, Ind. on September 27, with Uncle Kracker, Greg Bates and Brian Davis appearing alongside him as openers for various tour dates.

A few weeks ago, Gilbert told Taste of Country that the new tour came as a surprise to him -- but we're not sure why. Fans have been slightly Gilbert-crazy this year, and Taste of Country readers even proved their allegiance to the Georgia native by voting him country music's most eligible bachelor.

No doubt, a headlining tour will take Gilbert's popularity to the next level. Check out the current list 2012 Hell on Wheels Tour dates, and visit the country star's Facebook page to see when new dates are added.

Brantley Gilbert Hell on Wheels 2012 Tour Dates:

9/27 -- Lafayette, Ind. | Elliot Hall of Music
9/28 – Poplar Bluff, Mo. | Black River Coliseum
10/4 – Missoula, Mont. | Adams Center
10/5 – Bozeman, Mont. | Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
10/6 – Boise, Idaho | Taco Bell Arena
10/11 – Dodge City, Kan. | United Wireless Arena
10/18 – Amarillo, Texas | Amarillo Civic Center
10/20 – San Antonio, Texas | Cowboys Dance Hall