Passion and soul are two words that come to mind immediately when you hear JJ Grey's voice. Listen to 'Dew Drops" from the latest JJ Grey & Mofro release Orange Blossoms. Hear the plaintive emotional soul of the voice over the sparse yet full band arrangement underneath. It fits in well with the other cuts on the CD, which run the gamut from Southern Swamp funk blues to the Big Soul sound of bands like Sly & The Family Stone. Orange Blossoms is a collection of songs crafted by a master storyteller, full of great lyrics that touch you where passion lives, in your heart and soul. You can check out this and a few more CDs at www.mofro.net .

However, I imagine music with much thump, funk, heart and soul, would be the perfect band to see on a hot summer night, say, at the beach. Well, you'll get two chances this weekend when they come to the Windjammer on Friday, July 16 and Saturday July 17 nights! Tickets are $20 in advance, $23 day of show.

On Saturday, July 17 A Dough Re Mi and the Breakroom team up for the Brickyard Rockin' Blues Bash. Celebrating the re-opening for A Dough Re Mi in their new location (the Shoppes at Brickyard) they will have live music in the parking lot from 2-6 p.m. with The Lowcountry Blues Club. There is no charge or admission, but they do ask for no coolers, please. Food and beverages will be available.

Also on Saturday, join the South Carolina Aquarium for live music, food, celebrities and experts during a special evening benefitting the Gulf coast wildlife rescue. Hear personal accounts from select Aquarium staff members of recent trips to the Gulf, where they have aided in sea turtle rescue and vitally important dolphin surveying. Enjoy live performances by Red Top Ramblers, Henry's Attic and a special appearance from Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish, and Doug Jones and Gary Greene from Cravin' Melon. Cajun food provided by Krewe of Charleston, beer and non-alcoholic products will be served. Proceeds from the event will support the South Carolina Aquarium's wildlife care, conservation and rescue programs, as well as allow the Aquarium to lend world-class care and expertise to the Gulf. A percentage of the proceeds will be sent directly to the Gulf in support of Sea Turtle Recovery efforts at the Audubon Nature Institute. Tickets are $30 per person. Advance reservations suggested by calling (843) 577-FISH (3474). Additional donations will be accepted at the door. The event is held in partnership with Awendaw Green, Sewee Outpost, Krewe of Charleston and Palmetto Brewery.

Also doing a twofer this weekend, Big Bill Morganfield. He's the son of the late Mc Kinley Morganfield aka, Muddy Waters. After his father died, Morganfield retreated into learning the guitar and trying to come to grips with the loss of his father.

"Initially hearing the growling, cool-as-ice baritone, you sense there's something familiar about what you're listening to…" says Mark Uricheck of Elmore Magazine, "Big Bill Morganfield has the blood of his dad, Muddy Waters, in his music, but with each album he puts out, it's becoming increasingly apparent that Bill is his own man." With his latest release, Big Bill Morganfield affirms that the blues is indeed in his blood. The appropriately titled Blues In The Blood is proof positive that he inherited more than just a regal blues pedigree and a wonderfully menacing baritone voice from his father, but it documents the full maturation of Morganfields musical skills as a guitarist and songwriter and certifies that he is now a major talent in his own right. Morganfield will be at Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island this Friday and Saturday night. Tickets are $10 dollars.

And then on Sunday, July 18, Home Team presents The Randall Bramlett Band. While Bramblett may not be a household name, he is legendary within music circles for his songwriting and musicianship. He released a pair of acclaimed solo albums in the mid-'70s, then joined the jazz-rock outfit Sea Level, becoming their principal songwriter and vocalist. From there, Bramblett embarked on a path as a big-league, musical utility man (primarily sax and keys) and landed on the speed dial of some of the greatest names in rock history, including Traffic, Steve Winwood, Levon Helm and Bonnie Raitt. Along the way, although he did not resume his solo recording career, he continued to perform live with The Randall Bramblett Band. Then around the turn of the new millennium, he refocused on his recording career and signed a contract with New West Records. Now It's Tomorrow, his fourth for the label, represents an artistic peak in his long and stellar career. 10 p.m. -- $10, what a deal.

Well, that's about it, so until next week, support live music and be nice to each other.

(Stu Johnson can be contacted at sjohnson@allnightkungfu.com).