Mark Knopfler Announces 2005 U.S. Tour Itinerary

Tour by Former Dire Straits Frontman Is First North American Tour in Four Years

Mark Knopfler will tour the United States in support of his most recent CD, "Shangri-La" (Warner Bros. Records), recorded at Shangri-La, a '60s vintage studio in Malibu.

For the first time in his career, concert tickets will be available through Mark Knopfler's web site, www.mknews.net. The goal is to provide fans with early access to a limited number of good seats at lower prices. In addition, in six cities (see below), one free "Shangri-La" CD will accompany the purchase of each pair of tickets.

"Shangri-La" is currently available in a deluxe edition that includes both the CD and a DVD featuring behind-the-scenes interviews and performances of four songs including the previously unreleased track, "Summer Of Love."

Songwriter and guitarist Mark Knopfler is one of the most enduring, respected and original figures in modern music. Well-known as frontman for the eternally popular Dire Straits, Knopfler made his first impact with hits such as "Sultans Of Swing" and "Money For Nothing," the song that helped immortalize the phrase "I Want My MTV." Among his landmark albums are "Brothers In Arms," "On Every Street" and "Sailing to Philadelphia." An accomplished and respected producer and performer, he has worked with the likes of Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Randy Newman, Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris and scores of others.

The North American summer tour features many of the same musicians with whom Mark has worked since 1996: Richard Bennett (guitar), Guy Fletcher and Matt Rollings (organ and piano), Glenn Worf (bass) and Chad Cromwell (drums).

William Topley will appear as special guest on part of the tour, opening for Mark Knopfler starting on July 19. Knopfler plays guitar on the title track to Topley's debut Warner Bros. CD "Sea Fever," scheduled for release on June 21st. Topley was leader of the British group The Blessing with whom he recorded two '90s albums. He later released four solo CDs in the U.S., earning a dedicated following for his distinguished voice and unique musical style that combines influences ranging from Cuban and reggae to soul and country.

Tour Itinerary:

June 24 Portsmouth, VA NTELOS Pavilion Harbor Center
June 25 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing
Arts
June 26 Vienna, VA The Filene Center
June 28 Newark, NJ New Jersey Performing Arts Center
June 29 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
June 30 Florence, MA Pines Theatre
July 1 Boston, MA Fleet Boston Pavilion
July 2 Montreal, QC Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier/Place
des Arts
July 3 Ottawa, ON National Arts Centre
July 5 Toronto, ON Molson Amphitheatre
July 7 London, ON John Labatt Centre
July 8 Rochester Hills, MI MeadowBrook Amphitheater*
July 9 Kettering, OH Fraze Pavilion at Lincoln
Park Center
July 12 Atlanta, GA Chastain Park Amphitheater
July 13 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
July 14 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
July 15 Chicago, IL Auditorium Theatre**
July 16 Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee Theater
July 17 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre**

All dates below with special guest William Topley
July 19 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheater**
July 20 Salt Lake City, UT Abravanel Hall
July 21 Las Vegas, NV The Joint
July 22 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
July 23 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre - Berkeley
July 24 San Diego, CA Copley Symphony Hall
July 27 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
July 28 Jacksonville, OR Britt Pavilion
July 29 Portland, OR Schnitzer Concert Hall**
July 30 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery**
July 31 Vancouver, BC Queen Elizabeth Theatre

*each pair of VIP tickets purchased will receive one CD
**each pair of tickets purchased will receive one CD