One of Country-music's most enduring stars returns to the UK this year for fair old list of gigs that are sure to delight his legions of fans. The tour starts in Ireland at the INEC in Killarney and Vicar Street in Dublin on 23rd and 24th April. The UK leg isn't just about (ahem) 'Southern Nights' either, starting in Aberdeen on April 26th and continuing on to other cities and towns such as Dundee (27th), Glasgow (29th), Birmingham (30th), Oxford (May 1st), Southend (2nd), Sheffield (4th), Gateshead (5th), Leicester (7th), Bristol (8th), Liverpool (9th), South Bank (10th), Cardiff (11th), Salford (12th) and finally ending up in Bournemouth (13th). Tickets are priced from around £28 to £40 depending on location (€44.20 for Killarney and €65.70 for Dublin).

Incredibly, 73-year old Campbell started making music as far back as 1958 when his first single, 'Dreams For Sale', was recorded with the Glenaires. It quietly slipped by, as did many more releases until his most prominent break came in the mid-60s with a raft of memorable cover versions, including 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix', 'Gentle On My Mind' and the ubiquitous Americana-influencing 'Witchita Lineman'.

His success in the States far out-weighed his achievements in the UK, although he sampled more fame with the massive hits, 'Rhinestone Cowboy' and 'Southern Nights' as well as a sell-out appearance at the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank - he returns there on May 10th for what will surely be a sell-out again.

Although his CDs are found in the Easy-Listening sections in music-stores and petrol-stations, don't under-estimate the effect Campbell has had on today's alt-country bands. He popularized many Jimmy Webb songs, himself a songwriter covered by everybody from Tim Buckley, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, REM, Cassell Webb, Aimee Mann and Elvis Presley. A 'Greatest Hits' collection has recently been released (not for the first time!).