Blues/rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd [ tickets ] will continue to back his first new album in five years with a string of early-2005 tour dates.

Shepherd's schedule begins with a free Jan. 8 show in Beaver Creek, CO, as part of Talons Fest; more information is available at the Beaver Creek Resort's website. Subsequent stops include a late-January performance in New York City, and a run of late-February/early March shows that focus on the Western U.S. and Canada. Details are shown in the itinerary below.

In October, Shepherd released "The Place You're In," the follow-up to 1999's "Live On." The new album is the first to see Shepherd--best known to date for his guitar prowess--handling lead vocals.

"I suddenly saw myself up on stage, fronting the band, singing and playing guitar," Shepherd said in a statement. "I finally locked in on how those two elements can work off each other. All of a sudden, I understood how making the songs my own as a vocalist would give so much more passion to my guitar playing and vice versa. From that moment, I knew I had to take the chance and give it everything I've got."

Despite his new role, Shepherd said that Noah Hunt--who sang lead on Shepherd's previous two albums--will continue to be a part of Shepherd's core group. Hunt co-wrote a song on the new album and sings on two cuts.

Four tracks from "The Place You're In," including the title-track, are streaming at Shepherd's website.

Backing Shepherd and Hunt on the road are rhythm guitarist Shaun Hague, bassist Michael Devin, keyboardist Jimmy Wallace and drummer Bogie Bowles.