Short Takes

BY TOM NETHERLAND
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD COURIER

Knightly Tunes   

 If in doubt of heart, tune to Chris Knight.

His tunes thump with meaning to the beat of a heart that’s ripe with songs that stick to the soul much like homemade biscuits and gravy do to the belly. Knight’s all substance.

Hear the former coalman from Kentucky on Jan. 13 at Down Home in Johnson City. Knight’s all down home. But he’s no joke.

Pick an album. From his latest "Trailer Tapes II" or his self-titled debut, tales of times hard and folks resolute emerge like three-minute diamonds carved from Kentucky’s coal. Call Chris Knight Kentucky’s Bruce Springsteen, a man with episodes aplenty, one strong song at a time.

If you go   

» Who: Chris Knight

» When: Jan. 13, 9 p.m.

» Where: Down Home, 300 W. Main St., Johnson City

» Admission: $20

» Info: (423) 929-9822

» Web/audio/video: www.chrisknight.net

Paramount Pink Floyd

Part and pass through the doors of the Paramount in Bristol, Tenn. on Jan. 14. Set the time for 8 p.m. Settle in perhaps as with a rocket’s cockpit. Get comfortable, perhaps comfortably numb. And set the controls a la Set the Controls and prepare for their re-creation of the music of Pink Floyd.

Then soar. Amid the atmospherics courtesy the marriage of lights and music from the transformative "Comfortably Numb" through the hopeful "Wish You Were Here" and the terminally cool "Another Brick in the Wall" shoots the meteorite music of Pink Floyd. Catch the shooting stars, Set the Controls, as they capture one of rock’s more brilliant bands.

If you go   

» Who: Set the Controls: Re-creating the Music of Pink Floyd

» When: Jan. 14, 8 p.m.

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

» Admission: $25

» Info: (423) 27-8920

» Web/audio/video: www.americanpinkfloyd.com

Moron Brothers  

Meet the Moron Brothers, Lardo and Burley.

Better yet, go see them. Twice. First, the Kentucky duo will appear for free or by suggested donation on Jan. 12 at the Pickin’ Porch in the Bristol Mall in Bristol, Va. Then see them again on Jan. 14 along with Little Roy & Lizzie, Tommy Rose, Night Crossing, Lonesome Will Mullins and Surefire during Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Va.

They’re Kentucky’s answer to Texas’ Geezinslaw Brothers. They’re funny with a message, as on "If My Nose was Running Money." And sometimes they’re seriously serious, and that’s with a message, too, as with "The Old Firefighter." Best of all the Moron Brothers though seemingly spare as a bald-treaded tire in reality amount to entertainers without the fame, showmen without the glitz and musicians with a truckload of tunes.

If you go   

» What: Song of the Mountains

» Who: Little Roy & Lizzie, Tommy Rose, Moron Brothers, Night Crossing, Lonesome Will Mullins, and Surefire

» When: Jan. 14, 7 p.m.                                                                                                 

» Where: Lincoln Theatre, 117 E. Main St., Marion, Va.

» Admission: $20

» Info: (276) 783-6093

» Web/video: www.youtube.com and search "meet the Moron Brothers" And: www.songofthemountains.org

Music Notes   

Van Halen with original singer David Lee Roth back on the microphone, announced its 2012 tour dates this week. Their nearest date to the Tri-Cities comes on April 25 at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C. Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but stay tuned.

In the meantime, visit www.youtube.com and search "Van Halen Tattoo" to see the rock legend’s new video "Tattoo."

The original lineup of underground rock favorites Guided By Voices will issue its first new album in 15 years on Jan. 17 with the 21-track "Let’s Go Eat the Factory." Other albums due next week include hits collections from contemporary Christian’s Michael W. Smith with "Decades of Worship" and country songbird Martina McBride with "Hits and More."

Texas country singer Cory Morrow leads this week’s free MP3 download. Visit www.amazon.com and search Cory Morrow "Lonesome" for a free copy of his infectiously energetic title track from his 2010 album, "Lonesome."

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