NASHVILLE, Tenn. (By Michele Schweitzer/ M-Relations) - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. and top selling country music superstars
Brooks & Dunn today announced a partnership with Toyota Tundra for the remainder of 2006, through 2008. Toyota Tundra was unveiled as the official presenting sponsor of the upcoming
Brooks & Dunn 2006 concert tour titled, The Long Haul Tour, a seamless reference to the band's unwavering tour schedule and Tundra's proven longevity and payload.
"Brooks & Dunn's music captures the Toyota Tundra truck-driving lifestyle and digs deep into the roots of American life," said Steve Jett, National Truck Advertising and Engagement Marketing Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Just as Brooks & Dunn have set the benchmark for excellence in country music, the award-winning Tundra is setting the benchmark for full-size pickups. We're excited to join Brooks & Dunn on the road for The Long Haul Tour and to bring the only full-size pickup exclusively built in America to their fans."
Today's announcement was made by the multi-platinum duo at an intimate gathering of 125 fans and Nashville music industry elite. Brooks & Dunn surprised everyone in attendance; treating guests to a rare performance live from The Barn, at Dunn's Nashville home.
"We've worked long and hard, over the years, to build a brand that exemplifies the fulfillment of the American dream," said Ronnie Dunn. "We want our fans to be able to depend on us for comfort through the tough stuff. We hope that they will drag us along for the party! The road has been a tough, uphill climb. We fought with everything that we had not to be a flash in the pan... we're in it for the long haul."
The tour marks Toyota's first foray into the country music genre, part of its ongoing commitment to bring 70 years of truck-making and the best full-size pickup on the market to the American heartland.
"Big trucks and country music have always had a partnership," said Kix Brooks. "Toyota has developed a reputation for dependability that is second to none. At this point in our career we are very careful about who we hook up with - hooking our trailer to a Toyota hitch gives me a feeling that we'll make it to the end of the road. It's going to be a long haul and it's going to be a good one."
The Long Haul Tour presented by Toyota Tundra will kick off May 12 in Charlotte, NC. Critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter-guitarist Jack Ingram, who recently acquired his first Top 5 hit, "Wherever You Are," and Double-Platinum selling group Sugarland, winner of Best New Artist at the American Music Awards, were announced as the opening acts for the upcoming Brooks & Dunn tour.
"The Long Haul Tour creates an incredible match with Toyota Tundra and Brooks & Dunn, both standard-bearers for all-American excellence," said Joe Galante, Chairman, Sony BMG Nashville. "It's a perfect match of road warriors, as The Long Haul Tour pairs the rock-solid Toyota Tundra with one of country's most consistently dynamic concert draws, multi-million selling superstars, Brooks & Dunn."
Fans and guests in attendance today got a rare sneak preview of the 2007 new generation Toyota Tundra, recently introduced to critical acclaim at the Chicago Auto Show. The new Tundra is completely redesigned. Toyota's engineers spent countless hours working with, and watching, true truck owners and their vehicles. It features new body and engine configurations, quick easy access to the truck bed and a tailgate that can be opened and closed with just two fingers. Robust dampers on the hinges have been added to help cushion the tailgate when opening and also help reduce bouncing when driving with the tailgate down. Large door handles, inside and out, easy-to-turn HVAC knobs, and adjustable headrests, allow drivers and passengers to ride to their next work site without having to remove protective gear such as hardhats or gloves.
The new Tundra also has the ability to tow over 10,000 pounds with every major component brawny and designed for maximum strength, durability and reliability over the long haul. The Tundra will arrive in dealer showrooms in early 2007.
