As the late-September launch of his fall tour nears, singer/songwriter Paul Simon [ tickets ] has penciled in several more dates for the outing, which backs his first new album in six years, "Surprise."

New since last count is a September stop in Portland, OR, and October performances in Toronto, New York City, Boston and Philadelphia; those shows, as well as a number of previously announced stops, will feature The Jerry Douglas Band in the opening slot. Details are included in the itinerary below.

In May, Simon offered up "Surprise," an 11-song album he co-produced with Brian Eno (Roxy Music, David Bowie). Simon and Eno also co-wrote three of the new songs. Guests who appear on the set include Steve Gadd, Herbie Hancock and Bill Frisell.

Simon recorded the disc at Eno's studio in London, as well as at studios in New York and Nashville. The set includes the Oscar-nominated track "Father and Daughter," which first turned up on the 2002 soundtrack for the film "The Wild Thornberrys." The full track listing is posted at Simon's website.

Last month, Rhino Records issued "From the Big Apple to The Big Easy," a DVD that captures a September 2005 Hurricane Katrina benefit concert that took place at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Simon is among the acts featured on the disc; he and Art Garfunkel perform "Mrs. Robinson and "Homeward Bound" together before teaming with Aaron Neville for "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Simon also performs with Jimmy Buffett on "Sea Cruise.".

All of the proceeds from the DVD will benefit a number of charities involved in hurricane relief, including the Simon-founded Children's Health Fund, additional information about which is available at Simon's website.

Douglas, who recently picked up his second Musician of the Year award from the Country Music Association, is backing his latest album, last year's "The Best Kept Secret."

In addition to opening for Simon, Douglas and his band also have some headlining shows of their own lined up. Details are included below.