FRIDAY
Suzy Bogguss
As a lifelong fan of Merle Haggard, Bogguss decided that her next album would be yet another detour in a career that has seen her dabble in folk, jazz, swing and, of course, country. Haggard’s music continued to pull at her, so she delved into his catalog to create “Lucky,” which arrived last month. It’s not a covers album per se, but more of an acoustic homage on songs such as “Silver Wings” and “The Bottle Let Me Down.” Bogguss has raised more than $75,000 via Kickstarter to help pay for manufacturing, distribution and marketing of the new album, which she’ll celebrate with an album release party at Red Clay.
8 p.m. March 28. $23 (advance) and $26 (at door) for regular reserved seating; $28 (advance) and $32 (at door) for premium reserved. Red Clay Theatre, 3116 Main St., Duluth. 404-478-2749.
SATURDAY
Béla Fleck
The musician largely regarded as the world’s greatest banjo player is touring for the first time with his wife, Abigail Washburn, herself a banjo player but also a student of Chinese music and culture. The couple, now parents of a 10-month-old son, are also working on a recording due in the fall. This joint tour will find them blending original compositions with traditional folk favorites.
With Abigail Washburn. 8 p.m. March 29. $48.36-$76.44. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-413-9849.
Colt Ford
The Athens-born country singer-songwriter (he penned Jason Aldean’s ‘Dirt Road Anthem”) is readying for a packed spring and summer of tour dates. He recently re-released his 2008 debut album, “Ride Through the Country,” with the tagline “Revisited,” and included newly recorded versions of those 2008 songs. He’s also released the new single, “The High Life,” featuring Chase Rice, on iTunes.
With Daniel Lee Band. 9:30 p.m. March 29. $20 (general admission), $25-$30 (at door), $30 (seat at table for four) and $50 (side stage seating). 18 and older. Wild Bill’s, 2075 Market St., Duluth. 1-800-745-3000.
Christian McBride Trio
As one of the most renowned jazz performers of the past 20 years, McBride and his upright bass have worked with not only jazz greats — Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny — but R&B stars such as Natalie Cole, the Roots and Chaka Khan. And to think the Philadelphia-born McBride is only 41. He not only fronts the Christian McBride Trio, but also leads the quintet Inside Straight, plays with an 18-piece big band and is involved with the experimental group A Christian McBride Situation. His current album with the Trio (pianist Christian Sands and drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. join him), “Out Here,” arrived last year.
7:30 and 9:30 p.m. March 29-30. $59-$89. Limited seating for March 29 shows; call for reservations. The Velvet Note, 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. 1-855-583-5838.
MONDAY
Steve Hackett
The guitar virtuoso known for his time with Genesis in the ’70s, the super group GTR (with Yes’ Steve Howe) in the ’80s (“When the Heart Rules the Mind” cracked the Top 20) and his own extensive solo career will possibly break out his famed finger-tapping technique — the same style Eddie Van Halen popularized but readily acknowledged came from Hackett — during his Symphony Hall appearance. The tour, dubbed “Genesis Extended,” concentrates on his work from that era, including “Fly on a Windshield,” “Firth of Fifth” and “Supper’s Ready.”
8 p.m. March 31. $29.50-$77.50. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-5000.
WEDNESDAY
Kris Allen
The 2009 "American Idol" winner hasn't gained as much commercial viability as that year's runner-up, Adam Lambert. But the affable Allen, whose "Live Like We're Dying" hit shortly after his win, has worked steadily as a songwriter while continuing to forge his own career. In January, he began work in Nashville on his third studio album (some song snippets are on his website, www.krisallenofficial.com) and recently returned from a stint at South by Southwest.
8 p.m. April 2. $18 (advance general admission), $23 (at the door), $60 (admission and meet and greet) and $90 (table for four). Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 1-877-725-8849.
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