Eric Clapton to play China

Eric Clapton has fleshed out his upcoming North American tour schedule. The guitarist has so far announced 24 shows, beginning February 28th in Dallas and wrapping up April 6th in Columbus, Ohio. The guitar legend has also added a special date to his current Asian itinerary -- he's set to play the Shanghai Grand Stage on January 20th, marking his first-ever performance in mainland China.

All shows will feature Eric's band, which includes long-time guitarist Doyle Bramhall II and Allman Brothers Band slide guitarist Derek Trucks. There's also been talk about Eric performing with his old friend J.J. Cale, since the two of them have a new album out now called The Road To Escondido, but nothing has been confirmed.

IN RELATED NEWS:

The reissue of Clapton's famous "Blackie" guitar from the '70s will go on sale Friday (November 24th) for $20,000 through Guitar Center. The Fender Stratocaster is an exact reproduction of the instrument Eric used on tour and in the studio, including on the albums 461 Ocean Boulevard, Slowhand, and Just One Night. Only 185 of the guitars are available nationwide, and a portion of the proceeds will go to Clapton's Crossroads Centre substance-abuse facility in Antigua. Guitar Center bought the original Blackie at Clapton's Crossroads auction in 2004 for $959,500.

The itinerary (subject to change):
Feb 28 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Ctr
Mar 2 - Houston, TX - Toyota Ctr
Mar 3 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Ctr
Mar 5 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Ford Ctr
Mar 7 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Ctr
Mar 8 - Salt Lake City, UT - Delta Ctr
Mar 10 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
Mar 11 - Phoenix, AZ - US Airways Ctr
Mar 14 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Ctr
Mar 15 - San Diego, CA - ipayOne Center At The Sports Arena
Mar 17 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Ctr
Mar 18 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion At San Jose
Mar 20 - Sacramento, CA - ARCO Arena
Mar 22 - Seattle, WA - KeyArena At Seattle Ctr
Mar 23 - Vancouver, BC - General Motors Place
Mar 25 - Edmonton, ALB - Rexall Place
Mar 26 - Calgary, ALB - Pengrowth Saddledome
Mar 28 - Winnipeg, MB - MTS Ctr
Mar 30 - Fargo, ND - Fargodome
Mar 31 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center Omaha
Apr 2 - Kansas City, MO - Kemper Arena
Apr 3 - Moline, IL - Mark Of The Quad Cities
Apr 5 - Auburn Hills, MI - Palace Of Auburn Hills
Apr 6 - Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Ctr