Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford says the group feels "a little bit abandoned" by singer Steven Tyler's decision to nix their planned 2016 North American tour in favor of focusing on his solo career.

"I guess he seems to think his solo career is going to go great guns," Whitford tells Billboard of his bandmate's upcoming country-themed debut, which is expected to hit stores next year. "He doesn't seem to realize that – in my opinion – his fans around the globe want to see him in the context of Aerosmith and don't really care for whatever he thinks he's gonna do."

Whitford's not sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. Instead, he's reunited with Ted Nugent singer and guitarist Derek St. Holmes to record a follow-up to their 1981 Whitford/St. Holmes album. Much like Tyler's record, Whitford/St. Holmes' Reunion is due in 2016. The duo will embark on a 10-date tour across the U.S. later this month.

Last July, around the same time he released the single "Love Is Your Name," Tyler indicated that the other members of Aerosmith weren't thrilled with his solo plans. “I’m sure they’re not happy,” he told Rolling Stone. “But Joe [Perry] has done five solo albums. I just thought, ‘Hey, it’s my turn in the barrel.'" Bassist Tom Hamilton quickly called such concerns "ridiculous." "He wanted to do this creative exercise of going and making an album, and I can’t blame him for wanting to do it. Joe’s done it before, I’d love to do it someday. Why be angry about it?”

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