Bill Allred Coming from a long line of musicians centered around the New Orleans area (his father was a pianist and banjoist who played on many of the steamboats of the famed “Strickfus Line” which travelled the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers), this bandleader and trombonist got his first big break in 1971 when he was chosen to be one of the original 200 staff musicians at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fl. (out of over 2500 applicants). Later Bill would organize and lead the popular Goodtime Jazz Band at the Sunshine State’s famed Rosie O’Grady’s, and remain in that position for over 15 years. he now divides his time between his work at Disney (he returned to their fold in 1991) and his tours and recording sessions which take him far and wide across the USA and Europe. Bill has gigged with everyone from Al Hirt to Dizzy Gillespie and from Mel Tormé to Zoot Sims. While not in possession of as big a name as some of the acts they occasionally attract, the management of this upscale supper club say they expect this engagement to be one of their most entertaining in some time, and based on Allred’s albums and resumé, they may be right. Fri. - Sat., 7:30 pm, The Jazz Corner (Hilton Head). Military Appreciation Concert What finer way to welcome back our returning troops than with a massive concert on our beautiful waterfront? This free, outdoor, ALL-AGES event features 3 acts, at least 2 of which will likely keep the crowd fairly well-engaged. Liquid Ginger plays slick, well-constructed modern rock that’s aimed squarely at the Top 40 set. They have all the parts required to craft radio-ready, Über-catchy songs firmly in place: crunchy electric guitars, tasteful keyboard pads, a solid rhythm section, and lyrical subject matter that’s relatively easy for most anyone to relate to. Hazzard County –the full, electric country-rock band led by Courtenay Brothers guitarist and vocalist Jason Courtenay– also have the right ingredients for local and regional fame. His bandmates are seasoned musicians who have paid their dues for years in many area roadhouse bands, and they know how to keep an audience on their feet. The only disappointing wild card in this lineup is the purported headliner, Lee Greenwood. An adequate singer at best, and one of the lowest-rent celebrities ever to milk a novelty tune, one can only wish that the military (and those who support the military) would quit hauling this rather sad figure out at one benefit or “thank you concert” after another. Perpetually touring behind his album Lee Greenwood’s Greatest HIT, he often looks as bored to be performing as most of us surely are to see him do so. I can only assume there is an inexplicably sweet paycheck attached to these shows that somehow keeps him from setting his controls for the heart of the sun. Note to all organizers of such events: If a free show by Lee Greenwood is the best way you can think of to thank the troops, maybe you should call a few of them and ask what kind of music they actually listen to. Sun., 4 pm, River Street (East End). First Friday For Folk Music This family-oriented, coffeehouse-style acoustic showcase features master fingerpicking guitarist (and Chet Atkins acolyte) Sam Pacetti from St. Augustine, Fl., Oxford, Ga.’s David Leinweber (see Music Menu), and Lexington, Ky’s singer/songwriter Michael Johnathon. Johnathon is a terrific and extremely talented artist who is perhaps best known as the organizer and host of the syndicated public radio show (and internet video broadcast) WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, which is heard over 400 stations in the USA and 31 other countries. A celebrated author as well as musician, he’ll be joined for this rare local appearance by mandolinist Scott Napier of the FolkBoy Orchestra. Free to ALL-AGES with a suggested $2 donation to the Savannah Folk Music Society. Fri., 7:30 pm, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church (429 Abercorn St.). Divine Magees CD Release This rescheduled date find this Asheville-based female acoustic duo of guitar and fiddle celebrating their latest beguiling collection of original material, Love Me Like The Roses, voted by the influential public radio station WNCW as one of the Top 100 releases of 2005. Think a punk-edged version of the Indigo Girls, and you’ll come close to the vibe of this elegant, promising duo. Sat., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean. Genital Mousetrap Circus A reunion gig from this long-disbanded Savannah-area metalcore group (whose often humorous sound also touched on ska, pop, and emo). They broke up in 2003, with members soon resurfacing in such notable groups as Knee Deep And Drowning, Gravy and Reflux. Though they have no plans to make this a full-time gig again, they are shooting this show for a possible live concert DVD, and are already writing material for a new studio effort. Baxley extreme metal madmen Malefactor open, along with Savannah’s instrumental post-math rock trio i am not a little bus. Fri., 10 pm, The Jinx.

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