Today one-man-band Keller Williams announces his tour plans for early 2011. In addition to evening theatre shows in Austin, Chicago, and Philadelphia, Keller has confirmed some special matinee performances/book signings in select markets. That’s right, book signings. Hand-in-hand with the release of Keller Williams’ sixteenth album — and first-ever album for kids and families — appropriately titled Kids, Keller once again breaks new ground with the November 30 release of his very first children’s book, Because I Said So (Fun Read Publishing, $20, for ages 2-8, 33 pages).
Before the year’s end, Keller tours as the “Super Music Friend” along select Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! stops. For the holidays, Keller performs some very special shows in and around his hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia, including his 10th annual SPCA Holiday Benefit. A complete list of currently confirmed shows – both evening and matinee performances - is included below.
Based on Keller’s song by the same name (included on Kids), Because I Said So is told through the eyes of “L’il Keller,” who begins by asking, “Mommy, can I have some pink flamingos?” The little fellow soon learns the important life lesson that you can’t always have what you want, and there isn’t always a good reason why. “You can't have an alligator, tractor, giraffe or hippopotamus, cause I said so!" Enhanced by the cleverly drawn illustrations of Virginia artist Bill Harris, Because I Said So is humorous, colorful, heartfelt, and wise. Included with the book is a CD containing the song "Because I Said So.” Because I Said So is available at www.kellerwilliamskids.net.
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KIDS – Keller’s first album release for children and families - has already been warmly embraced by kids’ and music tastemakers:
"[Keller's] big-hearted wit is perfectly suited to the songs on Kids, a record that will entertain children of all ages without talking down to them." - All Music Guide
“Kids sparkles with invention.” - Technorati.com
“This is hands-down my favorite kids album of all time.” - Perfect Porridge
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A number of gift packages that include both Kids and Because I Said So, as well as kid-sized T-shirts with the cute-as-can-be goat babies from the album cover, are available at www.kellerwilliamskids.net.
The complete list of Keller’s currently confirmed tour dates is as follows:
Wednesday, November 17 Humboldt Brews Arcata CA Keller Solo
Thursday, November 18 Memorial Sacramento CA Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!
Thursday, November 18 Harlow's Sacramento CA Keller Solo
Friday, November 19 Blu Nightclub - Montbleu Resort Lake Tahoe NV
Saturday, November 20 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
Sunday, November 21 Bill Graham Civic Auditorium San Francisco CA Yo Gabba Gabba! Live!
Saturday, November 27 State Theater Falls Church VA
Thursday, December 2 Avalon Theatre Easton MD Keller Williams Kids Show
Friday, December 3 Sherman Theater Stroudsburg PA
Saturday, December 4 Stage One Fairfield CT
Sunday, December 26 Fredericksburg Field House Fredericksburg VA SPCA Benefit
Wednesday, December 29 The Norva Norfolk VA
Thursday, December 30 The National Richmond VA
Friday, December 31 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte NC
Thursday, January 13 Vilar Performing Arts Center Beaver Creek CO 1st set with the Keels, 2nd set KW solo
Saturday, January 15 Aggie Theatre Fort Collins CO 1st set with the Keels, 2nd set KW solo
Thursday, January 20 Granada Theater Dallas TX
Friday, January 21 Fitzgerald's Houston TX
Saturday, January 22 Antone's Austin TX
Saturday, February 5 Park West Chicago IL KIDS show
Saturday, February 5 Park West Chicago IL
Thursday, February 10 Carnegie Hall New York NY Music of Neil Young at Carnegie Hall
Saturday, February 12 Theatre of the Living Arts Philadelphia PA KIDS show
Saturday, February 12 Theatre of the Living Arts Philadelphia PA
Thursday, February 17 New Daisy Theatre Memphis TN
Friday, February 18 War Memorial Auditorium Nashville TN with Umphrey's McGee
This special family concert marks the first-ever fundraising event for the emerging 
Keller Williams Plays for Kids: A Benefit for the Cobblestone Children's Museum of Fredericksburg 
Kids has already been warmly embraced by such kids’ music tastemakers as Stefan Shepherd (Zooglobble), Amber Bobnar (Boston Children’s Music), Pamela Brill (Rockabye Baby Music), and syndicated columnist Lee Littlewood (Kids Home Library). Stefan Shepherd wrote that Kids “immediately shoots to near the top of my most-anticipated albums list.” Declared Amber Bobnar, “It almost sounds like something from Stomp or Blue Man Group that just builds and builds on itself. It’s really a trip!” Lee Littlewood included Kids in an “Incredible New Music for Kids” column, writing, “Williams' high musical standards make Kids a superb CD for all ages.” Enthused Pamela Brill, “This CD blends Williams’ love of bluegrass and rock to create a unique sound that will resonate with listeners of all ages. What we like is that his music really gets it … he knows how to capture his listeners’ attention—and how to hold on to it.”
Before the NYE run kicks-off,