Donna Summer

Originally dubbed "The Queen of Disco," Donna Summer surprised many with her return to music this week. Summer's new album "Crayons" was released Tuesday led by the ironic single "The Queen is Back." After raising three daughters, the five time Grammy Award winning Summer, who will turn 60 on New Year's Eve says "It's just kind of poking fun at the fact that this queen image has prevailed for so long" of the new single. And she is right, even though Summer has been touring and making appearances over the last few years it has been a while since the singer released new material of her own, part of the reason she was dubbed "The Queen of the Disco." The title "Queen of Disco" could imply that Summer would forever be associated with that time, the 70s and the disco, "her time," but Summer proves critics wrong by putting icing on the cake with "Crayons." "It's having fun with it and saying I was out of the picture for a while but she's back," said Summer of her new project. "It's a box of crayons. Each crayon has a different stroke of color and each layer brings with it its own identity," she said. "Every song is designed to be a single." Summer co-wrote all 12 songs on her new album. Enlisting songwriters Greg Kurstin (Pink) and Danielle Brisebois, Summer created a phenomenal album that not only compliments her past, but ushers in a new era of classics including the acoustic based song "Sand on My Feet" and Latin inspired/dance jam "I'm A Fire." But while Summer's album is hitting a market dominated by singers who "could be my daughters," she says she doesn't feel any competitive pressure. "I don't compete with my own daughters, I encourage them," Summer said. "I don't think I need to restake my claim as such ... Whatever I get at this point in the game is all icing on the cake." Summer's career was crowned previously with five Grammy awards including best dance recording, she has also sold over 130 million albums worldwide. In celebration of the new album "Crayons," Summer has plans to hit the road this summer – "My dream is that when people hear the music it will remind them of their youth, their childhood and the joy and wonderment they felt exploring their first pack of crayons," she said. Tour Dates (according to Pollstar): Sat 07/05/08 - Vienna, VA - Filene Center At Wolf Trap Tue 07/08/08 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Wed 07/09/08 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena Fri 07/11/08 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center For The Arts Sat 07/12/08 - Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion Wed 07/16/08 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Pavilion Fri 07/18/08 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center Sat 07/19/08 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon At Jones Beach Theater Sun 07/20/08 - Salamanca, NY - Seneca Allegany Casino Tue 07/22/08 - Rama, ON - Casino Rama Entertainment Centre Wed 07/23/08 - Rama, ON - Casino Rama Entertainment Centre Fri 07/25/08 - Atlantic City, NJ - Caesars Atlantic City Sat 07/26/08 - Atlantic City, NJ Caesars Atlantic City Sun 07/27/08 - Westhampton Beach, NY - Westhampton Beach Perf. Arts Center Fri 08/08/08 - Richmond, BC - River Rock Casino Resort Sat 08/09/08 - Richmond, BC - River Rock Casino Resort Sun 08/10/08 - Airway Heights, WA - Northern Quest Casino Wed 08/13/08 - Saratoga, CA - The Mountain Winery Fri 08/15/08 - Reno, NV - Peppermill Hotel Casino Sat 08/16/08 - Oakland, CA - Paramount Theatre Sun 08/17/08 - Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center For The Arts Wed 08/20/08 - Alpine, CA - Viejas Concerts In The Park Fri 08/22/08 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl Sat 08/23/08 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl Wed 08/27/08 - Windsor, ON - Caesars Windsor Thu 08/28/08 - Windsor, ON - Caesars Windsor Sat 08/30/08 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia Festival At Ravinia Park Sun 08/31/08 - Prior Lake, MN - Mystic Lake Casino Sat 11/15/08 - Santiago, CHL - Arena Santiago Tue 11/18/08 - Rio de Janeiro, BRZ - Vivo Rio Wed 11/19/08 - Sao Paulo, BRZ - HSBC Brasil Fri 11/21/08 - Sao Paulo, BRZ - HSBC Brasil Sat 11/22/08 - Sao Paulo, BRZ - HSBC Brasil