A Rockin’ Week For Music

Dante Schmitz of Dante & The Hawks.

There’s a truckload of not-to-miss shows this week, the biggest one may be the Benjamin Del Shreve CD release party Saturday night at George’s. Shreve and his band have walked away with almost every NAMA award they’ve been nominated for in the last few years, but it’s been awhile since they’ve done a heavy rotation on the local circuit. It will be interesting to see if the new CD, carries the same impact that has made the group one of NWA’s hottest.

George’s will also be hopping on Sunday night with the annual Pioneers of Rock show that brings together some of NWA earliest music veterans. You never know who’s going to show up for these shows and it only happens once a year, so get out for a special night.

Smoke & Barrel on Dickson Street has a nice lineup this week, starting with primitive folk rockers Spirit Family Reunion out of Brooklyn, N.Y., tonight. Friday night will be the Kris Lager Band of Omaha, Neb., who will be bringing their superiorly crafted rock and grooving originals to the bar. This is some well-honed music complete with Hammond organ, that ranges from sounding like Van Morrison to Gov’t Mule. On Saturday at Smoke & Barrel will be NWA’s own Cletus Got Shot who will be playing tunes from their new CD.

And don’t forget that tonight you can catch NAMA Hall of Fame singer songwriter Sarah Hughes and her band at the free Gulley Park concert. Take seating and a picnic or get

some Lucky Luke’s BBQ or other chow from some of the other restaurants that will be at the park.

If you want to take a little trip, head to Cherokee Casino in West Siloam Springs on Friday night for Califor-

nia’s Eve 6 — who can forget their hit “Inside Out” that had a healthy run as number one on the U.S. Modern Rock chart? Sharing the bill will be the impressive up-and-comers Dante & The Hawks — think John Mayer. And hey, these shows are free!