It's not even December, but already Eric Clapton is looking ahead to 2013. Today (Nov. 19) the legendary guitarist announced a U.S. tour comprising mostly of dates in the South and Southwest. A full list of 2013 tour dates is listed below.

Clapton will open the tour on March 14 at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Ariz. He will then work his way east, culminating with the two-day Crossroads Guitar Festival at New York's Madison Square Garden on April 12-13.

This will be the first appearance of Crossroads in New York City. It has previously been held in Dallas (2004) and Chicago (2007, 2010). The festival benefits the Crossroads Centre, a drug treatment facility in Antigua founded by Clapton.

Crossroads brings together guitar heroes from across the musical spectrum. Already confirmed for the festival are blues and rock heroes (Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, B.B. King, the Allman Brothers Band), jazz greats (John Scofield, Earl Klugh)  and country superstars (Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley).

"Slowhand's" touring band this time out will consist of longtime pals Chris Stainton (piano), Willie Weeks (bass), Doyle Bramhall II (guitar) and Steve Jordan (drums), with Michelle John and Sharon White on background vocals. Pedal steel guitar wizard Greg Leisz and Paul Carrack, known for his work with Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics, will also play keyboards and organ. The Wallflowers will serve as the opening act throughout the tour.

Tickets for Crossroads will go on sale on Nov. 30 at noon Eastern, with a pre-sale beginning Nov. 26. Go to Crossroads' website for more information.

Eric Clapton 2013 Tour Dates:

3/14 - Phoenix, Ariz.
3/16 - Houston, Texas
3/17 - Austin, Texas
3/19 - Dallas, Texas
3/20 - Oklahoma City, Okla.
3/22 - Nashville, Tenn.
3/23 - New Orleans, La.
3/26 - Jacksonville, Fla.
3/27 - Atlanta, Ga
3/29 - Hollywood, Fla.
3/30 - Hollywood, Fla.
4/2 - Charlotte, N.C.
4/3 - Raleigh, N.C.
4/5 - Uncasville, Ct.
4/6 - Pittsburgh, Pa.
4/12 - New York, N.Y.
4/13 - New York, N.Y.

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