"These shows are all about the music and the songs; that's the essence of what we'll be bringing," Mellencamp said in a statement announcing the new dates. "The bands and I are really looking forward to getting out there and performing some new songs and, of course, a lot that are familiar to everybody. It'll be a fantastic experience for the audience and all of us."

Some of the new songs he mentioned are from an upcoming studio effort--Mellencamp's 22nd career album--that he has been working on with producer T Bone Burnett. One track, "Jena," from the as-yet-untitled set is streaming at Mellencamp's MySpace page, as is the video for the song.

The Grammy-winning singer will preview "Jena" live for the first time this afternoon (10/5) when he joins Burnett for a 4 p.m. set at the annual Strictly Hardly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. The event is free and no tickets are required.

In January, Mellencamp released "Freedom's Road," his first album of original material since 2001's "Cuttin' Heads." The politically charged record peaked at No. 5 on The Billboard 200 and spawned crossover hits "Our Country" and "The Americans."

Meanwhile, Mellencamp is among the nine artists nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next year. Five new inductees will be honored at the annual ceremony in New York City next March.