Waiting for spring

The area hasn't even seen it's first flake of snow but already the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary is gearing up for the 2007 season.

First on the docket? Tony Rice with Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas. Not sure who Rice is but according to AKUS's web site he's "acoustic music's most influential modern master."

Tickets are $27.50-43.50 and go on sale this Friday at your favorite Ticketmaster outlet.

Download Tony Rice on iTunes



Download Alison Krauss on iTunes

Kicking ass and taking names

Cary Ann Hearst is one person I would not want to face in a brawl.

Off stage, she's as sweet as could be, but put the woman in front of a microphone and a fire comes out of her like you wouldn't believe.

Hailing from Charleston, Cary Ann may just be the modern day version of a southern belle. The region could do a hell of a lot worse.

Cary Ann and the Gun Street Girls — Ash Hopkins on bass, Evan Bivins on drums and Lee Barbour on the guitar — drew a respectable crowd at the Soapbox on Front Street in Wilmington Saturday night along with fellow Charlestonians Leslie.

If you've never heard of these guys, you should seriously check them out. Cary Ann has this whole gritty southern rock thing going on — think Johnny Cash meets Dolly Parton meets AC/DC. Leslie, on the other hand, just embodies rock.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Check out the video clips below, recorded at the show Saturday night.

Cary Ann Hearst — "Trouble About My Soul"



Cary Ann — "Happy Woman Blues"



Leslie — "Rosebird"



Leslie — (...I don't know what this song is called. Any tips??)



Download Cary Ann Hearst's album Dust and Bones on iTunes.

Three local acts, one really cheap show

Be sure to check out Roman Candle, Bull City and Running Lights at Duke Coffeehouse next Saturday, Jan. 20. Tickets are a mere $4 (or $2 with a Duke student ID). Doors at 8:30, show at 9:30.

This is your last chance to see rising stars Roman Candle before they head across the pond for some shows in London in February.

Annuals live session. Download now!

The good people at daytrotter.com have brought us a brand new live session, this time featuring Raleigh/Chapel Hill buzz band Annuals. The band stopped by Daytrotter Studios at the end of their last tour to record the session. Click the link below to listen and download four live versions of songs from Be He Me and read the story of their sleepless adventure on the day of the session.

Annuals Daytrotter session

Also, don't forget to check out the band on Late Night with Conan O'Brian on January 18 and at the Cat's Cradle on January 22 (the band will be opening for The Dears).

Best of 2006

Hello, and welcome to 2007! But before we can officially move on and enjoy the new year, it's time to recap our favorite music moments of 2006.

Valerie's Favorites

Top 3 albums
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat
David Mead, Tangerine
Butch Walker, The Rise and Fall of Butch Walker and the Let's-Go-Out-Tonites!

Guilty Pleasure of '06
Teddy Geiger, Underage Thinking. (Love Monkey was a great show, OK??)

Nostalgia of '06
Jump Little Children, Live at the Dock Street Theatre
This album captured Jump's last three performances together before they broke up at the end of 2005.

Best Concerts
The Old Ceremony at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, Oct. 7
Ben Folds at Meymandi Hall in Raleigh, March 30
Nickel Creek at Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill, Sept. 19


Kevin's Picks

Top 3 albums
The Killers, Sam's Town
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins, Rabbit Fur Coat
Will Hoge, The Man Who Killed Love

Local album of '06
Annulas, Be He Me

Best Concerts
Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, Mar. 24
The Films at Music Farm in Charlston, Apr. 14
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers at Alltel Pavilion in Raleigh, Sept. 10


So let's hear your opinion. Think we have no taste or that there's something obvious we left out? Comment below. And here's to more great music in 2007.