The Outlaws: Death and personnel changes have altered the makeup of the The Outlaws substantially over the years. Although never in the front rank of Southern rock with Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers, The Outlaws have managed to finesse a pair of hits ("There Goes Another Love Song" and "Ghost Riders in the Sky") into a surprisingly long run on the road. (Feb. 6)

Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men: Dave Alvin is a blend of first-generation roots rock and literate singer-songwriter balladry. His new disc "West of the West," draws on the folk ballad side of his musical persona with a set of California covers from the likes of Merle Haggard, John Fogerty, Brian Wilson, Tom Waits and Jackson Browne. Of course, anybody who remembers Dave from The Blasters knows he can still rock 'n' roll with the very best. (Feb. 7)

Bryan Cherry Band: At the very least, Friday's show with the Bryan Cherry Band ought to "Be Just Fine." That's because that's the title of the local group's first EP, of which the show itself marks the release. Cherry's story begins not more than a few years ago, when hearing the Beatles' classic ballad "Blackbird" was the catalyst for him to start writing songs, and to sing them in his down-home soul croon. (Feb. 2)

Sam Beam: Florida native Beam usually goes under the stage and studio name of Iron & Wine. He was releasing simple tapes of his songs until 2002, when the famed independent Seattle label Sub Pop put out "The Creek Drank the Cradle." His simultaneously earthy and eerie voice has since graced other albums, including 2005's "In the Reins," an astounding collaboration with the chameleonic Calexico. (Feb. 9)

Chris Tomlin: He's one of the hottest acts going in contemporary Christian music. He has two nominations in the 2007 Grammy Awards and took home the Dove Awards for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Male Vocalist of the Year in 2006. (Feb. 8)

Cradle of Filth: Formed in England in 1991, Cradle of Filth basically has been vocalist Dani Davey and a shifting cast of players. The band made its recorded debut in 1994 with "The Principle of Evil Made Flesh," an elegantly Gothic title that was to get some competition from subsequent albums. Musically, the band lives up to the subgenre term "black metal," which includes elaborate (and, at some level, camp) onstage theatrics. (Feb. 3)

Norah Jones: May 5, Riverside Theater

Keith Urban: July 26, Bradley Center

Wayne Brady: March 29, Northern Lights Theater

Phil Vassar: April 5-6, Northern Lights Theater

B.B. King: April 8, Northern Lights Theater

George Carlin: May 17, Northern Lights Theater

America: May 23, Northern Lights Theater

Bo Diddley and Fabulous Thunderbirds: May 24, Northern Lights Theater

Wayne Newton: Aug. 9, Northern Lights Theater

Carrot Top: Aug. 15, Northern Lights Theater

Alan Parson's Live Project: Sept. 28, Northern Lights Theater

Paul Cebar and the Milwaukeeans: Feb. 24, Shank Hall

Jen Chapin Band: March 15, Shank Hall

Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades: April 6, Pabst Theater

Pretty Girls Make Graves: May 10, Mad Planet

The Draft with The Response and Molitor: March 21, Mad Planet

Revision with Bumpus: Feb. 2, Miramar Theater

WAMI Battle of the Bands: Feb. 15, Miramar Theater

Maw Rooney: March 2, Miramar Theater

Jungle Jack Hanna: May 18. Pabst Theater