John Corbett Gets Musical for a Good Cause
This Week’s Concert Highlights Include a Sold-Out Old Crowe Medicine Show
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NORTHERN COUNTY EXPOSURE: In one particularly memorable episode of 30 Rock, Tracy Morgan’s hapless actor character Tracy Jordan challenges himself to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting” known as the EGOT. The challenge of winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony may be a far fetch for Jordan, but in real life it’s a real thing, reserved for Hollywood triple threats like Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks, and, yes, Whoopi Goldberg.
On the local front, we’ve got our fair share of serious — and seriously talented — EGOT contenders, from actor/director/singer/songwriter/artist Jeff Bridges to actor/director/producer/author/banjo player Steve Martin to actor/spokesperson/singer John Corbett, who takes to the stage with his band this Saturday, April 27, at Figueroa Mountain Brewery (45 Industrial Wy., Buellton). A longtime North County resident, Corbett made his mark on big and small screens playing the ruggedly hunky BF to, well, just about every pretty young actress under the sun. But playing a strong dude with a heart of gold is just the beginning of Corbett’s many accolades. Of late, Corbett has been recording heaps of voiceover work, as well as working on his music. And before you go scoffing, you might want to give it a listen.
In guitar-toting mode, Corbett is all country boy, and his deep, rich vocals — and his band’s fiddle-heavy breakdowns — draw some sizable comparisons. Think Brad Paisley meets Keith Urban, thrown through the sunny SoCal filter. And should you need another reason to enjoy Corbett’s sweet voice and some good ole-fashioned honky-tonk in the afternoon sun, there’s also a good deed thrown into the mix: Saturday’s event doubles as a benefit for the Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue, with 100 percent of ticket sales going toward the cause. Doors open at 4 p.m. Visit tinyurl.com/sbcsarbenefit for tickets and info.
A REALLY BIG SHOW: And the folksy tunes just keep on coming. On Sunday, Nashville sensation Old Crow Medicine Show returns to Santa Barbara for another rollicking performance at the Lobero Theatre (33 E. Canon Perdido St.). Of late, the band returned from a lengthy hiatus, reunited with founding member Critter Fuqua, co-championed a railroad-led tour with Mumford & Sons and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (which led to an award-winning documentary), and released a triumphant new record (last year’s Carry Me Back). Like past Old Crow outputs, Carry Me Back is an energy-filled mix of bluegrass twang and soulful Americana that manages to straddle the line between throwback familiarity and contemporary marketability. The album also marks the band’s best-selling collection of songs to date. And while Sunday’s Lobero show is, at this time, a sold-out affair, I encourage those ticket-less fans to keep their eyes peeled both online and at the venue around showtime. Simply put, this is a show you’re not going to want to miss. Old Crow Medicine Show plays the Lobero Sunday, April 28, at 8 p.m. For concert info, call (805) 963-0761 or visit lobero.com.
ALSO THIS WEEK: On Monday, April 29, Flogging Molly bassist Nathen Maxwell hits the stage at Velvet Jones (423 State St.) with Versus the World frontman Donald Spence supporting. The show starts at 9 p.m. Call (805) 965-8676 or visit velvet-jones.com for tickets and info. … And on Thursday, May 2, SOhO Restaurant & Music Club (1221 State St.) plays host to area movers and shakers Freakin’ on Speakers, Angelo Meatcraft Flying Machine, and The Kindly Ones, who are set to deliver a night’s worth of funky, rockin’, and rhythmic good times. Door open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8:30 p.m. Call (805) 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com for info.