LOS ANGELES (Bob Merlis/ www.bobmerlis.com/ UMe Records) - The first North American tour by rock legend
John Mellencamp in three years is set to launch early this spring. Dubbed the Words &
Music Tour, after his recently released platinum certified 2 CD Greatest Hits, performance dates start on March 23rd at the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah, GA. It is anticipated that a string of additional Words &
Music Tour dates will be announced in the near future.
Mellencamp will be backed by his full touring band and promises to offer a full program of songs pulled from his vast repertoire that includes such iconic hits as "Jack & Diane," "Small Town," "Pink Houses," "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.," "Authority Song" and more. He'll also be highlighting his latest, "Walk Tall," that is one of two newly recorded tracks on the Words & Music collection.
Mellencamp noted from his Bloomington, Indiana base, "Going out and playing is a great way for me to keep these songs alive; it's what I've done for my whole professional life. I do my best to give the audience the best possible performance and I've got the greatest band in the business backing me up. We're keeping the ticket prices down so as not to exclude anybody who might want to attend one of these shows."
For all dates on the tour in March and April, the top ticket price is set at $45. At most venues hosting the Words & Music Tour, the average ticket price will range between $25 and $35.
Folk and rock's legendary Donovan, who has rarely toured in recent years, will be featured as a special guest on these Words & Music Tour dates. He'll be performing his own set that includes many of his best known songs - "Sunshine Superman," "Hurdy Gurdy Man," "Wear Your Love Like Heaven," "Season of the Witch" - and will also join Mellencamp for a special onstage collaboration.
John Mellencamp's touring band consists of Mike Wanchic (guitar and backing Vocals), Miriam Sturm (violin, percussion and backing vocals), Michael Ramos (keyboards, accordion and backing vocals), Andy York (guitar and backing vocals), Pat Peterson (backing vocals and percussion), Dane Clark (drums and percussion) and Jon Gunnell (bass guitar).
In keeping with a policy that started more than ten years ago, members of the official John Mellencamp fan club, Club Cherry Bomb, (www.clubcherrybomb.net and www.JohnMellencamp.com) will be offered access to premium Words & Music Tour date concert tickets via a presale available through the site.
Dates for the first leg of John Mellencamp 2005 Words & Music Tour follow:
Wednesday, March 23, Savannah (GA) Civic Center
Friday, March 25, Pensacola (FL) Civic Center
Saturday, March 26, Tallahassee (FL) Leon County Civic Center
Tuesday, March 29, Oklahoma City (OK) Ford Center
Wednesday, March 30, Wichita (KS) Kansas Coliseum
Friday, April 1, Omaha (NE) Qwest Center
Saturday, April 2, Fargo (ND) Fargodome
Monday, April 4, Rapid City (SD) Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
Wednesday, April 6, St. Paul (MN) Xcel Arena
Friday, April 8, Moline (IL) Mark of the Quad Cities
Saturday, April 9, Rockford (IL) MetroCentre
Monday, April 11, Terre Haute (IN) ISU Hulman Center
Tuesday, April 12, Ft. Wayne (IN) Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Thursday, April 14, Grand Rapids (MI) Van Andel
Friday, April 15, Green Bay (WI) Resch Center
Sunday, April 17, Louisville (KY) Freedom Hall
