They say that time flies when you're having fun so Bebo Norman must have been having a lot of fun over the years because it sure doesn't feel like he's been making music for seventeen years. It feels like it was just yesterday when we were introduced to this talented man through The Fabric of Verse. To quote another well-used phrase, "all good things must come to an end" and at the end of this year, the Bebo Norman era of music will officially be over. The Dove-award winner announced back in April that after much prayer and conversation with his wife, the decision was made to retire from music to begin the next chapter in his life.
With the end of 2013 around the proverbial corner, Bebo will be saying his farewells with Andrew Peterson and Sara Groves on the "In The Round" tour. Kicking off on September 19th in Tyler, Texas, the three friends will visit 15 cities before ending the tour in Dekalb, Illinois on November 2nd.
In a press release, Bebo talked about his final tour, saying, "I can't think of a better way to finish up my career than sharing the stage with two people who have inspired and moved me so deeply on personal and artistic levels." Andrew Peterson added, "The first tour I ever did was with Bebo, back in 1998. I've been a fan ever since, and it's a huge honor (and bittersweet) to be on the road with him again on his last tour. His songs have blessed a lot of people. I'm one of them."
In partnership with Compassion International, an organization that Bebo has worked for years, this tour will also prominently feature their work. Mark Hanlon, Sr. Vice President, Compassion USA shared his thoughts on this final tour by saying, "Compassion is honored to have partnered with Bebo for more than a decade. In that time, he has brought over 15,000 children into a Compassion sponsor relationship where they are known, loved and protected. The 'In the Round' Tour will be a meaningful way to complete our relationship with Bebo, and we are excited to see hundreds of children find new sponsors over the next few months."
"In The Round" Tour Dates:
| Sept. 19 | Tyler, TX | First Baptist Church Tyler (South Campus) |
| Sept. 21 | Linden, TX | Music City Texas Theater |
| Sept. 22 | Houston, TX | Second Baptist - Woodway |
| Oct. 3 | Knoxville, TN | Fellowship Evangelical Free Church |
| Oct. 4 | Manheim, PA | The Junction Center Tent |
| Oct. 5 | Harrisonburg, VA | Covenant Presbyterian Church (no Sara Groves) |
| Oct. 6 | Berrien Springs, MI | Howard Performing Arts Center |
| Oct. 17 | Excelsior, MN | Westwood Community Church |
| Oct. 18 | Lincoln, NE | College View Church - Union College |
| Oct. 20 | Greenville, SC | Southside Fellowship Church |
| Oct. 24 | Charlotte, NC | Hope Community Church |
| Oct. 25 | Columbia, SC | St. Andrews Presbyterian Church |
| Oct. 26 | Chattanooga, TN | Concord Baptist Church |
| Oct. 27 | Williamsburg, KY | Main Street Baptist Church |
| Nov. 1 | Dubuque, IA | Emmaus Bible College |
| Nov. 2 | Dekalb, IL | Harvest Bible Chapel |
