FRIDAY
Blackberry Smoke
For their Brothers and Sisters Holiday Homecoming show, the Atlanta-based Southern rockers have wrangled Kentucky country singer Chris Knight and fellow Southern Ground Artists singer-songwriter Levi Lowrey (he co-wrote Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather” and “The Wind”). Blackberry Smoke is supporting its 2012 release, “The Whippoorwill,” which boasted the country radio hit “Pretty Little Lie.” The boys will hit the road right after the New Year for the four-month Fire in the Hole tour.
8 p.m. Nov. 29. $25.50. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
SATURDAY
The Story
The mega Christian music tour this year is headlined by Stockbridge’s Casting Crowns. Other top names joining them are Steven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, Matthew West, Nichole Nordeman, Selah and Rawsrvnt, along with author-speaker Randy Frazee, musical director Bernie Herms and a full orchestra and children’s choir. The show usually includes a parade of Christmas carols as well as a musical journey from the book of Genesis to Revelation.
7 p.m. Nov. 30. $20-$75. Philips Arena, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
Shawn Mullins
A Thanksgiving weekend appearance by the well-regarded Atlanta singer-songwriter is worth celebrating. The affable Mullins, best known for his 1998 hit “Lullaby” (back when he had lengthy blond locks), stays busy as a regular road warrior and producer. In 2010 he released his eighth studio album, the underappreciated “Light You Up.”
8:30 p.m. Nov. 30. $20 (in advance) and $22.50 (day of show). Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354.
SUNDAY
Kristian Bush and Friends
While not exclusively a holiday show — Bush uses the opportunity to return to his Billy Pilgrim roots, strip down some Sugarland tunes, and debut new ones — there are always a handful of Christmas songs in the mix at his annual post-Thanksgiving gathering. At the Country Music Association Awards earlier this month, Bush excitedly discussed his special guests this year, Chris Young and Brett James. “I try to find people who either I’ve worked with or collaborated with throughout the year, and people I want Atlanta to know about,” he said.
6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8 p.m. Dec. 2. $25 (advance), $32 (at the door) and $125 (reserved table of four). Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-725-8849.
Kanye West
It’s Yeezy time! The headline-making West brings his big mouth and biting songs to town in a show that the Hollywood Reporter summarized as “worth the hype and the hyperbole.” West is promoting his “Yeezus” album with a spectacle that incorporates dazzling visuals with his storytelling. Longtime fans of his more melodic work will be relieved to learn that he doesn’t ignore his greatest hits, but, according to reviews, songs such as “Through the Wire,” “Jesus Walks” and “Stronger” don’t earn the spotlight until the final portion of the show.
With Kendrick Lamar. 8 p.m. Dec. 1. $39.50-$150. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
MONDAY
Dave Koz & Friends
The smooth jazz sax player has been hitting the road for 16 years to spread some holiday cheer, a tradition that started after he and fellow jazz man David Benoit played some Christmas shows as a way to cope with the grief of both recently losing a parent in 1997. This year, Koz will be joined by Japanese pianist Keiko Matsui, singer Oleta Adams (“Get Here”) and singer-guitarist Jonathan Butler. Koz said in a recent interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the show is about 70 percent Christmas music, and each of the featured artists will sing one of their nonholiday songs as well. “These (holiday) songs are more than just words on the page — they’re beacons for our memories,” Koz said.
8 p.m. Dec. 2. $29-$89. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000.
THURSDAY
Bill Gaither
One of the titans of contemporary Christian music and Southern gospel, Gaither will be accompanied by the Gaither Vocal Band, which now boasts Mark Lowry, David Phelps, Michael English and Wes Hampton. This Christmas Homecoming Tour also will offer the songs of the Isaacs, the Martins, Buddy Greene, Jeff Taylor, Gene McDonald, Charlotte Ritchie, Kevin Williams, Greg Ritchie and Matthew Holt.
7 p.m. Dec. 5. $28.50-$73.50. Gwinnett Arena, Duluth. 1-888-929-7849.
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