Short Takes: Take a Look at These Entertainment Options

MATT FLINNER TRIO
Think Salt Lake City, Utah, and bluegrass probably will not come to mind.
And yet the state that gave the world Donny Osmond also witnessed the birth of Matt Flinner. OK, he’s not exactly bluegrass, but as folks will hear on June 17 at the Down Home in Johnson City, the Matt Flinner Trio sure feature a sound that’s laced with bluegrass sounds.
Call it acoustic music, or as Flinner has called it, “new acoustic.” Whichever, as featured on the trio’s new album “Music du Jour,” such songs as “Half Moondog” and “In the Golden Zone” blaze with a fire that’s new and different.
Flinner manhandles the mandolin like the prodigy that he is, and yet, as with David Grisman, he’s not exactly bluegrass.
Maybe it’s his jazz influences, but no matter. Music played piping hot and served by a spare trio makes for uncluttered magic from an emerging master.

IF YOU GO
Who: Matt Flinner Trio
When: June 17, 8 p.m.
Where: Down Home, 300 W. Main St., Johnson City, Tenn.
Admission: $10
Info: (423) 929-9822
Web and video: http://www.compassrecords.com/matt-flinner

EVERETT LILLY
Quietly legendary describes Everett Lilly.
Catch Lilly on June 13 as part of the monthly Song of the Mountains series at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Va. He joins an impressive bill that includes Blue Highway.
But let’s look at Lilly, who for a short time in the 1960s was a member of Flatt & Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys.
Hailing from Clear Creek, W.Va., he and his brother Bea debuted on local radio in 1938. The Lilly Brothers made their most risky leap in 1952 when they moved to Boston and, with Don Stover, helped cultivate an audience for bluegrass in the Northeast. The group’s run continued, though only sporadically into the 1970s.
However, in 2002 the Lilly Brothers and Stover were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Stover died in 1996 and Bea Lilly died in 2005. Everett Lilly continues, though mostly with sporadic appearances in West Virginia. See the legend now while you can.

IF YOU GO
—What: Song of the Mountains featuring Blue Highway, Everett Lilly and His Lilly Mountaineers, Jeff Orr and Wildwood Rhythm, and Pathway
—When: June 13, 7 p.m.
—Where: Lincoln Theatre, 117 E. Main St.,  Marion, Va.
—Admission: $20
—Info: (276) 783-6093
—Web: http://www.songofthemountains.org
—Also: http://www.lillymountaineersonline.com

MRS. TENNESSEE
Here she comes, Mrs. Tennessee. Mrs.?
Yep, there’s a Mrs. Tennessee United States Pageant, and you can see her crowned amid an evening of glamour on June 14 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn.
Open to U.S.-born, married women of at least 21 years old, contestants will be judged in three categories including an interview, evening wear and, you bet, a swimsuit competition.
Then, a stage show follows to highlight individual talents. At show’s end, the winner will be announced, who will then travel to Las Vegas and compete for the title of Mrs. United States.

IF YOU GO
—What: Mrs. Tennessee United States Pageant
—When: June 14, 7 p.m.
—Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
—Info: (423) 274-8920
—Web: http://www.vanbros.com/unitedstates/tennessee.html

MUSIC NOTES
—Dim the lights for Koko Taylor. The Grammy Award-winning blues singer died on June 3 at age 80. She left a legacy built on strong vocals wrapped around taut lyrics of life’s up and downs. She also left a long list of admirers, including fellow blues musician E.G. Kight, who credits Taylor for her turn to blues.
“When I heard her soulful voice, I was so excited…,” Kight said. “I made the switch to the blues and have never looked back. She was a constant source of inspiration.”
—Good luck finds DMX. Otherwise known as Earl Simmons, the trouble-magnet rapper who had pleaded guilty in May to attempted aggravated assault on a corrections officer was sentenced to 18 months probation on June 8. The charge stemmed from when DMX, 38, threw food on a corrections office while serving time in Maricopa County, Ariz., on drug and animal cruelty convictions.
—New in stores this week: Pop-rap hybrid Black Eyed Peas return with “The E.N.D.,” Sonic Youth extends its underground rock legend with “The Eternal,” while 1980s metal masters Iron Maiden power up with a new DVD, “Iron Maiden: Flight 666.”
—This week’s free downloads look to amazon.com for several MP3’s of note. Among the more than 600 free songs, Sepultura’s acidic “What I Do!” and pop-punk band My Morning Jacket’s “Sooner.” Then, there’s “Mushroom Men” from ever-eclectic Les Claypool, whose music defies categorization.
Simply sign on to http://www.amazon.com and then access the MP3 downloads section from the menu to the left. Scroll down for a link to free songs, and voila! Free music heaven.
Free music duly noted, so concludes this week’s Short Takes and Music Notes. Check in next week for more go-to events and goodies. Meanwhile and by all means, stay tuned.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .