The Outlaws in Concert at The Lamp; Club Cafe Hosts Kim Richey and Bill Deasy; OTW Staging Byhalia, Miss. (Fri., 4/20/18)

1) Southern rock finds its way north with 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 (now permanently disbanded with the death of Gregg Allman). Founded in Tampa, Fla., 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 proudly carry forward the southern rock banner. The Lamp Theatre. 8 p.m. The Outlaws will play a second show tomorrow night also. 222 Main St., Irwin. 

2) Kim Richey, a singer/songwriter originally from Zanesville, Ohio, creates beautiful songs with interesting, heartfelt lyrics and melodies. Another sign of her songwriting talents is that top musicians have recorded their own versions of her songs, including Trisha Yearwood and Brooks & Dunn. She has also sang vocal tracks for some of the top acts in the country. Richey does indeed have strong Nashville connections, having recorded the majority of her early albums for labels headquartered there. Her latest release, Edgeland, went on sale in March. Richey has also written with her opening act for this show, Bill Deasy.

Bill Deasy’s early musical career began as a singer/songwriter with his group Shiloh. After Shiloh broke up, Deasy teamed up with Dave Brown to form The Gathering Field. They became a ’90s-era regional favorite with their hit song “Lost in America.” The members of The Gathering Field went their separate ways in 2002 and reunite occasionally.  Since then, Deasy has released multiple albums; collaborated on songs with others, like Kim Richey, Martina McBride, and Howard Jones; opened for Springsteen and Dylan; and his “Good Things Are Happening” was a theme song for “Good Morning America.” He’s also published three novels—his first, 2006’s Ransom Seaborn, is being adapted for the screen. Deasy and former Gathering Field bandmate, Dave Brown, released a record in 2017 titled Glory Bound. 7 p.m. Club Cafe, 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. 

3) One of the joys of theater is going to a small-company production of a play that most people never heard of, and having a ringside seat for something that turns out to be really good. Evan Linder’s Byhalia, Mississippi, at off the WALL Productions, might be such a ticket. Byhalia won enthusiastic reviews in its 2016 Chicago premiere and has scored well wherever it runs. Set in the Southern town of the title, it’s a seriocomedy about a young couple who consider themselves “proud white trash.” They’ve been struggling to make ends meet. Now a baby is on the way. And the child’s birth sets off fireworks, as it’s clear that Mom has had an extramarital adventure. The baby is not white. Byhalia, Mississippi gets tensions going on multiple levels at once: over the personal issues involved, over issues of race and economic class. Critics have praised the play for teasing them all together in ways that ring true. Performances continue through May 5. Carnegie Stage, 25 W. Main St., Carnegie. (MV)

4) As part of Earth Day/Earth Week Celebrations Market Square is going green today and tomorrow for Paint the Square Green. The event features a world market with a selection of local vendors specializing in Earth-friendly products and services, organic and educational vendors, and live music from bands and DJs. Today’s lineup includes 11AM-Noon: The Wurms; Noon-1PM: Tres Lads; 1PM-2PM: Night Sky; 2PM-3PM: Joel Lindsey; 3PM-4PM: Spencer Allan Patrick; 4PM-5PM: DJ SMI; 5PM-6PM: Nox Boys. Market Square, Downtown.

5) The Pens are back in the ‘Burgh taking on the Philadelphia Flyers so the Pens can win three Stanley cups in a row and keep Philly from claiming another championship after those won by the Eagles and Villanova Wildcats.

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