Remember to Tune into BBC Radio 2 Tomorrow Morning and BBC 1 Tomorrow Evening

Just to remind you, Tom will be co-hosting the Chris Evans breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 tomorrow morning from 8am. If you are able to tune in, please do as it will be a fantastic show.

Also, later that evening Tom will be live on The One Show on BBC 1 at 7pm.

What a great day!

Surprise Guest on American Idol Tonight... Can You Guess Who It Is?!

The list of performers of tonight's (Wednesday) American Idol finale has been leaked, and it includes some very big names. We at TomJones.com have been desperate to let all the fans know that Tom will be performing tonight, but went with the shows protocol.

However, now that it has been leaked we are thrilled to announce Tom as one of the special guests on tonight's live final!

Gladys Knight, Lil’ Jon, Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood are also on the schedule; along with Lady Gaga, Bono and The Edge, and Jack Black, who have been rumored all week.

The two-hour season finale of American Idol starts tonight at 8 p.m. EST on FOX.

To All The Guitar Geeks of the World, Check This Out

A Tom Jones gospel album? The image that first comes to mind is probably something like Elvis’ How Great Thou Art – big production, choirs – and Jones certainly has the lungs to deliver that in spades. But his son/manager, Mark Woodward, obviously had a different idea when he called Ethan Johns to produce. The 32-year-old son of famed Glyn Johns (and nephew of Glyn’s brother, Andy), Johns adds U2, Emmylou Harris, Joe Cocker, John Hiatt, CSN, Ryan Adams, Glen Phillips, Counting Crows, the Jayhawks, Ray LaMontagne, Kings Of Leon, Crowded House, and others to the family’s who’s-who resume of credits. But whereas Glyn and Andy are producer/ engineers, Ethan handles those roles in addition to playing guitar, keyboards, drums, bass, mellotron, steel, banjo, Omnichord – just about anything except fiddle.

Anyone who saw director Mike Figgis’ “Red, White & Blues” chapter of Martin Scorsese’s PBS blues series likely had their eyes and ears opened if they thought Jones’ range ended with “What’s New Pussycat?” – as he displayed ample familiarity and ability belting out Howlin’ Wolf and Ray Charles tunes.

Here, Johns takes the Welsh singer back to the basics – not unlike Ry Cooder’s production on Mavis Staples’ We’ll Never Turn Back. The rhythm section (sometimes just Johns playing guitar and kick drum) set up in a circle and played live in the studio – Jones laying down vocals without even using headphones – and were done in 12 days flat.

Instead of copying source materials, they came up with mostly new arrangements – in some cases, barely referencing the old recordings. Hence, the lowdown riff Johns plays on Jessie Mae Hemphill’s “Lord Help” has nothing to do with what the blues singer/guitarist originally played. Likewise, the definition of gospel is flexible enough to accommodate John Lee Hooker’s “Burning Hell” – again, with Johns’ distorted slide riff utterly distinct from the Hook’s version.

It would be sacrilegious (no pun intended) to compare Tom Jones’ version of “Don’t Knock” to Mavis Staples’ reprise of the Staple Singers’ ‘60s standard on her new CD, but, while Staples is more expressive, atop a loping groove, Jones rocks out over Johns’ one-note garage riff.

Johns played a different guitar on virtually every track – a Firebird on “Burning Hell,” a Phantom Teardrop on “Run On,” for instance – mainly through a late-’50s tweed Champ. (Among others, a Tele with a bender and Andy Blake Pickup Wizard pickups, a Harmony archtop, a ’69 Martin D-18, a ’62 Gretsch 6120 Nashville with Filtertrons were also employed – through Premier or Kay reverb tanks.)

In addition to such gospel fare as Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” Mahalia Jackson’s “Didn’t It Rain” (penned by Roberta Martin), and traditional favorites “Run On” and “Ain’t No Grave” – the liners mistakenly crediting Jones and Johns as writers instead of arrangers – Jones is equally comfortable on the folk/country side of gospel, as evidenced by Dylan’s “What Good Am I?” and Susan Werner’s “Did Trouble Me.”

What direction Jones will take next is anybody’s guess, but after his recent riveting Letterman appearance, one hopes he’ll give this repertoire a nice long run on the road.

By Dan Forte for Vintage Guitar Magazine

Return of the Mack: Tom Jones dazzles at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

You'd be hard pressed to find an entertainer who better defines the term "superstar" than Tom Jones. The Welsh-born singer rose to fame in the mid-1960's and racked up a string of hit singles, starred in his own variety show and gained the admiration of millions of overzealous female fans who showed their affections by launching their undergarments at him during live performances. Fast forward several decades and you'll still find Jones every bit the dazzling entertainer. Jones has retained a large core audience that has faithfully followed him through changing trends and styles as evidenced from the eager crowd awaiting his taking the stage last Friday at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

One of the loudest and rowdiest roars I've heard from an awaiting audience in a long time was steadily belted from the plush seats until Jones took the stage at 8:15 p.m. No need for an opening act; the crowd was here for one reason only: to be treated to the timeless, sexy, soulful voice that Tom Jones has entranced his fans with for years.

Clad in bright purple silk shirt, shiny black blazer and black slacks, Jones slowly emerged amid a sea of sultry red lights. A guitarist preceded Tom's entrance and filled the hall with some tasty, nasty slide guitar blues giving the feel of a seedy blues club rather than a pristine performance hall. Jones quickly launched into "Burning Hell," a cut from his newest album, the excellent gospel-blues tinged Praise and Blame. In fine voice, the 70-year-old Jones boldly opened with this relatively unknown selection from a current work rather than relying on a tried and true nugget from his vast career. Pretty ballsy move, without a doubt. But, in actuality, it set the tone for the bold course Jones opted to trudge all night long.

The evening's set was filled with constant surprises and jaw-droppers. Sure, we were treated to classics like "Green Green Grass of Home" and a savory, Mariachi-styled version of "Delilah." But Tom seemed to really soar when delivering his versions of some pretty unpredictable covers ranging from Little Feat's "Dixie Chicken" to "Hey Pocky Way" by the New Orleans-based party band The Meters.

Showing no signs of slowing (ok, so Tom doesn't swivel his hips as ferociously as he used to), Jones proved for nearly two hours that he is still as entertaining and charismatic as ever. Jones was, after all, the one entertainer who Elvis Presley admittedly feared; supposedly, Elvis was always worried that Jones would surpass him in terms of popularity and stardom, and that he'd eventually steal all his fans away from him. At this, my first ever Tom Jones concert, it's easy to understand Presley's anxieties. As if it weren't enough of a threat that the man can sing, select hip material to cover AND whip an adoring crowd into a frenzy, he was also born with the gift of the gab. Almost as enchanting as the performance itself, Jones playfully told several engaging stories and anecdotes that found him name-dropping artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan and Elvis.

The funniest moment came when Jones was chiding a female audience member with a thick New York accent who repeatedly crowed, "Take your jacket off!!" Jones didn't miss a beat and fired back with witty quips of his own: "Don't worry ... before the night is over, EVERYTHING is coming off!" he flaunted. It was obvious by crowd's reaction to that comment that many of the females approved.

For nearly two hours sans intermission, the veteran superstar and consummate entertainer wielded his carefully honed skills and showed us why he's still so highly revered. Still taking chances and not relying on past glories, it's obvious that Tom Jones is more interested in remaining vital and taking chances than being reduced to a corny nostalgia act.

Jones seemed as comfortable belting his signature song "It's Not Unusual" as he did his fine cover of Prince's coy "Kiss" (complete with a fantastic intro of Prince's naughtier "Sexy MF").

Tom Jones is without a doubt one of the greatest performers of all time. Geared and primed in an age that didn't have to rely on flashy gimmicks, costumes or shock value, Tom Jones was (and still is) the true definition of a star. And the near-capacity crowd that were jammed into Ruth Eckerd Hall last Friday night have known that for a long, long time.

Complete Setlist:

Burning Hell Run On Let’s Have A Ball I’ll Never Fall in Love Again Strange Things Dixie Chicken Green, Green Grass of Home Detroit City Delilah St. James Infirmary Blues What Good Am I? Nobody’s Fault But Mine Don’t Knock Didn’t It Rain Mama Told Me Not to Come You Can Leave Your Hat On If I Give My Soul It’s Not Unusual Encore Kiss Hey Pocky Way

By Gabe Echazabal for Creative Loafting. Click here to read full article

Tom to Perform at Theatre Jean-Deschamps at the Carcassonne Festival in France

Tom will be performing at the Carcassonne Festival in Carcassonne, France on Sunday July 24th at the Theatre Jean-Deschamps.

Please note that from April 2nd till April 8th, tickets will be on sale only in the city of Carcassonne and restricted to physical buying. The online on sale date will be April the 9th.

Please check our Tour Dates section for more ticket info.

Tom Jones Announced for the 2011 English Heritage Picnic Concerts

Tom Jones will perform two incredible shows at this year’s English Heritage Picnic Concerts. Kicking off the Kenwood House season on Friday 24 June, this extraordinary voice will treat the audience to songs from his celebrated new album ‘Praise & Blame’ as well as his greatest hits, before hitting the stage at Audley End on Saturday 30 July.

Held in the stunning, sumptuous surrounds of Kenwood House, Hampstead and Audley End, Saffron Walden from 24 June until 31 July, The English Heritage Picnic Concerts are arguably the most breath-taking musical experiences of the summer calendar.

With thousands of music lovers descending onto the expansive grounds with picnic blankets and hampers in hand, English Heritage Picnic Concerts supported by Monarch Airlines, are staged in the most beautiful and unique concert settings in the UK. This year will mark Kenwood House’s 60^th anniversary of Picnic Concerts at the spectacular Hampstead Heath property. Since it was established in 1951, the annual event has delighted generations of audiences with a myriad of musical talent from world-class classical orchestras to respected contemporary acts including James Morrison, Simply Red and Blondie. The impressive milestone will be celebrated with the Kenwood House Summer Prom, a delightful evening of stirring classical master-pieces performed by the celebrated Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra climaxing with a fireworks displays.

Tickets are on slae now and can be purchased online at picnicconcerts.com

Tom Jones to perform at 'Jazz in Vienne' and 'Pori Jazz'

Two more European dates to be announced today are... Jazz in Vienne in France on Wednesday 29th June and the Pori Jazz Festival in Finland on Thursday 14th July.

Both dates go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday 30th March at 9am. Please look in our Tour Dates Section for ticket info.

More dates still to be added!!

Tom Jones Announced at Newbury Racecourse's Party in the Paddock - Saturday 13 August

Tom Jones will be astounding racegoers on Saturday 13 August at Newbury Racecourse. The Berkshire track has announced today that Tom will be headlining its social summer highlight - CGA Ladies Day featuring Party in the Paddock.

Tom’s appearance at Newbury will bring down the curtain on the 2011 Party in the Paddock season, which will feature top music acts performing live after racing.

Newbury Racecourse's CGA Ladies Day combines a fantastic day of top quality Flat horseracing, fashion and world class music.  A celebration of sport and fashion will feature again this August, with new and regular racegoers able to take advantage of the Inside Track, which aims to help racegoers to Newbury get the most from their day and includes a helpful free guide to racing and betting,  masterclasses on Betting made Simple and What to Wear as well as behind the scenes tours and trips to the start of a race.

Stephen Higgins, Joint Managing Director, Newbury Racecourse commented "We are delighted to welcome Tom to Newbury Racecourse.  The August Party in the Paddock event is now a highlight of Newbury's summer season and having secured an act as huge as Tom Jones, we expect this year’s event to be extremely popular.   The day features a great card of racing, as well as a celebration of fashion so it’s important that the day is complimented with a world class act and Tom obviously fits this bill ideally.   We want to welcome ladies and gents, young and old to the racecourse and experience one of Britain's most popular sports and great music”.

Tickets start from £30 with under 18’s at £10.    Dining and hospitality, which offer excellent viewing of the racing and concert start from £99 per person.

For tickets and further information newbury-racecourse.co.uk or call 01635 40015.

Tom Teams up With Hugh Laurie in New Orleans

Tom has just been in New Orleans having a great time with Hugh Laurie and his band, filming a live performance of a tune from Hugh's wonderful new album Let Them Talk (Warners) which will be released in Europe on May 9 and in the States in the autumn. Alongside his many accomplishments as an actor and writer, Hugh is a devoted and accomplished musician who loves New Orleans blues:

“In my imagination, New Orleans just straight hummed with music, romance, joy, despair; its rhythms got into my gawky English frame and, at times, made me so happy and sad, I just didn’t know what to do with myself,” said Laurie. “I love this music as authentically as I know how, and I want you to love it too. If you get a thousandth of the pleasure from it that I’ve had, we’re all ahead of the game.”

Tom is a one of the guests, along with Irma Thomas, Dr. John and Allen Toussaint, who contribute to this brilliant and uplifting collection. Stay tuned for more news....

Tom Jones to Perform at Suikerrock Festival, Belgium

Tom Jones will be back in Belgium for the first time in two years, headlining the first day of the Suikerrock festival in the city of Tienen. Belgian top act Soulsister, whose song ‘Changes’ was covered by Tom Jones on the album ‘The Lead and How to Swing It’, will be supporting with an exclusive summer show.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday 17th March 2011 via the Suikerrock website www.suikerrock.be, and via the Belgian shops of ‘Free Record Shop’.