www.livedaily.com
by Tara Hall
Willie Nelson has extended his in-progress road trip behind “American Classic,” his first collection of standards since 1978′s “Stardust.”
Since last check, the Red-Headed Stranger has tacked an additional 14 shows onto the itinerary, including a performance tonight (9/17) in Newkirk, OK, and an Oct. 4 headlining spot at St. Louis’ Farm Aid 2009, the benefit concert Nelson co-founded with Neil Young and John Mellencamp in 1985. The calendar also includes several make-up dates for shows that were originally scheduled for February but were postponed due to illness.
The full schedule is listed below.
“American Classic,” Nelson’s first solo effort on the Blue Note label, hit retailers late last month and peaked at No. 14 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The 12-track set, which currently sits at No. 20 on the chart, includes Nelson’s backing band–Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Joe Sample (piano), Christian McBride (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums)–and features guest vocalists Diana Krall (“If I Had You”) and Norah Jones (“Baby It’s Cold Outside”).
Earlier this summer, Nelson embarked on a 22-date “Baseball Tour” alongside John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan. In March, the iconic singer/songwriter unveiled “Naked Willie,” a 17-track set of recordings from the late 1960sht
that were stripped down to their original studio versions.
September 2009
17 – Newkirk, OK – First Council Casino
19 – Memphis, TN – Mud Island Amphitheatre
20 – Springdale, AR – Springdale Convention Center
22 – Ashland, KY – Paramount Arts Center
23 – Toledo, OH – Stranahan Theatre
24 – East Lansing, MI – Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
26 – Tinley Park, IL – First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
30 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
October 2009
2 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
4 – Maryland Heights, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
16 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum
17 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Music Park
18 – Naples, FL – Philharmonic Center for the Arts
20 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
21 – Melbourne, FL – King Center for the Performing Arts
22 – Panama City, FL – Marina Civic Center
23 – Choctaw, MS – Silver Star Resort
24 – Marksville, LA – Paragon Casino Resort
27 – Elmira, NY – First Arena
29 – Winchester, VA – Patsy Cline Theater
30 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
31 – Hiawassee, GA – Anderson Music Hall
November 2009
1 – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theater
3 – Columbia, SC – Koger Center for the Arts
4 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
I wish I could be there for the show at the Patsy Cline Theater on October 29th. Who knows????