It’s not every day that you get a chance to see a member of Led Zeppelin live. But that’s exactly what lucky Americans and Canadians will be getting early next year, when Robert Plant takes his Band of Joy on the road. Touring in support of his critically acclaimed album, Band of Joy, the 15-date North American leg is looking to make the dead winter of January and February a little brighter. And if you’re wondering, yes, the band has been known to play a Zeppelin song or two during their live performance.

The latest trek will begin in Asheville, NC on January 18th, and then pretty much sticks to the Eastern time zone for the entire set of dates. The only non-US date is a stop in Toronto on January 22nd. So far, the tour is scheduled to end near where it began, with a pair of dates in Nashville on February 8th and 9th. Backing Plant will be the same group that played with him on the record: Patty Griffin, vocals; Darrell Scott, multi-instrumentalist/vocals; Byron House, bass/vocals; Marco Giovino, drums and percussion/vocals; and co-producer Buddy Miller, guitar/vocals. The North Mississippi All Stars Duo will open for the group on all dates.

Now, since there’s Robert Plant news, obviously we can’t let you go without noting his former bandmate’s recent comments. At the Classic Rock “Roll of Honour” Awards last week, Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page mentioned plans to tour himself. “I’m desperate to be playing, but it won’t be ’til next year,” Page said. “I’ll get a good vehicle to get out there and do some concerts.” Hmm, a vehicle like a certain Band of Joy playing next year? This year’s setlists have already been full of Zeppelin songs (“Misty Mountain Hop”, “Rock & Roll”, “Tangerine”), so it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. Would it?

Robert Plant 2011 Tour Dates:
01/18 – Asheville, NC @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
01/19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Peterson Events Center (University of Pittsburgh)
01/21 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Hill Auditorium
01/22 – Toronto, ON @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
01/25 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
01/26 – Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theatre
01/28 – Mashantucket, CT @ MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino
01/29 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
02/01 – Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
02/02 – Raleigh, NC @ Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
02/04 – North Charleston, SC @  North Charleston Performing Arts Center
02/05 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
02/07 – Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
02/08 – Nashville, TN @ War Memorial Auditorium
02/09 – Nashville, TN @ War Memorial Auditorium