Billy Bob Thornton Announces United States Tour in Support of New Album 'The Edge of the World'.

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2003

The Singer/Songwriter's Sophomore Album Will Be Released

By Sanctuary Records On September 23rd

Billy Bob Thornton, who earned his stripes as a musician playing drums and opening for bands such as Humble Pie, Hank Williams Jr., Ted Nugent, the Earl Scruggs Review and Richie Havens, among others, today announced a 30-city United States tour in support of his sophomore album, "The Edge of the World," which will be released by Sanctuary Records and distributed by BMG, on September 23rd.

"The Edge of the World," continues Thornton's return to his musical roots. Influenced by the bands that he admired as a young musician and drawing on his personal life experiences for inspiration, "The Edge of the World" is a blend of southern influenced rock that features a collection of original songs written by the Academy Award winning actor/screenwriter/ director, as well as Thornton's vocals on a stirring rendition of folk rocker Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talking," later made famous by singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson as the theme of "Midnight Cowboy."

Commented Thornton, "Performing before a live audience is one of the most thrilling parts of being a musician for me. We had such a great experience touring the country and Europe last year, that I am truly looking forward to getting back on the road and sharing the new material on this album."

Thornton made his recording debut with the 2001 release of "Private Radio." The album, which Rolling Stone called "a pleasing Southern Gothic exploration in mid-tempo twang, bad-boy rockabilly revelries and dark balladry," garnered Thornton considerable acclaim for his songwriting abilities and drew comparisons by many music critics to accomplished singer/songwriter stalwarts such as Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Steve Earle.

With a voice that has been called a cross between Tom Petty and Leonard Cohen, Thornton has also appeared as a guest vocalist on the legendary Earl Scruggs' "Earl Scruggs and Friends" album, performing a rendition of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire;" The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash's album "Distance Between," performing "Long Black Veil;" and most recently Styx' "Cyclorama" album on the single "Bourgeois Pig."

          BILLY BOB THORNTON'S 2003 "EDGE OF THE WORLD" TOUR

July 25, 2003        House of Blues                 Las Vegas, NV
July 26, 2003        Pala Casino                    San Diego, CA
July 27, 2003        State Theater                  Modesto, CA
July 30, 2003        California Mid-State Fair      Paso Robles, CA
August 1, 2003       City Limits                    Tucson, AZ
August 2, 2003       Avi Resort Casino              Laughlin, NV
August 3, 2003       The Greek Theater              Los Angeles, CA
August 8, 2003       Red Rocks                      Denver, CO
August 9, 2003       Vilar Center for the Arts      Beaver Creek, CO
August 10, 2003      Sheridan Opera House           Telluride, CO
August 12, 2003      Nita's Hideaway                Tempe, AZ
August 14, 2003      The Zephyr                     Salt Lake City, UT
August 15, 2003      Mangy Moose Saloon             Jackson, WY
August 17, 2003      Cotillion                      Wichita, KS
August 18, 2003      Lucky's                        St. Louis, MO
August 19, 2003      Chastain Amphitheater          Atlanta, GA
August 21, 2003      Gibson Lounge                  Memphis, TN
August 22, 2003      House of Blues                 New Orleans, LA
August 23, 2003      The Trap                       Nashville, TN
August 25, 2003      The Odeon                      Cleveland, OH
August 26, 2003      Continental                    Buffalo, NY
August 28, 2003      North Star                     Philadelphia, PA
August 29, 2003      Le Spectrum                    Montreal, Canada
September 2, 2003    Birchmere                      Washington, DC
September 4, 2003    Marine Corps Base              Jacksonville, NC
September 5, 2003    Irving Plaza                   New York, NY
September 6, 2003    Mohegan Sun                    Uncasville, CT
September 7, 2003    FarmAid                        Columbus, OH