Gossip in the Grain artist Ray LaMontagne is returning to the stage once again in support of his latest studio effort. Surrounded by dates throughout the country, singer /songwriter LaMontagne is returning in April for another trek, earning some yelps and hollers from folk fans from sea to shining sea. The man, from Nashua, New Hampshire, has a husky voice that leads comparisons to Van Morrison and Tim Buckley, with a younger appeal via an unshaven face and flannel. Gossip in the Grain is his third set with RCA and features the talents of legendary producer and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Johns on the ten tracks. The beats feel so effortless as a modern twist brings back memories of old school pop tunes with trumpet motifs and a throwback to The Big Chill. While the lyrics, written by LaMontagne, still represent the ever so familiar longing and loneliness of love, the upbeat style via jazz instruments and funky folk make their true meaning nearly absolute. Though you may want to pick up a banjo yourself and start jamming with these seemingly approachable men, just wait for StubHub's version of the next best thing - Ray LaMontagne tickets to see this indie, Reebok-wearing fellow jam out live on stage.



The singer's jaunt begins April 2 in Montclair, NJ and will continue throughout April (specific dates are listed below). The album, recorded in Box, England, reflects the new image that LaMontagne constantly seems in need of repairing (though most would agree is quite appeasable). His first effort with RCA appeared in 2006 (Trouble) and was followed up by 2007's Till the Sun Turns Black. Each and every album, though equally focused on the impressive vocals of this perennial traveler (after his parents split, his mother marched Ray and his six siblings across the country looking for work), is an entirely new platform of which LaMontagne is exploring. Perhaps the most explosively impressive from his latest album are “You are the Best Thing” and “Meg White,” named for The White Stripes' drummer. “It was time to open up a little bit more, not be quite so reserved in my choice of songs that I wanted to record,” LaMontagne admits on his site. The album is the first not completely developed by LaMontagne himself, who saw bassist Jennifer Condos and guitarist Eric Heywood help out, while Johns provided his expertise in several instruments. Leona Naess, who opened for LaMontagne last fall, provided the backup.

LaMontagne's family was raised around the country and when he finally finished high school began working in a shoe factory in Maine. It was thanks to the single “Tree Top Flyer” by Stephen Stills that the folk artist decided to begin making music, and before long LaMontagne had recorded a ten-track demo that reached Jamie Ceretta at Chrysalis Music Publishing. As if by magic, the demo was quickly approved and LaMontagne began recording with Johns.

Get tickets soon for these shows, try http://www.stubhub.com/ray-lamontagne-tickets for sold out dates.

April 2009

2 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre

3 - Pittsburgh, PA - Palace Theater

4 - Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theater

6 - Albany, NY - The Egg

7 - Northampton, MA - Calvin Theatre

8 - New Haven, CT - Schubert Theater

11 - Portland, ME - Merrill Auditorium

12 - Burlington, VT - Flynn Center For The Performing Arts

14 - Montreal, Quebec - Metropolis

15 - Toronto, Ontario - Massey Hall

17 - Cleveland, OH - State Theatre

18 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre

19 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theatre

21 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater

22 - St. Louis, MO - Pageant Theater

24 - Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

25 - Louisville, KY - Brown Theater

27 - Birmingham, AL - Alabama Theatre

28 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre

29 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Theatre

30 - Miami, FL - The Fillmore @ Jackie Gleason Theater