Rita Wilson Announces New Album, Spring Tour
Actress and musician Rita Wilson will release her self-titled second LP early in 2016 and is taking the new music on the road. The singer-songwriter co-wrote all the tunes on her follow-up to 2012’s AM/FM, teaming with some of Nashville’s top tunesmiths for the project, including Matraca Berg, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall, the Warren Brothers and Kristian Bush. Producers on the new LP include Nathan Chapman, Richard Marx, John Shanks and Babyface.
Wilson’s tour will kick off in March, stopping in more than 20 cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Austin, Boston, Chicago and Nashville. Before hitting the road, Wilson will settle in for a residency at New York’s Café Carlyle, from February 23rd to March 5th. Pre-sale ticket information is available on her website.
Born in Hollywood, Wilson, who is married to Oscar winner Tom Hanks, is recognized for her numerous onscreen roles in films (Sleepless in Seattle, It’s Complicated) and TV (The Good Wife, Girls), as well as in live theater. A friendship with famed songwriter — and former American Idol judge — Kara DioGuardi was the encouragement she needed to try her hand at co-writing, in spite of what she says made for some initially awkward encounters.
“It was really nerve-racking, because you go in, meet complete strangers and expose yourself,” Wilson tells Rolling Stone Country of her earliest efforts. “You leave there after you’ve had musical intercourse, and you’re left with a beautiful song baby. [Laughs] You have to be open to everything and let it all hang out without any sort of protection. That’s what I find so humbling is that people are willing to do that.”
Here are the dates on Rita Wilson’s spring tour.
March 29 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
March 30 – West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
April 1-2 – San Francisco, CA @ Feinstein’s at Hotel Nikko
April 5 – Beaver Creek, CO @ Vilar Performing Arts Center
April 6 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
April 8 – Dallas, TX @ Kessler Theater
April 9 – Austin, TX @ Stateside at the Paramount
April 12 – Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theater
April 14 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts
April 15 – Ponte Vedra Beach @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
April 17 – Athens, GA @ The Foundry
April 19 – Nashville, TN @ City Winery
April 21 – Durham, NC @ Carolina Theatre of Durham
April 23 – Annapolis, MD @ Rams Head On Stage
April 24 – Vienna, VA @ The Barns at Wolf Trap
April 26 – Boston, MA @ The Wilbur Theatre
April 27 – Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse
April 29 – South Orange, NJ @ South Orange Performing Arts Center
April 30 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
May 3 – Chicago, IL @ City Winery Chicago
May 4 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall Ballroom