Garth Brooks in Concert at Heinz Field; Jergel’s Hosts The Outlaws; Joe Grusehcky and The Houserockers at Crafthouse (Sat., 5/18/19)

1) Garth Brook’s sings about having “Friends in Low Places,” well he also has a lot of friends in Pittsburgh places as he is performing a sold out show at Heinz Field. He previously played six concerts in four days at Consol Energy Center in 2015. Brooks shot to fame quickly with his first traditional style country album Garth Brooks, rising to number two on the U.S. Country charts. Not bad for a young Oklahoman. Next up he combined the country twang in his voice and guitar with rock sensibilities and garnered a huge success with the 1990 album release No Fences. The album produced the hits “The Thunder Rolls,” “Friends in Low Places,” and “Unanswered Prayers.” The release spent 23 weeks at no.1 on the Billboard Country charts. Brooks is a multiple Grammy Award winner and the number one over all album seller since 1991. He has released two singles in advance of his upcoming album Fun.

Brook’s wife Trisha Yearwood, a Grammy Award-winning country music star, celebrity chef, and author, will be holding one of her Trishia’s Tailgate events before her hubby’s concert. Guests will enjoy some of Yearwood’s favorite tailgate foods and drinks, as well as good music. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Don’t forget your boots and beer money. 7 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore. (RH)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIaS_vYIQ_A&t=157s

2) Southern rock finds its way north with the The Outlaws. For over 40 years, the band has been thriving in the Southern rock genre along with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels, and The Allman Brothers. Founded in Tampa, Florida, in ’72, The Outlaws put forth a Southern rock opus with “Green Grass and High Tides” and scored a major hit with “There Goes Another Love Song.” Outlaw trademarks include beautiful vocal harmonies and intricate lead guitar play. Surviving the test of time, the inevitable evolution of popular music, and bandmates’ deaths, The Outlaws are definitely alive, kicking, and, it would seem, stronger than ever. And now with Lynyrd Skynyrd on their farewell tour, The Outlaws will be one of the groups to proudly carry forward the southern rock banner. 8 p.m. Sold out. Jergel’s, 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzZAWpQyvts

3) It is the 40th anniversary of the Iron City Houserockers‘ major label debut release on MCA, Love’s So Tough. The album captured their gritty, no frills sound. Hot tracks from the LP include “Love’s So Tough” and “Hideaway.” The Iron City Houserockers were led by Joe Grushecky who has his own modern day iteration of the band. For this special anniversary Grushecky and the current band will reunite with cofounder/bass player Art Nardini and harmonica player Marc Reisman. They will be performing all the songs from the album. See our story. Chet Vincent and Biirdwatcher open. 9 p.m. Crafthouse Stage & Grill, 5024 Curry Rd, Whitehall.

1979 publicity photo taken by the legendary rock photographer Neal Preston.

4) The Spinners, a male vocal and dance group who originated in the suburbs of Detroit, enjoyed considerable success in the ’70s with top 10 hits including “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” “The Rubber Band Man,” (If they were from Pittsburgh it would be “The Gum Band Man”) and “I’ll Be Around.” In ’74, they teamed up with Dionne Warwick to produce the number one smash hit “Then Came You.” During the 1960s The Spinners were with Motown before switching to the Atlantic label in the ’70s. The Spinners still tour regularly and have one original Spinner remaining—Henry Fambrough, who has been in the band since its formation in 1954. That’s a lot of R&B. 8 p.m. The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, 210 Racetrack Rd., Washington.

5) St. Lucia—the stage name for Jean-Philip Grobler—performs with his band for an “intimate and acoustic” show at the Rex Theater. Grobler grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, and sang with the internationally known Drakensberg Boys Choir. When older, he moved to Liverpool, England, to study for three years before moving to Brooklyn, New York, where he started his musical career. His latest album is 2018’s Hyperion, which includes the single “Walking Away.” Airpark opens. 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. (RH, CM)

6) A versatile singer, songwriter, and keyboardist, Rachel B touches on several different genres, including pop, dance, soul, and a little bit of jazz. You can hear her versatility on “I’m the Boss” from her 2016 debut album of the same name. She has played in electro-pop trio little good bad (+ -), and she recently performed at Paint the Square Green in Market Square for this year’s Earth Day. New solo material is currently in the works. In the meantime, Rachel B will perform with the PGH Circus Arts Collaborative at Club Cafe. Special guests are Parry Adams and Chrissy Costa. 7 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (EC, CM)

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