Neil Diamond tour announces new dates for 2008-2009 itinerary

Iconic pop crooner Neil Diamond announced this week that his North American tour is far from reaching the end of the road. His current itinerary, which was originally scheduled to wrap on November 4, has been extended with dates through 2009.

The third leg of the trek will pick up November 22 at Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND, and currently has shows booked through a January 8 gig at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, OR. Other stops along the way include a November 28 show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, and a December 15 concert at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. The new leg also features two arena shows in Canada: November 30 at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, ON, and December 2 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON.

A statement on Diamond’s official Web site credits the new tour circuit to overwhelming demand. The singer already added more shows in the larger markets — including a third engagement in Los Angeles on October 4 following his October 1-2 run at the Hollywood Bowl.

Some fans commented on the site about the conspicuous absence of return performances in Ohio. In August, the performer offered a refund to the audience at a Columbus, OH, show after complaints that he struggled through the set with a raspy voice. However, even with the recent additions, the itinerary is by no means complete, and more events are expected for 2009.

The singer-songwriter, best known for hits “Sweet Caroline” and “I’m a Believer,” kicked off his North American tour on July 19 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN. The tour supports “Home Before Dark,” Diamond’s May 2008 release and first No. 1 debut album.

Diamond’s tour continues with a performance tonight, September 24, at KeyArena in Seattle, WA.

Neil Diamond itinerary:
(Dates subject to change.)

* recently added