Jimmy Barnes Is Now A #1 Best-selling Author, Celebrates With New Shows

Jimmy Barnes is no stranger to a #1 chart ranking, having crafted 15 albums that have nabbed the honour over his extensive musical career.

Nonetheless, he's managed a late-stage first for himself by hitting the top spot on the Neilsen Bookscan Charts to be the country's best-selling author last week with his new book, Working Class Boy, mirroring the achievement over in New Zealand, where it made its debut as the #1 international non-fiction release.

The new achievement comes in tandem with seemingly celebratory new shows for the veteran musician's upcoming tour drawing on both his musical and literary talents, An Evening Of Stories & Songs, with fresh dates being announced for the ACT, which picks up a second date at the Canberra Theatre Centre this December, and Tasmania, where Barnes will swing past Hobart and Launceston in February next year before he sets off for a solid run of shows in NZ.

"Both the live show and the book are obviously the most personal projects I've ever done," Barnes said in a statement. "It's amazing to see the way people have responded to the exact things that I've spent a lifetime trying to hide.

"I'm very grateful that the book and this tour are striking such a chord. Hopefully it might help other people who've been through similar things to share their stories too."

Tickets for the Canberra show are on sale now via the venue; Tasmania's passes will be available for purchase from 10am next Friday, 6 October, via Tixtas.

For a full rundown of existing and newly announced dates, venues and other ticketing information, head to theGuide.