Sheryl Crow has received more attention lately for her personal life than her enormously successful musical career.
The rootsy pop-rocker endured a double shot of heartache in February, first announcing a seemingly amicable breakup with fiancé Lance Armstrong, one of the most recognizable sports stars on the planet. Two weeks later the 44- year-old songwriter told the world she had undergone successful breast cancer surgery.
Now Crow is getting back to what she does best: Last week Live Nation revealed she will play Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Sept. 18 as part of a massive, 27-city North American tour with blues-pop heartthrob John Mayer. Together the two artists hold a dozen Grammys and have sold about 33 million albums, so a sellout crowd is likely.
A portion of every ticket sold on this summer’s tour will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, something Crow resolutely supports. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($49.50-$69.50, Ticketmaster)
Al Franken has adroitly transformed himself from comedian to political pundit since his goofy years on “Saturday Night Live,” although with a better sense of humor than those he skewers (Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly). The Emmy winner and best-selling author is touring in support of his Midwest Values political action committee. The “Stand Up 4 Change” tour, which visits the Paramount Theatre on Aug. 24, will also offer a 30-minute acoustic set from Big Head Todd & the Monsters frontman Todd Park Mohr. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($35-$100, Ticketmaster.com or 303-830-8497 only.)
Umphrey’s McGee may sound like a nondescript band name, but the jam-rock act is exceedingly precise in its sound. The group has built its fan base with rigorous touring and attention to detail. The band’s latest album, “Safety in Numbers,” was released in April on Boulder’s Sci Fidelity label. The band visits the Fillmore Sept. 22. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($22.75, Ticketmaster)
KC & The Sunshine Band was supposed to play Coors Amphitheatre on Aug. 1 as part of a cast of ’70s disco-boogie all- stars, including Gloria Gaynor, Tavares and Sister Sledge. But KOSI Copacabana presents “KC’s Boogie Blast” has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict, according to the House of Blues’ Justin Levy. Ticketmaster refunds ($25-$69.50) are available at their point of purchase.
