Brian McKnight has been tapped to join the Sears, Roebuck and Co. family for a nationwide tour that coincides with the release of McKnight’s latest Motown project, “superhero,” streeting Aug. 28.
The “Sears Presents An Evening With Brian McKnight” tour kicks off in Cleveland on Sept. 19, with stops in 38 cities, wrapping up in Hawaii in December. Together with his audience in an intimate setting, McKnight will perform songs from “superhero” in addition to some of his classics such as “Crazy Love,” “Anytime” and “Back At One.”
“Sears is giving me an opportunity to get close to my fans early on in a project and I have never done that before,” explains McKnight. “It is especially exciting for me with ‘superhero’ because on this album I set out to give my fans more of myself. And that is the same spirit I am putting behind the tour.”
Sears will support the sponsorship with an integrated marketing plan, including broadcast and print advertising, as well as a cause-related component. Additionally, Sears will bring McKnight to fans through a special sales promotion in 25 tour cities. One lucky grand-prize winner will get the chance to shop Sears one-on-one with McKnight and hang out with him backstage at his concert in Hawaii.
“Brian has always made it very clear that fans are his No. 1 priority,” says John Lebbad, Sears director of event marketing and sales promotion. “Sears sponsorship will help Brian connect with as many of his fans as possible. Even those who aren’t able to attend a concert can catch the spirit of the tour through Sears advertising and in-store promotions.”
Sponsorship of McKnight’s tour extends Sears commitment to music fans, fulfilled most recently last summer with sponsorship of Grammy winner Christina Aguilera’s summer tour. Previously, Sears sponsored the 1999 fall tour of pop phenomenon Backstreet Boys and the North American concert tours of Phil Collins in 1994, Gloria Estefan in 1996, and Latino superstar Juan Gabriel in 1999.
“superhero” marks McKnight’s fifth studio release and will feature his latest single, “Love of My Life.” “Love of My Life,” which officially was released to radio on July 16, is already garnering airplay nationwide.
Official Fall 2001 Tour Schedule
- Detroit, Mich. Fox Theater September 21
- Chicago, Ill. Chicago Theater September 22
- Chicago, Ill. Chicago Theater September 23
- Cleveland, Ohio Orpheum September 25
- New York, N.Y. Radio City Music Hall September 27
- Boston, Mass. Orpheum September 28
- Philadelphia, Penn. Tower Theater September 29
- Baltimore, Md. Morgan State U Activity Center September 30
- Washington, D.C. Constitution Hall October 4
- Greensboro, N.C. Events Center October 5
- Columbia, S.C. South Carolina State Fair October 6
- Richmond, Va. State Fair of Virginia October 7
- Charlotte, N.C. Ovens Auditorium October 11
- Atlanta, Ga. Civic Center October 12
- Birmingham, Ala. BJCC Concert Hall October 13
- New Orleans, La. Saenger October 14
- Nashville, Tenn. Rymon Theater October 17
- Memphis, Tenn. Samstown October 18
- St. Louis, Mo. Fox Theater October 19
- Denver, Colo. Paramount Theater October 21
- Seattle, Wash. Paramount Theater October 24
- Oakland, Calif. Paramount Theater October 26
- Oakland, Calif. Paramount Theater October 27
- Los Angeles, Calif. Greek Theater/Universal Amphitheater October 28
- San Diego, Calif. Symphony Hall October 31
- Phoenix, Ariz. Celebrity Theater November 1
- Las Vegas, Nev. Paris November 2
- Las Vegas, Nev. Paris November 3
- Salt Lake City, Utah Kingsbury Hall November 5
- Kansas City, Mo. Midland Theater November 7
- Austin, Texas Music Hall November 9
- Dallas, Texas Bronco Bowl November 10
- Houston, Texas Arena Theater/Ariel Theater November 11
- Tampa, Fla. TEPAC November 13
- Orlando, Fla. House of Blues November 16
- Miami, Fla. Sunrise Theater/Knight Center November 17
- Jacksonville, Fla. TBD November 18