Friday live music picks

So maybe you're headed to the Oregon State Fair tonight to catch ZZ Top ... or to Bend for the Dylan/Mellencamp show ... or not ... so if home is where your music is ...

Kick it off early with Ron Rogers & the Wailing Wind at the Hawthorne Theater Pub (at SE 39th Ave) ... great band to check out (and Ron is giving away free sampler CDs while they last)... 6 PM, no cover

Looking for a rockin' blues house party?  Jim Flynn's  In The House shows are a ton of fun and tonight will host the Thad Beckman Band with Bryce Shelton, Denny Bixby and Kurtis Piltz  ... it's a $10 admission and BYOB (and maybe even a dish to share if you're so inclined). Jim's place is in SE - call him at 503-784-6824 or email for details and directions ... 7 PM, $10

Two opportunities to catch one songwriting's best - Peter Case. He'll be at Music Millennium at 6 PM for a short set and signing to support his new recording, Wig! ... then for a full performance at the Alberta Rose Theater. Up and coming songwriter from Austin, BettySue, will open.  If you haven't been to the ART yet, you really should catch a show here - intimate theater, great sound, comfortable seating  ... 8:30 PM, $20

The Robbie Laws Bigger Blues Band will be wailin' large at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 PM, $10

More blues? ... Duffy Bishop is at Halibuts ... 8 PM, no cover ... and a mostly acoustic Terry Robb will be at Vino Vixens ... 8 PM, $5

Like cabaret music from the far corner of the world? Then catch Padam Padam tonight at the Muddy Rudder in Sellwood ... 8 PM, no cover

Speaking of cool cabaret music, there's also the Pete Krebs Trio at the Press Club ... 8:30 PM, no cover

Have an appetite for fun, high-energy, acoustic bands, then check out Keep Your Fork There's Pie at The Woods tonight ... 9 PM, $6

Roots jazz from the 20s-40s your thing?  Then you must catch the Bridgetown Sextet at Duff's Garage ... 9 PM, $7

Funk/punk/twang? How about the Quick and Easy Boys at the Mt. Tabor Theater ... 9 PM, $8

It's country/roots music at the White Eagle with Truckstop Darlin', Rubella Graves, and Rich, Payne, and Pennyless ... 9:30 PM, $6

The Freak Mountain Ramblers have the late slot at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 PM, $6

More coming for the weekend including Blue Cranes CD release show at the Alberta Rose and John Hiatt at the Aladdin ... (oh, and those guys Dylan and Mellencamp at Edgefield) ...