Courtesy photo

Friday

Derek Trucks Band With Joe Pug

On a weekend with way too much going on, this act stands out. Trucks is way familiar with his roots -- Duane Allman, Elmore James, Charlie Christian, John Coltrane, Ali Akbar Khan -- but he is so much more than a reflection of those geniuses. With his Coricidin medicine bottle slide and his fingers, he's creating a new language on guitar, and he has a backing band that complements him beautifully. Don't believe me? Carlos Santana calls Trucks "a minister" in the latest issue of Guitar Player magazine. Read more about Trucks at roanoke.com/extra/wb/180964.

Opening act Pug is an old-school folkie whose lyrics have drawn raves from Paste and Spin magazines, and his voice is really strong, too.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday. Jefferson Center, Roanoke. $34 and $28. 345-2550, jeffcenter.org, derektrucks.com, myspace.com/thejoepug.

Friday

Here Come the Mummies

Mysterious, heavily-bandaged studio session monsters from Nashville, Tenn., will arise from their respective sarcophagi Friday night to help Valley Forward raise money to put grand pianos in William Fleming and Patrick Henry high schools. By the way, the music is mighty funky -- even funkier than Steve Martin's "King Tut." On their Web site, the Mummies promise to funk so hard it will make your cat explode. Note to PETA: We're sure they're kidding.

Details: 9 p.m. Friday. Awful Arthur's, Towers Shopping Center, Roanoke. $25. 777-0007, mummiesfundraiser.com, herecomethemummies.com.

The Cool Kids

With Kid A

Last year, Rolling Stone listed the Cool Kids among its artists to watch for 2007. Now you can watch the Chicago duo at Hollins' Oktoberfest. The flow is reminiscent of Q-Tip -- lyrics are more goofy than filthy, but with that kind of gruff-voice and (at times) pseudo-lethargic delivery. And the Kids rock the bells, among other minimalist standbys.

Details: 8:30 p.m. Hollins University, Moody Student Center, Roanoke. $10 for non-Hollins students. Over 18 admitted with college ID. hollins.edu/calendar, myspace.com/thecoolkids, myspace.com/kida.

Carolina Chocolate Drops

The third annual Mountain Music Concert features one of the most interesting young bands around. The Drops specialize in playing the old-time style -- which is important, because people forget the role that black Americans played in creating what's often thought of as Scotch-Irish music. But it's not just an academic exercise. This band is fun to hear and see.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday. The Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg. $15 in advance and $18 at the door for adults; $12 and $15 for students. 961-73446, communityopportunities.org; carolinachocolatedrops.com.

Tonight

Chris Smither

His weathered voice, great songwriting skills, killer guitar playing and unique world view are all reasons to check out this show. Check out this podcast from last year -- roanoke.com/entertainment/insideout/podcasts/wb/141202.

Details: 8 tonight. Kirk Avenue Music, 22 Kirk Ave., downtown Roanoke. $20. 589-0546, smither.com.

Arkadelphia

With Vulture Whale and Red Clay River

Arkadelphia and Vulture Whale are headed home to Birmingham, Ala., from the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City. Homeboys Red Clay River did the MusicCast -- blogs.roanoke.com/musiccast/r/red_clay_river.html.

Details: 8 p.m. The Water Heater, 813 Fifth St. S.W., Roanoke. $6. thewaterheater.blogspot.com, myspace.com/arkadelphia, myspace.com/vulturewhale, myspace.com/redclayriver.

Front Porch Swing Bandleader

Scott Perry is just back from Black Mountain, N.C.'s LEAF festival, where he opened for Leon Redbone. Hear Perry and mandolinist Tom Ohmsen pick a mess of countrified jazz and blues.

Details: 8 p.m. Blue 5 Restaurant, downtown Roanoke. Free. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com, myspace.com/frontporchswingbooking.

Tonight and Friday

Sol Driven Train

Guillain-Barre syndrome nearly destroyed Sol Driven Train frontman Joel Timmons' life. Fortunately, he's recovered, and his band is on the road, bringing its Folly Beach, S.C., brand of roots-reggae to the valleys.

Details: 10 tonight at Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill in Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com. 9:30 p.m. Friday at Gillie's in Blacksburg. Free. 961-2703, gilliescuisine.com, myspace.com/soldriventrain.

Friday

Jah Works

The Baltimore, Md.,-based reggae band has been at it for more than a decade.

Details: 9:30 p.m. Friday. The Lantern, Blacksburg. $6. 951-1019, thelanternblacksburg.com, myspace.com/jahworksband.

Friday and Saturday

Ballyhoo!

Rocking reggae act from Aberdeen, Md., makes it an Awful Arthur's twofer.

Details: 10 p.m. Friday at the downtown Roanoke Awful Arthur's (344-2997). 10 p.m. Saturday at the Blacksburg Awful Arthur's (443-9109). Call venues for cover charge. Band info at myspace.com/ballyhoo.

Saturday

Jordan Harman Band

Check out one of this year's FloydFest emerging artists.

Details: 10 p.m. Saturday. Blues BBQ Co., downtown Roanoke. Free. 344-5683, myspace.com/bluesbbqco, myspace.com/jordanharmanband.

Old Crow Medicine Show

You know it. You love it. The band comes back to Roanoke with a pack of good, interesting original songs, including "Humdinger" -- about tearing it up with wine, whiskey and guns -- to add levity to a set of more serious tunes from new CD "Tennessee Pusher." Read more in an article at roanoke.com/entertainment/insideout/music.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday. Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre at the Roanoke Civic Center. $25 and $20. 853-5483, (888) 397-3100, tickets.com, roanokeciviccenter.com.

Sunday

Sierra Hull and Highway 111

She's just 18, but this prodigy is already a monster mandolin player with a sweet singing voice. Hull and Highway 111 open this season's Appalachian Jams series at the Jeff.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Jefferson Center, Roanoke. $18; students half price. 345-2550, jeffcenter.org, sierrahull.com.

Monday

Plan 9 Halloween Party

With DJ Pinky Hugglesworth, DJ Dickie, the Wading Girl and the Bastards of Fate

On this day, at least, you can't complain about Mondays. Plan 9 slings the music and plans a costume contest with prizes. And hey -- good music!

Details: 4 to 9 p.m. Monday. Plan 9 Records, 1314 Grandin Road S.W., Roanoke. Free, all ages. 985-6699, myspace.com/plan9roanoke.

Wednesday

The New Familiars

Calling fans of the Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show. You will dig this band, which is following the same muse of the aforementioned groups, but brings its own vibe to the proceedings. The band tore up Blues BBQ a couple of weeks back, capping it off with a cover of the Who's "Baba O'Riley."

Details: 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Lantern, Blacksburg. Free. 951-1019, thelanternblacksburg.com, myspace.com/thenewfamiliars.