Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and guitarist Keller Williams will join the two Furthur veterans for the 18-date So Many Roads tour. The road trip commences August 10 in Scranton, Pa., and heads west in an almost straight line, ending September 3 in Boise, Idaho.

Each of the concerts will run five to six hours and will feature the free-form arrangements and extended jams that made Furthur a success.

Even though the presence of Ratdog and Rusted Root makes So Many Roads reminiscent of Furthur, there is an important difference between the two.

Percussion guru Mickey Hart is busy on a project with the Japanese drumming ensemble Kodo and won’t be available to tour. As the Grateful Dead camp indicated earlier this year when rumors began to circulate, it ain’t Furthur without Hart.

The spirit of the Dead will be in the air even before So Many Roads takes off. Ratdog will hook up with Phil Lesh & Friends for a few dates in July.

The bands have extensive separate summer plans except for the seven amphitheatre shows they share, which should be pretty darn special for the Deadhead community.