Jeff Daniels has been spending a lot of time lately on the road, but the Chelsea-based actor and playwright isn’t making a movie. Daniels has been living the life of a touring singer-songwriter.

“We’re having a great time. Kathleen’s with me,” he said, referring to his wife, “and two dogs. We’ve been all over. It’s fun, I’m enjoying it,” Daniels reported by phone from Fargo, N.D., where he was scheduled to perform that night.

Not to worry — Daniels is headed back to town for his now-annual Thanksgiving weekend gig, Jeff Daniels and Friends, at the Michigan Theater Saturday night.

“I spent the last year and a half on Broadway with (the hit play) ‘God of Carnage,’ and I’ve always wanted to just go out and stay out on the road, versus just going out for two weeks or in and out on weekends because of movies and all that. I said to (booking agent) Jim Fleming, what would you do with me if you had me all fall? He came back with this ambitious bus trip that has taken us everywhere.”

The tour started with some Michigan dates in August, then expanded to include shows in Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, Maryland, New York City, the famed Club Passim in Boston, Connecticut, Maine, Georgia, North Dakota and even Alaska.

Daniels, who learned to play the guitar and began writing songs as a way of passing time on movie sets, has released four CDs of his original, blues-influenced compositions in the past five years, and is working on another for December release.

Anyone who has attended Jeff Daniels and Friends in the past knows to expect some unusual musical guests (remember last year’s outrageously attired, extraordinarily tuneful Scottville Clown Band?), and this year looks to be no exception.

This year’s lineup of Michigan-bred artists includes an eclectic blend of folk, blues, strings, American roots and, for the first time, an operatic musician. Artists include the Saline Fiddlers, (American folk), Rev. Robert and Bernice Jones, (American roots from Detroit), the Ben Daniels Band (roots, blues band from Chelsea led by Daniels’ son), Brad Phillips (Chelsea-based multi-instrumentalist), Jed Fritzemeier (Chelsea's "String Guy") and, from Comerica Park, Charley Marcuse, aka "The Singing Hotdog Guy."

Marcuse, who began selling hot dogs at Tiger Stadium in 1999, got his nickname when Luciano Pavarotti and the Three Tenors came to town for a concert at the stadium. Marcuse donned a tailcoat and bow tie and he sang out in an operatic “HHHHoooOOoooootttttttt DDoooOOoooogggsss” as he sold his wares. The “singing” struck a chord, and he’s done it at Tiger games ever since.

“I’ve known Charlie for years,” Daniels said. “I was down to a Tiger game and there he was singing his hot dog thing. I’ve written a song specifically for me and Charlie — it’s got a lot to do with processed meat.”

Daniels is equally excited about the other performers on the bill.

“Rev. Robert Jones, he can just stand there and you’d think Howlin’ Wolf had come back to life. It’s just great. And (his sister) Bernice is coming. … Jed Fritzemeier has played bass with me a few times at the Purple Rose, as has Brad Phillips — we kind of do a trio thing. It’s part of what this show is about, showcasing very talented people and having me take a step back.”

Fans of Daniels’ “Big Bay Shuffle,” an audience-participation homage to a dance step popular in his wife’s Northern Michigan hometown, will be happy to know the tune will probably be a part of the show this year as well.

“It’s something you have to do during the holidays — eat turkey and do the ‘Big Bay Shuffle,’” said Daniels, who confirmed that his son, Luc “The Roadie” Daniels, a crowd favorite in past years, will return to lead the dance.

“He’s at Michigan State right now … he’s in the play ‘As You Like It.’ As part of his character he has shaved his head. So The Roadie will be pretty much as bald as a cue ball,” Daniels warned. “He really loves the acting and the theater life. .... It’s so much fun to get Luc out there because he doesn’t get nervous, he’s fearless on stage.”

Daniels said he is also pleased at the progress his other son, Ben, has made in following his musical muse.

“They’re beyond a garage band - these guys are focused and very serious about it. They’ve been able to play around the country a little bit, they’ve been in New York a few times, and they are writing … he’s a poet with a guitar in his hand. We’re real interested to see where it goes. I said ‘just every day get better’ and that’s what he’s done. It’s real encouraging.”

Daniels said the friends and family aspect to the Thanksgiving weekend performance resounds him and with the audience.

"This has become one of my favorite events of the year, during a time when people naturally come together," he said. "The audience behaves like a big, happy, boisterous family at Thanksgiving dinner ... people are on their feet singing and dancing in the aisles. It's a crazy, festive, unusual, high-energy holiday tradition.”

Daniels said the evening was modeled after an event hosted by folk legend Arlo Guthrie.

"Arlo and friends get together every year around Thanksgiving and take over Carnegie Hall in a huge celebration of folk music," said Daniels. "I wanted to do something similar here at home to celebrate some of the great artists we have in Michigan.

"People look for something fun to do over Thanksgiving weekend, especially while friends and family are visiting. This is a great time to get out and celebrate," he added.

For his immediate future, Daniels said he doesn’t foresee an immediate return to Broadway, although he is considering some opportunities on cable TV.

“Right now I am developing a show with Tim Busfield (“West Wing,” “Thirtysomething”). We took it to L.A. and pitched it and Showtime bought it. … With a little luck we’ll shoot the pilot and if they like that, then we’ll be doing a series later on. It seems to be a real exciting and creative time on television right now and we’re hoping to be a part of it,” Daniels said.

Roger LeLievre is a free-lance writer who covers music for AnnArbor.com.

Jeff Daniels performing live on WNYC earlier this year: