Funk, Ska & OEAAs

The Louisiana soul, funk, R&B, zydeco and blues of Josh Garrett & The Bottomline shake it up at The New Lift Thursday, Nov. 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m. This is a don’t-miss show. Garrett is from Houma, La., also the birthplace of Tab Benoit, and has spent time honing his bandleader chops in Nashville. The charismatic, high-energy band features a sassy horn section. Add Garrett’s rich vocals and meaty guitar chops and these guys deliver on all fronts. Fans of Benoit and Tommy Castro should dig the horn-driven party sound this band throws down. If you’re reading this Wednesday, Josh Garrett & The Bottomline makes its Zoo Bar debut Nov. 3, 6-9 p.m. Next Thursday, Nov. 11, Chicago blues-folk-Americana band Sarah & the Tall Boys make their Lift debut. Check them out at sarahandthetallboys. (https://winandoffice.com) com. 1200 Club Blues & Ska Chicago Blues Reunion Band plays Holland Performing Arts Center’s 1200 Club Thursday, Nov. 4, led by harmonica man and vocalist Corky Siegel. The intimate performance space includes a full cash bar and encourages patrons to dance and party. See chamberblues.com/projects_cbr.html. The swinging sounds of Pacific Northwest band Cherry Poppin’ Daddies heats things up Friday, Nov. 5. See omahaperformingarts.org. OEAA Music Showcase The annual OEAA Fall Music Nominee Showcase is Friday, Nov. 5, at four Benson venues. Music begins at approximately 8 p.m. Admission is just $10 for a wristband that gets you into the four venues: Barley Street Tavern, Pizza Shoppe Collective, The Sydney and Waiting Room. Check oea-awards.com or Facebook.com/oeaawards for band schedules. Sandbloom & Son of 76 Josh Hoyer, Son of 76 & the Watchmen bandleader and occasional Reader contributor, hosts the return of Los Angeles songwriter Kevin Sandbloom Friday, Nov. 5, at 9 p.m. at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar. Sandbloom performs first followed by Son of 76. Hoyer tips his hat to Sandbloom’s expressive vocal range as well as the L.A. writer’s original songs. Sandbloom’s bio begins “Kevin Sandbloom is a man who has one thing on his mind. Playing music. He’s been doing it since he was 16.” He cites influences from Bob Marley and B.B. King to The Beatles and Prince. Find out more at kevinsandbloom.com. Shakin’ With Bacon Mark your calendars now for the return of Billy Bacon & His Porkestra to Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Thursday, Nov. 11, through Saturday, Nov.13. This is the highly popular local configuration of Lincoln’s Tijuana Gigolos plus a few more musicians that give Bacon a solid backing with a horn section. They tear it up on Bacon’s originals plus choice covers that often include tributes to Doug Sahm and Chris Gaffney. November Notables Mark your calendar now for Saturday, Nov. 13, for “Becky’s Birthday Extravaganza” at the Barley Street Tavern. Becky is Rebecca Lowry who performs under the name All Young Girls Are Machine Guns and is a fine songwriter who performs on a ukulele. She’ll be joined by Matt Cox, Cass Fifty & The Family Gram, Korey Anderson and other friends. Make it a point to see Cass Brostad (Cass Fifty) before she finishes packing her bags for her move to Austin, Tex., at the end of November. Her growth over the past couple of years as a songwriter has been impressive, featuring impassioned performances and well-crafted original songs served up with cut-to-the-bone emotional honesty. Also make note of a special “Songwriters in the Round” Thanksgiving Eve event at the Barley Street Tavern Wednesday, Nov. 24. Admission is a donation to the Omaha Food Bank. Artists scheduled include Matt Cox, Nick Carl, Rebecca Lowry, Ben Seiff, Kyle Harvey, Cass Brostad, Korey Anderson, Sarah Benck and Brad Hoshaw. Return of the Brads Brad Hoshaw returns to Omaha Nov. 18 from a several-week tour that’s taken him through the upper Midwest, from Chicago to Austin, and through New Mexico and Colorado. Catch him at Pizza Shoppe Collective Nov. 18 for a homecoming show. Hoshaw was a multiple OEAA winner in 2010, with awards including Artist of the Year. Popular bluesman Brad Cordle moved back to Omaha after living and making music in Las Vegas the last few years. Cordle is putting together a band with an emphasis on funk, R&B and original material. The group will include noted Lincoln songwriter/guitarist Dave Steen. Cordle’s band debuts at The Lift at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. The John Crews/Bucky McCann duo opens at 5:30 p.m. Hot Notes Burgundy & Gray gig at McKenna’s Friday, Nov. 5. Levi William and his band play McKenna’s Friday, Nov. 12. The Slowdown offers a triple punch of high-powered, badass roots-rock and rockabilly Thursday, Nov. 11, when the Reverend Horton Heat, Legendary Shack Shakers and Split Lip Rayfield hit town.