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Country music star Hunter Hayes aiming for 24-hour concert record

By Mike Janela
Published

CMA Awards? Hunter Hayes has those.

Grammy nominations? Got those too.

Platinum album? You bet.

Now, he has his sights on something even bigger: a Guinness World Records title.

The 22-year-old country music superstar has announced plans to aim for a record previously held by legendary artists Jay Z and The Flaming Lips. Starting with a New York City performance on "Good Morning America" live on May 9, Hayes will hit the road to play the most live concerts in 24 hours in different cities. Originally set by Hove with seven shows in 2006, the record to beat now stands at eight, set by Wayne Coyne's band (below) in 2012.

The Flaming Lips began their attempt in Memphis and ended in New Orleans

Hayes will team with ConAgra Foods to add a charitable element to his historic pursuit. Dubbed "Hunter Hayes’ 24 Hour Road Race to End Child Hunger," it will be sponsored in part by ConAgra’s Child Hunger Ends Here program.

In a recent New York Times interview on the subject of child hunger, Hayes said, "awareness is key with something like this, but just as important is that everyone can pitch in to make this story a better story — and how easy it is for us to help.”

Hayes' planned itinerary sees him touring the American Northeast:

May 9

May 10

Astonishingly, this attempt comes in the middle of Hayes' larger ongoing national tour, which starts March 20 in Kentucky and sees the artist play 19 shows in 16 states through May 31.

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To qualify for this record, Hayes must play in cities that all have a population of at least 15,000, half of which must boast a number above 100,000. Each venue must also be at least 50 km (31 miles) from the previous venue.

Be sure to follow the latest updates on this and all other world records by following Guinness World Records on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.