NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 10/31/12 -- Elektra recording artist Ed Sheeran has announced plans to support Taylor Swift as a special guest on her hugely anticipated "The RED Tour." The North American dates get underway March 13th in Omaha, Nebraska, and then continue through mid-September (see below itinerary). Sheeran co-wrote and recorded the song "Everything Has Changed" with Swift for her new album, "RED" -- the song has already reached #1 on the iTunes "Top Singles" chart.

"Taylor is one of the most talented and driven artists I've had the pleasure of meeting," says Sheeran. "It's been amazing to collaborate with her and going on tour is going to be a great experience. I can't wait."

Sheeran's own debut single, "The A Team," is currently climbing the radio charts, up to #23 at CHR/Pop and nearing the top 10 at Hot AC. The song has already gone to #2 at Triple A radio, while its companion music video has garnered more than 46 million views on YouTube (http://bit.ly/agKW6r). "The A Team" is featured on Sheeran's acclaimed, debut full length "+", which entered the Soundscan/Billboard 200 at #5 upon its U.S. release this past summer. This fall saw Sheeran sell out every date on his first-ever headlining tour of North America.

21-year-old singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran has become one of the biggest musical success stories in the UK over the past year. His debut single, "The A Team," was Britain's highest charting, biggest selling debut single of 2011, and was soon followed by Sheeran's debut album "+", which entered the UK Album chart at #1 upon its September 2011 release and has since been certified 5x-platinum. A two-time winner at the 2012 BRIT Awards (in the categories for "British Male Solo Artist" and "British Breakthrough Act"), Sheeran capped his summer with a memorable performance of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" -- alongside Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, Genesis' Mike Rutherford, and Richard Jones of The Feeling -- at the London 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony.

For up-to-the-minute news and information, please see www.edsheeran.com, www.twitter.com/EdSheeran, www.facebook.com/EdSheeranMusic and www.elektrarecords.com.

(TOUR ITINERARY BELOW)

ED SHEERAN
Tour Dates 2013
("The RED Tour" supporting Taylor Swift)

MARCH
13       Omaha, NE
14       Omaha, NE
18       St. Louis, MO
19       St. Louis, MO
22       Charlotte, NC
23       Columbia, SC
27       Newark, NJ
28       Newark, NJ
29       Newark, NJ

APRIL
10       Miami, FL
11       Orlando, FL
12       Orlando, FL
18       Atlanta, GA
19       Atlanta, GA
20       Tampa, FL
25       Cleveland, OH
26       Indianapolis, IN
27       Lexington, KY

MAY
4        Detroit, MI
7        Louisville, KY
8        Columbus, OH
11       Washington, DC
12       Washington, DC
16       Houston, TX
21       Austin, TX
22       San Antonio, TX
25       Dallas, TX
28       Glendale, AZ
29       Glendale, AZ

JUNE
1        Salt Lake City, UT
2        Denver, CO
15       Toronto, ON
22       Winnipeg, MB
29       Vancouver, BC

JULY
6        Pittsburgh, PA
20       Philadelphia, PA
27       Foxboro, MA

AUGUST
1        Des Moines, IA
2        Kansas City, MO
3        Kansas City, MO
6        Wichita, KS
7        Tulsa, OK
10       Chicago, IL
15       San Diego, CA
19       Los Angeles, CA
20       Los Angeles, CA
27       Sacramento, CA
30       Portland, OR
31       Tacoma, WA

SEPTEMBER
6        Fargo, ND
7        St. Paul, MN
8        St. Paul, MN
12       Greensboro, NC
13       Raleigh, NC
14       Charlottesville, VA
19       Nashville, TN
20       Nashville, TN
21       Nashville, TN