Sarah Woolf of Follow the Woolf has your guide to Arkansas’ music scene. This week, go see a Freddie Mercury tribute, the Toadies, the Rodney Block Collective and more.

Around Little Rock

Wednesday 9/19
Third Man Records Rolling Record Store/ Arkansas Record and CD Exchange – 4212 MacArthur Dr. NLR / 4-7
The Third Man Records Rolling Record Store from Nashville, TN is on the road again, and they’re making a stop at Arkansas Record and CD Exchange playing and selling some great music from their one-of-a-kind record label.  Make a purchase from their host and receive 10 percent off your purchase with them.  This is a fun event and a great chance to get to know some new music, and some private releases you can only get from them.
Jazz in the Park with Dizzy 7/ Little Rock River Market – 400 President Clinton Ave / 6-8 / Free
One of Little Rock’s favorite happy hours is back for its September sessions.  This free event hosted by the Little Rock River Market in partnership with the Art Porter Music Education and brings you some of Little Rock’s best jazz.  This weekd they welcome the return of Dizzy 7 as they put their unique sound to some of your favorite tunes from Motown, jazz, blues, big band, pop, rock and more. Kids are welcome.  Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
JJ Grey & Mofro with New Orleans Suspects/ Revolution Music Room – 300 President Clinton Ave / 8 / $32.50
A Rev Room favorite – JJ Grey & Mofro – returns. This Jacksonville, Fla. group is known for its blues, southern rock, R&B sounds.  From JJ’s bio:  From the days of playing greasy local juke joints to headlining major festivals, JJ Grey remains an unfettered, blissful performer, singing with a blue-collared spirit over the bone-deep grooves of his compositions.  When you see JJ Grey and his band Mofro live – and you truly absolutely must- the man is fearless.  Opening the show is the New Orleans supergroup the New Orleans Suspects. Starting back in 2009, under the name The Unusual Suspects, as a pick up group of some of the most seasoned and respected local artist, they quickly realized they had something special and by 2011 had become a full time band and renamed themselves The New Orleans Suspects; four CDs later and attracting large crowds from San Francisco to New York, they bring their one of a kind sound to the Rev Room.
Charley Crocket with Brad Williams/ Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack – 107 River Market Avenue / 8:30 / $15
Stickyz presents Texas singer-songwriter Charley Crockett.  From his early years in Texas and Louisiana to the subways of NYC where he was discovered and offered a record deal as part of the street group The Trainrobbers, Charley is a true original He declined the deal and headed west to California to find his own voice in the rapidly changing music industry. With a unique sound that blends his Jewish/white/Creole heritage with both new and traditional music, he is a true street-made original artist not to be missed.
Thursday 9/20
AfriCOBRA NOW OpeningReception/ Mosaic Templars Cultural Center – 501 W. 9th St / 6-8
Held in conjunction with the museum’s 10th anniversary collection “Respect: Celebrating 50 Years of AfriCOBRA,” the event will recognize all past and current members of the AfriCOBRA artist collective with a special recognition of Arkansas native and AfriCOBRA co-founder Jeff Donaldson. Live music will be provided by Afrodesia.
Friday 9/21
Mulehead/ Four Quarter Bar – 415 Main St. NLR / 10 / $7
Central Arkansas’ favorite rock n’ rollers Mulehead are back and “older than ever.” Come on out and enjoy some of your favorite old and older tunes.  Last time they were here, they blew the power out. Wonder what will happen this time?
The Fabulous Freddie Mercury Tribute with Randall Shreve / Revolution Music Room – 300 President Clinton Ave / 9 / $15 (VIP & tables sold-out)
The Drummerboy Infinity crew is back with their biggest tribute show yet as they pay tribute to the rock & roll royalty of Freddie Mercury and the music of Queen, featuring Arkansas’ own Randall Shreve.  If you’ve been to one of their tribute shows, or if you haven’t, this will be one not to be missed. With a full band of some of Central Arkansas’ most talented musicians, dancers and background singers, this is one for the books.  Get your tickets now for this unforgettable night.
Rodney Block Collective/ South on Main – 1304 Main St. / 10 / $15
Join the Rodney Block Collective for this special “Never Can Say Goodbye” concert/social to celebrate the end of my favorite season.  Kick back and relax with the band, DJ, and special guest artist.  Call 501-244-9660 to reserve seating.
Dylan Earl & the Reasons Why with Dazz & Brie/ White Water Tavern – 2500 W. 7thSt./ 9
In 2005, Dylan Earl, a Lake Charles, La. native, was displaced by a hurricane and ended up in Arkansas where he has made his home, and in 2011, co-founded the Americana band, Swampbird.  In 2014, he set off on a solo career and with his backing band, The Reasons Why, has toured tirelessly from coast-to-coast, Canada, the UK and parts of Europe and Scandinavia.  Opening the show is Central Arkansas rock & soul powerhouse Dazz & Brie.
Saturday 9/22
The Toadies with Recognizer/Illusionaut/ Revolution Music Room – 300 President Clinton Ave / 8 / $20 advance, $25 day of show
In 1994, if you turned on the radio or MTV you heard the band The Toadies and their breakout song “Possum Kingdom” from their album Rubberneck.  They returned to the studio in ‘98 and again in early 2000, but couldn’t find that magic, and the band dissolved a few months later.  In 2006, a one-off show became a full-fledged reunion and ever since The Toadies have steadily built momentum, playing to packed houses nation-wide, and festivals ACL and Lollapalooza, and releasing albums No Deliverance(2008), their lost album Feeler (2010), Play. Rock. Music (2012), the 20th anniversary edition of Rubberneck (2014), Heretics (2016) and The Lower Side of Uptown (2017.) Modern rock fans, this is a show not to miss. Opening the show are two of Little Rock’s own rock bands, Recognizer and Illusionaut. Get your tickets here.
The Hale You Say: Celebrating Jason Hale’s 48th Birthday/ Thirst N’ Howl – 14710 Cantrell Rd. / 8
Come on out and celebrate the birthday of local guitar man Jason Hale,  featuring Jason and his band The Personal Space Invaders, a special reunion of the infamous Hi-Balls, and closing the night with a special all-star jam.  This will be a party for this “wild and crazy guy” that you don’t want to miss.
Brian Nahlen/ Cregeen’s Irish Pub – 301 Main NLR / 8-11
Local singer-songwriter Brian Nahlen brings his originals and some of your favorites to North Main St. He might even play a song or two from his upcoming album Hiding Behind Blue Skies. 

Around Arkansas

El Dorado

Thursday 9/20
Charley Crockett/ Griffin Restaurant – 101 East Locust St. / 8
Thursday Night Live at the Griffin Restaurant is proud to present Texas singer-songwriter Charley Crockett.  From his early years in Texas and Louisiana to the subways of NYC where he was discovered and offered a record deal as part of the street group The Trainrobbers, Charley is a true original He declined the deal and headed west to California to find his own voice in the rapidly changing music industry.  With a unique sound that blends his Jewish/white/Creole heritage with both new and traditional music, he is a true street-made original artist not to be missed.

Hot Springs

Friday 9/21
Froggy Fresh Live at Spa-Con/ Hot Springs Convention Center / $35 weekend pass, $10 Opening Ceremony ticket.
YouTube music sensation Froggy Fresh kicks off this year’s Spa-Con.  He will also be participating in a panel on “Becoming a YouTube Sensation. For tickets and more information visit www.spa-con.com
Saturday 9/22
Sam Pace and the Gilded Grit, Kill Vargas and Adam Faucett/ Maxine’s Live – 700 Central Ave./ 9/ $7
Down and dirty rock & roll of Sam Pace & the Gilded Grit mixed with the powerful singer songwriter Adam Faucett will make for a very special night of music.

Russellville

Friday 9/21
On the Water, William Blackart and Landrest/ The Cavern – 316 W. B St. / 8 / Donation for touring artist.
On the Water is a heavy folk band from Philadelphia, While William Blackart and Landrest are both Arkansas acts. William Blackart  is a singer-songwriter from Central Arkansas in support of his upcoming release, Return, and Landrest is a rock band from Hot Springs.

Fayetteville

Friday 9/21
Mountain Sprout/ George’s Majestic – 519 Dickson St. / 9:30 / $10
Those wild men from the mountain will be back at George’s for a fun and rowdy time of good-time rockin’ bluegrass.

Eureka Springs

Sunday 9/23
Me & Him (Opal Agafia and Michael Schembre) / Wanderoo Lodge – 216 W. Van Buren
Come out and enjoy some great food and some great music as local favorites Opal and Michael (Me & Him) play some tunes some of their originals and some of your favorites.

Jonesboro

Saturday 9/22
The Funk Donors’ Last Dance/ Cregeen’s Downtown / 9
Come celebrate one last dance with one of Jonesboro’s favorite jam bands with members old and new and wish them well on their continued musical journey wherever it may take them.
RELATED: Check out more of Sarah Woolf’s music coverage. Remember, follow the Woolf!
(Photo courtesy of Drummerboyinfinity)