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The Big Ticket

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings with Mindy Smith
You will never be the same after hearing their glorious voices. Thursday, May 27, 7-10 p.m. Sundown in the City, Market Square. Free.

Jazz Genome Project
Groovy jazz classics on guitar, sax, bass and drums. Thursday, May 27, 10 p.m. Urban Bar & Corner Café. Free.

The Eastern Seaboard
Improv jazz to keep your brain jumping. Sunday, May 30, 7 p.m. Old City Java. $5.

Groove Salad with Diane Jobe
Putting the blues in Blue Monday. Monday, May 31, 9 p.m. Preservation Pub. Free.

Knoxville Watercolor Society
Presenting a mixed-media exhibition. Wednesday, June 2 thru Sunday, June 27. Art Market Gallery

Knoxville @ Night
Nine Old City venues host 25 of the best bands and performers our city has to offer. Wednesday, June 2, 8 p.m. $5 wristband gains entrance to every venue.

The Greencards
Australian-accented acoustic Americana from Austin. Thursday, June 3, 10 p.m. Barley’s. Free.

It Came from Kentucky
In the midst of (but not officially affiliated with) WDVX’s annual Camperfest, Smokies Stadium in Sevierville will play host to “It Came from Kentucky.” The bluegrass smorgasbord is slated to feature Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, the Del McCoury Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and Mountain Heart. Skaggs and Lawson are tied locally, playing early shows just off Bearden Hill at Buddy Smothers’ barbecue restaurant before eatery became the blue-collar wedding caterer of choice. With a line-up more traditional than the newgrass Yonder Mountain String Band or pop-grass Nickel Creek, expect an audience of fanatical enthusiasts with the occasional catcalls and yee-haws thrown in for good measure. (Clint Casey)
It Came from Kentucky • Friday, May 28, 5:30 p.m. • Smokies Stadium • $32.50

Billy Joe Shaver
Billy Joe Shaver is a Texas singer-songwriter who personifies the no-holds-barred, independent spirit of the state. Like the lateWaylon Jennings and Townes Van Zandt and the still-kickin’ Guy Clark and Kris Kristofferson, Shaver’s been around forever, writing poetic country tunes that are socially aware, politically active and spiritually resonant. Shaver was abandoned by his parents soon after his birth, raised by his grandparents working on his uncle’s farms in lieu of getting an education. And, like many of his Texas compatriots, he’s had his share of drugs and drinkin’. Now 64, he’s found stability in religion and music. After wandering from label to label since his first record with Kristofferson’s label in 1973, Shaver recorded his latest, Freedom’s Child with Compadre Records. It’s a rollicking ride through honky-tonk, blues-flavored country that proves this survivor is still an outlaw. (Paige M. Travis)
Billy Joe Shaver • Sunday, May 30, 8 p.m. • Barley’s • $12

John F. Simon Jr.
Trying to explain the technical elements of John F. Simon’s work is reminiscent of being in 10th grade chemistry class. Instantly, I’m in over my head, attempting to rectify mathematical logic with the visual proof of whatever reaction is gurgling or hissing in front of me. But just looking at Simon’s work—instead of analyzing it—isn’t like schoolwork; for all of its association with technology and computers, his sculptures are vibrant instead of cool and detached. His palette is bright and friendly, like a kindergarten classroom. In this age of anthropomorphic computers and cars in pleasing shapes and colors, Simon reintroduces viewers to the familiar with a new perspective and a twist. Even to a non-scientist, his experiments are interesting and worth a bit of analysis. No lab coat required. (P.M.T.)
SubUrban: John F. Simon Jr. • Knoxville Museum of Art • Thru Aug. 8 • $5 general admission, or free with KMA membership • Free on Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. • Call 525-6101 for museum hours