Gig Guide
Leon Russell with Abby Owens
FRIDAY AT THE COX CAPITOL THEATRE
Leon Russell is rock's Forrest Gump. He began his career as a session man, playing on hits for artists like the Byrds and Paul Revere and the Raiders, and he sat in the studio band for ABC's "Shindig!" In the 1970s, he organized bands for Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen and George Harrison's Bangladesh benefit. The former helped launch his career as a solo artist, and in that capacity, he's collaborated with the likes of Elton John (who claims Russell as a major early influence), Brian Wilson and Neil Young. His songs have been covered by a who's who of pop royalty, and his record labels have helped launch the careers of artists like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, J.J. Cale and others. There's much, much more, but "that's all I got to say about that" right now. Local expat Abby Owens opens up the show. Doors: 7 p.m./Show: 8 p.m. $32-$600.
The Wood Brothers with the Rigs
SATURDAY AT THE COX CAPITOL THEATRE
The Wood Brothers began as somewhat of a side project -- Chris Wood was a fixture of the jam-band scene as one-third of the group Medeski, Martin and Wood, and his brother Oliver was a fixture on tours with Tinsley Ellis and had released a half-dozen records with his group King Johnson. Ten years later, the one-time side project seems more like the main gig. The entire band now calls Nashville home, where they made use of Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Studios to record their latest, "Paradise," a record about the conflicting nature of desire and the pursuit of worthwhile fulfillment. "Supercharged Americana" group the Rigs opens the show, fresh off the release of their debut record, recorded over a week in Nashville's Southern Ground Studios and produced by Oliver Wood. Doors: 7 p.m./Show: 8 p.m. $25-$600.
Skydog 69
SUNDAY AT CENTRAL CITY PARK
"Skydog" was the nickname bestowed upon Duane Allman, a variant of "Skyman," which Wilson Pickett coined after the musician's birdsong slide work on the upper regions of the fretboard during their sessions together in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This year marks the 10th year in a row that a group of local musicians has gathered in Central City Park, where the Allman Brothers put on free shows shortly after their arrival in Macon, to pay tribute to the man who would be celebrating his 69th birthday this year had his life not been tragically cut short in a motorcycle accident on Macon's Hillcrest Avenue. The show benefits the Macon Rescue Mission, an organization that has provided food and shelter for those in need for over half a century. Noon-5 p.m. Free with 10 or more non-perishable food items.
Josh Graff
SUNDAY AT THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND MUSEUM AT THE BIG HOUSE
Josh Graff, born and raised just outside of Macon, began his public musical life as a pre-teen, a stowaway into dive bars to join local favorites like Stillwater or the Wall on guitar. By the time he reached his early 20s, he'd released four solo records, but eventually decided to take a step back out of the spotlight to work as a guitarist for other artists in a wide range of styles. A decade later, he's back with a new solo record, a collection of "honest songs" and a showcase of what he's been up to in his spare time between gigs for other artists over the years. The concert is an album release party for Graff and is the official after-party for the Skydog benefit earlier in the day. 6 p.m. Free.
Sunday Funday: TrapsGiving
SUNDAY AT FRESH PRODUCE RECORDS
For six months now, Fresh Produce Records has hosted a Sunday Funday party that beats the mess out of sitting despondently alone at a bar to inevitably be disappointed by the sorry Atlanta Falcons. This is the final installment of the year, and it'll feature local DJs Uh-Oh, Enigma and B3 and appearances by some folks named Bob Lennon and Marlie. I don't know who they are, but I'm sure they're nice folks, so go on down and make a non-digital new friend. They'll be "slang(ing) dat cranberry sauce ova errrthang," which I can only assume is not a metaphor or euphemism, so don't wear your nice shirt. 8 p.m. Free.
This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 9:14 AM with the headline "Gig Guide ."