Fresh, live & happening here

A fan favorite for roots music audiences in the 1990s and early 2000s, Oklahoma roots-rocker Scott Keeton returns this weekend for two big shows. He’ll be joined by local rockabilly stars Charlie Johnson (Mezcal Brothers) on bass and Ringo Maguire (The Mercurys) on drums. Catch this rave-up roots and rockabilly super-group Friday, April 4, 5:30 p.m., at The B. Bar and Sunday, April 6, 5 p.m., at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar.

Saturday, April 12, 7 p.m. at The B. Bar, the Blues Society of Omaha (BSO) and Hook n Sync productions presents two great touring acts. Vocalist, harmonica player and bandleader Chris O’Leary and his band are scheduled and if you haven’t seen O’Leary yet, make this show your introduction to one of the toughest roots-blues players on the contemporary scene. O’Leary spent a six-year stint as the vocalist for Levon Helm’s band after throat cancer left Helm unable to sing with his band. No Depression says of O’Leary’s latest recording “The Hard Line,” which is also his 2024 debut on Alligator Records, “O’Leary’s approach to melding hard-core Chicago blues with soul will keep him on the road for a long time to come.”

The show is a double-bill with Saint Boogie Brass Band also taking the stage. Their press materials note that they hail “from the bustling streets of New Orleans,” and bring “a unique blend of traditional brass band music infused with contemporary influences. With their distinctive sound characterized by punchy horn lines, driving percussion, and spirited improvisation, they seamlessly blend the old with the new, creating an experience that’s both nostalgic and fresh.”

The BSO presents West Coast guitar star Chris Cain Thursday, May 1, 6 p.m. at The Waiting Room. Brother East-Brother West opens the show. Advance tickets are available at etix.com. Cain has been on the blues scene for decades and longtime blues fans will recognize Cain’s name. But if you aren’t familiar with him, check what popular blues-rocker Joe Bonamassa has to say, “Hands down Chris Cain is my favorite blues player on the scene today. He’s an absolute blinder of a guitarist, with the voice of B.B. King and the chops of Albert King.”

Cain recently released “Good Intentions Gone Bad” on Alligator. See alligator.com/artists/Chris-Cain.

Keep up with the BSO’s curated calendar of local blues events at omahablues.com and watch their Facebook page at facebook.com/bluessocietyofomaha.

Zoo Bar Blues
With spring in the air, the regional and national touring acts are back on the road, and Lincoln’s historic Zoo Bar has a schedule that’s brimming with amazing bookings. Here are some highlights – check zoobar.com and facebook.com/zoobarblues for details and late-breaking show announcements. And mark your calendars now for the annual, outdoor street concert, ZooFest, coming Friday and Saturday, July 11-12.

Kansas City’s Womanish Girl is up Saturday, April 5, 5 p.m. As previously mentioned, Oklahoma roots-rocker Scott Keeton is in the area and he also gigs at The Zoo with Charlie Johnson and Ringo Maguire Sunday, April 6, 5 p.m.

Chris O’Leary brings his soulful blues to The Zoo Bar stage Wednesday, April 9, 6 p.m. As discussed above, he’s really good and worth your time and entertainment dollars. The reviewer for The Toledo Blade writes, “O’Leary was meant to do the blues. There’s a certain ‘it’ factor to him, from his bold, powerful vocals to the way he presents himself with sheer confidence. The 12 songs on this album are originals, and — like a lot of great blues — the lyrics meander between funny, heartfelt, and outspoken.”

Kansas City’s Drum and Dye, featuring former Lincolnite Bill Dye on guitar, play Wednesday, April 16, 6 p.m. The duo represented K.C. in the 2024 International Blues Challenge where they took second place and additional recognitions when John Paul Drum received the Lee Oskar Harmonica Award while Dye’s playing was celebrated with the Cigar Box Guitar Award.

Kris Lager Band makes a too-infrequent local stop at The Zoo Bar Friday, April 18 for the 9 p.m. show.

Acclaimed guitarist Tinsley Ellis is back Monday, April 21, 6 p.m. Another long-time touring artist, Ellis’ latest album “Naked Truth,” Alligator Records, is nominated in the best Acoustic Blues Album category at this May’s Blues Music Awards in Memphis.

Friday, April 25, starting at 5 p.m. it’s the “Spring Blues Party” with a triple-bill featuring Eddie 9V, Church of Blues and DJ Relic. Eddie 9V is an abbreviation for Eddie 9-Volt, the stage name Eddie took that was inspired by the 9-volt battery that goes in a lot of guitarists’ pedal set ups. Self-described as laying down a “fresh, fiery spin on Southern soul, blues, rock and funk,” Eddie has signed to Ruf Records. Eddie’s previous Zoo appearances have found him playing some pretty fiery, trad-sounding electric blues that fit well within The Zoo Bar’s storied walls and will appeal to guitar-heads. Find out more and hear music samples at eddie9volt.com. Church of Blues is turning heads and filling dance floors with an electrifying take on traditional blues tunes laid down by Lincoln’s own Josh Hoyer, Levi William, Dave Boye and Joe Gourlay.

West Coast guitarist Chris Cain, a Zoo Bar favorite, returns to The Zoo stage Wednesday, April 30, 6 p.m. as part of his national tour. Cain has not toured a lot in recent years, so his return to the Midwest is a big treat. His 16th album, “Good Intentions Gone Band,” was released on Alligator in 2024. Vintage Guitar Magazine writes, “One of the truly great blues guitarists of his generation. Chris Cain is the most important blues player you need to hear. Marvelous and irresistible…He unleashes unadulterated fretboard genius.” Get advance tickets at the bar or on ticketweb.com by searching for the show.

Mitch Towne CD Release
Omaha’s own Mitch Towne has been a well-known player on the local scene since his days with The Mighty Jailbreakers. More recently, he’s been recording and touring with national artists including a collaboration with Andrew Synowiec and John “J.R.” Robinson as SRT.

Towne celebrates his first CD release as a bandleader, titled “Refuge,” on Friday, April 18, 7-10 p.m., with a CD release show at NOMA (North Omaha Music and Arts), 2510 N. 24th St. (24th & Lake streets.) Cover charge is $10. The live performance will feature guitarist Tetsuya Nishiyama and drummer Marty Morrison. On the recording you’ll hear Towne with guitarist Nishiyama and drummer Jeffery Johnson. Towne has been racking up some impressive reviews for this project. Makingscene.org says, “It was the great Jimmy Smith who revolutionized the Hammond B3 organ in the mid-to-late 1950s. Mitch Towne takes that example and runs with it. He has created his own mastery and creativity on the Hammond B3.”
Roots Music Report notes, “The interplay between these three musicians gives the album a spontaneous magic.…Jazz fans looking for a modern-day Hammond B-3 organ trio album are well advised to give a listen to Mitch Towne’s ‘Refuge.’”

James McMurtry
One of Austin’s finest singer-songwriters, James McMurtry, is back for a 1% Productions and Sunday Roadhouse show Thursday, April 17, 8 p.m. at The Waiting Room. McMurtry is a must-see for those who are fans of Americana or roots-rock. He’s at the top of the don’t miss artist list for any music listener who’s seen his powerful, driving and riveting sets before. He’s real, charismatic and mesmerizing as a performer and his songwriting is at the top of the craft. Pitchfork remarks “More than 30 years after his debut, 1989’s “Too Long in the Wasteland,” McMurtry has become what’s known as a songwriter’s songwriter: someone whose facility with words and influence on other artists far outstrip his mainstream notoriety and album sales… McMurtry stands out even among the Lone Star State’s finest songwriters, a community of artists known for the local color that saturates their story-songs.” See etix.com for advance tickets.

Playing with Fire goes Indoors
Omaha’s Playing with Fire free blues concert series returns or another season of summer music with a twist. This summer, after the miserably hot temperatures that seemed to plague the outdoor event in recent years, founder/promoter Jeff Davis is planning indoor events at Slowdown.

Indoors sounds appealing, but note that seating will be limited and no seats may be brought in. The line-up is stellar and air conditioning on a 100-degree summer day sounds fine by me. I’m most excited to see Canadian artist Harry Manx, who hasn’t played in this area in 20-plus years. Manx tours the world and has a unique sound that fuses his mastery of the American blues with the traditions of stringed instruments from India. Manx performs with Kevin Breit Friday, July 25. London-based The Cinelli Brothers are also on that bill. Saturday, July 26, the Danielle Nicole Band performs along with English vocalist Alice Armstrong and Canadian guitarist Marcus Trummer.

Then some more of Davis’ personal favorites return, with Scotland’s King King and British blues-rock guitarist Ben Poole Friday, Aug. 15. Cardinal Black from Wales, Canada’s Bywater Call and Native American blues-rockers Levi Platero from New Mexico Saturday, Aug. 16. Find details and artists bios at playingwithfireomaha.net.

Hot Notes
The Sunday Roadhouse series continues Sunday, April 27, 5 p.m., at Reverb Lounge with June Star, a Baltimore-based band drawing comparisons to Sun Volt, Jay Farrar and a group that is following in the footsteps of Townes Van Zandt. Find out more about The Sunday Roadhouse series at sundayroadhouse.com.

Catch Nashville’s Jeremy McComb and his Honky-Tonk Circus Friday, April 4, 8 p.m., at The Waiting Room. The band promises to deliver a 1990s-style country stage show.

Don’t miss a former Omaha artist who’s back for a visit when Township & Range performs Sunday, April 13, 7 p.m., at Reverb Lounge. Matt Whipkey with Mike Friedman open the show.

While we’re talking roots music, remember there’s good food and notable bands that are making waves on the touring circuit at Buck’s Bar & Grill in Venice (a straight shot out West Center to 27849 W Center Road) most every night of the week. See bucksbarandgrill.com/events.

On the touring scene, you might be interested in Top 10 Billboard-charting country rocker Cory Marks who opens for up ‘n’ comer Dorothy Friday, April 25, 7 p.m. at the Whiskey Roadhouse in Council Bluffs. Guitarist Slash plays on Dorothy’s new record, “Tombstone Town.”

Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal have been picking up some high-profile dates since winning the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, most notably being added to the line-up of the prestigious Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in September. A profile with Hoyer was featured as the cover story of Blues Blast Magazine on March 27. Read the interview here bluesblastmagazine.com. Catch the band locally at the Big 10 Sports Bar & Grill at 130 N. 10th St. Friday, April 18, 9 p.m. See joshhoyer.com for more updates and their performance schedule.