Lyfe Jennings makes a change

R&B artist Lyfe Jennings recently rolled out his "Baby I'm a Star" summer tour, which doubles as an AIDS awareness campaign.

The singer/songwriter/producer launched the outing last week and will continue tomorrow (7/1) in Atlanta, with clubs and theaters across the US scheduled into September. Details are listed below.

Jennings is supporting his third record, "Lyfe Change," which surfaced in April and bowed at No. 1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The 14-track set has spawned the hit R&B single "Never Never Land," which is streaming at the Toledo, OH, native's MySpace page along with several other songs from the album.

"Lyfe Change" includes collaborations with Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg and T.I., as well as Grammy-nominated producers Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, The Underdogs and Rich Keller. It also finds Jennings experimenting with different genres and upping the ante on his expression of positivity.

"My music has always been positive, touching people socially and emotionally," the singer said in his bio. "But I named this album 'Lyfe Change' because this time, I wanted to take it a step further and invoke people to make a change in their lives and in the lives of others. That's how we'll change the world, one life at a time."

Jennings is doing his part to change the world by partnering with Music World Entertainment in a program to support the "Heightened National Response to the HIV/AIDS Crisis Among African Americans." The effort, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, promotes awareness, education and testing across the US.

Jennings' on-the-road program, dubbed "It's Real. Preserve Your Lyfe!," will greet concertgoers with "Lyfe Change" kits that include HIV/AIDS prevention and education resources along with copies of the performer's song "It's Real," which addresses the epidemic.

"I have to use my voice to help raise awareness so that we can really bring an end to this thing," Jennings said in a statement. "This disease has affected all of our lives, but we can definitely do things to prevent its spread and to protect ourselves."

The singer developed his sound during a 10-year prison sentence for arson, according to All Music Guide. He released his critically acclaimed debut, "Lyfe 268-192," in 2004 and followed that up two years later with his sophomore effort, "The Phoenix," which reached No. 2 on The Billboard 200.

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]
 tour dates and tickets
July 2008
1 - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage
3 - Memphis, TN - Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
4 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
5 - New Orleans, LA - Superdome
8 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
10 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
11 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
12 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
13 - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
14 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
16 - Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market
19 - Maplewood, MN - Myth
20 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
22 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
24 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore at TLA
25 - New York, NY - The Fillmore
26 - Washington, DC - Constitution Hall
27 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
29 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
30 - Richmond, VA - The National

August 2008
2 - Miami, FL - James L. Knight Center
8 - Detroit, MI - Chene Park
20 - Atlanta, GA - Opera

September 2008
10 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues

 tour dates and tickets
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