[Herman’s Picks] Vol. 8, No. 7

Courtesy Shannon McNally

Shannon McNally performs at the Crawdad Hole Saturday, Oct. 31, with the Tri-State Coalition.

by Herman Snell
October 28, 2009

With all the rainy weather lately, you may be compelled to curl up on the couch, zone into the annual "Ghost Hunters" marathon and make your way to the bottom of the candy bowl. Fret not; there are drinks and tricks to be had for the willing participant.

If the hysterics of the film "Zombieland" inspire and you are headed to Voodoo Fest in New Orleans this weekend, you can be part of a Guinness World Record event. The largest gathering of zombies is 4,026, held by a group from the U.K. To beat the record, get zombified and sign in at the Zombie Booth this Saturday located in the Le Carnival section of the festival. Then return to Le Carnival after the KISS show Saturday night for the Guinness recording and photograph.

For details, go to http://www.thevoodooexperience.com click on "Essentials," then "Contests."

Tickets for Ween are still available for Thursday night at the Lyric in Oxford.

Many Jackson clubs are giving cash and prizes for costume contests Saturday night, so be sure to check with them as your prepping for your night on the town. Alt.rock outfit Cleverform will work the Halloween bash at Martin's, and '80s tribute band Molly Ringwalds bring their party vibe back to Fire Saturday night for the costume contest. Ex-Squirrel-Nut-Zipper turned North-Mississippi-Honky-Tonk jukeman Jimbo Mathus brings his band the Tri-State Coalition to the Crawdad Hole on Lakeland Drive, Saturday at 7 p.m. Country-Soul singer/songwriter Shannon McNally will also perform at the Crawdad Hole.

For blues this Halloween, be sure to check out Steven Johnson and Stevie J at the Auditorium in Fondren, Saturday, 9:18 p.m., $25. You've probably seen Stevie J's Blues Eruption around town before, but you might not have seen him perform with the grandson of "Crossroads" blues legend Robert Johnson.

I don't know about you, but seeing the progeny of the man known around the world for having sold his soul to the devil perform on Halloween night sounds like the best kind of creepy-cool.

Not to be missed Halloween night is Dead P.A. at Sam's Lounge. This is a four-piece band performing drum 'n' bass electronica/breaks with a throw-down party beat. They have huge stage presence and dress in themes, guaranteeing a good time. Check them out at http://www.deadpa.com.

Wherever you are on Halloween night, if the party shuts down before you do, don't forget to check out F. Jones Corner on Farish Street, bringing you the blues till 4 a.m. The Bailey Brothers will perform from 10 p.m.to midnight, followed by Mississippi Sound with Amazing Lazy Boi until 4 a.m.

Memphis rock favorites Ingram Hill return to Hal & Mal's next Friday, Nov. 6. The Oxford alt.country roots icon Cary Hudson of Blue Mountain will bring his Cary Hudson Trio to Ole Tavern Friday, Nov. 6. Tickets are still on sale for Son Volt at the Lyric in Oxford next Saturday. The Lyric continues to bring the love with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on Nov. 20. Jackson Browne will be at the Memphis Orpheum Dec. 4. Go to http://www.www.orpheum-memphis.com for tickets.

Be safe and watch out for the tricks.