Jonny Lang heads to North American theaters and festivals

On the heels of finishing up the Experience Hendrix tour, Jonny Lang has unleashed a busy spring and summer itinerary that takes the bluesman across the continent for headlining dates and festival performances.

Lang, who last week completed the Hendrix homage alongside Joe Satriani, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Aerosmith's Brad Whitford, will return to the tour trail for a headlining run that kicks off April 9 in Fort Worth. The musician will maintain a tight touring schedule through an Aug. 14 show in Truro, Nova Scotia. The full slate of dates is shown at right.

Beginning with the May 21 show in Clearwater, FL, and running through the tour's end, Lang will create each evening's setlist from fan requests submitted at his website for each city.

Lang is preparing for the April 20 release of "Live at the Ryman," his first-ever live album, which was recorded at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

"I've wanted to do a live record for a long time because I feel like our band is strongest in the live setting," Lang explained in a press release. "I think this record is a good representation of our live show, and an accurate reference for people who haven't seen us yet."

The live set--Lang's first release since his 2006 studio effort, "Turn Around"--features his five-piece backing band: guitarist Sonny Thompson, keyboardist Tommy Barbarella, bassist Jim Anton, drummer Barry Alexander and percussionist Jason Eskridge.