BEIJING, Feb. 16-- John Mellencamp will bring his"Words& Music" to cities across the United States this spring on

John Mellencamp will bring his"Words&

Music" to cities across the United States this spring on his first

headlining tour in three years.(Photo Source: CRIENGLISH.com)his first headlining tour in three years.

Sixteen stops have been announced for the first leg of the tour, which opens in Savannah, Ga., on March 23 and ends April 17 in Louisville, Ky. The tour is dubbed the"Words& Music Tour" after Mellencamp's recently released double CD greatest hits collection.

"Jack and Diane,""R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." and"Small Town" are among the songs Mellencamp will perform.

"Going out and playing is a great way for me to keep these songs alive; it's what I've done for my whole professional life," the 53-year-old rocker said in a statement Monday."We're keeping ticket prices down so as not to exclude anybody who might want to attend one of these shows."

Folk rocker Donovan, known for hits such as"Sunshine Superman" and"Hurdy Gurdy Man," will be a special guest.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)