1/21 – 2008 Tour News: It has been confirmed that Tom will be at the MGM from May 8 through 21.
Last weekend we had a wonderful warm-up to Tom’s opening at the MGM on Thursday. We saw Eric Burdon (you know, from The Animals) and Chubby Checker in concert.
Burdon’s wonderful, rambling set – with an audience that looked like they were still in the 1960s – was crowned by what the singer called “the new American anthem – House of the Rising Sun. It was nostalgic, raucous but, still, very relevant. Great blues and a great back-up band.
Chubby Checker was a real surprise. First, the man can still move and he can sing. Of course he did his hits –The Twist, Pony Time, Let’s Twist Again – but, having taken his stage name in tribute to the great Fats Domino, he also did some of Fats’ music and a really, really good Elvis impersonation. He has a gift and the audience loved him. Checker’s band, too, was terrific.
It was really fun to see shows that were full of surprises, even though they did the hits the audience came to hear. We recommend each. With all this music, we cannot wait for Sir Tom on Thursday.
So, now to answer some of your questions about Tom’s 2008 schedule, (and a few other things) here’s what we’ve found out so far (Please remember, nothing is confirmed until it’s posted on his official website or it’s been seen onstage):
The Show: Don’t look for a new set list yet. If it doesn’t come before (and it usually happens in February), it should come with the release of his new CD. NOTE: If you are going to the show at the MGM the first weekend (January 18, 19 and 20), remember that it will be very crowded in the hotel. Of course it’s MLK Day on Monday, so it’s a three-day weekend but, also, be aware that Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana) is playing at the Grand Garden Arena. Expect lots of rugrats around the hotel.
Tom At MGM In March & May: Tom is definitely playing on March 31st. As near as we can figure, whomever posted the tour dates on his site (where it says he’s performing March 30 and, then, April 1 with no show March 31), just forgot the old poem “Thirty days hath September,” etc. We also have found out he’s set to be there for two weeks in May. But we’ll confirm that for sure as soon as we can. January 16: We have confirmation that Tom will be here for two weeks in May; still not on his site, and tickets aren’t being sold, but if all goes as expected, it will be two weeks.
Atlantic City: The probable reason Harrahs doesn’t have his May gig on their site yet is that their site doesn’t go that far ahead. But the fact that you can already get tickets on Ticketmaster is a pretty good indication that he’ll be there. (We think.)
We also hear he will be doing other dates in AC after May this year. So look for them.
Westbury: We hear that Tom will be playing this venerable Long Island venue sometime in the fall. We’re looking for confirmation.
The new CD and other tour dates: We hear that the CD will, if all goes according to present plan, be released in late spring or early summer. Expect some promotional dates and, maybe, TV to come at that time. If we hear anything, we’ll let you know. Please do the same for us.
Our wish list: Aside from hoping everyone gets to see Sir Tom this year, we’d love to see some club-like venues – HOB, Irving Plaza, the Fillmore – added. Those are well worth a road trip.
Although it’s not fact until confirmed by tomjones.com, we’ve been told by two reliable sources that Tom will be playing the MGM Grand next year on, basically, the same schedule as he did until the last couple of times. That is, several two-week stands equaling 10 or 12 weeks.
