Short Takes: Matt Boswell, Chris Scruggs, Eddie Miles

MATT BOSWELL
Long climb. Country singer Matt Boswell calls Southwest Virginia home, but he’s on a ladder that may well carry him far from the Commonwealth.
Catch Boswell and his Hillbilly Blues Band on Aug. 28-29 at Rock-N-Horse II in Bristol, Tenn., amid their quest as country stars. Just don’t come looking to hear some so-called contemporary country, otherwise known as pop cloaked in the country label.
Instead, Boswell twangs with tradition. He mixes bluegrass of the region with hardcore country from the past for a sound that’s altogether different than that which dominates today’s pop-country world.
Simply listen to his album “The Way I Am.” Boswell stamps a country brand that’s new and exciting, and you bet quite welcome.

IF YOU GO
Who: Matt Boswell and the Hillbilly Blues Band
When: Aug. 28-29, 8 p.m.
Where: Rock-N-Horse II, 3080 W. State St., Bristol, Tenn.
Info: (423) 844-0400
Web and audio: http://www.myspace.com/mattboswellthehillbillybluesband

CHRIS SCRUGGS
Earl Scruggs pioneered bluegrass banjo. Scruggs’ son Randy carved a significant career as a producer and studio musician. Now make way for Earl’s grandson Chris Scruggs.
The third-generation Scruggs will appear at The Buspit in Kingsport, Tenn., on Aug. 29. With a new EP, “Tennessee,” and a sound ensconced in the bedrock of country past, Scruggs features a fresh style that would sound totally foreign on today’s country radio.
And that’s a good thing. After several years with country’s best band of the past decade, BR549, Scruggs moved from Nashville to Arizona in search of more sound.
Scruggs’ resulting traditional country, rockabilly and psychedelic cocktail may sound as wildly different as his grandfather’s seminal brand of banjo did 60 years ago.
Pioneer in the process or not, Scruggs is a titanic talent who needs to be heard.

IF YOU GO
Who: Chris Scruggs
When: Aug. 29, 9 p.m.
Where: The Buspit, 240 E. Main St., Kingsport, Tenn.
Admission: $7
Info: (423) 578-2336
Web: http://www.chrisscruggs.com
Audio: http://www.myspace.com/chrisscruggs

EDDIE AS ELVIS
Music heard best is music heard live. But hold on. For every person compelled to think that Eddie Miles “ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog” as opposed to a fantastic impersonator of Elvis Presley, read on.
When Miles climbs into his white jumpsuit on Aug. 29 at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn., surely he will pale by comparison to Presley. No one can commandeer the king.
Miles wins with an act that’s a tribute and not a takeover of Presley’s mountainous personality. Yeah you’ll see a curled lip, swiveling hips and hair combed just so, but then there’s Presley’s music. Hear it on the radio, cool. CD? Mighty fine.
But unless science finds a way to revive the king of rock, Eddie Miles as the finest impersonator of Presley stands as the best way to hear the king’s music live again.

IF YOU GO
Who: Eddie Miles
When: Aug. 29, 8 p.m.
Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
Admission: $25
Info: (423) 274-8920
Web: http://www.eddiemiles.com
Audio: http://www.eddiemiles.com/music/index.htm

MUSIC NOTES
—Bob Dylan does Christmas. Not since Frank Sinatra recorded Jim Croce’s “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” has such an odd recording come along. Dylan’s “Christmas in the Heart” ho-ho-ho’s into stores on Oct. 13.
With such Christmas classics as “Little Drummer Boy” and “Here Comes Santa Claus” on board, proceeds from the album will benefit a number of charities, including Feeding America.
—Paula Abdul, former co-host of “American Idol,” has agreed to host “Divas,” a new program on cable network VH1. The show debuts on Sept. 17 at 9 p.m.
—Meanwhile, new albums among the racks and stacks this week include Willie Nelson’s “American Classic,” an album of jazz standards that recalls his 1978 classic “Stardust.” Going more mainstream with their self-titled album, Collective Soul returns with 11 new songs that rock less and pop more. Finally, pop’s Colbie Caillat follows her debut smash “Coco” with “Breakthrough.”
Next week heralds the return of Whitney Houston with “I Look to You.”
—Until then, from nearby comes this week’s free MP3 download. Recently signed to Rick Rubin’s major label American Recordings, Asheville, N.C.’s Avett Brothers seem poised for a national breakthrough.
Visit http://www.spinner.com/2009/06/24/the-avett-brothers-i-and-love-and-you-song-premiere/ to download their single “I and Love and You” to hear why.
Well fed on music of the day, please return next week for another bountiful offering of Short Takes and Music Notes. Meantime as with today and all days, by all means stay tuned.
TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .