1 Carrie Rodriguez
8 p.m. Thursday, Evening Muse ($12 to $14)
The frequent fiddling collaborator of Chip Taylor steps into the spotlight with a sexed-up Americana effort (“She's Ain't Me”), which puts her on track to reach Patty Griffin's and Lucinda Williams' caliber of alt-country. 704-376-3737.
2 Darrell Scott
7 p.m. Thursday, Neighborhood Theatre ($15)
The Dixie Chicks and Travis Tritt had hits and won Grammys with his songs. On the accomplished songwriter's latest album, “Modern Hymns,” he pays tribute to writers who inspired him, including Paul Simon, Hoyt Axton and Kris Kristofferson. 704-358-9298.
3 Cobra Starship
6 p.m. Sunday, Tremont ($15 to $17)
With songs like the aptly titled “Guilty Pleasure,” former Midtown frontman Gabe Saporta's second dancetastic post-emo disc, “Viva la Cobra,” plays like Fall Out Boy's Duran Duran and Abba-loving cousins threw an '80s theme party. www.etix.com
4 Jimmy Wayne
7 p.m. Friday, Coyote Joe's ($12)
Although Dreamworks dropped him despite the 2003 No. 3 hit, “Stay Gone,” the Cleveland County native is back with his pop-country follow-up, “Do You Believe Me Now.” 704-399-4946.
5 Hollywood Undead
8 p.m. Sunday, Amos' ($10 to $12)
This masked hip-hop/rock sextet draws on Eminem, the Beastie Boys and boy bands by blending sing-song melodies, rap-rock attitude and snappy electronic beats on its new disc, “Swan Songs.” www.etix.com.
6 Dirty Dozen Brass Band/
The Lee Boys
8 p.m. Saturday, Neighborhood Theatre ($18 to $35)
The New Orleans horn octet bridges traditional jazz with modern funk and hip-hop and shows that are part funeral parade, part P-Funk and part jam. Florida's Lee Boys bring a similar gospel-meets-blues-rock energy to the sacred steel tradition. 704-358-9298.
7 Paula Nelson Band
8:30 p.m. Saturday, Double Door ($10)
Willie Nelson's 39-year-old little girl shows sass and heart with a twangy voice and a bluesy country-rock band that is at its best on a cozy smoky bar stage. 704-376-1446.
8 Pat Green
8 p.m. Saturday, Amos' ($20 to $23)
This Texas country singer manages to straddle slick country and frat rock, appearing at Bonnaroo and on tour with Dave Matthews Band while racing up the country charts with moderate hits like “Way Back Texas” and “Dixie Lullaby.” 704-377-6874.
9 The Rescues
7 p.m. Friday, Evening Muse ($7 to $9)
Singer-songwriters Adrianne, Gabriel Mann and Kyler England and multi-instrumentalist Rob Giles team for this harmony-driven outfit. 704-376-3776.
10 Stragglers/Cattletruck/
Jim Garrett
8 p.m. Friday, Tremont ($8)
These three local acts play self-described Southern gothic rock where guitars weep, whine and wail. Performances brim with heart and twangy spirit. 704-343-9494.
11 Seventh annual Mid-Atlantic Music Conference
2 p.m. Friday to 12 a.m. Sunday, Various Locations ($100 for weekend registration)
There will be panels and workshops on the music industry as well as showcases and battles of the bands, from covering various genres and featuring 60 acts. Check for dates and times at www.midatlanticmusic.com/2008/ schedule.htm.
12 Parts and Labor
8 p.m. Sunday, Milestone ($7)
These Brooklynites use samples from fans and friends on their latest album, “Receivers,” which Rolling Stone awarded 31/2 stars. It called it “a post-apocalyptic concept album … in the tradition of the ‘The Wall.'”
www.etix .com.
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