You already know that rock ‘n' roll veteran Eddie Money is scheduled to play the Tybee Island Pirate Fest in October. The news, however, keeps getting better.
On Oct. 8, the night before the Money man will take the stage, Georgia's long-running roots-rock fave, Drivin ‘n Cryin, will play.
Singer/songwriter Kevin Kinney has been the focus of D&C since its formation in 1985; after quite a number of almost-hits, critically acclaimed records and collaborations from R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, various Drive-By Truckers and members of the Allmans and Gov't Mule, Kinney forged a pretty serious solo career.
But Drivin ‘n Cryin never officially disbanded, and last year Kinney, bassist Tim Nielsen, guitarist Mac Carter and drummer Dave V. Johnson put out the band's first CD in years, The Great American Bubble Factory.
Savannah native Dodd Ferrelle will open D&C's mainstage show at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 9 is the big day, with a whole lot of music, scheduled all afternoon. Mr. "Two Tickets to Paradise" goes on at 9 p.m.; there'll be daytime sets from local faves Wormsloew (2 p.m.), the Looters (5:30 p.m.) and the Train Wrecks (7 p.m.).
There'll be a $15 admission charge for the festival area, good all weekend.
Mama mia!
For those of you who can never get enough ABBA - and you know who you are -the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (that's on Hilton Head Island) is bringing in the tribute act Bjorn Again Aug. 10-15.
How about that wonderfully cheesy moniker? ABBA was an acronym using the names of each member of the ‘70s Swedish pop group: Anni-Frid, Bjorn, Benny and Agnetha; Bjorn and Anni-Frid were husband and wife, as were Benny and Agnetha.
"ABBA's songs are just fantastic songs, and I love them to bits," the group's founder, Rod Stephens, told me in 2007. "They're really great, classy pop songs. There are loads of ABBA tribute bands out there now.
"But I don't really associate with the words ‘tribute band,' because to me that's not what Bjorn Again is about. It was set up to be a bit of a parody on the ‘'70s, and a parody on ABBA's music. And the relationships of the band members, what goes on between them onstage."
Take a look at www.artshhi.com.
Bits and pieces
@ Tom Coleman and the Savannah Community Theatre want you in the late August production Two Minutes to Shine. It's a variety show, so if you can sing, dance, play an instrument, do bird calls or balance chairs on your nose, try the auditions: Aug. 4, 10 and 11. Call Tom C. at (912) 247-4644 to schedule an appointment.
@ This has been on sale for six months, but we've yet to mention it. So, for the record, the country band Sugarland will appear Oct. 14 at the Johnny Mercer Theatre, with Little Big Town and Randy Montana. Tickets are $51.50 and $39.50 at etix.com.
