Escovedo kicks off his trek June 7 at the Wakarusa Music Festival in Lawrence, Kan., and has dates on the books through August, playing everything from NBC’s “Today” show and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” to the Troubadour in Los Angles (July 31) and Tipitina’s in New Orleans (July 18). He’s also playing six dates with the Dave Matthews Band in early June.

Tickets for many shows are available at Ticketmaster.com.

Five years ago, Escovedo nearly died from Hepatitis-C. Friends, including Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams, rallied with a tribute album to raise funds for his medical costs. Escovedo was pronounced free of the disease in 2005.

Escovedo comes from a musical family that includes brother Pete and niece Sheila E. Although his solo career began in the early ’90s, he was also a member of alt-country band Rank & File, whose “Amanda Ruth” was covered by the Everly Brothers, as well as punk band The Nuns.

When his song “Castanets” appeared on President George W. Bush’s iPod playlist, Escovedo stopped playing the song live.To preview three tracks from Animal, click here.