Tom Waits announces summer tour

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Tom Waits will embark on a 13-show "Glitter and Doom" tour, set to kick off June 17 in Phoenix.

Waits made the announcement Monday (May 5) via his Web site, TomWaits.com, via streaming video in what first appeared to be highlights from a press conference. It was later revealed to viewers that Waits was talking to an empty room, with staged audience questions being broadcast by a record player amid rows of empty chairs.

His "press conference" did not indicate who will be accompanying him in his backing band or if this will be a solo affair, but Waits did offer up the acronym "PEHDTSCKJMBA" as the "guiding word" for this summer's tour.

Taking the first initial from each city on the trek, Waits explained that the "pretty profound" acronym stands for "People Envy Happiness, Dogs Though, Sense Courage Knowing Jubilation Means Better Assets."

Waits last toured in 2006, playing eight dates primarily in the Midwest. This time, he'll hit mostly Southern markets.

Here are Waits' tour dates:

June 17-18: Phoenix, Ariz. (Orpheum)

June 20: El Paso, Texas (Plaza Theatre)

June 22: Houston (Jones Hall)