Singer/songwriter Michelle Shocked [ tickets ], who's been touring since spring, recently announced a string of North American dates that will take her through fall and into next year.

The next round of shows is set to launch Nov. 1 in Los Angeles. From there, Shocked will head to New York City and then play around the eastern half of the US through mid-December. She'll also make a Dec. 11 stop in Toronto.

In the new year, the performer has a handful of East Coast dates booked in February as well as an April 19 performance at the "Ash Grove 50th Anniversary" show in Los Angeles. Shocked also has tentative tours scheduled in Europe, South Africa and Australia/New Zealand in February and March. Confirmed North American shows are listed below.

Shocked is supporting her most recent release, "ToHeavenURide," which hit the streets last month. The gospel album captures a live performance at the 2003 Telluride Bluegrass Festival--a recording that was hidden away for some time.

As the story goes, Shocked's Telluride contract specifically stated "no recording," which would have been news to the production crew taping the performance for a projected DVD, according to the singer's bio. The recording may have never been found if it hadn't been for the inquiries of Shocked's new manager.

"ToHeavenURide" delivers 11 songs, including covers of Billie Holliday's "God Bless the Child," The Band's "The Weight" and Sister Rosetta Tharp's "Strange Things Happen Every Day," as well as Shocked originals "Psalm," "Can't Take My Joy," "Good News" and "Quality of Mercy," the latter two of which are streaming at her MySpace page.

The record follows Shocked's 2005 trilogy, entitled "Threesome," which comprises roots-rock album "Don't Ask Don't Tell," the western-swing influenced "Got No Strings" and Latin/blues set "Mexican Standoff."

Her 2002 release, "Deep Natural," marked the launch of Shocked's own record label, Mighty Sound. The performer battled with her former label, Mercury, for years and eventually sued the company using the 13th Amendment reform abolishing slavery, according to her bio. Mercury settled the day of the trial and Shocked walked away with ownership of her entire music catalog.

A political activist and born-again Christian, Shocked also spends time supporting non-violence initiatives and the fight against AIDS in Africa.