So MUCH to see... only ONE me.

Wow... if you've been looking for an excuse to get out and see some great live music, look no farther than this weekend. There's tons to choose from.

Here are my top picks:

FRIDAY (1/20/06):

• 3rd & Lindsley -
  7 p.m. Kelley Lang: My friend Gwen has been telling my about Kelly for months now... so I'm finally going to get to hear her. She's been around the biz a long time and is supposed to be fabulous.
  8 p.m. Jimbo Mathus: According to the Scene, Mathus is a former member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers and toured as the second guitarist in Buddy Guy's band. A native of Mississippi, he's now back touring with his Knockdown Society band, playing old-style vaudevillian blues.
  
  
• BB Kings -
  8 p.m. - All Fired Up w/Jimmy Hall: Jimmy Hall is an incredible singer, harmonica player, sax player and all around musician. He was a part of Wet Willie, has played with Jeff Beck and blows harp in Hank Williams Jr.'s band while also fronting his own group, Prisoners of Love. He and some friends also just released The Mighty Jeremiahs. It's incredible.
  
  
• Douglas Corner Cafe
  9 p.m. Steve Seskin: Good stuff... writer of country hits like "Life's a Dance," "Don't Laugh at Me" and "Grown Men Don't Cry"
  

SATURDAY (1/21/06):

• 3rd & Lindsley -
  8 p.m. Ken Johnson & band: A friend who is a Windswept writer and soooo on his way up.
  10 p.m. Jeffrey Steele & band (Tom Hambridge on skins, Tommy Mac on bass, Rusty Golden on keys and Erik Halbig on guitar... because Steve C is on tour with Van Zant... whoohooo!): Jeffrey Steele has written all the top country songs you know and love. Help Somebody, When the Lights Go Down, Speed, Chrome, My Town, I'm Tryin, The Cowboy in Me, Unbelievable, These Days... I could go on and on and on. He's got so many hits that the unsuspecting audience member might think they're watching a cover band... but they're NOT. PLUS, he plays for four hours... non-stop. Once you see one show, you'll be addicted to his energy, spirit and whooeeee... that voice. And... once you see the show, those huge songs will never sound the same to you (in a good way, of course).

• Family Wash
  9 p.m. Bob Delevante Combo
  Bob Delevante (According to the Scene) likely would be enjoying a higher profile had the Garthification of Capitol Records in the '90s not short-circuited the considerable momentum for The Delevantes' Postcards From Along the Way, but he's neither stymied nor bitter, as evidenced by his critically acclaimed solo album Porchlight.

• Bluebird Cafe
  9:30 p.m. In The Round with James Dean Hicks, Taylor Rhodes, John Schweers and Rob Crosby, A Benefit for Alive Hospice. Hits across the decades and the genres including Goodbye Time, Jesus And Mama, Grandpa Told Me So, Blind Man, Cryin’, She’s More, Concrete Angel, Do Me With Love and Day Dreams About Night Things.

SUNDAY (1/22/06):

• 3rd & Lindsley -
  Lightning 100 Sunday Night Live Shows
  8 p.m. Colin Linden - Amazing musician. An accomplished singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer, Colin has played on over 150 albums and produced more than 30 CDs. He's worked Bruce Cockburn, Colin James, Leon Redbone, T-Bone Burnett, and The Band, just to name a few. Good stuff.
  9 p.m. Whitey Johnson (aka Gary Nicholson) w/special guests. This should be good... and you never know who you're going to see when someone like Gary Nicholson has special guests sittin' in. Should be a great night to see Whitey Johnson and "friends".

• Bluebird Cafe
  8 p.m. Writers Night hosted by Jeff Pearson with special guest Nicole Witt.
  About a dozen songwriters who have passed an audition to play the Bluebird are featured on Sunday Writer's nights... my friend Karleen is one of the writers this Sunday. Each play three songs, followed by a 20-30 minute set by hit writer, Nicole Witt wrote "She Didn’t Have Time" for Terri Clark.