Live Music Picks, Schedule for July 20-21 weekend

The Ben Miller Band performs at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville on Saturday night.

This weekend, Eurekans have not one but two great opportunities to enjoy some great, free-wheeling, makes-you-wanna-shake-it, Americana-rock music from a band from Lexington, Kentucky.

After playing guitar and trumpet for two of Lexington's most popular local bands, The Swells and The Big Maracas, for nearly a dozen years, Warren Byrom and a cast of Central Kentucky all-star musicians got together and recorded their debut album, "The Fabled Canelands." The moniker stuck.

Warren Byrom & The Canelands from Coleman Guyon on Vimeo.

Released in June 2010, the album features fellow bandmates Chris Sullivan, Scott Wilmouth and Andy Mason, as well as Robbie Cosenza (Fanged Robot, These United States), Daniel Mohler (The Other Brothers) and James Friley (Idiot Glee), and while the instruments include everything from organ and piano to violin, trumpet and steel guitar, at the center, standing out, lie Byrom's vocals: "stark, intimate, honest and moving," one critic has said.

The album, equal parts modern and timeless, folk and country, Americana and good-timing rock-and-roll, has a decidedly rustic Kentucky vibe. Byrom says much of his music has influences in bluegrass, the blues and country as well as classic rock (Steely Dan) and British pop-rock (The Kinks).

Warren Byrom & The Fabled Canelands performs at Chelsea's Friday night at 9:30 p.m. and at Cathouse Lounge / Pied Piper Pub on Saturday night, according to the band's Facebook page.

Check out some of the group's music here.

If I were wanting to get out and hear some good music Saturday, I would definitely head to Fayetteville for a great double-bill show at George's Majestic Lounge.

Tyrannosaurus Chicken -- the winner of the 2011 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase and one of the rowdiest and most unique bands in the state -- plays inside while the Ben Miller Band plays in the garden.

Hailing from Jopllin, Mo., The Ben Miller Band is a one-of-a kind trio that combines the frenetic energy of bluegrass, the soul of the Delta blues and the haunted spirit of Appalachian mountain music. Band members Ben Miller, Scott Leeper, and Doug Dicharry create a unique and modern sound while continuing the tradition of blending together many different musical styles, which has long been a trait of their native Ozarks.

A poet and songwriter since childhood, Miller started playing guitar at age 16. He soon left his home in Curlew, Wash., and began his musical career on the streets of Northern Europe, playing his distinctive Delta-blues slide guitar and honing his one-man-band performance style, which now includes guitar, banjo, harmonica, and foot percussion.

Washtub bass player Scott Leeper also sings backup vocals with pitch-perfect harmony for The Ben Miller Band. Comprised of a weed eater string attached to a wooden pole, this is not your ordinary bass.

Drummer and percussionist Doug Dicharry plays drums, trombone, trumpet, mandolin, percussion, electric washboard, and electric spoons for the Ben Miller Band.

Despite the eccentric and out-of-the-box appearance of The Ben Miller Band, "we're not some kind of gimmick band," says Miller. "Just because we use junk to make music doesn't mean we aren't serious about it. We are legitimately making real music, and when you hear us play I think you get that."

Together for the past eight years, and playing over two hundred shows every year, The Ben Miller Band has crafted a tight, dynamic, and amazingly original sound that captivates and embraces people of all generations.

Following is the schedule for the weekend at Eureka Springs venues:

* Squid and Whale: Open Mic Musical Smackdown with Bloody Buddy, 7:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Tavern (Highway 62): Karaoke with Big Dawg, Bike Night

* Jack's Place / Centerstage Live: Karaoke, 9 p.m.

* Chaser's: Tacos & Tequila, all night

* New Delhi Cafe: Skillet Lickers, 6 p.m.

* Chelsea's: One Man Band Night

* Cathouse Lounge/Pied Piper: Jukebox Party with Alex, 8 p.m.

* Chelsea's: Warren Byrom & Fables Canelands, 9:30 p.m.

* Jack's Place / Centerstage Live: Whiskey Grin, 9 p.m.

* Voulez-Vous Lounge: Big Bad Gina, 9 p.m.

* Squid and Whale: Black Water (Southern rock), 9 p.m.

* Berean Coffee House: Worship Circle, 7 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Tavern (Highway 62): Getting Rowdy with Jukebox Fest, 7:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Den (downtown): John Harwood, 7 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe: James White Trio CD Release Party, 6:30 p.m.

* Chaser's: Fetish (classic rock), 9 p.m.

* Eureka Live!: Customer Appreciation Night & "Guinea Pig" Specials

* Cathouse Lounge: Warren Byrom & the Fabled Canelands, 9:30 p.m.

* Jack's Place / Centerstage Live: Whiskey Grin, 9 p.m.

* Squid & Whale: Black Water (Southern rock), 9:30 p.m.

* Voulez-Vous Lounge: Big Bad Gina, 9 p.m.

* Chelsea's: Centerfuze, 9:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver (Highway 62): Left of Center, 7:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Den (downtown): Quitters, 7 p.m.

* Chaser's: Act A'Fool, 9 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe: Skillet Lickers, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Local music, 6:30 p.m.

* Eureka Live!: Live DJ and Dancing, 9 p.m.

* New Delhi Cafe: Gospel Sunday Brunch with Brick-Fields, 11 a.m., Jason Gordon, 4 p.m.

* Squid and Whale: Blue Moon, 8:30 p.m.

* Rowdy Beaver Den (downtown): Open Mic Night

* Chelsea's: Contraband, 4-8 p.m.

* Eureka Live!: Live DJ and Dancing, 9 p.m.

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Deadline for venues to submit their events for inclusion is noon Mondays. Events should be emailed to ccneditor@cox-internet.com and/or phoned in to 479-981-9419 by noon Monday each week.