"Dancing with the Stars" pros Mark Ballas and Derek Hough are pulling double duty as they showcase their other talents on the road with their pop-rock quintet, Ballas Hough Band [ tickets ].

The group, which plans to release its debut album in early March, is playing club gigs that coincide with the current "Dancing with the Stars - The Tour". Concert dates launched Dec. 30 and continue tomorrow night (1/9) in Chicago, with more than 20 US cities from coast-to-coast still on the itinerary through mid-February. Details are listed below.

Ballas and Hough may be best known as "Dancing with the Stars" champions, but they've been writing and playing music together for 10 years, ever since they both attended a London performing arts school, according to a press release. Their band--which includes the namesakes on vocals and guitars, along with vocalist/keyboardist Emily Grace, bassist Sam Marder and drummer Harry Sullivan--was known as Almost Amy when it formed in 2005. The outfit recently changed its name and scored a label deal with Hollywood Records.

The Ballas Hough Band hit the studio late last year with producers John Fields (Jonas Brothers), Eric Valentine (Maroon 5, Good Charlotte) and Adam & Andy (Jesse McCartney). The group's debut includes original tunes and collaborations with songwriters Dan Wilson, Kevin Kadish and Marty James. A few selections from the forthcoming set are streaming at BHB's MySpace page.

Following the spring season of "Dancing with the Stars," the Ballas Hough Band will embark on a summer tour, according to a press release.