Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesSure enough, that gap in Bruce Springsteen's touring schedule meant a detour to Tennessee.
The veteran rocker and his illustrious E Street Band have been announced as the headliner for this year's Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival, unfolding on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn., June 11-14.
It will be the Boss' only North American festival appearance in 2009 as he and his Super Bowl-playing crew troop out on a world tour, starting April 1, in support of their latest effort, Working on a Dream.
Also heading out on tour soon is Bonnaroo's other headliner, Phish. Trey Anastasio & Co. swam their separate ways in 2004, but have been drifting toward a reunion for the past year.
Also on tap to entertain the masses in Manchester are the Beastie Boys, Nine Inch Nails, Wilco, Erykah Badu, Elvis Costello, Santogold, Snoop Dogg, Jenny Lewis, TV on the Radio, Band of Horses, Al Green, Merle Haggard, the Ting Tings, David Byrne, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, the Decemberists and Lucinda Williams. (Check out Bonnaroo.com for the full list of artists.)