B.B. King festival broadens its musical scope >> Tour dates and concert ticket info >> LiveDaily

B.B. King festival broadens its musical scope

Published May 13, 2003 12:01 PM

By Rob Evans / LiveDaily Editor

For the 12th consecutive year, blues legend B.B. King [ tickets ] will lead a festival tour of the amphitheater circuit, but--unlike previous outings--this year's edition expands beyond the blues.

In fact, the word "blues" has been dropped from the event's name. This year, the outing is being billed as the B.B. King Music Festival. Joining King on the bill will be British blues-rocker Jeff Beck [ tickets ]. Galactic and Mofro--two acts popular among jam-band aficionados--will also support.

At press time, liveDaily could confirm only a handful of dates, but more will be announced.

Though he's less than three years away from his 80th birthday, King continues to play well over 100 concerts per year. He's currently in the midst of a lengthy series of Midwestern dates.

King's latest major release is 2001's "A Christmas Celebration of Hope," the first Christmas collection of his career. He also turned up on Tony Bennett's 2001 album "Playing With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues."

Over his 60-year recording career, King has released more than 50 albums. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

[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.]

B.B. King Music Festival

July 2003
27 - Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Harbor Resort

August 2003
1 - Concord, CA - Chronicle Pavilion
2 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
14 - Holmdel, NJ - P.N.C. Bank Arts Center
15 - Wantagh, NY - Jones Beach
20 - Cleveland, OH - Scene Pavilion
22 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre

September 2003
5, 6 - Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre
B.B. King

May 2003
14 - Springfield, MO - Shrine Mosque
16 - Wichita, KS - The Cotillion
17 - Lincoln, NE - Lied Center for Performing Arts
18 - Des Moines, IA - Val Air Ballroom
19 - Cedar Falls, IA - Gallagher-Bluedron Performing Arts Center
20 - Davenport, IA - Adler Theater
21 - Green Bay, WI - Weidner Center for the Performing Arts
23 - Tulsa, OK - River Parks Amphitheater
24 - Lubbock, TX - Civic Center
25 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheater

June 2003
6 - Indianola, MS - Fletcher Park
7 - Hattiesburg, MS - Hattiesburg, MS
12 - Cohasset, MA - Cape Cod Melody Tent
13 - Northampton, MA - Calvin Theater
14 - Big Flats, NY - Summer Soundstage
15, 16 - New York, NY - B.B. King Blues Club