John Mellencamp Kicks Off 'No Better Than This Tour,' 10/29; Tix On Sale, 8/14

John Mellencamp and his band will bring the "No Better Than This Tour" to Detroit's Fox Theatre on Friday, Nov. 19 at 6:45 p.m. Tickets Go On Sale Saturday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m.

John Mellencamp and his band are set to embark on the first leg of the "No Better Than This Tour" in late October following the August 17 release of his Rounder Records debut album, 'No Better Than This.' The tour, designed as a uniquely formatted "evening with," brings Mellencamp's music to theater-sized venues.

The tour, anticipated to continue through the spring of 2011, will kick off on October 29th in Bloomington, IN, where Mellencamp and his family make their home. It continues for four weeks bringing Mellencamp, his band and music to audiences in Nashville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh and three additional Indiana markets of South Bend, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis with further tour dates pending.

The tour will feature classic Mellencamp material associated with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee over the course of his 35 year long career as well as the new music from 'No Better Than This.' The new album was produced by T Bone Burnett and recorded in three locations in the American South: Savannah's First African Baptist Church, Sun Studio in Memphis and Room 414 of San Antonio's Gunter Hotel where Robert Johnson recorded in 1936. The sessions were
documented on a 55-year-old mono tape recorder using just one vintage microphone at each location. 

As a reflection of the diversity of styles and material that have been a hallmark of Mellencamp's eclectic career, the concerts are formatted into three segments. These showcase John Mellencamp in an acoustic context, fronting a small combo recalling blues/country and rockabilly roots and with his full rock band. Musicians backing Mellencamp include Michael Wanchic (guitar), Andy York (guitar), Miriam Sturm (violin), John Gunnell (electric and upright bass), Dane Clark (drums)
and Troye Kinnett (accordion/keyboards).

Of special note is the fact that the tour's "opening act," is a documentary film by Kurt Markus entitled 'It's About You.' Shot on Super8 film over the course of last year's Bob Dylan-John
Mellencamp-Willie Nelson tour of minor league baseball stadiums, it chronicles the creation of 'No Better Than This' while serving as a cinematic ‘think piece' on the state of the country at the end of the first decade of the 21st Century. Markus, whose still work has put him in the front ranks of contemporary American photographers, has been cited for his extraordinary vision of his work documenting the American West and is the recipient of Life Magazine's Alfred Eisenstaedt Photography Award. Ticket holders are urged to get to their respective "No Better Than This Tour" venues in advance of the film's 6:45 PM start time.

Fans should to log on to www.mellencamp.com for the most up-to-date concert and ticket on-sale information.

John Mellencamp "No Better Than This Tour", promoted by AEG Live, confirmed initial tour dates:

Oct. 29 - Bloomington, IN - Indiana University Auditorium
Nov. 1 - Cincinnati, OH - Music Hall
Nov. 3 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
Nov. 5 - Kansas City, MO - The Midland by AMC
Nov. 6 - St. Louis, MO - Fabulous Fox Theatre
Nov. 8 - Indianapolis, IN - Clowes MemoriAl Hall
Nov. 11 - Indianapolis, IN - Hinkle Fieldhouse
Nov. 13 - South Bend, IN - Morris Performing Arts Center
Nov. 16 - Fort Wayne, IN - Embassy Theatre
Nov. 17 - Cleveland, OH - Palace Theatre
Nov. 19 - Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre
Nov. 20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Heinz Hall
Nov. 22 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 23 - Minneapolis, MN - Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 26 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
Nov. 27 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre

Tickets ($42.50, $52.50, $72.50, $92,50 and $125.00) go on sale
Saturday, Aug. 14 at 10:00 a.m. and may be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (without service charge) at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000. Please call (313) 471-3099 for more information.

 

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