Photo courtesy of Tony Baker

The Gibson Brothers

Photo courtesy of Michael Ford Jr. & The Apache Relay

Michael Ford Jr. & The Apache Relay

FRIDAY

Cadillac Sky

With Michael Ford Jr. & The Apache Relay

Earlier this year, old-time performer/revivalist Mike Seeger was booked for this date. Sadly, Seeger was suffering from cancer, and he died in August. There isn't really a replacement for a guy like that. So to fill the date, the Lyric Theatre found two acts whose instrumentation and sensibilities are tied to older music but who have eyes and ears cocked toward the future.

Cadillac Sky is a sometimes haunting act that isn't even a little afraid to experiment with its music but can slap down the hardest-hitting traditional bluegrass, too. It augments some truly fine original music with covers of tunes such as The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star."

Michael Ford's voice and his folk/Americana songwriting are equally strong.

Details: 8 p.m. The Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg. $23; $20. (540) 951-4771, thelyric.com, cadillacsky.net, myspace.com/mfjrandtheapacherelay.

FRIDAY

The Gibson Brothers

With Trent Wagler & The Steel Wheels

You like brother harmonies? Here's your ticket. Self-described "bluegrass lifers" Leigh and Eric Gibson sing so well together, write good tunes ("Ring The Bell," "Iron & Diamonds," "Somewhere Trouble Don't Go") and employ a pack of good backing pickers.

Not long ago, Harrisonburg-based Trent Wagler brought in a stripped-down Steel Wheels -- on bicycles -- for a show at Fork in the City. The act hits Roanoke in full this time around, with songs like "Blue Heaven Don't Come Around," an ode to the joys and troubles of cigarettes, coffee, codeine and other dilemma-filled loves.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $10. kirkavenue@gmail.com, kirkavenuemusic.com, gibsonbrothers.com, trentwagler.com.

TODAY

All for Smalls Benefit Show

With Mung Choke, Pissant, Angry Youth, Honor Amongst Thieves

Punk rock acts gather to pay respects and raise money in memory of Bradley "Smalls" Schmidt, who died last week at 20. He apparently was run over by a train while trying to jump aboard. All proceeds from the show will go to his family.

Details: 7 p.m. La Finca, Roanoke. $5; all ages. 343-0801, lafincarestaurant.biz, myspace.com/mungchoke.

Jamiel Allen's Groove Diggers

Keyboardist/singer from pop/funk/reggae group Alliens brings his own act downtown. Go back to Tuesday's paper, or music.roanoke.com, to read more.

Details: 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, myspace.com/jamielrallen.

USAF Heritage of America Band

Check out the Air Force's woodwind quartet.

Details: 7 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. Free. kirkavenue@gmail.com, kirkavenuemusic.com, www.heritageofamericaband.af.mil.

Corey Hunley and Justin Prillaman

Who doesn't have a good time when these two guys are playing? Dead people, maybe.

Details: 9 p.m. SoRo Chill & Grille, Roanoke. Free. 982-7676, sorogrille.com, myspace.com/coreyhunley.

FRIDAY

Poe Mack Birthday Bash

Help Roanoke rapper Byron "Poe" Mack celebrate another trip around the sun. Many excellent guests will be on hand, as usual.

Details: 9 p.m. Awful Arthur's, Towers Shopping Center, Roanoke. $5. 777-0007, myspace.com/awfularthurs, myspace.com/poemack.

HopeHop

With Boogieburg

Jam-rap specialists HopeHop will make you groove and make you think. Boogieburg will just make you shake your backside.

Details: 8 p.m. Attitudes Bar and Cafe, Blacksburg. $7; 18 and older. 552-7001, attitudesbar.com, myspace.com/hopehopmusic, boogieburg.com.

Bourbon Shades

Reverb-soaked three-piece originals and classic rock and funk covers.

Details: 9:30 p.m. Gillie's Vegetarian Cuisine, Blacksburg. Free (donations to band accepted). 961-2703, myspace.com/gilliesmusic, myspace.com/bourbonshades.

SATURDAY

Bill Kirchen & The Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods

This former member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen is responsible for the monster riff on "Hot Rod Lincoln." Kirchen is still slinging hot Telecaster licks. Kirchen played the first-ever show at Kirk Avenue Music Hall, and he's back to help the room celebrate its first anniversary.

Details: 8 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $15. kirkavenue@gmail.com, kirkavenuemusic.com, billkirchen.com.

William Walter & Co.

FloydFest favorite Walter brings the acoustic rock.

Details: 10 p.m. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, williamwalterandco.com

Free Clinic of Franklin County Fiddle Fest

With Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, Virginia Carolina, Pickin' Buds and more

Junior Sisk is among the best of the best bluegrass singers, and his traditional musical style is both critically and commercially successful. Read more in Friday's Extra.

Details: 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Franklin County High School, Rocky Mount. $5 for the early show. $10 for the evening concert. Show daytime ticket at the door and pay only $5 more for evening show. 489-7500, fcfc.info, juniorsiskandramblerschoice.com, www.freewebs.com/vacarolina, pickinbuds.com.

The Pullouts

With Frantic Recovery

Get a double-slap of original rock, Roanoke Valley style.

Details: 9 p.m. Coffee Pot, Roanoke. $5. 774-8256, myspace.com/coffeepotroadhouseinc, myspace.com/thepull0uts, myspace.com/franticrecovery.

The Wright Kids

Jerry Springer's favorite little bluegrass pickers play at their musical home away from home.

Details: 6 p.m. Pop's Ice Cream and Soda Bar, Roanoke. Free. 345-2129, myspace.com/soda_bar, thewrightkids.com.

3 A.M. Friday

With The Situationist

This indie double-bill includes The Situationist, a good band that does not deserve the bad luck it has had, from a fire that destroyed its equipment to a theft of its newer gear. But does the act give up? No.

Details: 8:30 p.m. Bazaar Consignments, 675 Brandon Ave. SW, Roanoke. $3. myspace.com/3amfriday, myspace.com/thesituationistmusic.

Flynnville Train

Hear some hard-driving, rocked-up country from a band that recently signed with Toby Keith's Show Dog Nashville record label.

Details: 10 p.m. Corned Beef & Co., Roanoke. $5. 342-3354, cornedbeefandco.com, facebook.com/Flynnville.Train.

SUNDAY

Tenderhooks

With The Circus Band, The Judys

Knoxville-based rockers Tenderhooks hit Roanoke fairly regularly. Lucky Roanoke. The Circus Band, from Roanoke, describes itself as a variety show for the attention impaired.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke. $5. kirkavenue@gmail.com, kirkavenuemusic.com, myspace.com/tenderhooks, myspace.com/cirqueroanoke.

Le Hotclub de Biglick

Hear Gypsy jazz from some of Roanoke's best musicians.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Rockfish Food & Wine, Roanoke. $5. 904-5454, rockfishfood.com, www.lehotclub.com.

MONDAY

Kyle Hollingsworth Band

With Revision

String Cheese Incident keyboardist Hollingsworth brings his solo project to town.

Details: 8 p.m. Attitudes Bar and Cafe, Blacksburg. $10 advance; $12 door. 552-7001, attitudesbar.com, inticketing.com, kylehollingsworth.com, revisionmusic.com.

TUESDAY

Acoustic Lounge

With Amy Alls, Chris Shepard, Cliff Beach, Randolph Walker

Four quality singer/songwriters each perform about 20 minutes. Ten audience members perform one song each. Then it's an open jam.

Details: 8 p.m. Studio Roanoke, 30 Campbell Ave., Roanoke. $5 at door. studioroanoke.org.

WEDNESDAY

Chris Knight

Hear one of the best singer-songwriters in alt-country music. Read more about Knight in Monday's Extra section.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Kirk Avenue Music Hall. $20. kirkavenue@gmail.com, kirkavenuemusic.com, chrisknight.net

VA Folk-Jazz Trio

This act delivers tasty jazz tunes and quality instrumental work.

Details: 9:30 p.m. The Cellar, Blacksburg. Free. 953-0651, the-cellar.com, myspace.com/vafolkjazz.