There's quite a few upcoming Vancouver concerts that I'm psyched about.

I can't wait to see dobro master Jerry Douglas at the Vogue on June 30, as part of the jazz festival. The good folks at Coastal Jazz are also bringing in none other than rock legend Robert Plant, who leads his Americana band the Sensational Shape Shifters at the Queen E. the day before.

There's always a ton of great local bands at the annual West 4th Khatsahlano Street Festival, which takes place on Fourth Ave. between Burrard and MacDonald on July 7 this year.

And lord knows that September 4 can't come early enough for me, with the mighty Gov't Mule set for that night at the Commodore.

But while Vancouver promoters have been busy booking some of my fave groups, there's also some fine artists who won't be crossing the border into Canada any time soon (far as I can tell).

So here's a handy-dandy roundup of various touring acts that could be worth a road trip to the good ol' U.S. of A.

Buddy Guy June 23 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, Wash.

Buckethead June 24 at the Showbox in Seattle, Wash.

Blue Oyster Cult (with Creedence Clearwater Revisited) June 29 at the Tulalip Amphitheatre in Tulalip, Wash.

Whitesnake (with Foreigner and Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience) July 27 at White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Wash.

Gary Hoey July 29 at the Triple Door in Seattle, Wash.

ZZ Top July 30 at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, Wash.

Lee Ritenour (with Dave Grusin) August 1-6 at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle, Wash,

Pearl Jam August 8 and 10 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Wash.

Hot Tuna (with Steve Kimmock) August 30 at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, Wash.

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit (with Aimee Mann) September 6 at Marymoor Park in Redmond, Wash.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (with Cheap Trick) September 15 at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, Wash.

Larry Carlton September 21-23 at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Seattle, Wash.

John Prine September 22 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Wash.

Joe Walsh November 11 at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash.