A guide to who’s performing this week

THURSDAY

CHRIS CAGLE: We hope country singer Chris Cagle’s visit to Tucson this week is a little happier than his last trip here. Cagle recently agreed to a diversion program that includes an anger management class in exchange for having an assault charge against him dropped in Tucson City Court. The misdemeanor charge stems from a Dec. 13 altercation at Cactus Moon. Chris, baby, stick to the music, and leave the fighting to your bodyguards. When: 7 p.m. Where: Desert Diamond Casino, Interstate 19 and Pima Mine Road Price: $18 Info: 321-1000, www.ticketmaster.com

PEPPER: Record buyers on Amazon.com love Pepper’s new CD, “Pink Crustaceans,” calling it the band’s best CD. It’s the fifth studio album for the rocking trio of Bret Bollinger, Kaleo Wassman and Yesod Williams, who packed their surfboards and moved from the sunny paradise of Hawaii to the sunny paradise of southern California in 1999. Amazon customer E. Corrales says the CD is a “rockin’ gift for ANY occasion: grandma’s birthday, cousins quinceañera, brother’s bar mitzvah, mom’s graduation, uncle’s parole, your best friend’s bachelorette party (alllllriiiiiight!!!!)” Corrales even issues a warning about the disc: “This album will make your nipples explode with delight. Srsly. It happened to my grandmother. And she was just walking by my room as I played it on headphones.” Too bad Corrales isn’t doing his stand-up before the show. When: 7:30 p.m., with openers Supervillains and Passafire Where: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Price: $18 Info: 740-1000, www.rialtotheatre.com

FRIDAY

MARGOT AND THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S: Indianapolis band Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s were just too prolific for their own good. Because the band and the label could not agree on which of its 17 songs should be released, the group is releasing two versions of its sophomore outing. All of the songs will be available, either on “ANIMAL!” (on vinyl only with a digital download card inside) or “NOT ANIMAL!” (for sale digitally and on CD), a compilation of the label’s favorites plus five tracks from “ANIMAL!” When: 11:30 p.m. Where: Plush, 340 E. Sixth St. Price: $9 advance, $10 day of show Info: 798-1298, www.plushtucson.com

SATURDAY

MR. BOOGIE WOOGIE IN CONCERT: Europe’s blues pianist explosive Dutch singer and pianist Eric-Jan Overbeek, better known as Mr. Boogie Woogie, kicks off the first leg of his Arizona tour. Joining him from Holland will be guitar virtuoso Raymond Nijenhuis aka “Guitar Ray.” The lineup will be completed by Tucsonan musicians Steve Grams on bass and Ralph Gilmore on drums. When: 2-4 p.m. Where: Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Price: $19.95 Info: 886-9428, www.thegaslighttheatre.com

FREDDY COLE: Proudly stepping into his own spotlight, Freddy Cole builds on the family heritage of older brother Nat “King” Cole as well as their middle siblings Ike and Eddie. Working the cabaret and night club circuits of New York, Freddy built his own career while earning academic degrees from the Juilliard School and the New England Conservatory of Music. Freddy also plays piano and works in intimate ensemble settings. His singing voice has been described as “suave, elegant, formidable and articulate.” His phrasing has been compared to Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra. For this performance presented by the Tucson Jazz Society, the entertainer is appearing with the Freddy Cole Quintet. When: 7 p.m. Saturday Where: Loews Ventana Canyon Ballroom, 7000 N. Resort Drive Price: $40 general admission, $30 TJS members, $20 students Info: 903-1265, www.tucsonjazz.org

MONDAY

JOE BOURNE: Swinging crooner Joe Bourne is the special guest artist fronting the Big Band Express led by Tom Patrick in the Gaslight Theatre’s special family concert series this Monday. Bourne’s smooth style recalls a more elegant time in pop music. His touch with jazz reflects the enduring influence of Nat “King” Cole. The Big Band Express, noted for its muscular sound, is a 16-piece showcase for some of the city’s finest jazz musicians. When: 7 p.m. Monday Where: Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway Price: $15 general admission, $13 senior citizens, students, active duty military personnel, $8 children 12 and younger Info: 886-9428, www.thegaslighttheatre.com

TUESDAY

HAYES CARLL: On his latest CD, “Trouble in Mind,” singer-songwriter Hayes Carll blends elements of folk, country and rock with brainy, quirky lyrics. “The 32-year-old Texan delivers songs born of baptism-by-fire experience, world weary observations and sharp wit,” a news release states. “While his songs draw a direct line from some of his legendary Texas heroes such as Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Carll has managed to put a stamp on his music that is truly his own.” When: 9 p.m. Where: Plush, 340 E. Sixth St. Price: $10 advance, $12 day of show Info: 798-1298, www.plushtucson.com

THE STILLS: Canadian alt-rockers The Stills are touring in support of their new CD, “Oceans Will Rise.” They’re part of a triple bill that includes We Are Scientists, and The Static Sessions in an all-ages, outdoor concert. When: 7 p.m. Where: Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Price: $15 Info: 622-8848, www.hotelcongress.com

NEXT THURSDAY

KELLER WILLIAMS: After 15 years as a solo artist, “one-man band” Keller Williams has released a live album – with a twist: there are three other names on the cover. The man known as a “music mad-scientist” has always wanted to front a band, according to press materials. “When I started, I could barely afford to pay myself, let alone three other guys,” Keller says of his dive bar days. “Then later, the solo show was going so well, it was like, if it ain’t broken. . .” But Williams had a chance to tap the world-class talent of Keith Moseley (bass, The String Cheese Incident); Gibb Droll (guitar, Marc Broussard, Brandi Carlile); and Jeff Sipe (drums, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Leftover Salmon), and he jumped at the opportunity. “It was too good to be true,” Williams says. “I’d been friends with and fans of these guys for so long. This was my dream band.” The result is “Live,” a two disc, 17-track set that spans Williams’ career. ” With group improvisation you can go so much farther than you can solo,” he says. “There’s this camaraderie that allows everyone to play more freely.” When: 8 p.m. Where: The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Price: $22 advance, $24 day of show Info: 740-1000, www.rialtotheatre.com

HILLSTOMP: Oregon duo Hillstomp draws heavily from north Mississippi trance blues, a bit from the hills of Appalachia and steals energy from punkabilly, create a raucous hill country blues. At least that’s what their publicist says. The Portland group”s latest album, “After Two But Before Five,” was recorded over two nights in Eugene and Portland and contains live performances and new studio material. When: 11 p.m. Where: Plush, 340 E. Sixth St. Price: $6 Info: 798-1298, www.plushtucson.com

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