Singer/songwriter Edwin McCain [ tickets ] takes a break from working on his next album to hit the road for a late-2005 tour.

So far, McCain's schedule features a stretch of November shows that kick off next Friday (11/4) in his home state of South Carolina, and a handful of December dates that include two more South Carolina gigs. Details appear below.

McCain has been holed up at South Carolina's OMG Studios, which he co-owns, putting together a new album that is due out next spring, according to his website. The disc will be his first for Vanguard Records, with whom he signed last month.

Backing McCain in the studio are Craig Shields (keys, sax), Larry Chaney (lead guitar), Pete Riley (guitar, vocals), Dave Harrison (drums) and Lee Hendricks (bass).

Fans who don't want to wait until next year to hear some new McCain material can check out the new song "Hold Out a Hand," a duet he co-wrote and recorded with fellow singer/songwriter Maid Sharp to support victims of the recent spate of extreme weather that has ravaged parts of the South. Proceeds from the track--which surfaced Oct. 18 and is available via several online, digital-music outlets--will benefit the Red Cross. More information is available at McCain's website.