Am I a whore? A shill? I say thee, “Nay!”

But I am helping promote the new tour by Counting Crows, featuring one of my favorite San Francisco artists, Michael Franti, and the band Augustana. When I saw Franti would join the tour, I just about crapped myself. I’ve been a fan of his for about 15 years now, since his days with Beatnigs and Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. When I read that al three bands (and some special guests along the way) will play together, as well as playing their own sets, I knew I had to be there.

The tour promises to be a jam-filled party. Actually, Adam Duritz himself promises that in the press release:

“We want to give fans a completely different concert experience this summer than they’ve been getting . . . We’re turning your normal concert experience on its head. We’re going to go out on the road with a bunch of our friends and we’re all going to play shows together. No more ‘too short’ sets from the bands you love.”

Tour dates are below, and the tour site has a lot of cool stuff on it. Franti just ruptured his appendix, but swears he’ll be back on tour in time for my show (Maryland, 9/5!). He better be! (Although, in all honesty, it’s enough just to see Counting Crows, one of my all-time favorite live bands.)

So, I’ll say it again: Am I a whore? Well, I am posting about this major-label band because I’m getting press tickets. But they have strong indie sensibilities, I truly love their music, and . . . Well, if this makes me a whore, I’m happy about it. Hope I get to see you all the show.
The Saturday Night Rebel Rockers Traveling Circus & Medicine Show

Aug 6 – Biloxi, MS – Beau Rivage Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
Aug 7 – Orange Beach, AL – The Amphitheater at The Wharf*
Aug 8 – Tunica, MS – Harrah’s Casino Tunica- Events Center*
Aug 11 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium*
Aug 12 – Atlanta, GA – Chastain Park Amphitheatre*
Aug 14 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
Aug 15 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live*
Aug 17 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall*
Aug 18 – Miami, FL – Bayfront Amphitheatre*
Aug 20 – N. Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues*
Aug 21 – Charlotte, NC – The Uptown Amphitheatre at The Music Factory*
Aug 25 – New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom w/ Augustana (and special guests)
Aug 26 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre*
Aug 28- Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Resort Spa and Casino Event Center*
Aug 29 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena*
Aug 31 – Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion*
Sept 3 – New York, NY – Rumsey Playfield at Central Park Summerstage* (SOLD OUT)
Sept 5 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion*
Sept 6 – Canandaigua, NY – Constellation Performing Arts Center w/ Augustana

* w/ Michael Franti & Spearhead and Augustana

TASTY TUNES FROM MY TWO FAVORITE REBELS!

From various Crow boots:

Atlantic City (Springsteen cover)

Come Pick Me Up (Ryan Adams cover)

Casey Jones (Grateful Dead cover)-Spearhead with Cherine Anderson (direct link)