Don McLean Signs $4.5 Million Administration Deal With Universal Music Publishing Group; Readies For Second Leg Of World Tour In October
McLean becomes a celebrity ambassador for Teen Cancer America charity, and continues to celebrate release of newest album, ‘Botanical Gardens.’
Don McLean in performance at The Sage Gateshead
Legendary American singer, songwriter, and performer Don McLean recently signed a third extension to his ongoing administration deal with Universal Music Publishing Group, worth $4.5 Million. McLean, whose relationship with UMPG goes back to 1990, had this to say on the deal, “Universal has done a great job at getting my songs in movies and TV shows, and they are a first class, worldwide organization.”
With songs like “American Pie,” “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “And I Love You So,” “Castles in The Air,” “The Grave,” and many more, McLean is one of many hit-makers represented by UMPG such as Adele, U2, Elton John, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond and Pearl Jam, among many others.
McLean is also readying for the second leg of his 2018 World tour which begins October 1 in Essen, Germany, and will take him through Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Finland and Norway. McLean’s previous European tour in June of this year yielded plenty of sold out shows and praise from the European press.
Several of Don’s iconic hits, including “American Pie” and “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” continue to be added to various popular Spotify playlists, such as: Rock Anthems, All Out 70’s, 70’s Road Trip, Classic Acoustic, Family Road Trip and Backyard BBQ. Together, these playlists have nearly 9 million user streams.
McLean also recently became a celebrity ambassador for Teen Cancer America (TCA) after attending and performing at one of the charity’s Backyard Concert Series events in August. McLean was invited by Teen Cancer America charity founder Roger Daltrey of The Who to the star-studded event which raised over $3.5 Million for the charity that evening. McLean also rehearsed with GRAMMY Award winner Ed Sheeran backstage that evening, which the video went viral on the internet soon after. Later that evening Sheeran would join McLean onstage for a special duet performance of his hit song “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night).”
WATCH: Ed Sheeran & Don McLean rehearsal of “Vincent”
With over 40 gold and platinum records worldwide, McLean’s prowess for writing timeless songs has once again been captured on Botanical Gardens, his newest album, released in March, 2018 on BMG. McLean artfully weaves country, Americana, folk, and boot-stomping rock for an eclectic, yet American sound that he is known for. Botanical Gardens is his 19th studio album and first in 8 years, is arguably one of Don’s most reflective to date.
As he characterizes it, “The inspiration for the project started years ago when I would walk in the beautiful gardens in Sydney, Australia near the Opera House. I would dream young dreams and it was a comfort and an inspiration. I was always young inside, like we all are, and I felt it again there.” Further reflecting on the record, Don says, “the whole album really revolves around the title song. Later on I realized that the gardens are really a metaphorical heaven, and there’s a kind of death and rebirth.”
Don McLean On Tour:
OCT 01 Lichtburg Essen / Essen, Germany
OCT 02 Fabrik Hamburg / Hamburg, Germany
OCT 04 Theater 11 / Zürich, Switzerland
OCT 05 Festhalle Harmonie Heilbronn / Heilbronn, Germany
OCT 06 Stadtga / Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
OCT 08 Passionskirche Kreuzberg / Berlin, Germany
OCT 10 De Oosterpoort / Groningen, Netherlands
OCT 12 Muziekgebouw Eindhoven / Eindhoven, Netherlands
OCT 13 TivoliVredenburg / Utrecht, Netherlands
OCT 18 Savoy-teatteri / Helsinki, Finland
OCT 21 Sentrum Scene / Oslo, Norway
OCT 22 Koncerthuset, Koncertsalen / København S, Denmark
OCT 23 Cirkus / Stockholm, Sweden
NOV 03 Avalon Theater / Easton, Md.
NOV 07 Cactus Theater / Lubbock, Texas
NOV 09 Arlington Music Hall / Arlington, Texas
NOV 10 Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino / Lake Charles, La.
NOV 15 Wilbur Theater / Boston, Mass.
NOV 16 Paramount Theater / Rutland, Vt.
NOV 17 Tarrytown Music Hall / Tarrytown, N.Y.
NOV 30 City Winery / Atlanta, Ga.
DEC 08 Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts / Harrisburg, Pa.
DEC 09 State Theatre of Ithaca / Ithaca, N.Y.
DEC 26 Blue Note Hawaii / Honolulu, Hawaii
DEC 27 Blue Note Hawaii / Honolulu, Hawaii
2019
JAN 15 Yoshi’s Oakland / Oakland, Calif.
JAN 19 Lewis Family Playhouse / Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
JAN 25 Fox Tucson Theater / Tucson, Ariz.
FEB 01 Sharon Morse Performing Arts Center / The Villages, Fla.
FEB 02 Oxford Performing Arts Center / Oxford, Ala.
FEB 07 Rose Theater / Brampton, Ontario
FEB 09 Infinity Hall / Hartford, Conn.
FEB 15 Grand Theater / Wasau, Wis.
MAR 22 Cerritos Center/ Cerritos, Calif.
MAR 23 Saban Theater / Beverly Hills, Calif.
APR 05 TBA / Alexandria, Va.
APR 06 TBA / Riverhead, N.Y.
MAY 10 TBA / East Greenwich, R.I.
MAY 11 TBA / Peekskill, N.Y.
Click here for Don’s entire tour calendar
About Don McLean:
A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “American Pie,” “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. In 2004, McLean was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame by country superstar Garth Brooks. “American Pie” has brought great happiness and hope to millions of people through the years and continues to be honored for its success. In 2000, the song was named one of the Top 5 Songs of the 20th Century by the RIAA and in 2002 was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. 2017 brought a huge honor when the iconic song was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, joining less than 500 works including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” classical music compositions, famous live broadcasts, and similar recordings.
With over 40 gold and platinum records worldwide, his prowess for writing timeless songs is once again captured on Botanical Gardens, as he artfully weaves country, Americana, folk, and boot stomping rock for an eclectic, yet American sound that he is known for.
About Teen Cancer America:
Every hour another 13-25 year old is diagnosed with cancer in America. Teen Cancer America transforms the lives for this under-served patient population by working with our country’s leading cancer treatment and research centers. They create specialized clinical care programs, offer therapeutic experiences and provide access to individualized support and resources. This completely unique organization works with the leading healthcare institutions to build state-of-the-art Teen and Young Adult “Social Zones” for both in-patient and out-patient treatment settings. The work of Teen Cancer America has impacted over 5,000 young people and their families nationwide during the last six years. For more information, visit TeenCancerAmerica.org.