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In recent years, the tale of Blind Melon has taken a dramatic turn – from an abrupt and tragic end, to a rebirth and reconnection with their legion of fans. No matter how you slice it, the group was responsible for some of the most memorable and pure-sounding rock music of the ‘90s. And with their reformation in 2007 with singer Travis Warren, Blind Melon are poised to pick up exactly where they left off a decade earlier – as evidenced by their forthcoming CD entitled For My Friends  set for release on April 22, 2008.
On February 28th Blind Melon are set to embark on a five month U.S. tour,  a continuation of what they built in the 90’s and the beginning of what they are building for the future. “We couldn’t have planned this and we certainly couldn’t have forced this. It was meant to be and it was meant to be now,” commented bassist Brad Smith. Guitarist Christopher Thorn adds,  “We weren’t waiting around for Travis to show up in our lives. But when we met Travis, we just knew Blind Melon had to reform and be a band again. We feel so lucky to have this second chance, this new beginning.”
Blind Melon originally formed in 1990 in Los Angeles, California, when five transplants from other states crossed paths – singer Shannon Hoon (from Indiana), guitarist Christopher Thorn (from Pennsylvania), and guitarist Rogers Stevens, bassist Brad Smith, and drummer Glen Graham (all from Mississippi). With a buzz created around the band, the groupÂ’s now-classic self-titled debut was released in 1992 and their song “No Rain” became a smash on radio and MTV.          Â
Unfortunately, it was around this time that Shannon HoonÂ’s drug addiction took a turn for the worse and he overdosed while on tour at the age of 28. The four surviving members regrouped and issued an outtakes collection, 1996Â’s ‘NicoÂ’ (named after HoonÂ’s then-baby daughter, and spawning such further Melon classics as “Soup” and “Soul One”), as well as the Grammy-nominated home video, ‘Letters from a Porcupine.Â’ At that point, an attempt to find a replacement for Hoon was abandoned, and in 1999, the group officially went their separate ways. Smith and Thorn subsequently formed a short-lived group, Unified Theory, as well as opening up their own recording studio (Wishbone), and becoming much-in-demand producers. Â
In 2006, Smith and Thorn were asked to produce some songs for Texas-based singer/songwriter, Travis Warren, who also happened to be a diehard Blind Melon fan. While working with Warren in the studio, Smith jokingly said to Thorn that Travis “could sing Blind Melon songs in his sleep.” The idea was born. The four remaining members – who hadn’t been in the same room in years – came together to be reacquainted with each other, and to meet with Warren. Soon after, it had become apparent that they had finally located Blind Melon’s new singer. With Stevens and Graham reclaiming their spots as well, Blind Melon was back in business. Setting up shop at Wishbone, the reformed band spent most of 2007 writing and recording. But before issuing a new album, the group decided to introduce their newest member via a highly successful and completely sold out club tour in late 2007. The tour elicited an overwhelming response from audiences and prepped both old fans and new fans for what Blind Melon has in store for 2008.
Blind Melon Tour Dates
Thursday, February 28th        Dexter’s                                 Riverdale, NJ
Friday, February 29th             WebsterÂ’s Theatre                Hartford, CT Â
Saturday, March 1st                Hiro Ballroom                        New York, NY
Monday, March 3rd                9:30 Club                               Washington, DC
Tuesday, March 4th               The Norva                             Â
Wednesday, March 5th           The National                         Â
Friday, March 7th                   Tremont Music Hall              Charlotte, NC
Saturday, March 8th               Backbooth                             Orlando, FL
Sunday, March 9th                  Langerado Festival                Everglades National Park, FL
Tuesday, March 11th             Jupiter Bar and Grill            Tuscaloosa, AL
Wednesday, March 12th        Rhythm and Brews                Chattanooga, TN
Friday, March 14th                 The Cannery Ballroom         Â
Saturday, March 15th             The Vogue                            Â
Sunday, March 16th                St. Andrews’s Hall                 Detroit, MI
Tuesday, March 18th              Rave                                       Milwaukee, WI
Thursday, March 20th            The Redstone Room            Â
Friday, March 21st                 Station 4                                 St. Paul, MN
Saturday, March 22nd            Slowdown                               Omaha, NE
Monday, March 24th              Pop’s                                      Sauget, IL
Tuesday, March 25th             The
Thursday, March 27th            Belly Up                                 Aspen, CO
Friday, March 28th                 Fox Theatre                           Boulder, CO
Saturday, March 29th             Mesa Theatre                        Grand Junction, CO
Monday, March 31st              The Big Easy                        Â
Tuesday, April 1st                  El Corazon                             Seattle, WA
Thursday, April 3rd                The Boardwalk                     Â
Friday, April 4th                     Independent                          San Francisco, CA
Friday, April 18th                   House of Blues                       Dallas, TX
Saturday, April 19th                Antones                                 Austin, TX
Sunday, April 20th                  Meridian                                Houston, TX
Tuesday, April 22nd               Varsity Theatre                      Baton Rouge, LA
Wednesday, April 23rd            Soul Kitchen                          Mobile, AL
Tuesday, April 29th                Club Red                                Tempe, AZ
Wednesday, April 30th            Jillian’s                                  Las Vegas, NV
Friday, May 2nd                      El Rey Theatre                     Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, May 3rd                  The Coach House                 Â
Sunday, May 4th                     Canes Bar & Grill                 San Diego, CA