On Thursday, Aug. 27, Buddy Roe’s Shrimp Shack will have Captain Wafer & the Oysters featuring guitarist Chris Clifton. Compared to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton, Clifton is a bona-fide, smokin’ hot, blues /classic rock, guitar slinger. Now if that isn’t enough to make you want to go, his backing band consists of John Etheridge, who is not only a great drummer, singer, band leader, and sound engineer, but is one of the coolest cat’s I’ve ever met. Still not enough? Well, rounding out this trio is none other than local bass wizard, Wayne Mitchum. If you add this great act, the comfortable venue that owner Ronnie Johnson has put together (with garage doors that raise so smokers can see and hear the music without having to come back inside) and a 9 p.m. start time, you come up with a great night of entertainment. And don’t forget the great food! I am going to try to make this show as I would love to see the band and want to try Buddy Roe’s Shrimp Burger.
As cofounder and leader of the seminal progressive bluegrass band New Grass Revival through 18 years during the 1970s and '80s, Bush may not be the only person responsible for newgrass, the wild bluegrass stepchild that features rock 'n' roll grooves and extended virtuosic jams, but since New Grass Revival's dissolution in 1989, Bush has certainly been one of the most brilliant of newgrass's many bright lights. Find out for yourself this Friday night, Aug. 28, when he will be at the Windjammer, along with Columbia, SC’s Woodwork Roadshow.find out more at www.the-windjammer.com
On Saturday Aug. 29, Frank Carlier and his All-Star band will be “Burning Up The Green” as they will be playing a special show to celebrate winning the Jerry Springer Show Song Contest. Frank entered his song from his last CD (Americana 101) entitled “I’m Going on The Jerry Springer Show”. Not only is the song a hoot but the rest of the CD is probably the best example of the Americana genre I’ve ever heard. www.awendawgreen.com.
If you are looking for something to do with your Sunday night, you could check out The Larry David Project. They throw a weekly Patio Party at the Wild Wing Café on Coleman Blvd. In Mount Pleasant. Hot wings, cold beer, and great live music ins a combination that’s hard to beat.
Every Monday night at Art’s Bar And Grill, it’s open mic night with local guitarist Everett Bigbee. Ev’s opening set alone is worth the trip and he draws some of the most talented musicians from the area, both amateur and professional. Check it out. Show up with your instrument and get on the list. It’s a lot of fun!
Every Tuesday night at A Dough Re Mi Pizza in the Sea Island Shopping Center on Ben Sawyer Blvd. the Lowcountry Blues Club hosts a Blues Jam. Starting at 8 p.m., blues musicians,  that have so far been as youg as 8 years old and as old as 65 jam with a core band of seasoned players. Bring your instrument and sign up to play some blues. This is also your chance to see me sing the blues but you got to show up early as they put me on first to get my set out of the way so the real musicians can take the stage and I can take my place at the sound board where I belong.
Mount Pleasant based Suncoast Promotions has started something really interesting with; The Charleston Music and Art Initiative. At 6:30 pm on Friday, Aug. 28, check out  the WALK Gallery Art Show and Reception which is catered by Home Team BBQ and then at 8 p.m., a concert featuring Randall Bramlett and Bonnie Bishop. All of this is happening at the Circular Congregational Church, 150 King Street in downtown Charleston.
Randall Bramblett has kept great company over the years. From his early career with Capricorn Records (Cowboy, Gregg Allman, Sea Level) to his more recent tours with Widespread Panic, Traffic and Steve Winwood, he has worked with the best in the business. Randall’s solo career began in the mid 70s with two critically acclaimed albums on Polydor Records (That Other Mile, Light of the Night) and has continued to the present with his most recent releases on Capricorn (See Through Me) and New West Records (No More Mr. Lucky, Thin Places).
Bonnie Bishop is a singer and a Texan…and, yes, all that insinuates. Brassy, original, soulful, with a whole lot of attitude, her music and her personality are one in the same. But your stereotypical chick singer she is NOT. She sings with the confidence of a woman who understands that the power of her voice lies in her ability to make the audience want more, not want less. She wails effortlessly and with style, free from the shrillness of a woman who is straining to find her notes in the stratosphere, and then just as easily, she swoops down into the depths of her range with a softness that is rich and full of emotion. Walt Wilkins once said, “Her voice can be a tornado through your trailer park or a warm summer breeze across your skin.” Ray Wylie Hubbard also commented “Bonnie reminds me of Marianne Faithful…before she was ravaged by heroine and time.” With her trademark rasp, it is a voice that is both spiritual and sensual, both exhilarating and painful. Coupled with a poignant writing style, this young artist has found a niche that is truly her own, and if talent still has a place in the world of commercial music, in the future we will see Bonnie Bishop sitting at the top of the list as one of the most successful artists of her generation.
Rarely do I write about shows in the Downtown Area, but Dan Henderson’s Suncoast Promotions was founded to bring quality artist’s to the Lowcountry and this show is a great example of his dedication. He deserves our support. Go to www.suncoastpromotions.com for ticket info.

Until next week, support live music and be nice to each other.
Contact Stu at allnightjohnsonatgmail.com