Tuesday, August 16: Testa Rosa and The Championship at Chill on the Hill, 6 p.m. (FREE)
It’s funny how each summer seems to pass in the blink of an eye. Summer staple Chill on the Hill is in its final weeks and I’ve yet to pay a visit. That might change Tuesday, though, as the likes of Testa Rosa – still subject of local buzz generated by its second heartfelt full-length effort, II – and a reunion set by folkers The Championship take to the Humboldt Park amphitheater. (Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave.)
Also: Jessi Torrisi at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($5) – (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Wednesday, August 17: CJ Boyd at The Borg Ward, 8 p.m. ($6)
While CJ Boyd makes a fine booking for one of the few Wednesday shows, noisy opener Stock Options (ex Forstella Ford and Disguised As Birds) is fast becoming one of Milwaukee’s most active young bands. If you haven’t seen them yet, this could be a perfect opportunity to check them out. (823 W. National Ave., MySpace.com/TheBorgWard)
Thursday, August 18: George Thorogood and the Destroyers at Potawatomi Bingo Casino Northern Lights Theater, 8 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
A grizzled 40-year veteran of the stage, owner of six certified gold records (along with two platinum records), the mind behind the iconic rock ballad “Bad To The Bone” and one of, like, four notable people from Delaware, George Thorogood has done it all. The skilled guitarist and time-tested frontman has earned a cushy casino gig after a hardworking career fashioning a name for himself in the rock ‘n’ roll trenches. (1721 W. Canal St., PaysBig.com)
Also: Personal & The Pizzas at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m.– (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Friday, August 19: Young Jeezy at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($23.50)
When he’s not busy causing a stir by lobbing homophobic slurs at rival rappers or by way of his party jumping political beliefs or off-stage legal troubles, Atlanta rhyme-smith Young Jeezy fancies himself something of a musician. Though most of his success has come in songs with the “featuring” prefix before his name, 2008’s The Recession shows Jeezy can hold his own and hints at a lengthy career that still hasn’t seen its peak. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Andre Williams at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Elusive Parallelograms at Circle-A Café, 8 p.m. – (932 E. Chambers St., Circle-A-Café.org)
Saturday, August 20: Kenny Wayne Shepherd at Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($35.50)
In a genre almost exclusively comprised of ragged old musicians, 34-year-old blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has managed a great deal of success in a relatively short amount of time. But I suppose three platinum albums, a seemingly permanent residence on the Billboard Blues charts and opening gigs for B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and The Eagles have that effect on a musician. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: David Allan Coe at Turner Hall, 7:30 p.m. ($25) – (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org) [CANCELED!] And: Enabler at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Sunday, August 21: Nashville Pussy at Miramar Theatre, 8 p.m. ($20)
Fashioned in Atlanta nearly 20 years ago, purveyors of southern-fried psychobilly, Nashville Pussy have found the key to success and longevity in rock ‘n’ roll with a catalog of unapologetic toe-tappers busting with references to sex, drugs, fighting and drinking. Punk legends Dwarves open. (2844 N. Oakland Ave., MiramarTheatre.com)
Also: Queensrÿche at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($28.50) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
