Americana artists return to The Attic to "Jam"

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Chicago Street Theatre’s “One Night Jam” series continues tomorrow (4/25) with a performance by singer/songwriter Gurf Morlix and special guest Ralston Bowles. The two artists team up for an intimate evening of storytelling and Americana/Roots music in the venue’s upstairs Edith B. Wood Performance Studio.

Gurf Morlix is touring in support of his latest album, “Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense,” ten songs of desperation and desire, delivered in an almost unsettlingly honest style. Though Morlix is best known for his production skills on successful albums by artists like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Lucinda Williams, and Robert Earl Keen, his own records are top spins by Folk/Roots stations across the country and in Europe. More: gurfmorlix.com

Sharing the bill with Morlix for this “One Night Jam” is Grand Rapids singer/songwriter Ralston Bowles who has been called "the godfather of West Michigan's acoustic music scene." An award-winning musician, Bowles has opened concerts for many top names during his career, including Shawn Colvin, T Bone Burnett, Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan. More: ralstonbowles.com

Experiencing these two artists in CST's super intimate studio venue often called "Edie's Attic," is like having them perform in one’s living room; the loft studio is located inside Chicago Street Theatre (154 W. Chicago St.) in downtown Valparaiso. Showtime is 8pm, all ages welcome, tickets are $15. Tix and show info: chicagostreet.org or (219) 464-1636.

• The Darren Enloe Band (facebook.com/darrenenloe) has been working the last few months on their six-song EP, “Masterplan.” An email last week from group guitarist Bill Jones targets the original music project being completed by this week. Hear the DEB’s songs debuted – some recorded and some performed live in studio – when the group guests live on 89.1FM-Lakeshore Public Radio’s “Midwest BEAT with Tom Lounges” program this Tuesday at 6pm. Stream the broadcast in real time at: lakeshorepublicmedia.org/radio.

• Brothers Kenny and Travis Fugate both lifelong region musicians will host a birthday celebration to honor their late brother Rick Fugate who passed away last year. The 9pm event Saturday (4/26) at The Sunset Lounge (5844 US Hwy. 6) in Portage features live music by local bands Dreamz, Overdue, Mr. Right, Sinister Sam and Metal Mayhem.

“Rick’s church (Barrington Ridge Baptist Church) is building ‘Rick’s Room’ in his memory for the kids at the church and the $5 donation requested at the door for this event will be donated to the church to help with the cost of the room,” said Kenny Fugate. More info: facebook.com/Remembering Rick Fugate.

• Chicago’s world-class blues label Alligator Records has be fairing well in recent months on the television landscape by working music from their roster of artists into popular TV shows. Recordings by Professor Longhair, Corey Harris and Anders Osborne have been heard on top shows this month.

Longhair's “Whole Lotta Lovin’” from his “Crawfish Fiesta” album is the opening theme song for “My Big Redneck Family,” now airing weekly on the CMT network. Harris’ “Moosemilk Blues” from his “Fish Ain't Bitin’” CD and Osborne's “On The Road To Charlie Parker” from his “American Patchwork” CD both appeared in the April 1 episode of CBS Television's number one drama series, “NCIS,” starring Mark Harmon whose father Tom Harmon hailed from Gary, Indiana. More on Alligator and its artists: alligator.com

• Alt-rockers Chevelle – anchored by brothers Sam and Pete Loeffler of Gurnee, Illinois – have released their seventh album via Epic Records titled “La Gargola” (Spanish for “The Gargoyle”). The music is heavier than most of Chevelle’s past work; as might be expected since the songs were inspired by horror movie themes.

The hometown platinum group (who have to date sold over four million records and charted with six #1’s and thirteen Top 5’s) teamed up once again with studio wiz Joe Baressi who produced Chevelle’s previous album, “Hats Off to the Bull.” The first single from the new album is “Take Out the Gunmen.” More: getmorechevelle.com.

• Fans of iconic rockin’ cult band The Flamin' Groovies should not miss the group’s House of Blues (329 North Dearborn) gig on May 9th as it will be the first time in their storied career that the Cyril Jordan/Chris Wilson line-up of the Groovies have performed live in Chicago!

This show celebrates the recent reformation of the historic Cyril Jordan, Chris Wilson, George Alexander line-up that rocked the world from 1971 - 1980. Their recent single "End of the World" marks the first Jordan/Wilson-penned tune since 1979 and the lads are presently working on a full-length film documentary titled “The Incredible Flamin’ Groovies.” This tour features newcomer Victor Penalosa on drums. HOB info: (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com/Chicago.

• After an incredible 2013 run around the globe, Paul McCartney's “Out There” world tour has been confirmed for another half dozen U.S. dates this summer. Paul opens the 2014 U.S. leg on June 14 with his first ever appearance in the hometown of his beloved music idol Buddy Holly at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Concerts in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Utah have also been booked with more U.S. dates soon to be announced and one is expected to be in Chicago. Watch this column for updates.

Email Tom Lounges at beatboss@aol.com