Ne-Yo tour hits U.S. after overseas stint with Pussycat Dolls

After wrapping a January run across the UK with the Pussycat Dolls, R&B artist Ne-Yo will hit the States for a tour of his own. The Grammy nominated vocalist will start up the U.S. jaunt on February 5 with a show at the Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas, NV, and continue on through a March 1 gig at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, MO.

Other highlights for the 15-city, coast-to-coast outing include a February 7 set at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA, a February 18 show at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC, a February 20 concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY, and a February 25 performance at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA.

Ne-Yo is touring behind his third studio album, the September 2008 release "Year of the Gentleman." The critically acclaimed album was also commercially well-received and debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 2. Though his previous albums, "In My Own Words" (2006) and "Because of You" (2007), also received high marks from critics, Ne-Yo has largely remained out of the public eye.

In a statement on his Web site, Ne-Yo acknowledged that he has often felt underappreciated as a musician, though he is thankful for all the support he receives. He attributed his underexposure to being a "fully functional, normal human being" who doesn't feature prominently in the tabloids and, as a result, is marked as "boring" by the media.

However, since receiving six Grammy nominations, including a nod for Album of the Year, Ne-Yo has changed his tune. "I have to eat my words as of late," he explained. "Needless to say, I don't feel very under appreciated anymore."

Ne-Yo itinerary:
(Dates subject to change.)