UPDATE: Latest 'Bootleg' hits the streets...

Kudos for new release: Live Bootleg Series, Vol. II, the latest installment in Johnny's series of planned archived releases on Friday Music, hit the streets a few days ago -- and the buzz is building. The new CD has made its debut on the Billboard Blues Chart and earned a great review from All Music Guide's Thom Jurek.

On the road: Johnny, who has spent the last few weeks out on the West Coast (and celebrated his 64th birthday on Feb. 23), will be ripping it up tonight at Mill Street Brews in Southbridge, Massachusetts. He'll then enjoy a few days off before swinging through Pennsylvania and Virginia next weekend. Next Friday (3/21) he'll play the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pa.; and on Saturday (3/22)he'll be at the State Theatre in Falls Church, Va. For all of Johnny's current tour dates, click here.

Sweet home Chicago: One of the most exciting gigs of 2008 will most certainly take place on Thursday, June 5, when Johnny and James Cotton headline the first night of the Chicago Blues Festival. The four-day lineup is filling out, and it promises to be a lot of fun. Other headliners include Koko Taylor and Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater (Friday, June 6); Buckwheat Zydeco (Saturday, June 7); and the one and only B.B. King (Sunday, June 8).