Blues Traveler plans to break in its two new members with a brief tour next month.

The band plans to hit the road on June 28 in Chicago for a six-date outing that will give the new lineup of Blues Traveler a chance to get to know one another onstage.

The two newcomers to the group are keyboardist Ben Wilson and bassist Tad Kinchla, who is assuming bass duties following the passing of founding member Bobby Sheehan, who died last August of a drug overdose (see [article id="1426239"]"Blues Traveler Names New Bassist"[/article]) will have 6 dates to sharpen their live chops.

The outing will also provide a bit of relief to the band, which has been itching to perform some of the material it has been working on.

As it turns out, we are going to be in the middle of recording when we do this [tour]," guitarist Chan Kinchla wrote in an official announcement. "After a month or so in the studio, we will need a little of the old human touch

in front of fans. We've been off the stage too long.

The group's mini-tour ends July 5 in Boulder, Colorado, the day after the band's annual Red Rocks show on July 4. Last year's Independence Day gig was canceled when frontman John Popper was hospitalized and treated for a blocked artery (see [article id="1426248"]"Blues Traveler's Popper Hospitalized; Band Cancels July 4th Shows"[/article]).

Blues Traveler's upcoming dates:

• 6/28 - Chicago, IL @ Metro / Smart Bar
• 6/29 - Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
• 7/01 - St. Louis, MO @ Mississippi Nights
• 7/02 - Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall
• 7/04 - Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• 7/05 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre