Staind singer Aaron Lewis kicks off his sixth annual solo acoustic tour on New Year's Day (Friday, January 1st) in Henderson, Las Vegas, with dates for the trek extending into late February and early March. More are likely to be announced in the weeks ahead. Lewis has also been working on his debut solo album since Staind came off the road earlier this year. He told us that it will be a combination of songs performed solely by him as well as with a backing band: "It's really a combination of both. There's gonna be songs on the record that are just me and my acoustic guitar. There's gonna be songs on the record that are very programmed and very Portishead in nature. There's gonna be songs on the record that I'm gonna have guests come in on and do."

Lewis will also appear on the Outdoor Channel series Dream Season Celebrity sometime in 2010. The Dream Season series is a reality hunting show that chronicles competing teams from across the country, with celebrities and everyday people teaming up this time around.

Lewis's participation in the series will raise funds for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, which grants once-in-a-lifetime hunting and fishing experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Staind issued its latest album, The Illusion Of Progress, in summer 2008.

Aaron Lewis tour dates (subject to change):
January 1 - Henderson, NV - Green Valley Ranch
January 2 - Las Vegas, NV - Aliante Casino
January 8 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy Casino
January 9 - West Wendover, NV - Peppermill Concert Hall
January 12 - Visalia, CA - Fox Theatre
January 15 - Temecula, CA - Pechanga
January 17 - Kansas City, MO - The Midland By AMC
January 19 - St. Charles, MO - Ameristar Casino
January 21 - Vicksburg, MS - Ameristar Casino
January 22 - Vicksburg, MS - Ameristar Casino
January 23 - Robinsville, MS - Bluesville at Tunica Horseshoe
February 5 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Casino
February 11 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
February 12 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino
February 13 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Casino
February 25 - Hammond, IN - Horseshoe Casino
March 5 - Snoqualmie, WA - Snoqualmie Ballroom