True Sound

Its been 25 years since Blacksburg began closing off the downtown and inviting folks to step out into the streets to hear the sounds of live music and taste the local cuisine. Coupled with its usual lineup of traveling bands, this year's Steppin Out is showcasing six local acts that have dominated the New River Valley music scene for nearly two decades.

"Part of what I try to do, and would like to do, is to equally present international talent and regional or local talent," said music coordinator Dylan Locke. "Steppin' Out offers a unique platform for some of these local performers to tap into a group of people who may not otherwise get to see them. Once they get that chance, hopefully a connection is made."

Two of these local bands are headlining each day. True Sound, the newest addition, will close the festivities Friday and the Yams from Outer Space, the longest running Steppin Out act, closes the event Saturday.

The info

When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: On College Avenue, Draper Road, Jackson Street and Main Street in downtown Blacksburg

Features: Continuous live music on several stages, more than 150 craft vendors and festival food. Children's activities (including inflatable fun) on Henderson Lawn on Saturday.

Admission: Free. Downtown parking and bus service on Blacksburg Transit is also free of charge.

Call: 951-0454

Net: dlpconcerts.com

FRIDAY

Paul Clark and the Lonesome Drifters

Paul Clark is playing his fifth Steppin' Out, and he brings his company of cowboy hats and classic country sounds to the main stage for a boot-scootin' rockabilly ball.

When: 5 p.m. Friday

Who: Paul Clark (rhythm guitar and lead vocals), Bob Shew (steel guitar and vocals), Bill Richardson (fiddle and vocals), Larry Houghton (upright bass), Ken Convery (drums), and Casey Elder (lead guitar and mandolin).

Style: "We sound like the country music of the early '50s -- Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Bob Wills -- and we also play some traditional old-time fiddle tunes, and some western swing," Clark said. "We're really at heart a honky tonk dance band. Two step, flat-footing , swing dance; we get a lot of dancers."

On Steppin' Out: "I think its a special gig. People can came out and see us who normally can't because we usually play late at night and in bars," Clark said. "This is a family environment and we like playing it for that reason."

Play it again: Drift over to the Cellar to catch Clark and his boys twang it out all night, beginning at 9:30 Friday night.

The Richard Jesse Project

Richard Jesse first played Steppin' Out more than a decade ago. Jesse, a Berklee-trained guitar player known for his skilled improvisations, performs before John Jorgenson, a nationally known virtuoso guitar player. "[It's] fun to give some of the local talent the opportunity to perform right before a national act," Dylan Locke said. "So that will be great for John Jorgenson to get a chance to hear Richard play and of course, Richard should love to get to hear John Jorgenson play."

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Who: Richard Jesse (guitar), Cameron McLaughlin (bass) and Sean Deel, drums

Style: "We play 80 to 90 percent original material," Jesse said. "We play every style that we can think of; rock, jazz, metal, classical, Middle Eastern, but always with the emphasis on tearing up the instruments. We're not about cool hair and pop tunes, that's not what it's about."

Play it again: If you like what you hear on Friday, catch the Richard Jesse Project on Saturday night at Champ's.

Electric Woodshed

As the sun begins to set over downtown Blacksburg on Friday, you better believe the Woodshed will escort in the night with some full-tilt rock 'n' roll reminiscent of Southern greats such as the Allman Brothers Band and Littlefeat. This is their 15th Steppin' Out and they'll play a special tribute to fallen percussionist Sterling Smiley, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2002.

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Who: Craig Counts (guitar), Dan Dunlap (guitar), Jonathan Barker (piano/organ), Greg Bump (bass), George Penn (drums)

Style: "We are a reminder of rock 'n' roll, a rock 'n' roll that still has its roots in musicianship, people playing their instruments and singing for a good time, " Counts said. "And Jonathan on the keys is a real treat. He can really blow your mind, and we're turning him loose for Steppin' Out."

On Steppin' Out: "It's great playing during an outdoor festival atmosphere, and it's a great slot with the sun going down," Counts said. "We always have a big crowd and [have] been a local town favorite. We live here and have roots here ... it's special."

True Sound

Playing their third straight Steppin' Out, these players have ruled Blacksburg's funk and hip-hop scene for some time now. All of the wheels are turning for this veteran five-piece machine that combines elements of rhythm and blues, gospel, rap, and rock and roll.

When: 9 p.m. Friday

Who: Genesis Osagboro (emcee and vocals), Karanja Burke (guitar), Cameron McLaughlin (bass), Keith "KC" Moyer (vocals) and George "King George" Penn (drums).

Style: "We play original music, funk and hip-hop with a nice stage show," Osagboro said. "And you gotta have hip-hop in the mix. I guarantee the majority of the people out there listen to it, and we represent it and keep it going."

On Steppin' Out: "It's always cool because you have so many people attending," Osagboro said. "And the sound can travel and you can hear it bounce all over the place. You can hear us from blocks away."

Play it again: "Shake ya buttz," as George Penn says, Friday night at 10 at Cinco De Mayo.

ALSO FRIDAY

7 p.m.: John Jorgenson, guitarist and founding member of the Desert Rose Band, the Hellecasters and six-year member of Elton John's band.

SATURDAY

The Kind

The Kind has been playing in Blacksburg and the New River Valley for 19 years, and this is its eighth performance on the Steppin' Out main stage. Perhaps Blacksburg's longest running regular act, the Kind brings the hippie sounds that flourished in the 1960s and '70s onto the modern stage.

When: 4 p.m. Saturday

Who: Wendy Godley (guitar and vocals), Tom Snediker (guitar and vocals), Steve "Slash" Hunt (bass), Danny Dunlap (guitar) and Rick Godley (drums).

Style: "We play improvisational and psychedelic rock and roll," Snediker said. "We do a lot of Grateful Dead tunes, and within those are some blues, bluegrass, country; a lot of styles. We also play some Jon Prine and Bonnie Raitt." On Steppin' Out: "It's a great opportunity for us to play a more family-oriented gig, because most of us teach music lessons and our students can came out and see us," said Rick Godley. "The sound is always good and we always get great response from the crowd, and they're real receptive to the music." Play it again: Groove over to Champ's Friday night at 10 to catch another few sets.

Yams from Outer Space

It's like a grand rock 'n' roll reunion when these Steppin' Out regulars close the event with a funky finale, and these class clowns always let it all hang out. An all-star collaboration of local players who began nearly 20 years ago, the Yams are known as much for their on-stage antics as they are for their solid stage chops.

When: 9 p.m. Saturday Who: Mike Kirby (guitar), Dylan Locke (bass), George Penn (drums), Mark Gibson (guitar), Jeff Pertchik (keyboards), plus a couple of other former Yam guest stars.

Style: "It's greasy funk in the spirit of George Clinton," Kirby said. "It's going be funky, it's going to funny, and it's going to be fun. It's going to be old friends who dig each others company, and who dig playing and getting together to have a great time at it."

On Steppin' Out: "We've always closed, and the streets are packed; the crowd is all amped up with people dancing and having a great time," Kirby said. "One year the stage was covered with random people dancing on stage in crazy costumes."

Play it again: End your Steppin' Out experience by getting dirty with Yams all night at Cinco de Mayo beginning at 10:30 Saturday.

ALSO SATURDAY

1 p.m.: The Pan Jammers steel orchestra and the Pan-A-Mania Steel Orchestra

2 p.m.: The Snax (preteen rock 'n' roll band)

3 p.m.: Mandara (group dances inspired by the cultures and tribes of the Middle East and North Africa)

5 p.m.: Blue Mule (contemporary acoustic)

6 p.m.: Latin Jazz Project (high-energy Latin music and contemporary jazz)

7 p.m.: DJ Williams Projekt (progressive jazz/R&B/hip-hop)

8 p.m.: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (roots, funky blues, gospel, and rock)