ABOUT NE-YO

Grammy-winning R&B star Ne-Yo will head out on a US tour next month as he continues to support his latest album, "Year of the Gentleman."

The singer/songwriter/producer is currently in Japan and will complete a two-week European jaunt before launching US dates Feb. 5 in his hometown of Las Vegas. The stateside trek comprises 15 clubs and theaters across the country, with stops planned in Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Houston, New York City and Atlanta. US gigs are listed below.

"Year of the Gentleman," which surfaced in September, reached No. 2 on The Billboard 200 and became Ne-Yo's third effort to debut at the top of the R&B/hip-hop albums chart. So far, the disc has spawned the hit singles "Closer," "Mad" and "Miss Independent". 

Written over the course of his travels through Europe and influenced by his own fascination with the Rat Pack, Ne-Yo's new album is meant to return class to a genre of music he says has gotten sloppy.

"I feel that the essence of what it is to be a gentleman needs to be brought back to this industry," Ne-Yo told LiveDaily in an interview last spring. "It's a little lacking as of late. I'm not saying there are no gentlemen in the industry. There are definitely some. But they are few and far between."

 He added, "I'm trying to lead by example. I'm trying to bring some class and integrity back."

Fans can check out the singer's sense of style in the current issue of People Magazine, which features Ne-Yo in its "At Home" section.

 The 29-year-old artist is coming off a stellar 2008, in which he was nominated for five Grammys and walked away with the Best Contemporary R&B Album prize for his chart-topping sophomore set, "Because of You."

 Ne-Yo (born Shaffer Smith) made a name for himself at a young age writing songs for multi-platinum-selling artists including Mary J. Blige, B2K, Faith Evans and Musiq, according to Def Jam. He co-wrote one of urban radio's most-played songs of 2004, "Let Me Love You," performed by R&B singer Mario, as well as Beyonce's No. 1 single "Irreplaceable."

*** Kym Kilgore/LiveDaily Contributor

DAY DATE VENUE LOCATION  TICKETS FEBRUARY 2009 Thu 2/5 The Pearl at The Palms Las Vegas, NV Fri 2/6 Paramount Theatre Oakland, CA Sat 2/7 Club Nokia Los Angeles, CA Wed 2/11 Waterfront Theatre Miami, FL Fri 2/13 Uno Lake Front New Orleans, LA Sat 2/14 Reliant Center Houston, TX Sun 2/15 Nokia Live Grand Prairie Wed 2/18 Constitution Hall Washington, DC Thu 2/19 Lyric Theatre Baltimore, MD Fri 2/20 Universal Studios Orlando, FL Sun 2/22 Tower Theatre Upper Darby, PA Wed 2/25 Fox Theatre Altanta, GA Thu 2/26 Orpheum Theatre Memphis, TN MARCH 2009 Sun 1/3 Fox Theatre St. Louis, MO   TOUR DATES WILL BE UPDATED WEEKLY | CHECK BACK PERIODICALLY Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time. Changes may occur.