Shout! Omaha

SURFY, ROOTSY AMERICANA

What: Blacktop Ramblers with Electroliners, Travelling Mercies and Vito Cole
When: 9 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13
Where: Waiting Room, 6212 Maple Street
Cost: $7 at door
On the Web: waitingroomlounge.com

The Scoop: The Blacktop Ramblers have retro rock style to spare, with a splash of surf to keep it all cool. They have a revved-up energy and hail the style of rockabilly quite well. Their music has also been described as “tradition.” Expect to hear something of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams or Marty Robbins. The Travelling Mercies call themselves “electric troubadour gypsy folk.” They consider their music to embody an abridged history of American music offered on a platter to lost lotto tickets, dreams and brimstone. Vito Cole plays acoustic rock with a personal touch. “Picture Postcards” is surely a lament to someone he lost in his life. His songwriter sensibilities add soul factor to this beer-and-whiskey-fueled Americana roots rock extravaganza.

What: OM Center Poetry Slam When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13 Where: 1216 Howard Street Cost: $7
On the Web: omahahealingarts.com

The Scoop: The Omaha Healing Arts Center welcomes you to their monthly poetry slam. Come join the OM Center on a cold winter night as Matt Mason hosts a night of laughs and tears. The poetry covers everything, as it’s up to the poet to decide what they put out there for the audience. Open microphone starts at 7:30 p.m. Once the slam starts, so does the competition. Judges hold up Olympic-style scores to decide who gets to proceed. See each poet reading in their own passionate style, putting words together in ways you’ve probably never heard be- fore.

What: Blake Shelton
With Justin Moore and Dia Frampton
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Where: Pershing Auditorium, 226 Centennial Mall South, LINCOLN
Cost: $52.25
Digits: 800-745-3000 or 402-441-7500
On the Web: pershingcenter.com

THE SCOOP: Country Music Association’s 2011 Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton will bring his show to Lincoln’s Pershing Auditorium on Saturday. Blake is the breakout star of NBC’s “The Voice,” a show that gave the Oklahoman the spotlight his fans have long hoped he’d get. Week after week, millions have gotten to see the talent and charisma that have made Blake one of coun- try music’s brightest lights. Says Entertainment Weekly editor-at- large Ken Tucker: “A country sage whose charm is squarely in the great TV traditions of Roger Miller, Jimmy Dean, and Tennessee Ernie Ford.” Blake left Ada, Oklahoma, at 17, two weeks out of high school, for Nashville after encouragement from legendary songwriter (“Heartbreak Hotel”) Mae Axton. He met and worked with another legend – Bobby Braddock (“He Stopped Loving Her Today”) – and earned a deal on Giant Records. It would be several years before that led to a contract with Warner Bros. and “Austin,” which launched his career. Since then, his star power, world-class voice and irreverent personality have brought him the acclaim that has translated so well from the world of coun- try music to a wider audience. The first single from Blake’s latest CD, “Honey Bee,” spurred him to the #1 position on the country singles charts, which he has reached with six of his last seven singles. “Honey Bee” only hinted at the riches inside “Red River Blue.”

What: Ellis Hall’s Tribute to Ray Charles
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 12th and Douglas streets Cost: $25-$70
Digits: 402-345-0606
On the Web: ticketomaha.com

THE SCOOP: Ray Charles’s protégé and friend, Ellis Hall, is set to perform Charles’ most popular songs in concert on Saturday at the Holland Center – from “Georgia on my Mind” to “Hit the Road Jack” to “Unchain My Heart.” Gifted with a soulful Southern voice, Hall’s poignant renditions will lift your spirit and warm your heart. Hall is touted as the quintessential performer, and as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with a five-octave range. He has performed, recorded and collaborated with music icons ranging from Stevie Wonder and Huey Lewis to Patti LaBelle and James Taylor.

What: Birthday Party w/ Byleth, Jimmy Hooligan, Cursed By Moonlight, The Matador & Anestatic
When: 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13
Where: The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.
Cost: $10, all ages
On the Web: theslowdown.com

The Scoop: A hard-hitting crew gets together Friday night at the Slowdown. Byleth, Jimmy Hooligan, Cursed by Moonlight, the Matador and Anestatic throw down birthday wishes for the lead singer of Cursed by Moonlight. This massive party is all ages, that’s right, there will be no age discrimination at this celebration.

A VERY WAKA WINTER