Robert Cray set to drop new album, launch tour with John Hiatt >> Tour dates and concert ticket info >> LiveDaily

Robert Cray set to drop new album, launch tour with John Hiatt

Published June 26, 2003 02:50 PM

By Jon Zahlaway / LiveDaily Senior Writer

Bluesman Robert Cray [ tickets ] releases his 13th studio album on Tuesday (7/1), and supports the set with a lengthy road trip featuring many co-headlining dates with John Hiatt [ tickets ] and the Goners.

Cray and Hiatt kick off their joint tour on July 25, and dates stretch into mid October. Before hooking up with Hiatt, Cray will complete an already-in-progress headlining outing of his own, and has also tucked some additional headlining dates in between shows with Hiatt.

Titled "Time Will Tell," Cray's latest studio set is his first release on Sanctuary Records. The collection includes the single "Back Door Slam," which Robert Cray Band drummer Kevin Hayes wrote with his sister, Bonnie Hayes, who is known for her work with Bonnie Raitt on releases such as "Have a Heart" and "Love Letter."

Cray co-produced "Time Will Tell" with his longtime keyboardist Jim Pugh, according to a press release. Bassist Karl Sevareid rounds out Cray's backing band, while guest musicians on the set include Sly & the Family Stone trumpeter Cynthia Robinson and saxophonist Jerry Martini, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and percussionist Luis Conte.

Hiatt, who recently signed to indie label New West Records, released his latest album, "Beneath this Gruff Exterior," last month. The set is his 18th, and is the first to be credited to "John Hiatt and the Goners," which refers to his longtime band.

Guitarist Sonny Landreth, bassist Dave Ranson and drummer Kenneth Blevins reunited with singer-guitarist Hiatt for the first time in almost a decade on Hiatt's previous album, "The Tiki Bar is Open," which hit stores in 2001.

[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.]

Robert Cray

June 2003
26 - Boise, ID - Boise River Festival
27 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
28 - Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion
29 - Guerneville, CA - Russian River Blues Festival

July 2003
3 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theatre
4 - Courtenay, British Columbia - Vancouver Island MusicFest
5 - Redmond, WA - Marymoor Amphitheatre
11 - Santa Ynez, CA - Gainey Vineyards
12 - Eureka, CA - Blues by the Bay
19 - Grass Valley, CA - Worldfest

August 2003
9 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
12 - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall
14 - Albany, NY - The Egg
15 - Waitsfield, VT - Festival of the Arts
17 - New York, NY - Hudson River Park Blues & BBQ
30 - Bridgeport, CT - Seaside Park

December 2003
26, 27 - Kelseyville, CA - Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa

Robert Cray and John Hiatt

July 2003
25 - Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill Amphitheater
26 - Pittsburgh, PA - Chevrolet Amphitheatre
27 - Toronto, Ontario - Toronto Star Bluesfest
29 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
31 - Hyannis, MA - Cape Cod Melody Tent

August 2003
1 - Westbury, NY - Westbury Music Fair
2 - Philadelphia, PA - Mann Center
3 - Cohasset, MA - So. Shore Music Circus
5 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Concert Pavilion
6 - Portsmouth, VA - Harbor Center
8 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
10 - Charlotte, NC - Belk Theatre

September 2003
3 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant
4 - Sheboygan, WI - Weill Center
5 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia Festival
6, 7 - Apple Valley, MN - Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater
27 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Hotel - The Joint
28 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
29, 30 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's

October 2003
2 - Anaheim, CA - The Grove of Anaheim
3, 4 - Saratoga, CA - Historic Mountain Winery
5 - West Sacramento, CA - Raley Field
7 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre
8 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
10 - Austin, TX - Stubb's Barbeque
11 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
12 - Mobile, AL - Saenger Theatre
14 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
15 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Bay P.A.C.
16 - Pompano Beach, FL - Pompano Beach Amphitheatre
17 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live