With a summer tour now underway, Widespread Panic [ tickets ] is already mapping its fall plans--and looking forward to laying low in 2004.

The group is on the road to back it's eighth studio album, "Ball," which it released in April. According to the its official website, "the band is covering a lot of ground this year as they will be taking 2004 off for a much-needed year or so of rest."

"Ball" is Widespread Panic's first release since the death of co-founding guitarist Michael Houser, who last August succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 40. Houser played his last concert with the band on July 2, 2002.

Though Widespread Panic isn't known for strong record sales, it is an excellent draw on the concert circuit, particularly in the Southeast. The group--which played to more than 300,000 fans in 2002--ranked at No. 52 on Pollstar's year-end list of the top-grossing tours.

The group's upcoming itinerary includes multi-night stands in several markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.

Earlier this year, Widespread Panic released a new two-DVD set titled "Live from the Backyard in Austin, TX," which was recorded during the group's three-day run at the venue last July. The first disc includes more than two hours of live-performance footage. The second features "a 90-minute smorgasbord of band interviews and behind the scenes footage," according to the band's website.

The group is scheduled to play another three-night-stand at The Backyard Oct. 3-5.