Country act sells out Sears Centre, breaks record

Tickets to see one of the biggest acts in country music at the Sears Centre Arena this fall sold out Friday in less than five minutes — the 7-year-old stadium’s fastest sellout ever, officials said.

The up-and-coming country duo of Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard will be performing at the arena Oct. 31 as part of a 32-date “Here’s To The Good Times” tour that kicks off Oct. 3 in Brookings, S.D.

“Florida Georgia Line is hot, and we know our fans are excited as evidenced by today’s on-sale,” said Ben Gibbs, the arena’s general manager, in a news release.

When the band gets to town, Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod is expected to proclaim Oct. 31, 2013 as Florida Georgia Line Day in Hoffman Estates.

The duo’s hit single, “Cruise,” has spent more than 20 weeks as the number one song on the Hot 100 Country list.

In April, Florida Georgia Line won awards in the New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year and New Artist of the Year categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

The Hoffman Estates concert is being promoted by Ed Warm, the owner of Joe’s Bar on Weed Street in Chicago that regularly features country music acts.