Popper records new CD with part-time band

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Blues Traveler front man John Popper is working with another U.S. band on the album "John Popper and the Duskray Troubadours," 429 Records announced.

The record label said the new CD is to go on sale March 1.

"The result of a month-long recording session in the mountains of New Mexico, John Popper's Duskray project is much less a solo endeavor as opposed to a fully realized band featuring guitarist/producer Jono Manson, bassist Steve Lindsay, drummer Mark Clark and guitarists Kevin Trainor and Aaron Beavers," 429 Records noted in a release Wednesday.

"Described by Popper as a liberating, scrappy, roots-rock alter-ego of Blues Traveler, Duskray Troubadours is his new 'part-time' band allowing him to stretch out and explore his more melodic side."

"What I love about this album is that I'm playing differently and not because I tried to, either. The music led me there, which is the best way to do it, really. On this album, melody is what drove everything," Popper said in a statement.