Blues virtuoso Jonny Lang [ tickets ], who took to the road almost one month before the mid-October release of his first new album in five years, will continue to support the set into late 2003.

Lang, whose appropriately named "Long Time Coming" lands in stores on Oct. 14, has extended into December his headlining run on the U.S. club circuit. A lone Canadian stop is also scheduled.

In addition to his headlining dates, Lang also opens Sting [ tickets ]'s free concert at Chicago's Grant Park on Tuesday (10/7).

Fans can get an early listen to "Long Time Coming" during a listening party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Universal City, CA, on Thursday (10/9) from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Pacific Time, according to Lang's website.

Lang also helps launch the new album with an Oct. 15 performance on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

"Long Time Coming" will bear more of Lang's fingerprints than his previous works, according to a message he posted on his website earlier this year.

"On albums past, my involvement musically was singing, playing guitar, and writing here and there," he said, "but on this one I have been able to co-produce and write every song as well. At first I didn't know if I was ready to take that step, but I'm glad I did because for the first time I feel like this is the 'real me.'"

Lang co-produced "Long Time Coming" with Marti Fredrickson, who also played drums and bass on the recording.

In 1997, Lang rocketed into the spotlight with his major-label debut, "Lie to Me." Many critics heaped praise on the then-teenage singer-guitarist, much of which focused on his unexpectedly mature-sounding vocal delivery.