DONNA FROST w/LJ D'ALESSANDRO Real-country singer-songwriter Donna Frost hails from Nashville, but somehow doesn't let that keep her from mixing folk and country influences to produce an organic, rootsy sound. Local peer LJ D'Alessandro has honed her craft on Bay area stages, as well as at roots-music festivals and opening for more well-known touring acts. (Nov. 6, Jimmy Mac's, Tampa)
RED CROSS BENEFIT SHOW FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS "Tis the season for hurricane relief benefits. This one has a glut of local talent — Signal 76, Farewell Verona, The Sophomore Effort (who're busy pimping their recently released full-length stories ... pictures ... words), The Morning After (aka "the band formerly known as Code Sunshine"), Rumors of War and New Crash Position. It's a free show, but please, think of those less fortunate and drop some money when the donation jar comes around. (Nov. 6, Ringling School of Art & Design, Sarasota) —MS
ALAN JACKSON w/MARTINA MCBRIDE Finally, a big-time pop-country bill that provides eye-candy for both my mother AND my father. Reigning Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Jackson does deserve some credit for writing more than half of his 31 Number One tunes himself, though his style and sound reflect the fabricated, pop-attentive phase in which mainstream country remains mired. Multi-platinum singer McBride isn't exactly an unknown entity herself — she's widely hailed as contemporary C&W's most talented female vocalist. (Nov. 6, Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa)
COLMAN REABOI & FRIENDS Reaboi and a host of cohorts present an eclectic selection of Jewish music heavy on opera and show tunes. Featured soloists include Corinne Bach, Jay Azneer and Julia Reaboi, accompanied by Marc Taslit on the piano; there will also be choral performances. (Nov. 6, Octagon Arts Center, Clearwater)
TYPE O NEGATIVE They parlayed plodding rhythms and lisped low-registered vocals (sung around plastic vampire fangs, it sounded like) into hits and fame. One of the famous songs had a chorus composed solely of the lyrics "black, black, black, black, number one." Another famous hit is best known for the part where the music stops and the singer inhales all sexy, like it's really cold outside. They also once released an album called Origin of the Feces, and their singer posed in Playgirl. Ladies and gentlemen ... Type O Negative. (Nov. 6, Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
SPARTA/FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER/ COPELAND/SUNSHINE Sparta is made up mainly of half of the late, beloved posthardcore act At The Drive-In that didn't mind having its music liked. Since ATDI split, Sparta has released two albums on DreamWorks. The first, Wiretap Scars, is flat-out excellent, but the more recent Porcelain suffers from a certain lack of imagination and attention to melodic detail. Still, they're going to rock live, I can feel it. South Florida emo princes Further Seems Forever are enjoying renewed motivation and interest, thanks to the recent addition of ex-Sense Field singer Jon Bunch to the fold. Former Central Florida residents Copeland are currently holding in Christian indie-rock's Next Big Thing slot, while Sunshine may or may not be the adventurous, somewhat electronic Czech outfit with whom At The Drive-In once released a split single. (Nov. 7, Masquerade, Tampa)
MAGGIE, PIERCE & EJ This three-piece WMNF-endorsed act combines wildly disparate influences with a youthful energy and total disregard for how bands are generally expected to act while playing a show. They switch instruments, smash styles together with abandon, and emit spot-on harmonies through it all. The group is in town for two dates; the first is at Unitarian Universal Church of Tampa on Sunday, and they'll be at Skipper's two nights later. (Nov. 7, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, Tampa; Nov. 9, Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
THE VIOLET BURNING Acclaimed Christian act The Violet Burning is the brainchild of frontman/multi-instrumentalist Michael J. Pritzl, who's never been one to let little things like genre get in the way of him realizing his musical vision. The band is known to incorporate everything from shoegaze to new wave to punk into its melodic sound. Real Life Church is located at 6821 W. Waters Ave. in Tampa. (Nov. 7, Real Life Church, Tampa)
GAVIN DEGRAW w/VAL EMMICH/MICHAEL TOLCHER Soulful white boy Gavin DeGraw makes good on a formerly scuttled Jannus appearance with this date. DeGraw's getting big with the jam-pop crowd, but his often piano-driven material is deeper and more R&B-inspired than that association might lead you to believe. This one might end up being one of those memorable shows where the whole crowd is singing, swaying and feeling it. (Nov. 7, Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)