BraveWords.com has received the following press release:

OVER THE RAINBOW, the new project featuring former RAINBOW musicians and a second generation Blackmore on guitar, will take the stage in Japan this spring.

Dates:

April

27 - Namba Hatch - Osaka, Japan
29 - Diamond Hall - Nagoya, Japan

May

1 - Kosei-Nenkin Hall - Tokyo, Japan

Over The Rainbow is:

Vocals: Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow 1980-1984)

Guitar: Jurgen ("J.R.") Blackmore

Keyboards: Tony Carey (Rainbow 1975-1977)

Drums: Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow 1980-1982)

Bass: Greg Smith (Rainbow 1994-1997)

For Japanese fans, this will be their first glimpse at the younger Blackmore in their country. Jurgen, "J.R." Blackmore, son of the founder of Rainbow Ritchie Blackmore, is looking forward to handling guitar duties for Over The Rainbow in a country that has always embraced the melodic hard rock sound that made Rainbow famous. He says, "I have never been to Japan before but it was always my big dream. So, my dream comes true, to meet the Japanese Rock fans live."

Drummer Bobby Rondinelli reminisces, “Japan was always like a second home for Rainbow and I'm really looking forward to going home with Over The Rainbow.”

Some of the most memorable shows in Rainbow’s history took place at the legendary Budokan arena. Singer Joe Lynn Turner recalls, “Those concerts at the Budokan were among the greatest highlights of my career. I have since gone back and played many shows in Japan as a solo artist and with other projects. The audiences in Japan are among the best in the world. They have kept the spirit of classic melodic hard rock alive.”

Keyboardist Tony Carey adds, “The last time I played in Japan was in 1976 with Rainbow. I had a great time and now, all these years later, we're coming back to rock the house down. You might not need to lock up your daughters anymore-but wear heavy shoes or we'll blow you off your feet.”

Visit Over The Rainbow on MySpace.