Former Roanoker Allen Thompson brings his Allen Thompson Band to Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill on Friday.

Former Roanoker Allen Thompson has signed his first record deal. The Nashville, Tenn.-based singer/songwriter, who brings his Allen Thompson Band to Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill on Friday, will release the EP "Salvation in the Ground" on Palaver Records. The record is set for an early summer release.

Thompson said in a news release that he was impressed with how hard Palaver worked for his friends in the eclectic roots-based band Buffalo Clover.

"So I was both surprised and ecstatic when they asked if I would like to join them," Thompson said of Palaver. "I look forward to working with Palaver to begin a new phase in our careers."

On its website, www.palaverrecords.com, the Nashville-based company calls itself "a multi-faceted music label" that sets out "to discuss every angle of your music act, and to collaborate with you to guarantee your music, personality, and goals remain intact. We support musicians — we don't exploit them."

The label's Twitter feed included a link to photos of Thompson and crew recording at the Bomb Shelter in Nashville. See the photos at tinyurl.com/6oh4j5p.

CHECK 'EM OUT

Who: Allen Thompson Band, with Relacksachian

When: 9 p.m. Friday

Where: Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke

How much: Free

Info: 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, allenthompsonmusic.com, facebook.com/Relacksachian

Go to the music blog to read a quick e-mail Q&A with Thompson.