Briefs

The air is buzzing with talk of the David Lee Roth show Aug. 5 at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds. Leave it to SoundStage Live to turn this into one big party.

Now, many of you have been concerned about what to expect at this show. With the release of “Strummin’ with the Devil,” there are some who are convinced Roth will emerge on stage in overalls with a bluegrass band twanging Van Halen hits. But according to SoundStage Live, Roth plans on rocking on stage, singing both his hits with Van Halen like “Jump” and “Panama” as well as some of his solo efforts such as “Yankee Rose” and “Just a Gigolo.” There also promises to be tons of style and dance moves that earned him the name “Diamond Dave.”

Oh but the fun doesn’t stop there.

Opening the show will be one of the shining stars of the new school of Texas Flood, bluesman (and a local favorite) Wes Jeans. Fans of Jeans should get online right now and purchase his latest CD “Forest of Pine.” While listening to this CD, it’s like you’re witnessing the evolution of Texas Flood.

It has the bouncing rhythms and sensual sounds that categorize this musical genre, yet Jeans has taken it to the next level with his hard-edged guitar sound. Jeans’ set at this show is guaranteed to get the crowd on their feet and grooving.

Following Wes Jeans will be the recently added musical act Gator Country. You might not think that this is something to get excited about, but what if I told you that it was made up of the original members of Molly Hatchet?

Gator Country is comprised of the original members of Molly Hatchet minus the late Danny Joe Brown and Duane Roland. Gator Country will take the stage and play the hits that made them famous like “Flirtin’ with Disaster,” “Bounty Hunter” and (of course) “Gator Country.” They are a must-see for any Hatchet fan.

When not rocking out, attendees will have the chance to visit Diamond Dave’s Roadhouse. This den of iniquity will consist of the Budweiser Lounge, and booths by Mobile Bay Harley-Davidson and L.A. Body Art. There will also be a Lovin’ Mood Bikini contest before the show. Tickets for this are going fast, so head on down to a Ticketmaster outlet and pick up your ticket to classic rock paradise today.

Royal bash

Football season is rolling around once again, and Mobile’s minor league football team, the Port City Monarchs, are set to represent on the playing field. After their game with the Memphis Panthers at Lipscomb Field Aug. 12, the Monarchs plan on throwing a Back to School Bash that will have all you hip-hop junkies foaming at the mouth. Triple Threat Entertainment (one of Mobtown’s up-and-coming hip-hop labels) plans on bringing out their cream of the crop for a party of epic proportions.

The Verbal Assassinz will shake the stage and the crowd as chants of “251” fill the air. The cuts on their soon-to-be-released album “BullsEye” (a follow-up to “Gator Chick”) promises to represent the Dirty South sound to the fullest.

Label mate L-Boogie also plans on seducing the crowd with an impressive soulful sound guaranteed to get everybody grinding. A.B. will be a New Jack ambassador at this event. I’ve always been a fan of the East Coast sound with its jazzy hooks and hypnotic rhythms, and A.B. isn’t letting me down.

With its subdued cuts and chilled lyrics, A.B. will certainly be one to look out for in the future. Tickets are available at the gate or by calling 648-0933 or 367-7373.

Stick-y news

No, it hasn’t been a million years since we’ve heard from The Ugli Stick; it just seems like it. But it’s not because they’ve been lounging around. In fact, they’ve been quite busy, touring and working on their forthcoming album, “Nostoi,” which goes on sale Tuesday, Aug. 8. The guys will have a special in-store, all-ages performance at Wherehouse Music on Airport Boulevard that day at 5:30 p.m.

The guys say “Nostoi,” which means homecoming, is unlike anything they have ever put out. It was recorded at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals and produced by Jimmy Nutt, who has worked with the Drive-by Truckers and Jimmy Buffett.

Veteran musicians Daivd Hood (“The Swampers”), Bob Wray (Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Kris Kristofferson) and Larry Byrom (Steppenwolf, Neil Young, The Eagles and more) join the band on numerous tracks. Plus two-time Grammy winner Alan Schulman (Ricky Skaggs, Jimmy Buffett and more) helped Jimmy Nutt with some of the final mixing.

The CD will be available at area Best Buy, Wherehouse Music, FYE, Coconuts and Sam Goody stores.

ZEW’s blues

Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at the Saenger for the 92 Zew Bluesfest II. This year, the Bluesfest boasts two living legends of the blues with Wes Jeans opening this jam fest. Following Jeans will be the one and only Eric Johnson and his Electric Band with Roscoe Beck on bass and Tommy Taylor on drums.

This will be the Eric Johnson Electric Band’s first tour since 1987, so you won’t want to miss your chance to catch a live performance from these guys. Many of you might recognize Johnson from his rollicking hit “Cliffs of Dover,” but he has definitely made his mark in the blues world and with the critics with his Grammy-nominated album “Bloom.”

Rounding out the night will be none other than the Robert Cray Band. I caught Robert Cray several years back at the Mill City Music Festival in downtown Minneapolis, and I wasn’t disappointed. Influenced by Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters, this West Coast bluesman was signed to Mercury in 1982 and has established his place in the annals of blues history with his soulful riffs.

Cray and the boys will be fresh off a tour opening for his longtime friend Eric Clapton, so he will already be warmed up his performance in the Port City. You can also look forward to him playing some favorites as well as soon new licks off his latest album “Twenty.” Get your tickets now because I got a feeling that they’ll go fast!

BayFest stirrings

October is coming fast, and I’m already seeing signs for BayFest 2006. I’ve done my research and found that there have been some confirmations for this musical juggernaut. The soulful sounds of Al Green will fill the streets of Downtown Mobile as well as Jive Records’ Charlie Wilson.

Country phenom Keith Anderson has also made the cut for this year’s Bayfest. Anderson was nominated for a Grammy for his song “Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?).

And Lynyrd Skynrd will return to “Sweet Home Alabama,” as well. Stay tuned to the Nappie for more info on Bayfest in issues to come.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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