James Taylor tour ‘covers’ more of America in September

Preeminent singer-songwriter James Taylor has rounded up an eight-member backing group to accompany him on a new tour of the U.S. this fall. The Down Home Tour is currently booked from September 9 at Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, TX, through September 21 at Wente Vineyards in Livermore, CA.

Nine dates are on the schedule for the trek, primarily set for concerts along the Southwest and West Coast at this time. Stops include a September 13 show at Tucson Music Hall in Tuscon, AZ, and a September 16 performance at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA, though more dates should be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets are already on sale for Taylor’s September 15-21 confirmed appearances. Onsales begin June 19 for the concerts in San Antonio, El Paso and Tuscon, followed by the Albuquerque show’s June 20 onsale.

The acclaimed performer will be accompanied on the road by musicians Keith Carlock, Larry Goldings, Jimmy Johnson and Bob Mann. Backup vocalists for the trek are David Lasley, Kate Marowitz, Arnold McCuller and Andrea Zonn.

Taylor is continuing to support his most recent studio release, “Covers,” released in September 2008 in the U.S. As its name suggests, the album is filled with cover songs, including Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” and Leonard Cohen‘s “Suzanne.”

In addition to his touring efforts, Taylor is also working on his latest album of original material. According to a September 2008 interview with Billboard, the musician hoped the record would be ready for release later this year.

“I have songs in various stages of completion [that] I need to go back and finish,” Taylor commented last fall. “This year coming up I intend to finish it.”

Earlier this year, Taylor completed a spring tour of the U.S., mostly hitting states in the Southeast and Midwest. This summer, he’ll be making the rounds of Europe’s summer festivals, though he’ll return to the States for a four-night run at Tanglewood, outside of Lenox, MA.

James Taylor itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)