Band: The Robert Cray Band
Date: Sun., Feb. 21 with doors at 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Saenger Theatre, 6 S. Joachim St., www.mobilesaenger.com
Tickets: $33/$25 avail. at the Saenger Box Office and through Ticketmaster

Over the years, Cray has risen from obscurity to guitar god status with a blues sound in league with fellow icons such as Albert King, Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton. This talented musician has collected five Grammy Awards over his career and has released 18 total albums since 1980. The Saenger audience can expect quite a few cuts off of his latest release “This Time.”

Two years ago, Robert Cray took the stage at the Saenger and hypnotized the crowd with his smooth guitar skills. Now, Cray is returning to the Port City to give his fans another taste of his free-wheeling guitar style. This time, he will be bringing a different line-up than last time he visited Mobile. However, a couple of the faces may be familiar to Cray’s fans.

Richard Cousins’ bass skills will once again compliment Cray’s guitar. Cousins could be considered a founding member of the Robert Cray Band. He has worked with Cray professionally since the 70s, but they have been friends for even longer. Cray recruited Tony Braunagel for drum duties. Several may recognize him from his work with Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’ and B.B. King. Keyboardist and Robert Cray Band veteran Jim Pugh will be rounding out this stellar line-up.

Sevendust and friends cook up a storm

Band: Sevendust, Drowning Pool, Digital Summer, Down from Up
Date: Fri., Feb. 19 at 7 p.m.
Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., www.soulkitchenmobile.com
Tickets: $18 adv. /$23 day-of avail. at Soul Kitchen, their website, Mellow Mushroom West Mobile and 1-800-594-TIXX

Soul Kitchen will emanate fury in its purest form for this hard rock extravaganza. After Digital Summer and Down from Up get the crowd pumped, Drowning Pool will provide a musical explosion not for the weak of heart. This band earned notoriety with their song “Bodies.”

Since then, there have been few action movies, wrestling events or video games that have not featured this song or others by this band. They satisfied fans with their 2009 live release “Loudest Common Denominator,” and their Port City fans will be treated with new music off of their upcoming, self-titled release.

Sevendust will be closing out the evening. This band found mainstream success with singles such as “Denial” and “Waffle.” Their popularity established a cult following that is still very strong. With their next album “Cold Day Memory” on the horizon, Sevendust should give the Soul Kitchen crowd a preview of things to come.

Hangout Music Festival releases partial line-up

With the release of a partial line-up, it seems as if the Hangout Music Festival (May 14-16) in Gulf Shores is shaping up to be one of the area’s most notable summer events. The crowd will have a chance to get Southern fried under the sun with Zac Brown Band. Allison Krauss and Union Station feat. Jerry Douglas will bring a down home style to this event with their homespun bluegrass sounds. Gov’t Mule, Black Crowes and Michael Franti & Spearhead should satisfy all the jamsters out there. Considering the subtropical setting, Rodrigo y Gabriela should be one of the highlights of the festival with their exotic acoustic sounds. Other bands scheduled to appear include Blind Boys of Alabama, OK Go, The Whigs, Girl Talk, Guster, Brent Dennen, Keller Williams, Jerry Jeff Walker, A.L.O., Ozomatli, Orianthi, Pnuma Trio, Black Joe Lewis & the Honey Bears, Toubab Krewe, Mat Hires, A.A. Bondy, Rachel Goodrich and Moon Taxi.

As of Mon., Feb. 8, there are a limited number of three-day passes selling at a discounted rate of $115 at The Hangout, all Surf Style Stores, Serda’s Coffee Company and Blue Angels Music in Pensacola. Otherwise, three-day passes will be available for $159. Stay tuned to Lagniappe for more artist announcements as they are released.

Vincent & the Top Notes at the Shed

Band: Ernie Vincent & the Top Notes
Date: Sun., Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.
Venue: The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, 5753 Old Shell Rd., 342-SHED
Tickets: Free

Even though Mardi Gras will be a distant haze, The Shed is planning on continuing the party just one more weekend with a performance from Ernie Vincent & the Top Notes. Many consider Vincent a New Orleans blues institution and one of the pioneers of funk. He got his start in the ‘70s when he put together the Top Notes. After paying his dues in the New Orleans music scene, Vincent gained national popularity with his song “Dap Walk,” which was featured on a Nike commercial and on HBO’s hit show “Sex and the City.”

2009 brought Vincent’s latest release “Bayou Road Blues.” He considers this a roots blues album, and it features a collaboration with Andrew Duhon. With the stripped down duo of Vincent and Duhon, many would consider this dirty, raw blues at its finest. Vincent’s rugged vocals are attractively complimented by Duhon’s wailing harmonica.