John Prine, Sarah Lee Guthrie and more music in New Orleans for Dec. 11-17 By Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune December 11, 2009, 4:31PM FRIDAY, Dec. 11 Sarah Lee Guthrie comes by her musical pedigree honestly — her father is Arlo Guthrie, her grandfather Woody Guthrie. Her own career in the family business didn't truly blossom until she met Johnny Irion, a South Carolina-born singer-songwriter, in L.A. The two discovered both a musical and romantic connection — they are now husband and wife. Their debut album, "Exploration," cast them as a harmonizing folk music duo with alt-country tendencies; they recorded their new album of children's music, "Go Waggaloo," with their two young daughters. Tonight at d.b.a. they share the bill with roadhouse blues-rock singer-songwriter Grayson Capps & the Stumpknockers. Also, John Prine kicks off a two-night stand at the House of Blues with Iris DeMent. Spend an evening with the Radiators at the Howlin' Wolf NorthShore in Mandeville. Bonerama funks up Rock 'n' Bowl. Eric McFadden is at the Maple Leaf. Tipitina's hosts the "Soul Glo Christmas Jam" with the Soul Rebels Brass Band and DJ Soul Sister. At midnight, Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse in the Royal Sonesa becomes "The Burlesque Ballroom" with a show by the Fleur de Tease burlesque troupe (admission is free, but reservations are required; call 553.2331). Nitzer Ebb headlines the Hangar. Christian Serpas & Ghost Town do honky-tonk at Ruby's Roadhouse in Mandeville.
Susan Poag / The Times-Picayune
Owen "Big Daddy O" Tufts celebrates his 60th birthday with a show Saturday at Ruby's Roadhouse. SATURDAY, Dec. 12 Mount Hermon's Owen "Big Daddy O" Tufts deploys a deft touch when picking backporch blues on either the acoustic or electric guitar. On a series of utterly charming albums for the local Rabadash Records, he pairs his guitar with a warm, easy-going voice on both original material and a vast repertoire of covers. Tufts celebrates his 60th birthday on Saturday at Ruby's Roadhouse in Mandeville, backed by his New Revue consisting of Tim Ernest on sax, Keenan Knight on guitar, Maha Raja Martin on drums, Wendall Pearson on bass and Rabadash proprietor John Autin on keyboards. Because of Tufts' recent health scare — doctors found blood cluts in his lungs, but he's responding well to treatment — Ruby's will be a nonsmoking venue for the night.
Also, cross the Allman Brothers with the Radiators and the result might sound like the J.J. Muggler Band. The north shore institution currently includes founding bassist Calvin Huber, drummer Jude Lirette, guitarists Jay B. Elston and Tommy Chadwick, and keyboardist Wayne Lohr. Together they recorded "Hard Luck Town," the band's new CD of Southern rock, blues 'n' boogie; with special guest Brian Stoltz sitting in, as many as three guitars wail at a time. The J.J. Muggler Band celebrates the new release with a Saturday night show at The Kamp in Harahan.