Coming on the heels of Decisions, 2014’s Grammy-nominated collaboration with Bobby Rush (and a guest spot from Dr. John), blues-funk veterans Blinddog Smokin’ will release their 11th album, High Steppin’, on July 17.

Fronted by skilled raconteur (and long-running Elmore columnist) Carl Gustafson, the band once again brews up their potent mix of blues, funk, country, soul and rock. “I Caught Her Lyin'” takes us to the mountains for a country weeper, “Tell ’em Shuffle” takes us to Chicago for juke joint blues and “Lady’s Playin'” takes us straight to New Orleans.

Across this wide genre palette, Gustafson spins his rich, vivid yarns, informed by decades of storytelling (“I come from a time before television, when telling stories was part of the fabric of life. So I’m a songwriting machine,” he said) and traveling (including 20 years of touring with Blinddog Smokin’, chronicled in his book, It Ain’t Just the Blues, It’s Showtime: Hard Times, Heartache and Glory Along the Blue Highway).

Backing Gustafson’s extraordinary storytelling are the stellar production work of the Golden Globe-, Grammy-, Oscar- and winning Donny Markowitz and the first-rate playing of Chuck Gullens, Roland Pritzker, Mo Beeks, Chris White, Chalo Ortiz and Linda Gustafson.

Pre-order High Steppin’ here and, meanwhile, catch the band on tour:

Wed., June 24 PHOENIX, AZ The Rhythm Room

Thurs., June 25 NEW ORLEANS, LA Old U.S. Mint

Mon., June 29 CHICAGO, IL  Martyr’s

Fri., July 3 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK  Bourbon Street

Sat., July 4 MCPHERSON, KS

Fri., July 10 LARAMIE, WY  Jubilee Days

Sat., July 11 LARAMEE, WY Jubilee Days

Tues., July 14 OVERLAND PARK, KS Kanza Hall

Thurs., July 16 JACKSON, MS  Underground 119

Thurs., July 23  TORONTO, ON  Hard Rock Café

Thurs., July 30 RAWLINS, WY  Rawlins in the Park

Fri., July 31 LARAMIE, WY  Alibi

Sat., Aug. 8  ROCK SPRINGS, WY Blues & Brews Festival

Thurs., Aug. 13 THEMOPOLIS, WY 

Fri., Aug. 14 CASPER, WY  The Attic

Sat., Aug. 15 SINCLAIR, WY  Platte River Festival

Sun., Aug. 16  CENTINNIAL, WY  Bear Tree

Sun., Sept. 6  LARAMIE, WY  Snowy Range Music Festival

Sat., Nov. 15  HIGH POINT, NC High Point Theatre