Sarah Woolf of Follow the Woolf has your guide to Arkansas’ music scene.

Around Little Rock

Wednesday
Grace Askew, White Water Tavern 2500 W 7th St. 8:30, $10. This Soulful Country Roots Rock artist is a staple in the Memphis music scene. With 6 albums, a decade of touring under her belt and accolades from national publications; “Sultry” says Rolling Stone, “Astoundingly Defiant,” Spin, and “Killer slide guitar player with a sultry swagger,” Los Angeles magazine says. This is a show sure to get you over the midweek hump.  www.graceaskew.com
Thursday
NPR’s Tiny Desk Arkansas. Stickyz Rock & Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Rd. 7:00, $10 Suggested Donation to KUAR, the Central Arkansas NPR affiliate.
Come on out as KUAR host this special fundraiser brining together 3 unique and uniquely different Little Rock bands who have entered NPR’s tiny desk concert.  The progressive “surf-punk” of Black Horse, the unique music of husband and wife duo Monsterboy, and closing the night will be Central Arkansas Rock R&B favorites Dazz & Brie.  Come on out and support our local NPR station and enjoy this one of a kind night of Little Rock music.
Hoe Down with Dave Miller and Rocktown Revival, White Water Tavern, 8:30, $7, Dave has been touring, performing, and writing songs for five decades.  He comes to the White Water tonight with some down home music and fun.  He’ll have CDs and T-shirts for sale, and free posters to the first 40 people.  Come on out for a classic night of drinkin’, dancin’ and good times. (Just don’t forget your designated driver, uber, or taxi)  https://davemillerrocktown.com
Chris DeClerk, YaYa’s Euro Bistro 17711 Chenal Parkway, 6-9.  Come on out to the patio and enjoy this beautiful summer night with delicious food and great music from one of Little Rock’s favorite singer songwriters.
The Supersuckers, Speedealer, OC45, Four Quarter Bar 415 Main St. NLR, 9:00, $12.  Part outlaw, part rockabilly, but all Rock & Roll, Eddie Spaghetti and the Supersuckers have been rocking crowds since 1988 and show no signs of slowing down. I’ve seen them several times and can’t wait to see them again. This is a fun high voltage show not to be missed.  Advanced tickets available at www.centralarkansastickets.com
Friday
Outlaw Country Music Festival, Verizon Arena, 4:30, $28 – $100, The festival is headlined by the one and only Willie Nelson and Family in support of his latest album “Last Man Standing,” his is joined by other Country and Americana heavyweights Sturgill Simpson, The Head and the Heart, Ryan Bingham, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, and more.  This one of a kind, one night only in the Rock, festival is one no one will want to miss.  Advanced tickets available through www.ticketmaster.com
Ten Penny Gypsy with Buddy Case, YaYa’s Euro Bistro 17711 Chenal Parkway. 6:30 – 9:30. Come on out to the patio for a night of great food and great music from Little Rock folk rock duo Ten Penny Gypsy, joined tonight by guitar great Buddy Case.
Celebration of KAAY The Mighty 1090,  CALS Ron Robinson Theater, 7-9, Free. Come join original KAAY on-air personalities Bob Robbins, Sonny Martin, Clyde Clifford, Bob Steele, David B. Treadway, and Barry Mac as they reminisce and tell the story of the legendary Arkansas radio station KAAY.  Moderated by Tom Wood this free event will be a very special night down memory lane. Seating is limited so don’t miss out.
Lattes & Laughs: A Comedy Showcase, Guillermo’s Coffee, Tea & Roastery, 10700 N Rodney Parham Rd.  8:00, $5.  So the bar scene isn’t your thing, or maybe you just need your funny bone tickled, if so come on out to Guillermo’s for night one of “The Summer Comedy Showcase” This will be a monthly event hosted by one of Little Rock’s favorite funny men Jay Jackson. Tonight they welcome, from Memphis the co-host of Black Nerd power podcast Richard Douglas Jones, joined by other Memphis comics Basial, and Doug Gillon.  Try not to spill one of the best cups of coffee in Little Rock as these guys showcase their talent for you.
The Sideshow Tragedy & Dusky Waters, White Water Tavern 2500 W 7th St. 9-12, Indie blues-roots-rock duo from Austin Texas The Sideshow Tragedy are joined tonight by multi-instrumentalist singer songwriter Jennifer Jeffers aka Dusky Waters. “Every Dusky show is an intimate experience where she enchants listeners with intricate layers of melodies, and stories told through soulful lyricism.”
Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts, Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack 107 River Market Avenue,  10:00-1, $6. Central Arkansas Southern Rockers Stephen Neeper & the Wild Hearts bring their high energy Rock & Roll to the Chicken Shack tonight for a night of classic Southern Rock & Roll.  When you leave the Outlaw Music Festival don’t go home, keep the party going at Stickyz.
Dazz & Brie, GiGi’s Soul Cafe & Lounge 10840 Maumelle Blvd, Maumelle, 9:00, VIP table $20, GA $15.  Fresh from their trip to NYC come join Central Arkansas favorite Rock R&B duo Dazz & Brie as they bring their one of a kind funky sound to GiGi’s. for reservations call 501-800.2888.
Billy Don Burns, The Great Whiskey Rendezvous, Four Quarter Bar 415 Main St. NLR, 10:00.  A legendary outlaw singer songwriter Billy Don Burns has played with, sang with, and wrote for some of the best in country music.  Joined tonight by Conway Arkansas’ Blues Rock Jam band The Great Whiskey Rendezvous.  With one of the best late night kitchens in the Rock (open till 1:30) what a great way to close down Friday night!
Saturday
Hot Summer Jam Block Party Concert 2018, First Security Amphitheater (the River Market) Gates at 3:30, show at 4:30, Platinum VIP 127.00 – seats $50, GA lawn $35.  National R&B artist Keyshia Cole, Joe, Dru Hill, H-Town, Q & Daron P from 112 bring this special one night only Summer Jam to the Rock. Joined by some of the Rock’s R&B heavyweights Haywood King, Dee Dee Jones, and Rodney Block this will be a show not to be missed. tickets at www.xorbia.com
The Whole Famn Damily with Jamie Lou and The Hullabaloo, Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack 107 River Market Ave. 9-11:45 $7 Come out and enjoy a night of Rock & Roll from two of Central Arkansas favorites.
Chucky Waggs & the Company of Raggs, Four Quarter Bar 415 Main St. NLR, 9-1 Waggs & Company will be playin songs, tellin tales, drinkin beers, and doing their best to entertain you and take you away from your worries like a good night of music should.
Illusionaut CD Release Party, Vino’s Pizza-Pub Brewery, 8-12, $7.  Come out and support Little Rock space, dream prog rockers Illusionaut as they release their new cd “Snow Queen.” Ryan Cook – Vocals, Jerry Vigil Cardova – Bass, Logan Kennedy – Drums, Derek Reed- Guitar. www.illusionaut.com
Brian Nahlen, Reno’s Argenta Cafe, 312 Main St. NLR, 10-12:30.  Enjoy a night with one of Little Rock’s favorite singer songwriters as he plays his originals and some of your classic favorites.
Adam Faucett album release show with special guest Isaac Alexander, White Water Tavern 10:00, $10
The long-awaited, much-anticipated, 5th release from one of Central Arkansas’ most acclaimed singer songwriters Adam Faucett is finally here.  Come out and hear It Took the Shape of a Bird from Adam Faucett and his band The Tall Grass. He will have CDs and T-shirts for sale at the show; then stick around for another great Little Rock singer songwriter Isaac Alexander and pick up his latest solo album Like a Sinking Stone, released last year.  For those few unfamiliar with Adam Faucett I think this quote from Paste Magazine sums his perfomance up nicely: “Nothing can prepare you for the sound that comes out of his mouth when he sings – or bellows – his stellar songwriting. It is a soulful power beyond belief.”

Around Arkansas

El Dorado

Friday
Jamie Lou & The Hullabaloo, Griffin Restaurant, 101 East Locust St. 8-10.  It’s Friday Night Live!  Tonight the Griffin Restaurant presents Central Arkansas Jamie Lou & The Hullabaloo. This is a band that is quickly making a name for itself in Arkansas and surrounding states with their beautiful harmonies, great songwriting and musicianship.  Come on out tonight and see for yourself.

Hot Springs

Thursday
Couch Jackets/ Deep Sequence / Sabine Valley / Guys on a Bus, Maxine’s Live 700 Central Ave.  9-12. A night for lovers of all forms of Rock; from the groovy Couch Jackets to the alternative Sabine Valley this is sure to be a great night of music.

Eureka Springs

Friday
Benjamin Del Shreve, Upstairs at Grotto 39 Spring St. 6:30 – 9:30. Come relax and enjoy an intimate night with one of Arkansas most unique singer songwriters.

Fayetteville

Friday
Groovement/ Me Like Bees/ Deep Sequence, George’s Majestic Lounge 519 Dickson St. 10-2, $10.  Come on out and dance with Jonesboro Arkansas’ Groovement as they introduce their new lead vocalist, the soulful Oz Cullum.  Joined tonight by rock band Me Like Bees, and Little Rock’s prog-funk jam band Deep Sequence. Let your hair down and groove.

Conway

Friday
Trey Johnson with Chad Morris and Jay Gentry, Chad Morris opens. King’s 1020 Front St.  8:30 – 12  $5, A night of toe tappin feel good blues rock & roll from one of Little Rock’s favorite live performers Trey Johnson. Those that have seen him, including myself, can testify to that.  He is joined tonight by friends Chad Morris and Jay Gentry. Conway this will be a show you don’t want to miss.

Texarkana

Saturday
Trey Johnson with Jason Willmon  and Josh Lawrence, Hopkins Icehouse 301 E. 3rd St. Tonight Trey picks up his friends Josh Lawrence and the great harmonica player Jason Willmon.  This will be a night of toe tappin feel good blues rock & roll from Trey’s foot stompin guitar to Jason’s one of a kind harmonica.  Texarkana this is a show you don’t want to miss.

For your listening pleasure:

Colour Design: KABF 88.3: Thursday 9-11.  Central Arkansas community radio station KABF 88.3 has started a special Thursday night show showcasing Arkansas artist called All Access.  Thursday night they welcome one of Central Arkansas most unique and quickly up and coming bands, Color Design.  With the industrial, melodic, alternative sounds of a very talented band in comes Shawn Hood’s powerful post-hardcore vocals for a special hauntingly beautiful sound like none other.