Is a 2012 tour likely?

[Kristine]

Three years on the road is a little insane, don't you think? Al and the band aren't 25 anymore. They have families now, too.

[RyanHippFTW]

Anythings possible. Well, most things. Some things.

[Alinite27]

I'm sure it will depend on the success of album and tour. It wouldn't surprise me. Although, then I could see Al taking a break through 2013 and 2014, at least...maybe even 2015. Although, I really wonder how far along Al will keep touring. He still is in awesome shape for his age, but his voice has really been going a lot lately. Just this one year's been rough on the guy...

[TMBJon]

Complete speculation on my part, but after a summer tour in 2010 I am guessing he will tour "into" the calendar year of 2012, but when you add up the total amount of on-the-road time after the album is released, it will be much closer to one year than two.

[Orthography Enthusiast]

Three years on the road is a little insane, don't you think? Al and the band aren't 25 anymore. They have families now, too.

Three years might be a little insane, but the tours have been shorter than they were when Al was single (none of that 16-months-at-a-stretch madness), and unless there's something Ruben hasn't been telling us, Al is the only one with a young child. And all the wives seem to be sensible, intelligent women well-accustomed to the realities of life with a touring musician. Not to mention that as music sales revenues continue to slide industry-wide, tour income looks more attractive. OTOH, just bagging out and spending the summer in Hawaii looks pretty attractive too. It will probably depend a whole lot on the new album. If it's a Poodle Hat, maybe two years of touring. if it's a Straight Outta Lynwood, maybe three years.

[Driew_La_27]

Three years on the road is a little insane, don't you think? Al and the band aren't 25 anymore. They have families now, too.

Not to compare Al to other bands, but the Dave Matthews Band has toured every summer since 1993. 2011 is the first year they're taking the summer off since 1993. Granted the DMB makes a gazillion dollars off of touring but still--there are bands out there that have toured every summer possible. They all have families and are able to make it work.

Just saying that 3 years in a row isn't that absurd. Maybe that's why Al took some extra vacation time this past winter?

[TMBJon]

Well articulated, Helen, as always.
As I've said elsewhere, if Al has another White & Nerdy on his hands, he will probably find himself at a new high point of his career with two consecutive smashes and then he would be foolish not to tour as extensively as he can.

[Driew_La_27]

Well articulated, Helen, as always.

Pfft, you might as well say the sky is blue

[Orthography Enthusiast]

I might as well say the sky is blue. Yours is more likely gray.

[Driew_La_27]

I might as well say the sky is blue. Yours is more likely gray.

Its summer in Oregon--we gotz the sunz!