Ratdog extends round of summer dates

Though the band's summer run has yet to get underway, Bob Weir's Ratdog has filled in more dates for the forthcoming trek, which includes solo shows as well as some dates alongside indie-folk rocker Jackie Greene and some with fellow jam band moe.

Now slated to kick off July 5 in Columbus, OH, the stateside tour features 10 new appearances sprinkled throughout the schedule, including stops in Atlantic City (7/11); Wilmington, NC (7/21); Seattle (8/23); Salt Lake City (8/29); Las Vegas (9/2) and a two-night stand July 14-15 in Jim Thorpe, PA. The group will wrap up the theater tour Sept. 6 in Pozo, CA. Details are shown below.

Helmed by former Grateful Dead co-founder/guitarist Bob Weir since its 1995 inception, the jam band's setlists typically include an array of Dead songs, original work and covers by the group, which is currently comprised of Weir, drummer Jay Lane, keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, guitarist Mark Karan, saxophonist Kenny Brooks and bassist Robin Slyvester.

For the last seven years, Ratdog has recorded each of its performances and made them available for sale immediately following the gigs. Some of the shows in the live-CD series are available for download at the band's website. The band's only studio album is 2000's "Evening Moods."

Americana rocker Jackie Greene will provide opening support for a large portion of the summer trek as he back his latest album, last spring's "Giving Up the Ghost," while indie-jam rockers moe., who are currently promoting their eighth studio album, "Sticks and Stones," are slated to play three July shows with Ratdog.

A limited number of tickets for the Ratdog's 2009 shows will be auctioned off for charity's sake via Charity Folks. All proceeds from the auction will benefit Grateful Dead-related non-profits, including The Further Foundation, The Rex Foundation and Unbroken Chain Foundation, among others.