billy joe shaver

Unplugged at the Paramount #3, featuring Joe Ely, Billy Joe Shaver, Slaid Cleaves, and Amy Cook.

Four of Texas' finest singer-songwriters will share the stage at the Paramount Theatre to kick off festivities for the 2010 Austin Marathon weekend.

Texas troubadour Joe Ely, honky-tonk hero Billy Joe Shaver, Americana favorite Slaid Cleaves and rising star Amy Cook will perform in an acoustic "guitar pull" format at this benefit for the Livestrong Foundation and the historic Paramount Theatre.

Outlaw country pioneer Billy Joe Shaver, honky-tonk legend Joe Ely and Americana singer-songwriter Slaid Cleaves will be performing at the Paramount Theatre Feb. 12, according to Shaver’s publicist.

The show hasn’t yet been added to the Paramount’s Web site, but tickets should go on sale there soon.

FRIDAY

Freddy McGregor at Flamingo Cantina.

One of reggae’s truly bulletproof talents — killer voice, solid taste in material, a lifetime on stage and a mastery of the heart-string-pulling reggae sub-genre ‘lovers rock.’ Look for a lot of folks making out at this show.

With Al Shire and the Henchmen. 9 p.m. $12 advance, $15 at the door. —- Joe Gross

Also recommended:

FRIDAY

Sweatbox 16th Year Anniversary at Emo’s. For 16 years now, Sweatbox has been the punk rock studio in Austin.

Hundreds of killer bands have recorded there. Friday night’s show features with Tia Carrera, Cause for Applause, Insect Sex Act and more.

Saturday’s show features Sugarshack, Gospel Truth, Hex Dispensers and more. 9 p.m. Each night is $8 advance, $10 door. — Joe Gross

Poodie Locke will be honored June 28 at the Backyard, which has been reconfigured as a 2,000-capacity venue.

The show runs from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m. Co-organizer Joe Ables of the Saxon Pub said the lineup won’t be announced, but you can figure out who’s going to be there.

Imagine it’ll be like a mini Fourth of July Picnic.

The folks over at Austin Sound have just released a free download of Sound Advice Vol II: The Latest Toughs (An Austin Sound Compilation) photo / Jimmy Prescott  From austinsound.net The past year has been an impressive one for Austin music.

Both Okkervil River and Spoon cemented their place among the cream of the indie crop with excellent releases, Bill Callahan emerged impressively from his smoggy haze, and Octopus Project brought an avalanche of national attention.