Short Takes

BY TOM NETHERLAND
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD COURIER

» TUNES AT NOON

Make way for Grammy.

Well, Grammy Award-winner Barbara Bailey Hutchison, that is.

Hutchison tunes up for Tunes at Noon on July 8 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn. Eat before, after or skip lunch entirely. Hutchison and her music are worthy of such sacrifice.

Odds are high that each of has heard Hutchison. She’s sung commercial jingles for such companies as McDonald’s, Heinz and Hallmark Cards. Yet Hutchison’s songs such as “Edge of Wisdom” and “God Is In” carry way more meat than a Big Mac. Within her genre-hopping style she has recorded albums of faith, Christmas and Children’s music, too.

IF YOU GO

» Who: Barbara Bailey Hutchison

» When: July 8, 12 p.m.

» Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn.

» Admission: $5 suggested donation

» Info: (423) 274-8920

» Web, audio and video: www.bbhsings.com

» EFREN

Athens, Ga. gave the world such bands as rock’s R.E.M. and the B-52’s.

Add Efren to the mix.

Led by Scott Low, four-man band Efren drops by Machiavelli’s in Bristol, Tenn., on July 8. On the road to promote its first album as a full band, “Rise On Up and Melt,” hit stores on June 28 for the self-described freak folk band.

Freak folk? Imagine a down South Pink Floyd. Sure, Efren incorporates bits of bluegrass as on “Frogbird” and country, but they embody Southern psychedelia. They jazz things up here and there, toss in rock and blues as well. Yet Efren’s overall laid-back vibe reverberates through it all. You want different? Now presenting, Efren.

IF YOU GO

» Who: Efren

» When: July 8, 9 p.m.

» Where: Machiaveli’s, 8 5^th St., Bristol, Tenn.

» Info: (423) 573-9955

»Web, audio and video: www.efrenmusic.com

» PUTTIN’ ON THE BRITT’S

If you’re lookin’ for the hits that fit ... there’s Puttin’ on the Britt’s.

More to the point, Richlands’ free summer concert series Puttin’ on the Britt’s begins on July 12. Scheduled for each Tuesday through Aug. 9 at Britt’s Park in Richlands, Va., the series primarily highlights local talent.

To wit, The Tony and Jeff Brown Band open on July 12. Based in Richlands, the traditional bluegrass and gospel band draws from such influences as Doyle Lawson and the Stanley Brothers. Still, they own their own style. Perhaps they’ll pick the Carter Family’s “Wildwood Flower.” Maybe they’ll dig deep into a Flatt & Scruggs song. Whichever, The Tony and Jeff Brown Band retain distinction.

IF YOU GO

» What: Puttin’ on the Britt’s, summer concert series

» Who: The Tony and Jeff Brown Band

» When: July 12 at 7 p.m. and each Tuesday through Aug. 9

» Where: Britt’s Park, Allegheny Avenue, Richlands, Va.

» Admission: Free

» Info: (276) 963-3385

» Web, audio and video: www.facebook.com (search: Tony and Jeff Brown Band)

MUSIC NOTES

» Sold out. Those holding out on buying tickets to see Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill on Aug. 21 at the Paramount during Mountain Stage, held out too long. The show has sold out. No word on whether a second show will be added.

» Country singer Blake Shelton, a judge on NBC’s “The Voice,” spearheads new albums due on July 12 with “Red River Blue.” Rock’s Incubus follows with “If Not Now, When?” Evocative voiced Colbie Caillat pops to the pop of her third album “All of You” while country’s Ashton Shepherd and Chris Young issue “Where Country Grows” and “Neon” respectively.

» From the past emerges Yes and Tesla. Prog-rockers Yes take flight with their first new album in 10 years, “Fly From Here,” as early ’90s semi-electric rockers Tesla issue “Twisted Wires.” Also due, George Thorogood’s sizzling “2120 South Michigan Ave.”

» Three-time Grammy Award winning R&B singer Jill Scott leads this week’s free MP3 download with her song of plea “Hear My Call.” Pulled from her new album “The Light of the Sun,” go to www.amazon.com then type her name and the song’s title to be taken to the song.

Tom Netherland is a freelance writer. He may be reached at features@bristolnews.com.