12/10 Friday Night!!!!

DAVE OLNEY. This looks like the place to be. A charter member of the songwriting pantheon that includes Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, Olney weds historical and philosophical referents to common human concerns, balancing a dark view of power and greed with gentle love songs. Phenomenal folk-country songwriter Olney is what some would call an artists’ artist. Even if you haven’t heard of him, we can almost guarantee that some of the singers and songwriters you like are big fans of his. 9pm, Bongo After Hours, $10.

PHILLIP KYLE, ARLIS ALBRITTON, GREG POPE, & JOHN GRIFFIN IN THE ROW: 6:30 pm, Bluebird Cafe, $10 late show

GARY NICHOLSON W/TOM HAMBRIDGE, COLLIN LINDEN, & WHITEY JOHNSON: 9:30 pm, Bluebird Cafe

CHRIS KNIGHT. With THE COAL MEN and STACIE COLLINS. Raw and rough, Knight writes real-life tunes about the rural life around him growing up in the coal-mining town of Slaughters, Ky., and performs with an unpretentious and convicted voice. His music has been embraced by the burgeoning Americana movement, but they used to call what he sings country music. 9pm, Mercy Lounge, $10, 21+.

MONROE APPRECIATION NIGHT. Hosted by ROLAND WHITE and featuring THE CHERRY HOLMES FAMILY, LARRY STEPHENSON BAND, ROLAND WHITE BAND, LEROY TROY, KATHY CHIAVOLA, PATTY MITCHELL, JT & PAUL GRAY, THE SIDEMEN, PAT ENRIGHT, DAVID GRIER, JON WIESBERGER and SHADD COBB. There’s no better place to have a Bill Monroe tribute night than Nashville, and no better venue for it than Station Inn. Where else could you corral a lineup like this, which includes pickers who actually played with Big Mon himself? 8pm, Station Inn, $12.

ALLEN SHAMBLIN. With TIM JOHNSON and RORY LEE. Shamblin is the kind of songwriter you hope young tunesmiths aspire to emulate. He’s had hits you can hang your hat on, like Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me, John Michael Montgomery’s Life’s A Dance and Keith Urban’s Where the Blacktop Ends. One of his songs has even been turned into an award-winning children’s book, Don’t Laugh at Me, which was featured on Reading Rainbow. Shamblin will almost certainly bring along copies of his very first CD, Sunrise, which features 11 narrative tunes collected to form a loose concept record. 6:30pm dinner, 8pm show, Puckett’s After Hours, $12 show only, $27.95 dinner and show.

THE JACK SILVERMAN ORDEAL. This looks good too... and it's free. Wicked guitarist Silverman winds his way through John Scofield covers and like-minded, extended originals. His stellar " ordeal " often includes horn player Jim Hoke, trombonist Roy Agee and drummer Tommy G. 9:30pm, The Family Wash, free.

DEBI CHAMPION'S WRITERS' NIGHT FEAT. JIMMY PAYNE, KARG BROTHERS, CHRIS CAVANAUGH, KARLENE WATT, SHANE JONES, & MORE: 6 pm, Commodore Lounge

BRANDON GUNTER: 7 pm, Murphy's Loft Cafe
In 2000 Brandon wrote and produced all 13 tracks of his first record in 12 years, War About Love. The project is a testament to the passion and intensity with which Brandon approaches his life and relationships and views the world around him. Since the release Brandon has built a loyal and die-hard following of people drawn to the honesty and passion infused in Brandon's music and live shows.

OPEN MIC: Maybe an early start to the evening trying your christian songs out on the crowd. 7 pm, 23rd Psalm Cafe Kudos to MTSU Jazz faculty members Aliquo (on sax) and Simmons (trumpet) for taking the lead in establishing a regular gathering place for aspiring players who want to test the waters and for vets who just want to sit in and cook.