Even with the loss of two music venues in the past six months (A Dough Re Mi moved to a smaller location and The Village Tavern closed its doors), there are still a great deal of choices musically. Space (and time) allow me to list just a few this week.

Fuji Sushi Bar & Grill (in the Belle Hall Shopping Center) has live music every Tuesday night from 7-9 p.m. I've played there the last couple of weeks with my buddy ("Kung Fu" Jerry Beale) and we've had a blast.

Buddy Roe's Shrimp Shack features its owner Ronnie Johnson and Chris Clifton Thursday to Sunday. Also appearing on some Wednesdays are Jacob & Jason from Category Six.

Coming to Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island Friday, Aug. 27, it's Gaslight Street. With a sound grown from influences ranging from the Neville Brothers to Molly Hatchet, Gaslight Street manages to consistently maintain a signature style that holds its own. Saturday, it's Travis Allison Band. Travis Allison and band are based in Charleston and fuse rock, folk, blues, soul and country to forge a unique signature sound.

On Sunday it's Ten Toes Up from Murrells Inlet, SC. Ten Toes Up started with founding members Adam Miller and Charles Freeman playing together in a small church in a small town.

My pick for this column is, Xavier Rudd & Izintaba Wednesday,Sept. 1 at the Windjammer. Xavier Rudd has been a favorite of mine since I heard his first release, 2002's To Let. If pushed hard to compare him to anyone, I think Paul Simon would be the best point of reference I could use. This New South Wales, Australia native blends reggae, funk, soul and folk music into his richly crafted tunes to create a global sound that is infectiously groove laden.

Indeed, where he's been has an immense impact on where he's going musically. He explains: "I've absorbed so much culture and energy from where I've traveled, and it becomes a part of me."

His musical output has always kept a consistent focal point, surrounding which is an ever-expanding pool of musical and spiritual influence that grows with each release.

(Stu Johnson is a local musician. To read this entire column visit www.moultrienews.com.Email the East Cooper Music Scene at allnightjohnson@gmail).