Short Takes: Entertainment News In Brief

CRAIG MORGAN
Craig Morgan sings like a soldier defends his country – with everything he has. The former soldier and current country star will entertain the masses on Aug. 22 at the Earhart Campground adjacent to Bristol Motor Speedway on Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, Tenn.
Just a few hours before Nascar’s Sprint Cup combatants duke it out on the heart-stopping, half-mile track, armed with hits enough to sing well into the night, the strong-of-lung Morgan aims to assault the senses one song at a time.
The former Wal-Mart dairy manager and deputy sheriff is on the road promoting his fifth album, “That’s Why.” With an increasingly bulging cadre of standbys such as “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “Almost Home” to draw from, Morgan’s status as a star country singer seemingly rises with each album recorded. Perfect for a Nascar race. Morgan’s voice emotes as if made from one part racing fuel, two parts heart and flat-out, all-out talent. From tough to tender, fast and slow, rock to country, Morgan’s music appeals to those with wide-open appetites for entertainment.

IF YOU GO
What: Jack Daniels/USO Toast to the Troops
Who: Craig Morgan
When: Aug. 22, 4 p.m.
Where: Earhart Campground, Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn.
Admission: Free
Info: (423) 764-4406
Web: http://www.craigmorgan.com
Audio: http://www.craigmorgan.com/?content=music
Videos: http://www.craigmorgan.com/?content=videos

CAIGED ANGEL
Take five rocking folks full of amp and oomph from Pounding Mill, Va., and you have Caiged Angel.
See the longtime local favorites when they electrify Jammin’ on the Clinch at the Farmer’s Market in Richlands, Va., on Aug. 22.
Led by Steve and Angie Fuller, Caiged Angel seems an apropos name for a band with a sound built on loud.
However, take note. Though their name may indicate such, Caiged Angel are not heavy metal throat thrashers. Instead, they feature a volatile mix of hard-edged country a la Toby Keith or Hank Williams Jr. spiced with Southern rock via Lynyrd Skynyrd or Blackfoot.
Call Caiged Angel party on the patio music, Appalachian Southern style.

IF YOU GO
What: Jammin’ on the Clinch
Who: Caiged Angel
When: Aug. 22, 8 p.m.
Where: Farmer’s Market, Richlands, Va.
Info: (276) 963-3385
Web: http://www.caigedangel.com
Audio: http://www.myspace.com/caigedangel1

MCKENNA ANDREWS
Wow in part describes McKenna Andrews. She’s an award-winning author. She’s a singer known as the Rock Angel. She plays a mean guitar.
She’s 12 years old. See and hear the phenomenal youngster on Aug. 20 during Food City Race Night in downtown Bristol. The Gibson Les Paul toting daughter of a U.S. Marine has already jammed with heavy metal bands such as Great White.
No kidding, this kid Andrews rocks. Whether firing the frets on her Gibson on Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind” or torching Def Leppard’s “Hysteria,” she plays guitar like Tony Stewart burns rubber on Sundays. This rock angel smokes.

IF YOU GO
What: Food City Race Night
Who: McKenna Andrews
When: Aug. 20, 4 p.m.
Where: State Street, downtown Bristol
Admission: Free
Web, audio and video: http://www.myspace.com/mckennaandrews

MUSIC NOTES
Welcome aboard, Fat Albert. Fescue founding member “Fat Albert” Blackburn has joined The VW Boys. While VW Boy Larry McPeak takes dialysis treatments and awaits a kidney transplant, Blackburn will offer his considerable talents to the longtime band that also includes Tim White and Dave Vaught.
One of the region’s finest singers, Blackburn also brings one of the sharpest wits and funniest senses of humor that’s ever come down the bluegrass pike.
Kiss rises again. The face-painted rockers’ first new album in 11 years, “Sonic Boom,” will be released on Oct. 6 and for sale exclusively at Wal-Mart stores and online. Included with the album will be a live DVD and re-recorded hits CD.
Meanwhile, blazing a path to stores this week are new albums from country queen Reba McEntire with “Keep on Loving You,” rock’s Sister Hazel with “Release” and Delbert McClinton’s socked-with-soul “Acquired Taste.”
There’s more. Sean Paul stokes the heat with Jamaican pop on “Imperial Blaze” while former Men at Work singer Colin Hay warms with “American Sunshine.”
Thanks to Chicago-based Bloodshot Records for this week’s free MP3 downloads. Six songs featuring Steve Earle’s immensely talented son Justin Townes Earle in what’s referred to as the Daytrotter Sessions, are available by going to http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/giveaways. Look to the top right of the page, directly below the heading “Goodies from around the web,” click and then download.
Enjoy. And zip up another week of Short Takes and Music Notes. Return next week for another round of rock to country and whatever else arises from the world of music. Until then and by all means, friends and neighbors, stay tuned.

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