“We have always supported those who are in need and those who can’t help themselves,” said singer Dan Haseltine. “We’re aligning with people like World Vision and DATA because they are able to give legs to the idea of battling the pandemic that has overrun Africa.”

The pandemic Haseltine refers to is AIDS, which is devastating the continent. In some African countries, as many as one in nine people are infected with the virus.

On a happier note, the Eleventh Hour tour also finds peppy rockers The Elms supporting on all dates, which start October 2 and run through the end of the year. The band warms up with a few fair and festival shows before the tour kickoff and more concerts will be announced soon.

Long known as a fan-friendly band, Jars Of Clay will hold meet-and-greet events during soundchecks and are offering discounted tickets to each gig.

For about $11, concertgoers can buy general admission festival seating tickets on a first come-first serve basis. For those who are more comfortable in actual seats, all concerts will also have regular seating tickets for $15-18.

The fall leg of the Eleventh Hour tour follows a spring run, which featured Jennifer Knapp and Shaun Groves as support acts. After the 50-city headline outing, Jars Of Clay hit up the festival circuit during the summer and played a few gigs with Sheryl Crow to boot.