Randy Newman Plans Concerts In 12 Cities

Critically acclaimed songwriter Randy Newman, who plays live only occasionally, has lined up a dozen concerts for September and October at performing arts halls on the east and west coasts of the U.S.

Newman released a new album titled "Bad Love" (Dreamworks)--his first non-theatrical or movie soundtrack studio album in more than a decade--in June. The album was Newman's first for the young Dreamworks label, which he joined after a stint with Reprise that began with the release of his self-titled debut in 1968. (He followed Lenny Waronker, a producer who rose to president of Warner Bros., to the label.)

Newman spent much of the '90s composing movie scores; his work can be heard in "Maverick," "The Paper" and "Pleasantville," among many others. During the first half of the decade, much of his time was spent composing a musical titled "Faust," which failed to make it to Broadway.

In June, Billboard magazine named Newman the winner of its Century Award for 2000. The magazine annually bestows the award upon artists "who have not heretofore been accorded the degree of serious homage their ongoing achievements deserve." He joins previous recipients George Harrison (1992), Buddy Guy (1993), Billy Joel (1994), Joni Mitchell (1995), Carlos Santana (1996), Chet Atkins (1997), James Taylor (1998) and Emmylou Harris (1999). The award will be presented at the Billboard Music Awards in December.