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If it's a smorgasbord of roots and reggae music you hanker for this weekend, head to the Riverhawk Rhythm Festival near Dade City. Thirty bands perform on four stages during the weekend jamboree that includes camping, crafts, kids playgrounds and a bevy of food. (Cajun and Greek goodies. Fish fries. Barbecue. Pancake breakfasts, you say? Load the Winnebago!)
Who's playing? Roots rocker Fred Eaglesmith & the Flying Squirrels, solo troubadour Todd Snider, the fun and funky Reggae Cowboys, and Skinny McGee and the Mayhem Makers. Did we mention bluegrass fiddler Laurie Lewis, the Kruger Brothers, and the ragged, bluesy Tarbox Ramblers? And a whole weekend's worth more.
The Riverhawk Rhythm Festival is Friday through Sunday at the Sertoma Youth Ranch, County Road 41, 11/2 miles east of Interstate 75 off exit 60 between Brooksville and Dade City. Music begins at 1 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Tickets at the gate are $95 for three days, $70 for two days, $25 for Friday, $35 for Saturday and $25 for Sunday. (863) 984-8445; www.wingsandstrings.com
- GINA VIVINETTO, Times pop music critic
Ladies and gentlemen, Brooks and Dunn
Back in July, the Brooks & Dunn Neon Circus & Wild West Show had to be postponed after Ronnie Dunn lost his voice. At last, the wait is over, as the duo takes the stage at the St. Pete Times Forum on Friday night, along with their friends Cledus Judd, Aaron Lines and Keith Urban.
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are the biggest-selling country duo ever (and No. 2 duo of any kind, second only to Simon & Garfunkel), but they started out as solo acts before a clever label exec put them together. Their Boot Scootin' Boogie got the country line dancing craze going back in 1991, and it has just been one hit after another ever since.
On their latest CD, Red Dirt Road, the duo gets a little more serious. But not too serious.
"It still has a lot of our usual fun and games on it, but the tragedy of 9-11 made everyone pause a little bit and take stock," Brooks told the Morning Call of Allentown, Pa., recently. "It made everyone appreciate things a little more and value what real living means and how fragile life is. We wrote these songs with a lot of reflection. We appreciate what we have and where we come from and hopefully that message hits home with the audience."
Never fear, however. They're promoting Red Dirt Road, but you'll still hear your favorites.
"It's not our approach to beat people over the head with stuff they don't know," Brooks said. "We're fortunate enough to have hits that people still want to hear."
Brooks and Dunn, 7 p.m. Friday, St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $38-$48. (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100.