Upcoming acts feature variety of styles, local musicians

Starting with tonight's performance by Kraig Kenning, the second half of the Tunes at Twilight season will offer a variety of styles played by quality performers, featuring some local performers, said talent booker Larry Underberg.

Tonight's show will be followed by Rod Picott on Aug. 19, a singer/songwriter in the vein of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits.

"He was in town for a house concert a couple of months ago, and people are still talking about it," said Underberg.

Picott will be followed on Aug. 26 by bluegrass act Wild Carrot, a band that specializes in traditional bluegrass and a high-energy show.

On Sept. 2, local boys Doug Rees, Bruce Zimmerman and Mike Rennick will take the stage for a triple-threat concert. Zimmerman's blues prowess along with Rees' singer/songwriter credentials and Renick's acoustic rock should make a great mix, said Underberg, and all should have some fresh material for the local crowd to hear.

That show will be followed on Sept. 9 by French transplant Phillippe Bertaud, an instrumentalist who melds classical and rock guitar styles for an aggressive and melodic acoustic sound.

The season will cap off Sept. 16 at the Capaha Park band shell with Brian Hayes, an alt-country player who was asked to come back to Cape Girardeau after a performance at this year's ArtsCape festival.

Tunes organizers will also be trying something new this season, with local restaurants selling food at the concerts, starting this week with the California Juice Club.