Drummer STEVE SMITH On Touring With JOURNEY – "I Am Excited To Revisit A Role That Was A Formative Part Of My Career"

Journey and The Doobie Brothers will launch the San Francisco Fest 2016 tour on May 12th at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine, California – with concerts scheduled through August 30th, including special guest Dave Mason.

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Saturday, December 5th. A fan pre-sale will be offered starting Monday, November 30th.

Neal Schon (founding member and lead guitarist), original member Ross Valory (bass), and longtime members Jonathan Cain (keyboardist) and Arnel Pineda (lead singer), are welcoming virtuoso drummer Steve Smith back into Journey, marking the first time he will perform with the band since 1998. Smith has issued the following statement:

“I have been invited to tour with Journey for the 2016-2017 touring season and I have agreed to play drums for the group during this period!

I’ve enjoyed working with Journey guitarist Neal Schon for many years and playing on his solo albums, including The Calling and his latest release Vortex. In fact, Neal and I still share the creative chemistry we had when I was a member of Journey. When we work in the studio on his music, it’s essentially just the two of us, jamming, writing, arranging and recording.

Over the years, he has mentioned that he’d like to have me tour with Journey again. The invitation has always been appreciated but with my busy schedule always being booked at least a year in advance, the timing was never right. Some changes within the band have once again brought me the invitation to tour and this time we were able to plan in advance and work a Journey tour into my schedule.

Like an actor capable of playing a wide variety of roles, I’m a musician who enjoys, and is comfortable performing, diverse genres of music. My group Vital Information, as well as the other great jazz and world music artists that I tour and record with, remain a musical priority. I will also be performing with them during the next two years and by 2018 will resume my career full-time as a touring and recording jazz musician.

My decision to tour with Journey in 2016-2017 is based on many factors:

My relationship with Neal is strong and we enjoy playing together. I’ve been in touch with Jonathan Cain and Ross Valory and we have a good rapport both personally and musically. All four of us share a common history and have created some enduring music together. I’ve met and spent time with Arnel Pineda and have great respect for him both as a person and vocalist.

I am excited to revisit a role that was a formative part of my career, performing music that has touched many people for more than 30 years. My kids Ian, Elizabeth, Kasia and Zac have not seen me play with the group (Ian has but he was too young to remember), it will be fun to have them see me perform with the band. Finally, I can say ‘yes’ to the many fans who have asked if I would tour with Journey again.

My hope is that Journey fans will appreciate a new lineup similar to the Escape and Frontiers era – and will want to revisit this timeless music with me. By bringing my musical experience to the table along with the years that the members of Journey have spent touring, I’m sure this new incarnation of Journey will develop its own special magic. It’s going to be amazing. I look forward to seeing all the fans on the road!”

Tour dates:

May
12 – Irvine, CA – Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
14 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
15 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
18 – Austin, TX – Austin360 Amphitheater
20 – Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion
21 – Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
23 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena
25 – Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum
27 – Indianapolis, IN – Indianapolis Motor Speedway
28 – Kansas City, KS – Sprint Center
31 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

June
2 – Birmingham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
4 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
5 – Raleigh, NC – Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
8 – Atlanta, GA – Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
10 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amp.
11 – W. Palm Beach, FL – Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre
22 – Bangor, ME – Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
24 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
25 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Banks Art Center
27 – Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
29 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center

July
1 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
2 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
5 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
7 – Toronto, ON – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
9 – Darien, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
10 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
13 – Syracuse, NY – Lakeview Amphitheater
15 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
16 – Burgettstown, PA – First Niagara Pavilion
27 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
29 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
30 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

August
2 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
4 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
6 – Omaha, NE – CenturyLink Center
7 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
9 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
11 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
13 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
16 – Oklahoma City, OK – Chesapeake Energy Arena
17 – Little Rock, AR – Verizon Arena
20 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
21 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
23 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre
25 – Ridgefield, WA – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
27 – Las Vegas, NV – Mandalay Bay Events Center
28 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
30 – Chula Vista, CA – Sleep Train Amphitheatre