Mark Knopfler to Bring Tour to Academy of Music, 10/17

Legendary British musician and songwriter Mark Knopflercelebrates upcoming album release, Tracker (Verve Records, March 17), with announcement of 36-city North American tour including Philadelphia stop at the Academy of Music on October 17 at 8 p.m. Knopfler's 2015 North American Tour kicks off in Vancouver on September 10 and continues through the end of October. Tickets now on sale to the public.

Praised by Rolling Stone as one of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time," Knopfler's release of Tracker marks his eighth solo recording after an illustrious career as the Grammy winning lead singer, songwriter and guitarist to Dire Straits. The single "Beryl" of Tracker is now streaming worldwide at Vevo here: http://po.st/Byrlv.

"Part of the fun is thinking what you might have a go at, for a new tour," says Knopfler. "Forme, that's part of the joy of it, getting that little crew together again, and setting sail once again.It's a real adventure." Knopfler has always viewed touring as the final part of the processrunning from songwriting through recording and ending up on the road performing old and newsongs. He now writes more music while actually on the road.

"The songs 'Lights of Taormina' and 'Silver Eagle' came into being partly through my trips inEurope and the U.S. with Bob Dylan," adds Knopfler.

Fans who purchase tickets in price level 1, 2 or 3 to 'An Evening with Mark Knopfler and Band' online will receive a physical copy of Tracker for each pair of tickets purchased. Tickets are available for An Evening with Mark Knopfler and Band from $39 to $131, and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office at Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Recorded at his own British Grove Studios in West London, Tracker includes 11 new songs inspired by a wide range of subjects including Beryl Bainbridge and Basil Bunting. The album was produced by Knopfler and his long-time friend and collaborator Guy Fletcher who also plays keyboard on the record. In addition, Tracker features Mike McGoldrick on whistle and flute, John McCusker on fiddle, Glenn Worf on bass and Ian Thomas on drums. Guest musicians include Ruth Moody (from The Wailin' Jennys) on vocals, Nigel Hitchcock on saxophone and Phil Cunningham on accordion.

Tracker will be available on CD, double vinyl, deluxe CD with four bonus tracks, and a box set that will include the album on both CD and vinyl with a bonus CD featuring six extra tracks, a DVD with an exclusive short film directed by Henrik Hansen and an interview with Knopfler where he talks about the new record. Sleeve notes have been specially written by acclaimedU.S. author Richard Ford and also contain a numbered art print and six photographic prints.

A multiple Grammy award winner as the lead vocalist and songwriter for Dire Straits, MarkKnopfler has released seven solo albums as well as recording Neck And Neck with one of hisguitar heroes, Chet Atkins and collaborated with Emmylou Harris on All The Roadrunning. He has created soundtracks for Local Hero and The Princess Bride and is currently working on anew film, Altamira. In addition to producing his own records Knopfler has also producedalbums for Bob Dylan and Randy Newman amongst others. He was made an OBE in 1999and was given the prestigious 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the Ivor Novellos in 2012.