Lucinda Williams firms up summer plans

[Refugee 7]

Alt-country singer Lucinda Williams has lined up a run of early summer dates as she continues to support last fall's "Little Honey."

Williams--who is currently touring in Australia and New Zealand--kicks off the outing May 28 in Anaheim, CA. The 13-city trek moves from the West Coast to the Midwest and Southern US before coming to a close June 14 in Louisville, KY. Dates are below.

Recently, the singer reached out to fans who have been hurt by the economic downturn--and took a slap at what she calls high ticketing fees--by offering discounts on merchandise purchased at Williams' concerts. Everyone who attends one of her performances this year will receive a credit equal to approximately $7 on clothing items and $5 on CDs. The credit will also be extended to merchandise purchased on Williams' website from April 1 through July 31.

"I cannot, in good conscience, sit back and watch my fans get blatantly gouged." Williams said in a statement. "As an attempt to offset these fees, we are going to offer a standing credit at our merchandise table to everyone attending our upcoming US shows in 2009."

Williams' new album, "Little Honey," hit stores in October. The 13-track set features guest appearances by Elvis Costello, Matthew Sweet, Susanna Hoffs and bluegrass singers Jim Lauderdale and Charlie Louvin, among others, and includes William's take on AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)."

The set follows last year's "West," which reached No. 14 on The Billboard 200 and scored two Grammy nominations for the single "Come On."

[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.]

May 2009

28 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues

29 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre

30 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Arts Center

June 2009

1 - Santa Fe, NM - Paolo Soleri Amphitheatre

3 - Denver, CO - Denver Botanic Gardens

4 - Boulder, CO - Chautauqua Auditorium

6 - Council Bluffs, IA - Whiskey Roadhouse

7 - Oneida, WI - Oneida Bingo & Casino

9 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue

10 - Covington, KY - Madison Theater

12 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Festival

14 - Louisville, KY - Brown Theatre

15 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note

[agirl 0]

I really like her. I wish she was coming up north a bit.

[weird monkey 0]

I like Lucinda. However, I'm not sure a discount on her merchandise is quite the grand gesture she believes it to be, but that's just my 2¢. Does the artist really have that little say regarding when and where they play that they can't affect ticket prices directly themselves?

[angelic_22 0]

Athena and I are going to see her at HOB in Anaheim. We are pretty excited about it!

(I'm setting aside my 'ban' on that venue after the slam dancing incident at the X concert on our wedding anniversary LOL! The bruises have healed now.)

Edit: we paid $49 a ticket including fees. JJ Cale was around $30. Guess which tickets were sold thru Ticketmaster?

WM, Im not sure just how much power the Artists really have - TM and Live Nation control so many venues, that is a lot of leverage on Artists....

Edited April 6, 2009 by Relic

[weird monkey 0]

I know she is trying to make up for one thing by sweetening another, it's a nice gesture.

I also don't want to grudge someone whatever they need to do to make a good living, but there must be a way around obstacles like the TicketMaster monolith.

[LizzieB 0]

Have fun, Steve. Let me know if her hair is still black.

[knebworth_1978 22]

I think she's fantastic!

[Echosoftom 3]

I might have to scoot down to the Anaheim HOB to see her. I have a long stretch off during that time. I still regret not going down the last week long stretch time at the Wiltern in LA. MIke Campbell ended up playing with her one night and Ann Wilson of Heart performed with her that same week.

[Athena 7]

^Come and rock with us! :b55:

[Echosoftom 3]

^ I just might do that, lol.