Charley Crockett, a descendant of Davy Crockett, was born in a poor, deep South Texas town and spent his early years between Texas and Louisiana. Crockett was raised by a blues singing single mother in Dallas and an uncle who introduced him to the big brass sound of the French Quarter in New Orleans, where he would later learn how to play guitar as a street performer. In 2009, Crockett showed up in New York City, where he made a living captivating subway car audiences for several years before being discovered and offered a record deal as part of the street group “Trainrobbers.” Deciding to take his chances in a rapidly changing music industry, Charley declined the offer and headed west to California instead. Crockett’s draws upon his mixed Jewish/White/Creole heritage to create a unique sound blending a rich and diverse legacy of new and traditional music. Crockett has been compared to many artists, from Bill Withers and Jerry Lee Lewis to Dr. John and Citizen Cope. Elusive, rebellious, and self taught, Crockett is a true street made original from earlier times.

Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave. Saturday, November 2, 9:00 pm. Tickets at Eventbrite.com $16.50 advance, $20.00 day of show. All ages.

The Rae Gordon Band will be debuting the release of the new CD, Wrong Kind of Love, at the Vinyl Tap on Saturday, November 16. The album contains ten original blues-soul numbers, seven written by Pat McDougall, three by Rae and Pat, and one by Rod Furlott. It was produced by the band’s guitarist Kivett Bednar, and engineered and mixed by Jimi Bott at his Roseleaf Recording studios. The CD covers a wide gamut of styles, from lowdown barroom blues to dance-worthy funk, from heart-tugging soul ballad to slide-drenched rage rocker, from minor-key blues angst to uplifting soul anthem. The recording features the regular members of the 7-piece Rae Gordon Band: Rae on lead vocals, Kivett Bednar on guitar & vocals, Pat McDougall on keyboards & vocals, Ed Pierce on drums, Joseph Conrad on bass, Allan Kalik on trumpet & horn arrangements, and Scott Franklin on saxophone. The new disc will be available at the venue, as well as the band’s two previous releases, T-shirts and more.

Vinyl Tap, 2099 SE Oak Grove Blvd, Milwaukie. Saturday, November 16, 8:00 pm. No cover. 21 & over.

Reverend Peyten’s Big Damn Band, after twelve years of playing as many as 300 shows each year, Rev. Peyton, the world’s foremost country blues finger-style picker, along with the Big Damn Band is known for its spirited live shows. Rev. Peyton delivers guitar pyrotechnics the old-fashioned way — ten fingers, a six string, and an amp cranked at full tilt. In the country blues style, he plays the bass with his thumb, while picking the lead with his fingers at the same time. Beside him on stage are his wife, “Washboard” Breezy Peyton playing with all the nuance and percussive power of a New Orleans drum line, and keeping the train moving is Max Senteney on a lean drum kit including a 5 gallon maple syrup bucket. Together they play Peyton’s wildman country blues that’s as much ZZ Top as it is Bukka White.

Dante’s, 350 W Burnside St. Monday, October 28. 8:00 pm. $12.00 at Ticketweb.com. 21 & over.

The “Phenomenal Concert” chronicles the journey of the blues and gospel music in America from its cradle of birth in Africa, through the field hollers of slaves, its metamorphosis into Mississippi Delta blues, and finally its maturation in urban cities like Chicago. The blues and gospel music have been a major art form used for communication, inspiration, and healing since the days of slavery. Join us to learn the history of American music and the performance celebration of our music legacy.

Hosted by the Norman Sylvester R&B Revue, the show will feature the LaRhonda Steele Gospel Group, Lenanne Sylvester-Miller, Renato Caranto, the OB Addy tribute to Chata Addy, Tevis Hodge Jr., Lynn Darroch, and Jeff Dodge.

Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St. Wednesday, October 18. 7:30 pm. $20.00 Ticketbiscuit.com. Minors okay while accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Legendary Shack Shakers – photo by Joshua Black Wilkins

The Legendary Shack Shakers’ hell-for-leather roadshow has earned quite a name for itself with its unique brand of Southern Gothic and swampy “hillbilly blues” that is at once irreverent, lyrical, dangerous, and fun. Led by their charismatic, rail-thin frontman and blues-harpist JD Wilkes, the Shack Shakers are a four-man wrecking crew from the South whose explosive interpretations of swamp blues, rock n’ roll and hillbilly music have made fans, critics and legions of potential converts into true believers.

Dante’s, 350 W Burnside St. Thursday, October 17. 9:00 pm. $12.00 Ticketweb.com. 21 & over.