BURBANK, CA (Top40 Charts/ Reprise Records) Multi-platinum recording artist
Josh Groban announced on The Today Show this morning that he will launch a 2011 World Tour in support of his latest platinum certified album, Illuminations. He will be visiting cities all across the US and Canada beginning this spring. The first cities announced include May 16th in Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Arena, May 25th, Kansas City, MO at the Sprint Center and May 28th, Moline, IL at the Iwireless Center. A ticket pre-sale for members of Josh's fanclub,
Friends of Josh Groban, will begin February 16th for these 3 shows. Tickets will go on sale to the general public February 18th.
The "Straight To You" Tour is Groban's first full-scale global arena tour since 2007, when the internationally renowned singer and songwriter hit the road for his hugely successful, sold-out 81-city Awake World Tour.
For his 2011 tour, Groban has created a set list culled from his four previous best-selling albums, as well as songs from Illuminations - the rewardingly surprise-filled result of Groban's teaming with veteran producer Rick Rubin, known for his iconic work with Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, and Dixie Chicks, among many others.
Released by 143/Reprise Records on November 15th, Illuminations debuted at No. 4 on Billboard's Top 200 chart (Groban's fourth consecutive Top 5 chart bow), selling 191,337 units in its first week. Entertainment Weekly declared that "Illuminations might be Groban's handsomest effort yet." USA Today raved: "Illuminations yields glowing music. Sturdy, deeply personal statements, brimming with poignancy." The New York Times also praised the album, saying it "showcases Mr. Groban's songwriting" and "reflects the conviction that gallantry can also be pensive and uncertain."
Groban first broke through in 2001 with his self-titled 5x-platinum debut, followed by 2003's 5x-platinum Closer and 2006's 2x-platinum Awake. In 2007, Groban became the best-selling recording artist of the year thanks to sales of Awake and his blockbuster 5x-platinum Christmas album, No�l, which spent five consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart. Groban and his recordings have been nominated for more than a dozen awards including an American Music Award, a World Music Award, a Juno Award, two Grammy Awards, and an Academy Award. He has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide.
You can also see Groban on Tuesday, February 15th where he will perform on Live with Regis & Kelly and The Late Show With David Letterman, as well as make a return appearance on The Today Show, where he will chat with Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb.
Groban is also performing the National Anthem at the 60th Annual NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles on February 20th.
Additional tour dates and on sale information will be announced soon.
