Briefs

Molly Thomas and the Truckee Brothers

Date: Saturday, May 26 with doors at 9 pm

Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., 433-5958, www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: TBA

Molly Thomas has been a Port City favorite since her days with Slow Moses. Thomas did what many Southern musicians do – moved to Nashville where the music town opened its arms to her impressive abilities with some even calling her “Nashville’s Golden Girl.”

Thomas is a well of talent, proven with her release “Shoot the Sky.” On this album she takes on vocals, violin, drums, guitar, cello, bass, piano, Moog, organ and mandolin.

In the meantime, Thomas continues to share the stage with artists such as Todd Snider, Mindy Smith, Will Kimbrough and Matthew Ryan. In addition, she has been earning positive attention in the U.K. with her music.

Southern California’s Truckee Brothers have attracted attention from everyone from Mike Watt (Minutemen) to Lucinda Williams. This band falls under the infamous Alt. Country label, but their sound leans more towards rock. They are currently on tour in support of their latest album “Double Happiness,” due in full release on July 24.

If their first album “It Came from the Speakers” is any evidence of what’s to come with “Double Happiness,” then the Truckee Brothers are on the high road to success. With songs such as “Gritty Pretty,” you know these guys sound like good ol’ boys from the South with offbeat harmonies and guitar stylings that sound Dixie-born.

Lisa Mills and Beverly Jo Scott

Date: Sunday, May 27 at 3 p.m.

Venue: American Legion Post 199, 700 S. Mobile St. in Fairhope, 928-9132, www.americanlegionpost199.com

Tickets: $10 in advance/$15 the day-of, available in Mobile at Dr. Music, Satori Coffee, MMI and online at www.kudzucafe.org

When Lisa Mills journeyed to Europe last summer, she had a chance to share the stage with Beverly Jo Scott. The combination of Mills (who replaced Janis Joplin in Big Brother and the Holding Company) and Scott proved a perfect match. These two lovely ladies plan on giving a repeat performance when they take the stage on the ESho and are sure to please the crowd with their soulful flavor.

Bay Minette native Scott began her career touring the U.S., utilizing her versatile country, blues, soul and gospel voice. After she won over American fans, she gave Europe a try, started building her reputation in the streets and made an upward journey to become one of the most popular female vocal artists in Europe. Scott found a home at Sony/Columbia where she released “Honey and Hurricanes” and “Mudcakes” as well as a live release “The Wailing Trail.” With hundreds of thousands of miles on the road and over 300 shows performed over the past five years, her talent has allowed her to share the stage with Neil Young, James Brown and Popa Chubby.

The Rowdy Frynds Tour

Lynyrd Skynyrd & Hank Williams, Jr.

Date: Saturday, May 26 with doors at 7 p.m.

Venue: The Wharf Amphitheater, 4985 Wharf Parkway in Orange Beach, (251) 224-1000, www.thewharfal.com

Tickets: Starting at $26, available at Ticketmaster

Lynyrd Skynyrd (declared the “definitive Southern rock band” by the “All Music Guide”) will make an appearance with three members of the legendary line-up still performing. These Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famers haven’t lost their touch and in 2008 Skynyrd will embark on the Simpleman Cruise.

Hank Williams, Jr. (aka Bocephus) is a part of one of the most well-known musical legacies, which includes his father and his son Hank III. Bocephus has established his reputation on hard drinkin’ and even harder livin’ with songs like “All My Rowdy Friends, “A Country Boy Can Survive” and “Born to Boogie” as a testament. Currently, Bocephus is planning on releasing “That’s How They Do It in Dixie: Essential Hank Williams, Jr.” on Amazon.

Little Easy out west

Nestled within the Regency Shopping Center, the Orleans Café is home to some of the most authentic NOLA cuisine in the area. Recently, this restaurant has “kicked it up a notch” with performances by local jazz trio Frameshift. On most Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can dine while grooving to this band’s smooth, original beats. Frameshift is comprised of Joel Andrews (keyboard/drums), han (various saxophones) and Sam Gaston (bass/drums).

While han’s mellow sax crooned seduction, Andrews’ keyboard work rolled out notes over Gaston’s crackling brush and snare. Gaston and Andrews display versatility with double duty on their instruments. This band skipped across the spectrum playing soothing lounge grooves, then jumping straight into a rapture of ‘70s funk. Mobile doesn’t have much original jazz, but this group is definitely setting a standard.

Southern beach boy

Brent Burns has been a staple at LuLu’s Homeport and across the Gulf Coast for many years. His laid-back, beach bum attitude has created a soundtrack for many people’s Gulf Coast vacations. On May 19, Burns released his latest CD “Ragtops and Flip-Flops” to the crowd at LuLu’s. Once again, a portion of the proceeds from this release (as with his others) will go to charity. Throughout June, Burns will be on the road spreading his Redneck Riviera philosophy from Texas to Wisconsin.

“Ragtops and Flip-Flops” is another social manifesto both serious and humorous. Songs like “Build Them a House” is a tribute to Habitat for Humanity while “Pain at the Pump,” which calls out gas corporations, is a bouncing ditty accented by Burns’ quality homespun vocals. “Stuff Like That” is a long list of Burns’ desires in life. This one tends to lean more towards the beach with its steel drums and calypso beats. Burns has done it again, and many of his fans will be quite pleased with this.

New kid in town

The Blind Mule is becoming one of LoDa’s most popular venues, and they serve some of the best food in town sometimes to the wee hours of the morning. During an eight-week period starting June 2, Blind Mule will be hosting a Battle of the Bands. Each week’s winner will be judged on audience participation with cash prizes nightly and a grand prize at the end of the eight weeks. For more information, contact Tyger at www.myspace.com/tygerheart.

Local legend dies

Mobile native and Alabama blues legend Terry “Topper” Price was found dead in his Birmingham apartment on Wed., May 16. The cause of death is undetermined.

The 54-year-old harmonica impresario and vocalist cut a swath through the Mobile scene in the ‘70s with his astounding playing and intense stage presence before becoming a valued session player with the Muscle Shoals gang. He went on to work with Scott Boyer, Dickie Betts of the Allman Brothers Band, Albert Collins, the subdudes, Delbert McClinton,the Radiators and The Band and was a regular performer at the W.C. Handy Music Festival.

A rumored memorial show is in the works.

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

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