Photographer: Rich Fury
Having just wrapped up dates with Shovels & Rope following his tour with acoustic-supergroup Dave Rawlings Machine, called “one of the hottest string bands on the planet,” Willie Watson is excited to announce new tour dates for 2015, his first tour of the year. Following a week of shows on the East Coast including stops in New York, Washington DC, and Philadelphia, Willie will head up the West Coast for a number of dates in the latter half of January, including shows at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall, Seattle’s Tractor Tavern, and Portland’s Doug Fir Lounge. This will be Willie’s first headlining west coast tour. For the full itinerary, please see below.
To get a taste for what to expect on the upcoming tour, listen to Willie Watson’s set from Mountain Stage which is currently airing at NPR at the link below:
http://www.npr.org/event/music/352779488/willie-watson-on-mountain-stage
Willie is touring in support of his recently released debut album Folk Singer Vol. 1 which is available now for purchase through iTunes, Amazon, and Willie’s own website. The album is out now on Gillian Welch’s Acony Records and has received acclaim from The Guardian, who called it “haunting folk that evokes the past masters” in their 4-star review.
The album was produced by the legendary David Rawlings, longtime friend and producer of Watson’s previous band, Old Crow Medicine Show. “There’s a lot of weight in the way Willie performs,” says Rawlings. “He’s had some tragedy in his life, which has informed his art. There’s an emotional edge to what he does because of who he is as a human being. Willie is the only one of his generation who can make me forget these songs were ever sung before.” The album features ten songs ranging from folk standards to obscure gems.
Willie Watson On Tour
Dec 18 – Santa Barbara, CA @ SoHo Restaurant And Music Club
Dec 20 – Buellton, CA @ Standing Sun Wines
Jan 05 – New York, NY @ City Winery (opening for Steve Earle)
Jan 06 – Nazareth, PA @ Nazareth Center For The Arts
Jan 07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
Jan 08 – Washington, DC @ The Hamilton
Jan 09 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
Jan 10 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
Jan 11 – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
Jan 20 – Napa, CA @ City Winery Napa
Jan 21 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
Jan 22 – Arcata, CA @ Humboldt Brews
Jan 23 – Grants Pass, OR @ Rogue Theatre
Jan 24 – Eugene, OR @ Sam Bond’s Garage
Jan 25 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
Jan 27 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Jan 28 – Redding, CA @ Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant
Jan 30 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Don Quixote’s
Jan 31 – Amador City, CA @ Feist Wines
