Mandolin enthusiasts, make a note: Two of the best on the instrument are coming to play Roanoke.

Adam Steffey, whose resume is as big as his playing skills, and Kym Warner of The Greencards hit Kirk Avenue Music Hall tonight.

Expect to hear tunes from Steffey's recent CD, "One More for the Road" (Sugar Hill), as well as Greencards tunes -- the band's song "The Crystal Merchant" just received a Grammy nomination for best country instrumental performance.

The mando duo will play some cool covers, too, Steffey said.

And maybe, just maybe, special guests from the Roanoke Valley region will be on hand. Steffey played with Lonesome River Band when it was based in Franklin County, and Steffey continues to perform with that band's former singer, Dan Tyminski.

Steffey married a woman with Roanoke and New River Valley ties, clawhammer banjo specialist Tina Steffey. The couple lived in Salem till recently, and he has made a bunch of friends among the bluegrass and old-time players around here.

"I can't promise anything," Steffey said. "But you never know what might happen."

The Roanoke show will be the first in a run of six dates for the mandolin men. The idea came together as Steffey and Warner kept running into each other and realized that with the festival season done, there was a chance to get out and tear it up together.

-- Tad Dickens