He’s a songwriter and slide guitar giant who's been an official member of the Allman Brothers since 1999 and has led his own band for more than 15 years with subtly deft guitar work and a pure, effects-free tone that sings all on its own. She’s the soulful guitar-riffing blues songstress with throaty, gospel-tinged vocals, and five Grammy nominations under her belt. Together, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are a formidable husband-and-wife team. The Florida homegrown couple (who reside in Jacksonville) first hit the road together as part of the 2008 “Soul Stew Revival” tour. This year, both took a hiatus from their respective solo bands to write and perform original material together as the “Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band.” The musicians have been in and out of the studio this fall, and you can expect some new and tasty treats on this tour along with a smattering of classy covers. (Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater)
/VersaEmerge w/Condition/Amely Two Florida bands that are signed to respected indie labels and are enjoying some minor acclaim and MTV air time hit town on a co-headlining bill. Currently touring in support of a 2010 remix EP and follow-up to their 2009 Hopeless Records full-length, A Little Faster, electro-fused emo pop foursome There for Tomorrow pairs heavy and echoing guitars with the pained wails of frontman Maika Maile. VersaEmerge, Port St. Lucie’s hooky alt rock three-piece fronted by sweetly commanding lead vocalist Sierra Kusterbeck, signed to Fueled By Ramen in 2008, built up a fanbase opening for bands like We the Kings and Boys Like Girls in 2009, played coveted spots at the ‘09 Give It a Name Festival in the UK and Warped Tour in the U.S., and released their debut LP, Fixed at Zero, this past June. (Orpheum, Ybor City)
— Contributed by Leilani Polk
This article appears in Dec 16-22, 2010.