Mannheim Steamroller [ tickets ] mastermind Chip Davis is taking the group to a new frontier this fall with the launch of a space-themed concert tour.

The "Music of the Spheres" trek will debut in October with shows in three cities: Joliet, IL; Ames, IA; and Rochester, MN. The outing will continue in select cities across the US in 2008 and 2009, according to the band's website. The original members of Mannheim Steamroller, still together after 25 years, will be accompanied by a professional orchestra comprised of local musicians.

The outing will benefit the Colorado-based Space Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports space activities, space professionals and education.

"The Space Foundation is working together with Mannheim Steamroller in an effort to raise awareness and enthusiasm for space exploration," the organization said in a statement.

Steamroller's "Music of the Spheres" album, due in 2008, is based in part on recordings that Davis made last year of NASA shuttle launches and landings, according to the Post-Bulletin of Rochester, MN. It will include Steamroller's version of the "Star Trek" theme, familiar "space-based" favorites and new compositions.

Meanwhile, Mannheim Steamroller is ready to drop a new Christmas album and is expected to announce its annual holiday tour in the next couple of weeks. "Christmas Song," the group's eighth set of holiday music, is due in stores Oct. 9.

Davis, who began his career writing advertising jingles in the '70s, has sold more than 36 million albums as an independent artist. His most recent sets with Mannheim Steamroller--2005's "Romantic Themes" and last year's "Halloween 2: Creature Collection"--broke into The Billboard 200 album chart.