FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 11, 2016
ROB THOMAS SETS BUSY SPRING AND SUMMER
GRAMMY®-WINNING SUPERSTAR TO TRAVEL NORTH AMERICA
ON CO-HEADLINING TOUR WITH COUNTING CROWS
DATES BEGIN JULY 22ND IN WEST PALM BEACH, FL
ARRAY OF UPCOMING ACTIVITY SPANS WIDE RANGE OF APPEARANCES,
INCLUDING 2016 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY,
THE CW’s iZOMBIE, AND CMT CROSSROADS WITH CHARLES KELLEY
“THE GREAT UNKNOWN” AVAILABLE NOW
FEATURING NEW SINGLE “PIECES”
Emblem/Atlantic recording artist Rob Thomas has announced an array of spring and summer activity highlighted by a major North American tour and the release of a new single “Pieces”. The dates – which see the multiple-GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter co-headlining alongside Counting Crows – begin July 22nd at West Palm Beach’s Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre and then travels through late September (see attached itinerary). Pre-sale tickets will be available to members of Thomas’ official fan club beginning on Tuesday, April 12th; Citi pre-sale kicks off April 13th, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, local radio and venue pre-sales on April 14th and public on sale is April 15th. For complete details and ticket information, please see www.robthomasmusic.com/events.
The upcoming summer tour celebrates Thomas’ 3rd solo album, the internationally acclaimed “THE GREAT UNKNOWN.” Highlighted by the hit single “Hold On Forever,” as well as the soon to be released “Pieces”, the album had a top 10 debut on the SoundScan/Billboard 200 upon its release last year. Produced by a remarkable roster of studio all-stars including longtime collaborator Matt Serletic, Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé), Ricky Reed (Jessie J, Jason Derulo, twenty one pilots), and Shep Goodman & Aaron Accetta (American Authors), “THE GREAT UNKNOWN” is available now in stores and at all digital retailers and streaming services.
“THE GREAT UNKNOWN” earned considerable critical acclaim upon its arrival, with Rolling Stone hailing Thomas as “the same consummate pop-rock craftsman who has been making it all sound so smooth for years…Thomas piles on the hooks right from the opener.”
In other news, Thomas – who recently returned from a sold out tour of Australia – will induct iconic jazz-pop heroes Chicago at the upcoming 31st Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, set for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Friday, April 8th. HBO will film the event for later broadcast (check local listings).
Thomas will also be seen on the small screen via two upcoming TV appearances, beginning with a long awaited spot on The CW’s smash series, iZombie, co-created by his famous namesake, writer/director Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars, Cupid). The appearance will air as part of the iZombie season finale, set for Tuesday, April 12th (check local listings).
Next up will be a very special episode of CMT Crossroads pairing Thomas with singer/songwriter Charles Kelley (of multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning trio, Lady Antebellum). CMT Crossroads will premiere this July.
April will also see Thomas honored with The Trevor Project’s annual Ally Award, celebrating his longtime advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ young people and same-sex marriage. The award will be presented April 15th at New York City’s Metropolitan West following an intimate live performance at “A Night Out For Trevor,” the annual “Spring Fling” fundraiser hosted by the volunteer community, TrevorNextGen. For complete details, please visit www.thetrevorproject.org.
* * * * *
Rob Thomas is one of the most distinctive artists of this or any other era – a gifted vocalist, spellbinding performer, and accomplished songwriter known worldwide as lead singer and primary composer with Matchbox Twenty as well as for his multi-platinum certified solo work and chart-topping collaborations with other artists. Among his countless hits are solo classics like “Lonely No More,” “This Is How A Heart Breaks,” and “Streetcorner Symphony,” Matchbox Twenty favorites including “Push,” “3AM,” “If You’re Gone,” and “Bent,” and of course“Smooth,” his 3x RIAA platinum certified worldwide hit collaboration with Santana. Thomas earned three GRAMMY® Awards for his role as co-writer and vocalist on “Smooth,” which topped Billboard’s “Hot 100” for an astounding 12 consecutive weeks and spent 58 total weeks on the chart, the #1 song in Billboard’s “Top Hot 100 Rock Songs” chart history and #2 “Hot 100” song of all time. As is that weren’t enough, “Smooth” was declared the all-time #1 song on Billboard’s “Adult Pop Songs” radio airplay chart, the second most successful song of all time by Billboard and the #1 song of the rock era based on chart performance on Billboard's Hot 100
In 2004, Thomas was the first artist to be honored with the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s prestigious “Hal David Starlight Award,” created to recognize a composer in the early years of his or her career that has already made a lasting impact. He has won numerous BMI and ASCAP Awards, and twice earned the “Songwriter of the Year” crown from both Billboard and BMI. Overall, Thomas has contributed to sales of more than 80 million records.
Thomas made his solo debut with 2005’s platinum certified “…SOMETHING TO BE” and immediately made history as the first album by a male artist from a rock or pop group to ever debut at # 1 on the Billboard 200. Thomas’ most recent solo album, 2009’s “CRADLESONG,” marked still another milestone, generating two #1 singles in “Her Diamonds” and “Someday.” Billboard chart history was made once again, with Thomas now tied with Pink for the most #1 Adult Top 40 hits by a solo artist as well as the only male solo artist to score multiple chart-toppers at the format.
In 2012, Matchbox Twenty returned with their first all-new album in a decade, “NORTH.” Fueled by the hit singles, “She’s So Mean,” “Overjoyed,” and “Our Song,” “NORTH” proved a landmark for the band, their first ever #1 debut and Billboard 200 chart-topper.
A charismatic, engaging, and indefatigable live performer, Thomas has spent much of the past two decades on the road, fronting massive world treks with Matchbox Twenty and on his own as well as a series of intimate acoustic tours. Thomas is also a dedicated philanthropist, establishing The Sidewalk Angels Foundation with his wife Marisol Thomas in 2003. Dedicated to providing critically needed funds and support to grassroots groups across the country, the New York-based not-for-profit organization is the primary supporter and sponsor of a number of no-kill animal shelters and animal rescues. Additionally, The Sidewalk Angels Foundation also supports a myriad of other causes, from childhood health and wellness to the fight against homelessness, reflecting the passion of its co-founders to fight for the rights and fair treatment of those with no voice. For additional information on The Sidewalk Angels Foundation, please visit www.sidewalkangelsfoundation.org.
For more information, please see www.robthomasmusic.com, twitter.com/ThisIsRobThomas, www.facebook.com/robthomas, www.youtube.com/user/RobThomasVideos, and www.atlanticrecords.com.
(TOUR ITINERARY ATTACHED)
ROB THOMAS
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2016
* ALL DATES CO-HEADLINE W/COUNTING CROWS *
JULY
22 West Palm Beach, FL Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre
23 Tampa, FL MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
25 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheatre
27 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
28 Raleigh, NC Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
30 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live
31 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach
AUGUST
2 Boston, MA Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
3 Bangor, ME Darling’s Waterfront
5 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods
6 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
9 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
10 Camden, NJ BB&T Pavilion
12 Syracuse, NY Lakeview Amphitheatre
13 Niagara Falls, NY Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino
15 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
16 Brooklyn, NY The Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk
18 Bethlehem, PA Sands Casino
20 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Theatre
21 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
23 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
24 Chicago, IL FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
26 Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
SEPTEMBER
3 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
4 Ridgefield, WA Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre
8 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
10 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
13 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion
14 San Diego, CA SDSU Open Air Theatre
17 Las Vegas, NV Downtown Event Center
19 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
22 Albuquerque, NM Sandia Resort & Casino
24 Allen, TX Allen Event Center
25 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
27 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
28 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
30 Nashville, TN Ascent Amphitheater
# # #
Contacts:
Sheila Richman –Atlantic Records
Ted Sullivan –Atlantic Records