When summer approaches its close and most tours are winding down, the Black Crowes are going to be kicking into high gear with their “Stuck Inside Utopia” tour. The August 25 Black Crowes Vienna, VA concert is the kick off of the tour, which is in support of the band’s new CD, “Before the Frost.”

In a clever approach to appeasing existing fans (and maybe even picking up a few new ones), the band is offering a second album, entitled “Until the Freeze” for those that purchase “Before the Frost.” The second album is going to be available via download using a secret code from the first one. This is smart thinking since fans love to get anything free AND digital music!

Moreover, the band --- and its team --- is trying to stave off something that is a huge problem for all musicians: the downloading of their music. It’s going to happen, no matter what the band does. But by giving away a second album digitally for purchasing the first one is smart because it satisfies traditional music fans that love the feeling of buying an album in-store and the digital downloaders who live for free music. And with the whole secret code business, fans are drawn into the process, making them feel like a part of something. This is the stuff of sheer marketing genius.   

That being said, one smart move in turn spurned another not-so-smart one. One of the things I have always enjoyed about the Black Crowes is their hippie-ish music and appearance, which is why I don’t quite understand the plans for a live performance on David Letterman, where they plan to preview a few tracks off the new album for the first time.

When you are a semi-alternative, down-home rock outfit, wouldn't you preview your music in some hole-in-the -wall club where “real” fans can get a taste of it?

Or at least at some music festival (and there are surely enough of them)?

I wouldn’t think the Crowes would be cool with previewing their music on a slick late night show like Letterman.

However, no matter what the release method, the Black Crowes are likely to put on a heck of show. This is one of very few bands that sounds as good live as it does in the studio, much of which can be attributed to the amazing voice of lead singer Chris Robinson. Fans will not only be able to delight in tracks off of the new album, but also hits from previous albums.

Tour stops include a Black Crowes Providence concert in Rhode Island, a Black Crowes Des Moines tour stop and a Kansas City Black Crowes performance. “Stuck Inside Utopia” covers quite a bit of ground, also making Baltimore Black Crowes tour stop and a Black Crowes Boston show.

The tour will finish up with a Black Crowes San Francisco performance, where they will play a five-night run at the Fillmore in December.