Music Box: Catch some local bluegrass tomorrow with the Seldom Scene

The Seldom Scene, a Washington, D.C., institution since 1971, brings its trademark brand of bluegrass to Rams Head On Stage tomorrow night (7:30 p.m.).

Over the years, the Seldom Scene has included some of the finest players in the genre, including steel guitar player Mike Auldridge (who now plays with Lyle Lovett, Good Deale Bluegrass Band and others), bassist T. Michael Coleman (Doc Watson, Chesapeake and many others), John Duffey (founder of the Country Gentlemen, sometimes called the "father of newgrass music"), master banjo picker Ben Eldridge, and the list goes on.

Founded in Bethesda, this bluegrass band made its name with stellar musicianship and by re-creating hit songs by folk/pop icons of the '70s. Without losing a step, the Seldom Scene plays on, albiet with mostly new members joining Eldridge, including Dudley Connell (guitar/vocals), Lou Reid (mandolin/vocals), Fred Travers (dobro/vocals), Chris Eldridge (guitar) and Ronnie Simkins (bass/vocals).

The new Train CD is out and poised to land the band a couple more major hits. The new release is called "Save Me, San Francisco," named for the band's hometown.

The group's previous releases have resulted in Grammy Awards and Top 10 standings on the Billboard 200 chart. Their breakthrough single, "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)," set the standard. Train appears with Uncle Kracker at Rams Head Live in Baltimore tomorrow night (7 p.m. doors; all ages welcome).

String Cheese Incident keyboard player Kyle Hollingsworth brings his band to the 8x10 Club in Baltimore tomorrow night (8 p.m.). Masterful instrumental versatility is combined with a passion for all things music (rock, funk, bluegrass) on the brand new album from the KHB, "Then There's Now."

"In the jam world, where there are no set ways of doing things, we're not afraid to move in and out of genres, and because of that I've learned to be creative, not only onstage but in the studio," Hollingsworth says in the biography on his Web site. "I can get on board with something pretty quickly. You have to."

Beyond SCI, Hollingsworth has been pegged to perform and/or record with the cream of rock performers, a list that includes Phil Lesh and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, Little Feat, Bela Fleck, Warren Haynes and Paul Simon.

"When I play with these performers it's about showcasing them, to support the main role in the best possible way," he says on his Web site. "Seasoned musicians can be tasty and laid back, too!"

Blues piano player and singer Stubby Knuckles is back in Easton tickling the ivories at the Historic Avalon Theatre in Easton tomorrow (7:30 p.m.).

According to his Web site, Stubby's style is reminiscent of the traditional Chicago blues piano sound of Otis Spann or of Memphis Slim with a New Orleans twist. Stubby played in New Orleans' French Quarter and at the Tipitina's piano bar in the twilight years of Professor Longhair. After New Orleans, he spent time in Chicago, where he met Sunnyland Slim and Jimmy Dawkins, among others. He's played with Black Top recording artist Bobby Radcliff and has shared the stage with Jerry Portnoy, member of the late Muddy Waters' Legendary Blues Band and the harp player on Eric Clapton's "From the Cradle" blues album.

"I never practice," Stubby says on his Web site. "Doing that would take off that raggedy edge, that falling apart sound. I'm a time-breaker - that's the blues."

Other shows tomorrow night include industrial dance goth from Cold Cave at the Rock and Roll Hotel (doors 8:30 p.m.), Maritime Irish music from singer/songwriter Kitty Donohoe on the John F. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage (6 p.m.; free), and British Slumberland Records' 20th anniversary celebration featuring Crystal Stilts, Brown Recluse, the Ropers and many others at the Black Cat (8:30 p.m.).

Saturday

On Saturday night The Fabulous Thunderbirds light up Rams Head On Stage (7 p.m.). The T-birds are a band which has explored popular and traditional strains of blues music. Originally led by guitarist Jimmy Vaughan (older brother of Stevie Ray) and harmonica ace Kim Wilson, this Texas roadhouse band set the pace for beer drinkin', blues lovin' crowds across the nation.

Over their 30 year career, The T-birds were pegged to open for Clapton and The Stones, and lit up the charts with blues rockers such as "Tuff Enuff" and Sam & Dave's hit "Wrap It Up" (written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter). These days The Fabulous Thunderbirds have returned to their roots, playing blues classics.

"We started as a straight blues band," vocalist and harmonica player Wilson says on the band's Web site. "We now incorporate a mixture of a lot of different styles. We're an American music band and we're much higher energy than we were before."

Jazz pianist Dick Morgan had his own radio show at 10 years old, and was soon playing music with high-caliber jazz cats. One night Duke Ellington popped into one of his gigs and offered advice and encouragement.

At the age of 45, Dick made a conscious decision to radically change direction. He entered Antioch University and obtained a bachelor's degree. Not content to leave it at that, he then entered Howard University and earned his law degree. Since then, while generally staying around the Washington, D.C., area, Dick has stayed busy performing, has lectured at Georgetown University and the Kennedy Center on the law in relation to music, and has taught voice and piano. He has performed with Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Frank Sinatra and Herb Ellis, among many others. Morgan plays 49 West on Saturday night (8 p.m.).

Rams Head Live in Baltimore presents an evening with ska punk band Less Than Jake plus three other bands and a special screening of The Warped Tour 15th anniversary documentary (doors 6 p.m.).

NightCat in Easton comes alive in the daytime for a special Saturday afternoon concert with rising stars Chester River Runoff (1 p.m.). These guys play inspired, bluegrass-based Americana music with a desire to occasionally address environmental ills.

The Saturday evening show at NightCat features Baltimore's Judd and Maggie, the modern folk brother and sister duo which garnered national attention in 2005 after signing a major label record deal (7 p.m.). Their debut for RCA/Victor Records was produced by renowned father and son Lenny and Joey Waronker. Later on Saturday evening, catch Connecticut gypsy jazz rock outfit Caravan of Thieves at NightCat (9 p.m.).

At Easton's Historic Avalon Theatre on Saturday night, warm up to the Van Williamson Quartet (8 p.m.) in the new Stoltz Listening Room. Williamson is the brain and leader behind the ever popular "Radio From Downtown."

Also on Saturday night you'll find psychedelic jam band Splintered Sunlight at the 8x10 Club (8 p.m.). Austin rockers White Denim are at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, D.C. (8:30 p.m.)

Sunday

On Sunday night they're serving up American Pie with Don McLean for two shows at Rams Head On Stage (5 p.m. all ages; 8 p.m. 21+). McLean actually had two hits on his debut release back in 1971: the classic "American Pie" and "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)" about artist Vincent Van Gogh. Since that auspicious debut, McLean has enjoyed success across the board with 40 gold and platinum records. "American Pie" was voted the No. 5 song in 2001's "365 Songs of the Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America and National Endowment for the Arts. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.

The Choral Arts Society of Washington presents a special "surround sound" concert titled "Antiphonal Glories through the Ages" on Sunday afternoon (4 p.m.). For this unique performance, various members of the ensemble will be situated throughout the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The society, now entering its 45th anniversary season, has sung with the world's leading orchestras and conductors, and has recorded 16 acclaimed CDs. The Washington Symphonic Brass is also joining the Choral Arts Society for this performance.

Monday

Monday marks the return of Los Lobos for a two-night run at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis (8 p.m. each night). For its consistent outflow of expertly combined rock 'n' roll, Tex-Mex, country, R&B, folk, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music, Los Lobos has garnered three Grammy Awards. The fourth Grammy is virtually imminent as they recently delivered a collection of re-envisioned Disney classic tunes.

For the CD "Los Lobos Goes Disney," the band assembles a colorful collection that ranges from movies to theme park and Magic Kingdom ditties such as "Cruella De Vil," "Heigh Ho," "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and When You Wish Upon a Star/It's a Small World." What more could a kid want?

It's tough to choose when you've also got the chance to catch a double bill featuring Grace Potter and the Nocturnals along with Brett Dennen at Rams Head Live in Baltimore on Monday night (7 p.m. doors; all ages welcome). The next release from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is to be produced by T Bone Burnett (Los Lobos, The Wallflowers, Counting Crows, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"). Dennen is a likable guy with a lovable voice and a progressive political agenda. His delectable picking style is decidedly African, which somehow makes the music feel slightly tropical.

Tuesday

Tuesday night at NightCat in Easton, rocker Joe Firstman appears with Justin Ryan and Sam Grow (8 p.m.). Firstman held down the music director's chair for Carson Daly on "Last Call." He grew up and made headlines in the Carolinas along with other regional faves such as Edwin McCain, Jupiter Coyote and Hobex.

Also Tuesday night look for Toubab Krewe at the 8x10 Club in Baltimore (8 p.m.). This North Carolina African-infused American rock band has created a stir at Bonnaroo and festivals on the African continent. They aren't shy about working in a pinch of zydeco and a slice of surf guitar or a few lines of poetry into their mix. The Village Voice describes them as "a futuristic, psychedelic, neo-griot frenzy." They will be joined Tuesday by stushido.

Increasingly popular singer Langhorne Slim makes an appearance Tuesday night at the Rock and Roll Hotel (8 p.m.). Rising out of the New Hope, Pa., music scene, he toured with the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players and had a song called "Electric Love Letter" in the movie "Waitress." Langhorne Slim has performed on the "Late Show With David Letterman" and recently released a new CD called "Be Set Free."

Wednesday

Wednesday night at Rams Head On Stage it's The Infamous Stringdusters and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek (8 p.m.). Old school rappers Sugarhill Gang ("Rapper's Delight") throw their 30th anniversary party at Rams Head Live in Baltimore (7 p.m. doors; all ages welcome).

Meanwhile, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones appear at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The current band includes original member Howard Levy, a brilliant musician.

Fleet Foxes drummer J. Tillman plays the 9:30 Club in Washington (6 p.m.) followed by electronic duo Pretty Lights (10 p.m.).

Thursday, Nov. 19

Thursday night it's Richmond bluegrass/Celtic rock band Carbon Leaf at Rams Head On Stage (8 p.m.). They've released seven albums now, the newest being "Nothing Rhymes with Woman." Their music has been well-received across the nation after receiving mass exposure on the soundtrack album for the movie "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!"

Rams Head Live in Baltimore will be rocking with the blistering blues of Kenny Wayne Shepherd (7 p.m.; all ages welcome). In 2007 Shepherd released a full-length feature film documentary with an accompanying live album titled "10 Days Out: Blues From the Backroads."

According to promotional materials, the film follows Shepherd and friends Chris Layton, Tommy Shannon (from Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble) and longtime band member Noah Hunt on a 10-day trek into the heart of America. Along the way, they visit blues veterans in their homes, backyards and local juke joints.

The film and CD feature performances with some of the most renowned blues artists of all time, including B.B. King, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins and Honeyboy Edwards, along with some of the blues' lesser-known but towering talents. The CD/DVD earned Shepherd two more Grammy nominations, The Blues Foundation's Keeping The Blues Alive Award and a Blues Music Award (formerly The W.C. Handy Award), according to Shepherd's Web site. A new album is in the works for 2010.

Thursday night at NightCat catch up with underrated singer/songwriter Chris Knight along with Aussie guitar goddess Anne McCue (8 p.m.). Knight sings like Steve Earle and McCue plays guitar like Jimi Hendrix.

Michael Buckley is writer, producer and host of the Sunday Brunch each week from 7 to 10 a.m. on 103.1 WRNR-FM. You can reach him at voicesofthebay@aol.com.