UPDATE: Johnny in Europe...

On the road: Johnny is playing a series of gigs in Italy and Spain that will keep him occupied until early August. His next U.S. appearance is slated for Sunday, Aug. 10, when he'll close the Heritage Music BluesFest in Wheeling, West Virginia. Johnny will be taking the stage that night with harmonica master James Cotton. Other August gigs include The Cabooze in Minneapolis (8/13); the Clearwater Theater in West Dundee, Illinois (8/14); the Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee (8/15); RibberFest in Madison, Indiana (8/16); the Kentucky Blues Festival in Bowling Green, Kentucky (8/23); and the Texas Musicians Museum in Hillsboro, Texas (8/30).

For a complete list of Johnny's current tour dates, click here.

One classic axe: Johnny's recent appearance in Nashville at the Gibson Custom Shop was more than just a showcase. It gave Gibson the opportunity to present Johnny with the very first Gibson Custom Shop Johnny Winter Signature Firebird V. The special guitar, which the company has been working on for some time, is a perfect re-creation of Johnny's 1963 Firebird V.

Johnny guests on new Edgar CD: Be sure to check out Edgar Winter's Rebel Road, which was just released and features Johnny on the scorcher "Rockin' the Blues." Edgar has been on the road with Ringo Starr lately as a member of the ex-Beatle's All-Starr Band.

Gibson.com: Gibson Summer Jam '08 recap

Johnny in Nashville: Gibson.com's Gabriel Hernandez delivers a complete recap, including Johnny's performance with Slash and Larry Carlton. And be sure to check out this photo gallery from the Chicago Blues Festival.

Johnny to be joined onstage by Slash!

Slash and burn: For a few lucky invited guests, the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville will be the place to be Friday night (June 20) as Johnny headlines the first night of Gibson Summer Jam '08 -- and he'll be joined by none other than Slash himself! Johnny is scheduled to take the stage at 9:45 p.m.

The 2008 Chicago Blues Festival: Johnny tore it up with James Cotton in a well-received set that closed the event's first night. Johnny even managed a shout-out in Newsweek magazine before things got rolling. A great photo gallery can be found here.

On the road: After Johnny's appearance in Tennessee, he'll be off the road until Saturday (June 28), when he plays the Blues From the Top festival in Winter Park, Colorado. In early July, a trio of Canadian dates are on the schedule: the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto (Thursday, July 3); Johnny B's in Whitby, Ontario (Friday, July 4), and the Tremblant International Blues Festival in Mont Tremblant, Quebec (Saturday, July 5). To see a full listing of Johnny's tour dates, click here.

Around the Web: Click here for a good write-up on Johnny in the Prague (Czech Republic) Post... Last month, Johnny's "Breakin' It Up, Breakin' It Down," which was recorded with Muddy Waters and James Cotton, received a 2008 Blues Music Award in the Historical Album category... Edgar Winter's Rebel Road is due out July 8 and includes guest shots from Johnny and Slash... And some kind words for Live Bootleg Series, Vol. II... Visit Wolfgang's Vault to listen to some incredible recordings from the 1960s and '70s, including this classic 1974 performance by Johnny. It's definitely worth your time! ... And last but not least, here's a photo that's a real blast from the past.

TONIGHT! Johnny at the Chicago Blues Festival!

Johnny headlines opening night: After spending much of this spring in Europe, Johnny's summer gets into full swing tonight with his opening-night appearance at the Chicago Blues Festival. His performance will find him joined by harp master James Cotton, and together the bluesmen will celebrate the legacy of Muddy Waters. Johnny's appearance tonight at beautiful Grant Park will mark the first time he's played the storied festival since since its inception in 1984, according to the Mayor's Office of Special Events.