FRIDAY
Ronnie Milsap
The North Carolina country-soul man ruled the charts from the late ’70s through the ’80s with a jaw-dropping parade of No. 1 hits, including the pop crossovers “Smoky Mountain Rain,” “Any Day Now” and “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me.” And the 70-year-old singer-pianist isn’t done yet. On Jan. 28, he’ll release “Summer Number Seventeen,” a collection of songs that have most influenced his career (“Georgia on My Mind” and “Tears on My Pillow” make the cut). The title track, however, is a new tune, which features Milsap recalling those 17 summers.
SATURDAY
Butch Walker
Georgia's son is "Coming Home for the Holidays" at this special acoustic Christmas show. Walker, who recently lost his beloved dad, released the digital and vinyl EP "Peachtree Battle" earlier this fall, which featured the song "Coming Home" in memory of "Big" Butch Walker. His recent high-profile producer gigs include projects with Pink, Taylor Swift, Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco.
Cole Swindell
Radio station 94.9 The Bull has wrangled Swindell for its “A Georgia Country Christmas” event. The Bronwood, Ga., native broke through this year with “Chillin’ It,” but has earned plenty of success as a songwriter by penning tunes for Luke Bryan (“Just a Sip”), Thomas Rhett (“Get Me Some of That”) and Scotty McCreery (“Water Tower Town”). Swindell is also set to join Bryan and Lee Brice on a winter arena tour.
Pink
It isn't often that we see an encore performance in the same venue within the same year. But Pink's spectacle — the front-runner for the best live show of 2013 in my opinion — so thoroughly captivated the sold-out crowd at Philips in March that it isn't unexpected she's making such a quick return (and this time, with two Grammy nominations pending for "Just Give Me a Reason"). A smattering of tickets remains, so move fast.
SUNDAY
Andrea Bocelli
Bocelli is touring in support of his CD/DVD compilation “Love in Portofino,” which was filmed in Italy in 2012. Concertgoers should expect to hear a variety of classical arias, pop favorites and folk songs. Bocelli, who recently earned a master’s degree in vocal performance from the Giacomo Puccini Conservatory of Music in La Spezia, Italy, will share the stage with soprano Svetla Vassileva and R&B singer Heather Headley.
Ed Roland and Friends
The Collective Soul frontman, who has been on tour with Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea Project to support their debut, “Devils n’ Darlins,” will corral a lineup of musical friends and guests to join him at these holiday shows. As of press time, those names had not been announced. Proceeds from the shows benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation and the First Tee. Roland and the Sweet Tea Project will also share a few dates with Drivin’ N Cryin’, including a New Year’s Eve show at the Variety Playhouse.
MONDAY
Star 94 Jingle Jam
The mom-friendly station has amassed an ideal lineup for its core listeners — a little throwback heartthrob action with the Backstreet Boys, the hooky pop of the Goo Goo Dolls, the pleasant familiarity of the Fray and Colbie Caillat and the enduring pop-rock of Avril Lavigne, who is back on the charts with her new “Let Me Go,” featuring husband Chad Kroeger of Nickelback.
Amy Grant, Vince Gill and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Nashville power couple will present their glorious holiday show with the aid of the ASO. Between Gill’s gorgeous voice and renowned guitar skills and Grant’s effortless warmth and sweet song delivery, it’s impossible to leave this one without wearing a smile.
TUESDAY
Justin Timberlake
So “The 20/20 Experience” got snubbed for album of the year in the just-announced Grammy nominations. It’s still the biggest-selling album of 2013 and undoubtedly a triumphant return for one of pop’s smoothest dudes. For his second tour of the year — he and buddy Jay-Z hit some sweltering stadiums last summer — Timberlake is donning the Tom Ford tuxes, slicking back his hair and taking fans on a 33-song soul-pop journey that includes some fun covers (Bell Biv DeVoe!), but, sadly, no “Bye Bye Bye.”
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