Tift Merritt announces Country-wide tour

Alt.country rocker Tift Merritt is returning to the music scene this year after taking a well-deserved break from touring and recording. Her latest, Another Country, is scheduled for a Feb. 26 release on Fantasy Records, and she will kick off a two-month North American tour on March 17 in Philadelphia.

Another Country is Merritt's third release, and her second with veteran producer George Drakoulias. Her 2002 debut, Bramble Rose, won her rave reviews and comparisons to the likes of Ryan Adams and Emmylou Harris. Her sophomore effort, Tambourine, garnered a Grammy nomination for Country Album of the Year in 2004.

Merritt began working on Country in late 2006 under somewhat unusual circumstances. Tired and burnt out after almost four years of constant touring, she rented a studio apartment in Paris for what she thought would be a two-week vacation. Instead of resting, though, she found herself inspired to write on a daily basis by all of the people and places she came across touring the city every day. After several more trips to Paris, Merritt returned to the studio refreshed with the groundwork for Another Country laid out in her well-traveled notebook.

Dates:

March
17 - Philadelphia, Pa. @ Johnny Brenda's
18 - Northampton, Mass. @ Iron Horse
19 - New York, N.Y. @Mercury Lounge
21 - Alexandria, Va. @ Birchmere
22 - Durham, N.C. @ Carolina Theater
28 - New Orleans, La. @ Parish/HOB
29 - Pittsburgh, Pa. @ Club Café
30 - Ashland, Ky. @ Mountain Stage/Paramount Theater

April
1 - Toronto, Ontario @ El Mocambo
2 - Ann Arbor, Mich. @ Ark
4 - Chicago, Ill. @ Schubas
5 - Madison, Wis. @ High Noon Saloon
6 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ Cedar Cultural Center
8 - Denver, Colo. @ Bluebird Theater
11 - Vancouver, B.C. @ Plaza
12 - Portland, Ore. @ Doug Fir Lounge
13 - Seattle, Wash. @ Tractor Tavern
15 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Great American Music Hall
17 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Troubador
18 - San Diego, Calif. @ Anthology
19 - Tucson, Ariz. @ Plush
21 - Austin, Texas @ Parish
22 - Dallas, Texas @ Cambridge Room
24 - Atlanta, Ga. @ Five Spot
26 - Wilkesoro, N.C. @ Merlefest