Short Takes

BY TOM NETHERLAND
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD COURIER

Theatre Bristol Rocks

Plays play most often upon the stage of Theatre Bristol. Decades of plays reside in the mists of memories within its walls.

Add live music to the mix. A series of concerts at Theatre Bristol in Bristol, Tenn. include a one-two upcoming punch. Wise Old River and A Great Disaster tune in on June 24 while Nashville’s Bonepony gallops to town on June 25.

Take A Great Disaster. Led by singer-songwriter Zach Ross, the Tri-Cities based band amounts to quite the opposite of a great disaster. Spin the band’s recently released debut album “Revive.” From therein emerges a delightful dispatch of music that visits realms of rock, folk, bluegrass and even soul and pop.

If you go

» Who: Wise Old River and A Great Disaster (June 24) and Bonepony (June 25)
» When: June 24, 8 p.m.
» Where: Theatre Bristol ARTspace, 512 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
» Info: (423) 968-4977
» Web/audio: www.reverbnation.com/agreatdisaster
» And: www.theatrebristol.org

Abingdon Blues Fest

Ricky and Micol Davis married in 1994. One year later they birthed Blue Mother Tupelo. Since then they’ve gone from their Knoxville base to Nashville and well beyond.

On June 25 Blue Mother Tupelo’s travels land them at Latture Field in Abingdon, Va. for the Abingdon Blues Festival. Bands also on the bill include The Little Zippers and The Delta Playboys.

Knoxville native Ricky Davis and Memphis native wife Micol formed Blue Mother Tupelo in 1995. Their debut album “My Side of the Road” came in 1997. Since then their Southern soul sound led them to such faraway locales as Switzerland and stages shared with such legends as Leon Russell. Blue Mother Tupelo isn’t simply the little act that can; they are the little act that did.

If You Go

» What: Abingdon Blues Festival
» Who: Blue Mother Tupelo, The Little Zippers and The Delta Playboys
» When: June 25, 6 p.m.
» Where: Latture Field, 401 W. Main St., Abingdon, Va.
» Admission: Free
» Info: (276) 676-2282
» Web: www.abingdon.com
» And: www.bluemothertupelo.com

Greater Vision

Southern gospel wades well beyond America’s mainstream.

But right here in the buckle of the Bible belt such Southern gospel acts as Greater Vision swim merrily along in what amounts to the Mountain Empire’s mainstream.

Catch Southern gospel big fish Greater Vision on June 30 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn. Presented by The Gospel Christian Music Association, Greater Vision exists as a trio with talent to spare.

Founded in 1990 by East Tennessee native Gerald Wolfe, Greater Vision debuted with their 1991 album “On A Journey.” Hits such as “He is Mine” followed. In 1998, Greater Vision toured Hungary. Rare for a Southern gospel group, Greater Vision collaborated with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra on the swinging album “Far Beyond This Place.” They picked the right name, Greater Vision, indeed.

If You Go

» Who: Greater Vision
» When: June 30, 7 p.m.
» Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
» Admission: $20-$25
» Info: (423) 274-8920
» Web/audio: www.myspace.com/greatervisionmusic
» And: www.theparamountcenter.com

Music Notes

Dim the lights for the loss of Clarence Clemons.

Known affectionately as “The Big Man,” the longtime sax player in Bruce Springsteen’s E. Street Band, died on June 18 after suffering a stroke. He was 69.

R&B queen of late Beyonce leads new albums due for release on June 28 with her new disc “4.” Folk songstress Gillan Welch mines new tune territory with “The Harrow & The Harvest” while past “American Idol” winner David Cook cranks the rock via “This Loud Morning.”

East Tennessee’s rose of renown Dolly Parton bows the long-anticipated “Better Day. Also look for “Cold Cobra” from alt-metal’s Limp Bizkit and Queensryche’s “Dedicated to Chaos.”

Multitudes of free MP3 downloads are on tap this and any other week. Just go to www.archive.org for hours of free songs from such blues acts as Blind Lemon Jefferson and country’s Roy Acuff.

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