So far, the guitar god has firmed up 24 dates in the U.S. and Canada, including stops at arenas in Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington, Detroit, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia and New York City.

Slowhand started the global trek in grand fashion early last month with a six-night stand at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He’s done several of these multishow runs at the world famous venue.

The announcement comes just as Clapton is about to release his latest album, Reptile, on March 13. He’s still basking in the Grammy-winning glow of his last release, Riding With the King – a collaboration with another blues legend, B.B. King.

In addition to North American and European treks, Clapton is expected to touch down in Russia, South America and the Far East before the year is out.

The band line-up for the first leg of the North American tour includes Andy Fairweather Low (guitar/vocals), Steve Gadd (drums), Nathan East (bass guitar/vocals), David Sancious (keyboard/vocals), and Paulinho Da Costa (percussion). Young guitar-slinger Doyle Bramhall II and Smokestack will open the shows.

A second tour leg will be announced later this year.