Black Friday Music Options

For those living in Virginia and who want to avoid thinking of shopping on Black Friday, we recommend two must see shows. The first occurs at our favorite Arlington venue, the IOTA Club, with American artists Mark Stuart and the Bastard Sons and Wink Keziah routing through. Formerly The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Stuart changed the band's name to "more accurately reflects the tone of Stuart’s music and the direction of his expressive and confident songwriting". And his songwriting has me hooked - whether the songs are influenced by his native Californian Blasters or from his new home - Austin. I totally relate to his song "Austin Nights" which expresses his introduction into this town's music scene:

They played a song from "Letter to Laredo"
Just like it was nothing at all
And I had to stop right there in my tracks and wonder
'Cause they don't play Joe Ely where I'm from
My whole life had changed. I'd never be the same....

That ever happened to any of you? Opening for Stuart is Wink Keziah, a self professed "urban hillbilly" that plays any combination of Honky Tonk country or alt-country rock. Regardless of genre, you will find this guy entertaining.

The second show takes place in Charlottesville with the grand opening of the Jefferson Theater. To celebrate the inaugural show, the promoters planned a winner - a co-bill between the Sons of Bill and Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit. And as an added bonus, local artist - Peyton Tochterman - opens. It doesn't get any better than this except at Rhythm & Roots - but at a fraction of the cost: $15.00 in advance; $17.00 day of show. We reviewed the Sons of Bill's latest CD One Town Away earlier this month and saw two show of Jason Isbell and this year's Rhythm & Roots Reunion. See for yourself why several groups are organizing road trips to C-Ville.