Blues Traveler frontman John Popper is working on his first

solo project, A&M Records announced. The singer/harmonica player will

collaborate with Carter Beauford, drummer for the Dave Matthews

Band, and longtime friend Crugie Ricchio on the effort. The

sessions will be produced by Terry Manning, who has produced

recordings by Joe Walsh and George Thorogood, and

engineered for Lenny Kravitz and Led Zeppelin. Popper plans

to tour behind the release -- which is expected late this year -- before returning

to the studio with Blues Traveler. The singer recently made his fourth

excursion into film, appearing as the character Frankie in the

forthcoming feature "For the Time Being."