My Morning Jacket Make Up For Lost Time After Jim James' Illness

What's a band to do when the lead singer takes ill with pneumonia so severe that an entire European tour has to be cancelled? If the group are Louisville, Kentucky's My Morning Jacket, they make up for that lost opportunity by scheduling appearances at major summer festivals like Bonnaroo, High Sierra and Coachella and accepting the coveted opening spot for the first leg of Pearl Jam's North American tour. They're also finishing a double-live album and a DVD that will be released sometime in the fall.

As previously reported , MMJ — drummer Patrick Hallahan, keyboardist Bo Koster, guitarist Carl Broemel, bassist Two-Tone Tommy and now-healthy singer/songwriter/guitarist Jim James — are also releasing Tennessee Fire & At Dawn Demos, an album of rare b-sides and early versions of their better-known material, via Darla records.

The Pearl Jam dates, which include MMJ's only scheduled stops in Canada at this point, will be a good chance for the band to get back into form. "It might be a little easier because it will be a shorter set, if nothing else," James told Billboard.com.

James also cited Pearl Jam's longevity as a source of inspiration for his band. "They're a really good example of what you can do if you set your mind to doing what you want to do and not what people think you're supposed to do."

The still-untitled DVD will use performance footage as part of a storyline so that it's more than just a concert video. It's being shot in the band's hometown by Sam Erickson, who has previously helmed DVDs for Bruce Hornsby and John Mayer.

My Morning Jacket will open for Pearl Jam at Toronto's Air Canada Centre on May 9 and 10.