Guitar whiz Gary Clark Jr. will perform at Gruene Hall this week. Credit: Shutterstock / Adam McCullough
The holidays are fast approaching, but that’s no excuse for San Antonio music fans to park themselves on the couch and watch the twinkling Christmas lights. Not with a spate of shows this good on the horizon.
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Gary Clark Jr.
Grammy-winning blues-rock guitar god Gary Clark Jr. has proven himself anything but a flash in the pan. In part, he stands out through his willingness to reach across genres. He’s worked with the Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow and other high-profile names you wouldn’t necessarily expect a blues purist to rub shoulders with. He’s also broken into the film biz via acting roles in Elvis, Miles Ahead and Friday Night Lights. Clark will perform solo for this show, providing fans an intimate experience with the Texas legend-in-the-making — and one that may warrant chasing down a ticket from a scalper. Sold out, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, (830) 606-1281, gruenehall. com. — Bill Baird
Friday, Dec. 5
Marc Broussard, Taylor Rae
Louisiana native Marc Broussard channels his Southern roots into a unique and soulful blend that includes blues, rock and R&B. Even though his father served as guitarist for acclaimed born-on-the-bayout outfit The Boogie Kings, Broussard’s amassed plenty of respect for his own musical contributions. With a dozen studio albums behind him, he’s clearly no slouch, and he especially shines while covering ’70s artists on his four S.O.S: Save Our Soul albums, which feature interpretations of classics by Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke and others. $31.17-$87.49, 8 p.m., Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, stablehall.com. — Danny Cervantes
Ellis Bullard
When an artist’s catalog includes an album called Piss-Hot Freightlinin’ Country Music,
that should be a selling point. And true to that name, Austin honky tonker Ellis Bullard leans pretty deep into the Texas twang. His speciality is fun dancehall country in the old mold — think Waylon, Merle and that whole gang. Which is to say, it’s country, but it rocks. $17, 8 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerosesa.com. — BB
Saturday, Dec. 6
Hayes Carll
Texan Hayes Carll gained notoriety by becoming the first artist to self-release an album that jumped to No. 1 on the Americana radio chart. From there, he signed to Lost Highway Records and notched appearances on the Tonight Show and Austin City Limits. The Houstonian is known for his humor and straightforward delivery, and Americana icon Steve Earle notoriously called him “a younger, skinnier, less talented singer-songwriter.” Controversy aside, Carll’s tunes posses an entertaining swagger. He’s on his yearly Grateful for Christmas tour, which involves lots of between-song storytelling and yuletide cheer. $59, 8 p.m., Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, stablehall.com. — BB
Sunday, Dec. 7
The Doc Watkins Trio presents: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Certain music transcends the pop culture from which it sprung, and that certainly applies to jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas. San Antonio ivory tickler Doc Watkins and his trio will bring the holiday classic to life in the cozy confines of his iconic basement haunt. But here’s hoping Santa has already stuffed some tickets into your Apple Wallet, because the shows are already sold out. Sold out, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., JazzTX, 312 Pearl Parkway, (210) 332-9386, jazztx.com. — DC
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