Boyz II Men continue 'Hitsville' journey
Boyz II Men , who have been touring the world all year to support their latest album, "Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA," continue the trek with scattered US dates through next May.
The outing picks up again Saturday (10/25) in Oak Brook, IL, and is scheduled to visit Florida, Mississippi, Colorado, Ohio and Michigan before the end of the year. December will also find the Boyz traveling through Tanzania, Uganda, Japan and Indonesia. Their 2009 calendar is starting to fill up, as well, with a handful of US performances booked into May. Stateside concerts are listed below and international gigs can be found at the group's website.
Last November, Boyz II Men returned to center stage with "Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA," which marked the trio's first major-label offering in five years. The set, co-produced by "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, has the singers putting their Boyz II Men spin on a dozen Motown hits, including Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me," Smokey Robinson's "The Tracks of My Tears" and The Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)." It also features a cappella versions of Stevie Wonder's "Ribbon In the Sky" and the Boyz' biggest hit, "End of the Road."
"We wanted to pay tribute to an era that had such a major influence on our sound," Boyz member Shawn Stockman said in a statement.
Vocalist Wanya Morris added, "Everything on this record was recorded with all live instruments, and working with Randy [Jackson], we were able to capture the feel, vibe and energy of these classic songs."
Boyz II Men, which formed in Philadelphia 20 years ago, has been cited as the most commercially successful R&B male vocal group of all time, according to a press release. Between 1992 and 1997, they recorded five No. 1 pop hits, sold more than 60 million records worldwide and earned a host of honors, including four Grammy Awards.
October 2008
25 - Oak Brook, IL - Drury Lane Banquet Facility
29, 30 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - Walt Disney World
November 2008
6 - Meridian, MS - Mississippi State University/Riley Center
7 - Biloxi, MS - IP Casino Resort and Spa
28 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
29 - Dayton, OH - Schuster Center
December 2008
11 - Detroit, MI - MGM Grand Detroit
January 2009
17 - Primm, NV - Star of the Desert Arena
February 2009
Morton, MN - Jackpot Junction Casino Hall
March 2009
13 - Fayetteville, NC - Crown Theater
14 - Greenville, SC - Peace Center for Performing Arts
April 2009
17, 18 - Sparks, NV - John Ascuaga's Nugget
25 - Gary, IN - Westside Theater
May 2009
7, 8 - New York, NY - B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
9 - Foxboro, MA - Showcase Live
- Artist Links:
Boyz II Men ramp up 2009 trek [February 2009]
December's New Music DVD Releases: Bob Dylan, AC/DC, Drake Bell [December 2008]
Weekend Ticketing: Motley Crue, Lil Wayne, John Legend, Steve Winwood, Kings of Leon [November 2008]
Boyz II Men take 'Throwback' out for a spin [November 2004]
Briefly: Jimmy Buffett, Diana DeGarmo, Fantasia Barrino, Boyz II Men, Cherie [June 2004]
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Living Colour steps through 'Doorway' on fall trek
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