The TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, the brainchild of SAVATAGE frontman Jon Oliva and producer/collaborator Paul O'Neill, has issued the following update:

"To all of our fans,

We know you have been unbelievably patient with Nightcastle. We are more than half way done. We just want it to be the best it can be. We will have the tour dates up in the next couple of weeks. Please, if you haven't already, sign up for the fanclub.

As previously reported, TSO violinist Mark Wood has been confirmed to support guitarist Steve Vai on select East Coast dates in September. BW&BK; recently received the following press release:

"It gives us unbelievable extraordinary goosebump-moment pleasure to officially announce that FINALLY!!!!!!!!!! Mark Wood will be sharing the stage with Steve Vai as his opening act during selected dates on the east coast leg of Vai's current tour!

For YEARS, we've been receiving emails from Mark's fans suggesting (and hoping for) something like this and it is at long last going to be a reality!

Mark has known Steve since high school and remembers fondly being in Steve's room at his parent's house playing demo tracks on cassette tape of metal violin in its very embryonic stages. Mark will never forget Steve's reaction: applause and gasps of amazement! How cool is THAT???

According to Mark, Steve Vai's approach to music has closely mirrored his own and has consistently been a source of inspiration.

This is an honor of the highest degree and you can be assured that this is a show that no one is going to want to miss! Mark will be performing with all the members of THE MARK WOOD EXPERIENCE (as the band is now called), including Jeff Plate on drums (TSO, SAVATAGE, METAL CHURCH), Paul Ranieri on bass, Jon Bivona on guitar (TSO), Sean Meagher on keys, and Laura Kaye on vocals (Visit the Other Links page on the site and you'll find links to everyone's websites and MySpace pages).

The dates are as follows:

September

25 - Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY
27 - Keswick Theatre - Philadelphia, PA
28 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
29 - Borgata Music Box Theatre - Atlantic City, NJ

October

6 - North Fork Theatre at Westbury - Westbury, NY

For all the fabulous details (such as how you can get tickets), click here.

These dates are going to sell out fast so get your tickets NOW!"