Ellington

Jackson can take a collective sigh of relief. Two parades in one week, the holidays, the Crossroads Film Festival last weekend in addition to the tons of great happenings that always go on in Jackson have completely worn me out. Hopefully, we've all gotten much-needed rest and are ready for this week's lineup of fabulous music.

On Wednesday, please come see my good friend Virgil Brawley (a fellow former Lincoln Countian) and The Vernon Brothers when they perform with D'lo Trio's guitar man Steve Chester at Underground 119. The Vernon Brothers' blend of country and blues is a great way to hitch your giddy-up for the remainder of the week.

If you're having a "blue" Thursday, meander over to F. Jones Corner, where Jesse "Guitar" Smith performs for the lunch crowd. Thursday night, Hal & Mal's has north Mississippi-based Elemovements performing. This band plays everything from salsa to bluegrass with a kicking horn section, percussionists, keyboardists and guitarists. Visit http://www.elemovements.com for more information.

Also Thursday night, Duling Hall features Mississippi girl Shannon McNally, one of my favorite female singer/songwriters with north Mississippi roots. Check out her music at http://www.shannonmcnally.com.

On Friday, support the Jackson Zoo by attending the annual ZooBrew. Your $25 admission ($20 for zoon members) includes beer and food sampling, a tour of the zoo, and a wing-eating contest. Head to http://www.jacksonzoo.org for details.

The Colonels, the band Jackson Free Press readers voted Best Country Band this year, hit the stage Friday at Reed Pierce's, where there's never a cover. The new Ethiopian restaurant, Abeba (the old Last Call on Frontage Road), hosts Bluesman; Table 100 in Flowood has David Pigott; Daze Work performs at Pelican Cove; and Martin's has the band Iron Feathers. And don't forget the first Lawyerpalooza, a benefit for the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Mississippi Center for Justice, featuring The Archtops, The Church Keys (their new CD "Shake Back Shimmy" is awesome!), Eric Stracener and the Frustrations, Rumprollers, and more. Visit http://www.halandmals.com for info.

Saturday night is even more jam-packed than Friday. To celebrate competing in Jackson's first ever Warrior Dash or just stay close to downtown, head over to Underground 119 to hear one of Louisiana's finest musicians, Marcia Ball. Old Tavern hosts Remedy Krewe, and The Alamo, in the historic Farish Street District, hosts the Battle of the Saxes featuring Thomas "Tiger" Rogers, Amos Brewer and Kenny Nightingale. For all you reservoir residents, Burgers and Blues has M.O.S.S., and Shucker's hosts Mike and Marty. Pelican Cove has Richard McCain in the afternoon and Grateful Dead tribute band Otis Lotus Saturday night.

If you're looking for classical music this week, look no further than Thalia Mara Hall and the Mississippi Opera for a one-night-only performance of Danzetti's "Elixir of Love" Saturday. Want jazz? Head to Alcorn State University in Lorman for its free annual ASU Jazz Fest. Visit http://www.alcorn.edu/jazzfest for information.

I certainly appreciate all of you coming up to say hello when you've seen me out and about. I absolutely love ya, Jackson, so please stay tuned, keep sending me your music listings by Mondays at noon at {encode="[email protected]" title="[email protected]"}, and keep the introductions coming.