Short Takes

BY TOM NETHERLAND
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD COURIER

Rocky Top Man 

 Bobby Osborne needn’t have sung another note beyond "Rocky Top." When he and brother Sonny hit in 1968 with what became an anthem on several fronts, their place in music history was set.

But Bobby Osborne continued. His latest stop finds him atop the bill for this month’s nationally syndicated Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Va. on Feb. 4. His son’s band, Boj Osborne & Stone Peak along with Lost Creek Band and Jus’ Cauz Band open.

Yet Bobby Osborne stars. And soars, clearly and as if to "Rocky Top," Osborne owns one of music’s most pristine voices. For example, when he sings "Ruby" he amounts to a marvel. He’s dapper in appearance and vast in significance and historically… On the scene for nearly 60 years and still scaling heights as if to the mountains, that’s Bobby Osborne.

If you go  

• » What: Song of the Mountains
• » Who: Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-press, Boj Osborne & Stone Peak; Lost Creek Band and Jus’ Cauz Band
• » When: Feb. 4, 7 p.m.
• » Where: Lincoln Theatre, 117 E. Main St., Marion, Va.
• » Admission: $20
• » Info: (276) 783-6093
• » Web/audio/video: www.bobbyosborne.com

McKenna cool

Prodigious attaches to the talents of McKenna Andrews like cool on an Eric Clapton solo. It fits.

And don’t be shocked if Andrews slings a Clapton solo or two when the Kingsport teen appears at Cafe Twist in the Bristol Mall in Bristol, Va. on Feb. 4. You read that right. Andrews is a teenager and she’s downright wicked with a guitar.

Get this. Andrews also sings with a command light years beyond her age. Proof emerges within her newly released three-song EP, "Who Knew." Released in December the album features Andrews at full rocking throttle on "That’s How I Roll" bookended by ballads "Still Letting Go" and "Who Knew." Know this: Andrews is no McKenna come lately. She’s coming on strong with a talent that’s ferocious and undeniable. Catch her while you can.

If you go  

• » Who: McKenna Andrews
• » When: Feb. 4, 7 p.m.
• » Where: Cafe Twist, Bristol Mall, Bristol, Va.
• » Info: (276) 644-4211
• » Web/audio/video: www.mckennaandrews.com
• » Free MP3 download: www.reverbnation.com/mckennaandrews

Country at the Palace

Country music lives in the Birthplace of Country Music.

To wit, several times weekly at the Bristol Country Music Show Palace on Lee Highway in Bristol, Va., country bands from throughout the region tune up and twang. Feb. 2 brings Rick Stumbo & The Dirt Creek Band. David O’Roarke & The Southern Countrymen Band alight the soundstage on Feb. 4 followed by J.R. Royal & The Classic Country Band on Feb. 9.

Steel guitars jolt and jibe amid fiddles and Fender Telecasters with get-up-and-dance country. By all means, come and dance. Enjoy a hot dog and a cold pop in the country-packed to the rafters old Campbell auto dealer building.

If you go   

• » Who & When: Rick Stumbo & The Dirt Creek Band (Feb. 2); David O’Roarke & The Southern Countrymen Band (Feb. 4); J.R. Royal & The Classic Country Band (Feb. 9). All shows at 7 p.m.
• » Where: Bristol Country Music Show Palace, 14364 Lee Hwy., Bristol, Va.
• » Admission: $5
• » Info: www.facebook.com (search Bristol Country Music Show Palace)
• » Web: www.southerncountrymen.com

Music Notes  

» Asheville’s Orange Peel came under thrash attack on Monday night, Jan. 30. Three legendary thrash metal bands led by Anthrax, Testament and Death Angel brought the noise as if by bulldozer.

Anthrax particularly reigned nuclear. Led by founder Scott Ian on guitar, the five-man pummeling band whiplashed through a set that included a thunderous "Indians," the head-banging "Caught in a Mosh" and the worshipful "In the End."

» Former Beatle Paul McCartney dips into the standards of music lore with "Kisses on the Bottom," leading an impressive invasion of new albums due Feb. 7. They include Van Halen’s highly anticipated hammer hard rocker "A Different Kind of Truth," The Fray’s hooked on a melody "Scars & Stories," Dr. Dog’s raw rocker "Be the Void" and Dierks Bentley’s heart to hearts country "Home."

» Country newcomer David Nail hammers away with this week’s free MP3 download. Visit www.countryweekly.com and scroll down, click and when another page loads, click to download Nail’s song "The Sound of a Million Dreams."

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