Alan Jackson [ tickets ], prior to linking with George Strait [ tickets ]'s Country Music Festival in late March, will open 2001 with a month-long tour of arenas in the northeastern United States. The country performer is supporting his latest album, “When Somebody Loves You.”

Jackson’s latest set of headlining dates is set to open on Jan. 31 in Albany, N.Y., and currently comprises eight cities. Sara Evans will open the tour’s Feb. 2 date in Pittsburgh, and Lee Ann Womack will open on Feb. 9 in Buffalo, N.Y. Opening acts for the remaining shows had not been announced at press time.

The Strait festival--which features Jackson second on the bill to the tour’s namesake--is scheduled to open in late March. Lonestar [ tickets ], Lee Ann Womack, Brad Paisley [ tickets ], and Asleep at the Wheel have also signed on for the tour, which is tentatively scheduled to visit stadiums in 16 cities.

Jackson’s plans for 2001 also include a performance at Fan Fair, which is set for June 14-17 in Nashville. The event’s organizers have not confirmed the specific date of his appearance.

Though Jackson toured extensively early in his career--sometimes playing 200 dates a year--he has cut back on his live appearances in recent years. He is expected to play fewer than 50 shows in 2001.

A native of Georgia, Jackson has sold more than 30 million albums since his debut release hit stores in 1990, according to Arista Nashville. In November, he was named male vocalist of the year at the sixth annual Nashville Music Awards. He is a nominee in the American Music Awards’ favorite male artist and favorite album (for his 1999 release "Under The Influence") categories; those prizes will be awarded on Jan. 8.