American Idol winner Caleb Johnson performs at Harrah’s Cherokee, May 2

American Idol winner and local musician Caleb Johnson will perform at Harrah’s Cherokee. The May 2 show kicks off Johnson’s headlining tour across the Southeast.

Press release from organizers:

 Season 13 American Idol Winner CALEB JOHNSON has announced his first-ever headline tour which is set to begin Saturday, May 2nd  with a hometown show at Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, North Carolina.   The tour will wind throughout the Southeast during the month of May. Prior to the tour kick off, Caleb will perform his new single, “Fighting Gravity” at the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 11 and will perform at the 2015 National Memorial Day Parade in DC on Monday, May 25.  The National Memorial Day Parade is America’s largest Memorial Day event in honor of those who have sacrificed while in service to our country with more than 250,000 spectators and a live national television audience.  All confirmed tour dates listed below.

Last week, Caleb premiered his first official music video for his song “Fighting Gravity” with Yahoo Music, which can be viewed here: bit.ly/FightingGravityVid  along with a special behind the scenes interview with Caleb about the making of the video here: bit.ly/FightingGravityBTS

This poignant piece was inspired by a real life experience and conceptualized by Caleb, along with Mark Staubach (American Authors, Travie McCoy, Dirty Heads) who also directed the video. Caleb explains:  “The video was inspired by a personal experience I had this past year while visiting a family whose son had a rare but terminal form of pediatric cancer.  Using “Fighting Gravity” as the musical backdrop, I wanted to create an emotional connection and raise awareness of a disease that tragically affects so many families.  I hope people will be inspired to lend support to people they know that are going through similar experiences.”

”Fighting Gravity,” co-written by Caleb, Brian Howes & Lenny Skolnik, is the first official video release from his TESTIFY album.  The album features 10 tracks produced by Howard Benson (Bon Jovi, My Chemical Romance, Gavin DeGraw) with Caleb backed by the furious playing of Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney, former Nine Inch Nails/Guns N’ Roses drummer Josh Freese, and guitarist Phil X (Rob Zombie and Tommy Lee).

In addition, Caleb has joined forces with the organization, DoSomething.org for its “Patient Playbooks” campaign in conjunction with the release of “Fighting Gravity.”  “Patient Playbooks encourages young people to make activity books for children in hospitals to brighten their stay.  To sign up and download a playbook template, visit DoSomething.org/FightingGravity

May Tour dates:

• 5/2/15 – Harrah’s Casino (Cherokee, NC)

• 5/3/15- Terminal West (Atlanta, GA)

• 5/4/15-The Foundry (Athens, GA)

•  5/5/15-Soul Kitchen (Mobile, AL)

•  5/7/15-Music Farm Colombia (Columbia, SC)

• 5/8/15-Amos’ Southland (Charlotte, NC)

•  5/9/15-The Basement (Columbus, OH)

• 5/10/15-Jammin Java (Vienna, VA)

• 5/16/15-Cone Denim Entertainment (Greensboro, NC)

• 5/17/15-Music Farm (Charleston, SC)

• 5/19/15- WorkPlay Theatre (Birmingham, AL)

•  5/20/15-Exit/ln (Nashville, TN)

•  5/22/15-Mercury Ballroom (Louisville, KY)

•  5/23/15-Altar Bar (Pittsburgh, PA)

•  5/27/15-Lincoln Theatre (Raleigh, NC)

For full touring info, please visit: CalebJohnsonOfficial.com.