Guitar-play. A soulful, smoky voice. Good looks. Add these things together, and it's Ray LaMontagne. The total package is enough to make a lot of women swoon (TMT News) and say some inappropriate things. It's no wonder, really, when he has an entire horn section trumpeting: "You are the best thing to ever happen to me" in his latest, 2008 release Gossip In The Grain (TMT Review). The album is the highest debut (a solid opening at #3 on the Billboard Chart) for the Stephen Stills-inspired singer-songwriter. While adding heartthrob to his own list of life skills, LaMontagne has even cracked some of TMT's Best Of 2008 individual lists.
LaMontagne will be bringing his charm back from Europe to a city near you starting in April. And get this: in true Bono-like philanthropic form, front row seats purchased here will have a portion of the proceeds donated to The National Children's Cancer Society. It's just one of many charitable foundations he's made contributions to.
Is it me, or is this guy getting dreamier by the minute?
Tourdates* for you swooning types:
04.02.09 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
04.03.09 - Pittsburgh, PA - Palace Theater
04.04.09 - Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theater
04.06.09 - Albany, NY - The Egg
04.07.09 - Northampton, MA - Calvin Theatre
04.08.09 - New Haven, CT - Schubert Theater
04.11.09 - Portland, ME - Merrill Auditorium
04.12.09 - Burlington, VT Flynn Center For The Performing Arts
04.14.09 - Montreal, QUE Metropolis
04.15.09 - Toronto, ONT Massey Hall
04.17.09 - Cleveland, OH State Theatre
04.18.09 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Theatre
04.19.09 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theatre
04.21.09 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater
04.22.09 - St. Louis, MO - Pageant Theater
04.24.09 - Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
04.25.09 - Louisville, KY - Brown Theater
04.27.09 - Birmingham, AL - Alabama Theatre
04.28.09 - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theatre
04.29.09 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Theatre
04.30.09 - Miami, FL - Fillmore @ Jackie Gleason
* Opening acts: Low Anthem, April 2-15; Jessica Lea Mayfield, April 17-30
Meanwhile, catch LaMontagne on SNL this Saturday.
