James Otto rides with Toby Keith on tour

Monday, April 12, 2010 – Soulful country singer James Otto hits the road this summer with Toby Keith on 16 dates across the U.S.

Otto will join Keith, along with special guest Trace Adkins, on select dates of the American Ride Tour June 19 through Aug 22.

"Toby has always been an artist I look up to and respect in our industry," said Otto. "From being a great entertainer, to songwriter to businessman, he has done it all with his own style and with big time success. I am truly honored he would ask me to join him on his summer tour."

Otto released his new single, Groovy Little Summer Song, from his forthcoming album, to radio on March 8. In 2008, Otto spawned the Billboard's number one Hot Country Song with Just Got Started Lovin' You, the lead single off of his debut album, "Sunset Man."

Tour dates are:

June 19 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center

June 20 Cleveland Blossom Music Center

July 9 Virginia Beach, VA Virginia Beach Amphitheatre

July 10 Raleigh, NC Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion

July 11 Charlotte, NC Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

July 23 Portland, OR Sleep Country Amphitheatre

July 24 Seattle White River Amphitheatre

Aug. 6 Mt. View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre

Aug. 7 San Diego Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre

Aug. 8 Phoenix Cricket Wireless Pavilion

Aug. 12 Albuquerque, NM The Pavilion

Aug. 13 Denver Comfort Dental Amphitheatre

Aug. 14 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre

Aug. 20 Darien Lake, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

Aug. 21 Philadelphia Susquehanna Bank Center

Aug. 22 Pittsburgh First Niagara Pavilion

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CD reviews for James Otto

Shake What God Gave Ya

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Sunset Man

James Otto is a member of Muzik Mafia, and his second album reflects the eclectic influences of his troupe. The Washington State native combines country, rock, blues and soul on the 11 songs. He does everything from rockin' tunes about partying, "Ain't Gonna Stop," to the first single, the mid-tempo love song, "Just Got Started Lovin' You." Otto is also in full-party mode with the catchy tongue-in-cheek "Drink and Dial" and the R&B influenced "The Man That I Am. »»»

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Editorial: Walking the talk – When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»

Concert Review: Music City goes (Boston) Pop(s) – On the face of it, the idea of top shelf country songwriters coming up from Nashville to play with the Boston Pops may seem incongruous. The idea of the venerable Boston institution and fixture on the July 4 scene, playing patriotic songs doesn't have all that much to do with country. The idea isn't without precedent, of course.... »»»

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