Yes, back with a few music picks!

Yes, I still do this. My little holiday break got extended. Truth be know, it's been just fine by me. Hopefully none of you have been really missing my prattling on about upcoming music.

But today I'll try to find my recommendation legs by with some minor prattling.

Tonight ...

It's the second of three nights of Reelin' and Rockin' at the Crystal Ballroom hosted by the Garcia Birthday Band as a benefit for the Rex Foundation. Tonight their special guest is Brothers and Sister, the killer Allman Brothers tribute band. The band does an amazing job of channeling the sound and energy of circa 1971 ABB ... twin leads, double drummers, and all ... 8 pm, $10  ... and tomorrow night their guest is the Freak Mountain Ramblers.

Friday night you can catch country/bluegrass/folk veteran John McEuen at the Alberta Rose. He'll share his story of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and his life in music via song and image. This is a multimedia show that includes covering the band recording with country icons Earl Scruggs, Merle Travis, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, and Mother Maybelle Carter to make the landmark "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". With his banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar, John takes us, with live music and a huge screen behind him, through the early years of 1966 and, as he says, "through the old daze" to the 'Circle' album - to now. Winner of the 'Best in the West' performer award from Folk Alliance, and many other awards, John is renown as a historian and storyteller, McEuen illustrates with music, hot picking, and film how young hippie musicians from California became the first American band, ever, to perform in Russia. (28 sold out shows in May of '77)... 8 pm, $22

There's an excellent triple bill at the Secret Society with Ezra Hollbrook, Love Gigantic, and Nick Peets ... great songs, great vocals, great chops all around ... 9 pm, $8

And Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys are at the Landmark Saloon ... 9 pm, no cover

Saturday at the Crystal Ballroom it's Southern Culture on the Skids ... it's time to Camel Walk ... 9 pm, $15

Hey, I'll be back tomorrow with a few more for the weekend ... don't want to overwhelm anyone with too many choices to fast. I'm getting dizzy.