According to rock lore, the New Riders of the Purple Sage originally formed in 1969 as a vehicle for Jerry Garcia to practice his new pedal steel guitar. Forty years later, the band is bringing its psychedelic cowboy sound to the Tupelo Music Hall in Salisbury, Mass., on Sunday, Dec. 27.

In the early years, the New Riders included Grateful Dead members Garcia, Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh. Founding band member John Dawson died in July, but classic members David Nelson and Buddy Cage are still touring with the group. In 2009, the band released “Where I Come From,” its first studio album in 20 years. It features several songs co-written by Nelson and former Dead lyricist Robert Hunter.

The show begins at 8 p.m. on Dec. 27 at the Tupelo Music Hall, 4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury, Mass., 603-437-5100. Tickets are $25. Visit www.tupelohallsalisbury.com.