A family that plays together stays together, and my friends, the Lancasters are a prefect example. Jim, Jill, and their son, Clayton make up the popular local band, BigWater (along with our very own Warren Meigs and Musicians Hall of Famer Ed Kollis). Tomorrow night, Clayton and Jim will be putting on a special performance at Woody’s Hog Heaven, and it promises to be both unique and a whole lot of fun.

This dynamic duo is bringing a delicious mix of Southern Rock, funk, R&B, folk, and a dash of soul. It’s a one-of-a-kind style that the family has cultivated over decades of performing and recording great music all over the South.

Jim Lancaster aka “Chief BigWater” owns the Playground Recording Studio, where he restores and preserves studio archives from the 50′s to the 80′s and produces new music from local stars like the WaCo Ramblers, Heritage, LaRue McKinney, and of course, his son Clayton. Jim has also worked with Hi Records in Memphis and Ace Records (with Johnny Vincent) in Jackson, Mississippi. His expertise on the bass and behind the mixing board led to collaboration with many acclaimed musicians over the years including Waylon Jennings and David Allan Coe.

Clayton has certainly followed in his dad’s footsteps. He has been performing with the family for over a decade, and he engineers and produces at the Valparaiso studio. He also developed a passion for songwriting, and has penned several BigWater and solo hits. His influences are popular musicians that his family has worked with like Dan Penn, Jim Dickinson, and Mudboy and the Neutrons. He is currently under the Southern Americana Music label.

Here’s a great one by Clayton that pays homage to the Boggy Bayou:

Clayton and Jim take the stage at 8:00 pm tomorrow night. If you’re looking for great live music that you won’t hear anywhere else, this is a show you won’t want to miss. See you at the Hog!

Do you ever miss the early days of Rock music, back when it was more of a celebration and less of a business? Well, if you ever want to go back to that party, all you have to do is see Andy Durand perform.

Durand is an ambassador of Rock’s golden age, and he’ll be on stage right here at Woody’s Hog Heaven tomorrow night. Believe me, ladies and gentlemen, this man can pick and sing with the absolute best of ‘em.

When Durand first started playing music, there had only been two Super Bowls, the Vietnam War was in full swing, and The Beatles had just released The White Album. As a seven-year-old boy living in Tucson, Arizona, he had figured out what he wanted to do with his life. Since then, he’s been touring the country in groups and as a solo artist, sharing his music with the people he loves; his fans.

For Durand, fans have never been in short supply. His brilliantly written and performed music has given him a following not only in the United States, but in the UK as well. Some Durand originals even found their way onto popular 90′s television shows like Picket Fences and Northern Exposure. More recently, he laid down the soundtrack for the 2004 documentary, Five Thousand Meters.

Throughout his four-decades as a musician, Andy Durand has crossed paths with some of the biggest personalities in the history of Rock music. He has also collaborated with several acclaimed bands and soloists including Iron Butterfly, Kingdom Come, and Tim Reynolds of Dave Matthews Band. As a result of his experience, Durand thinks of music as a “brotherhood,” and he’s always willing to inspire–and be inspired by–other passionate artists.

Durand has written and performed hundreds of songs over the course of his illustrious career, and he is currently working on a new album slated for release at the end of this coming summer. It’s difficult for me to pick a favorite Andy Durand song, but “Shine” is definitely in my top three. Have a listen:

Durand takes the stage at 8pm, and he’ll be rocking all night long. Do yourself a favor and come join the party!

Chronic Jester will be joining Wayne Hall tonight at Woody’s Hog Heaven! They are a self-proclaimed “power trio,” and I’m inclined to agree with them. The energy is nonstop when this group performs with a mix of rock, reggae, funk, and blues. Sometimes they even let the audience contribute by passing around cow bells, egg shakers, wood blocks and other simple sound-makers. Two great acts on the Hog Heaven stage tonight – come by and join the fun!

Few people know adversity like the man who will be taking the stage tomorrow night. Tragedy struck at a very young age, and he has been forced to deal with the consequences every single day of his life. Believe me, he is a fighter. But what’s also remarkable is that when Wayne Hall performs, he manages to free us from our own cares and worries. He brings us to a special place where we can all just relax and enjoy the music.

So, come on down to Woody’s Hog Heaven tomorrow night at 6:00 pm and welcome Mr. Hall back to the stage. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. The positive energy and the passion that Hall brings to his performances make each one a uniquely wonderful experience.

Wayne Hall has a great sound that appeals to audiences of all ages. His voice has that rare mix of strength and clarity that you hear from the likes of Eddie Vedder and Chris Cornell – two legends who have inspired him. Yet, Hall’s style is very much his own, and I particularly like the variety in his setlist. He has some songs that rock hard and others that make you want to hold your lighter in the air (please – no open flames in the restaurant!).

To show you what I mean, I’ve posted a couple of songs from Hall’s latest release, There’s Only One You. I’m a big fan of both of these tracks – “Pedestal” for its sustained energy and “Maple Leaf” for the calming effect that is has. Check them out; Hall’s got it all.

If you would like to hear more, you can find Hall’s music on iTunes. His 2007 release, Lost in a Moment, can also be found there. And once again, if you want to see him live, be sure to stop by Woody’s Hog Heaven tomorrow night at 6:00pm. I’ll see ya there!