Singer Jerry Castle to perform during festival

Jerry Castle, “Don’t Even Ask” (Dualtone)

Jerry Castle tones down his rock ’n’ roll vibe on “Don’t Even Ask.”
But not too much.
The former Abingdon, Va., resident’s long-awaited solo record arrives more than a decade after leading rock band Toast to local stardom across the Tri-Cities.
“I was going for laid-back on the record,” said Castle, a musician now living in Nashville, Tenn.
That “laid-back” style shows on “Rainbows for Ava,” a song Castle dedicates to his young daughter.
Once primarily a hard-charging rocker, Castle displays increasing depth with “Don’t Even Ask.” It’s a work that any fan of his bands Toast or The World Outside would appreciate.
But this record is also just as likely to attract new fans, warmed by the musician’s fresh take on the bonds of friendship and family – all wrapped in an inviting mix of rock and country.
Jerry Castle is performing at 8:30 p.m. (with opening act Matt Ramsey at 7:30 p.m.) on July 23 at Depot Square in Abingdon, Va., as part of the kickoff of the Virginia Highlands Festival. For more information, call (276) 623-5266.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Live From Freedom Hall” (Roadrunner Records)

Slammed with the deaths of two more members in recent years, it’s been questionable among some rock critics that the band called Lynyrd Skynyrd should continue touring – and using the name.
Still, some critics have probably said the band should have never reformed after the death of leader Ronnie Van Zant.
Actually, getting back together was a good thing. Otherwise, the band would have been largely forgotten, and so many great, unreleased recordings of the original band probably would have never seen the light of day.
The group has also put out some strong songs with Van Zant’s brother Johnny at the helm – notably “Workin’” and “Red, White, and Blue” – that make logical extensions of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd of the mid-1970s.
Both of these newer tunes show up on “Live From Freedom Hall,” a new in-concert collection recorded in Kentucky in 2007. The CD coincides with an accompanying DVD. This ranks among the best live recordings released by Johnny Van Zant’s version of Lynyrd Skynyrd. And, likely, it’s because of the timing of the show.
The band has confidence.
At this point, in 2007, the original band had just been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The single “Red, White and Blue” had also scored a hit for the group, soon after its release in 2003.
Bassist Ean Evans (who has since died) plays like he had been in the band for decades. And so does Rickey Medlocke, a guitarist who played with the original band as a drummer in the early 1970s.
Among the best cuts are “The Needle and the Spoon,” a forgotten classic of the original band, and a shining version of “Tuesday’s Gone,” featuring original guitarist Gary Rossington in fine form.
The star of the show, however, is the late Billy Powell, the original keyboard player, who adds delightful fills to standards like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Call Me the Breeze.”

Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now” (Capitol)

On a recent Friday night in Galax, Va., a college-age girl strummed a guitar in a coffee shop and sang “Need You Now,” an unforgettable song by Lady Antebellum.
She sang like that song had been around for years.
Like it was a classic.
And, yes, it is.
“Need You Now” is the title track of Lady Antebellum’s latest album. And, less than a year after its release, it’s grown into a classic – a song that’s equally at home on both rock or country radio stations.
The good news: This song is just one of many great tunes of the band’s “Need You Now” album. If you haven’t found this band yet, you’re missing out.