Deciding which shows you should see, so you don’t have to

The Suspect: Stockholm Syndrome

This band started in 2004 as a side project for Widespread Panic bassist Dave Schools and Jerry Joseph of the Jackmormons. The band combines blues, funk and rock, and even throws in a little reggae and steel drum music for good measure. They just released a seven-song live EP, Live at Streetlight Records, and promise a studio album later this year.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Friday, Sept. 3.

RIYD (Recommended if You Dig): Widespread Panic, moe., Outformation.

You Should Go If: You often forget the point of your stories by the time you reach the end; your therapist wants you to work on boundaries; overdraft protection changed your life; you hate it when people touch your Grateful Dead bootleg tapes.

The Suspect: Vollie McKenzie and the Western Wildcats

McKenzie and his Western Wildcats will be playing classic honky-tonk and western swing. Originally from South Carolina, but now living here in Asheville, McKenzie has been playing at clubs and festivals since the 1970s. Kari Sickenberger, a singer/ songwriter also living in Asheville, will be joining the Wildcats, as well as leading an introductory two-step dance lesson before the show starts. Giddy-up!

Can Be Found: The Grey Eagle, Friday, Sept. 3.

RIYD: Bob Willis, Buck Owens, Willie Nelson.

You Should Go If: Your first word was “you’uns”; you change out your belt buckle depending on if you’re feeling “fancy” or “casual”; You bought your cable package specifically so you can watch “Hee Haw”; You hate it when people touch your hat.

The Suspect: Corey Harris

Harris began to play guitar at age 12, influenced by his mother’s Lightnin’ Hopkins records. After completing a post-grad fellowship in Cameroon, Harris returned to the U.S. and began playing in the clubs and coffeehouses of New Orleans, and eventually landed a record deal with Alligator. In 2007, Harris was awarded a MacArthur Genius Fellowship for $500,000. His latest disc, Blu.Black, is a soulful combination of Delta blues and old-school reggae.

Can Be Found: The Grey Eagle, Saturday, Sept. 4.

RIYD: R.L. Burnside, Keb Mo’, Buddy Guy.

You Should Go If: You can’t decide if you shouldn’t worry about a thing or if you should worry about more things; even your hobbies need to be educational experiences; you sometimes count how many black, gay and Hispanic friends you have; you hate it when people touch your hair.

The Suspect: Xavier Rudd

Rudd comes to town in support of his sixth studio album, Koonyum Sun, recorded with his new band, Izintaba, and a rhythm section from South Africa. When he performs live, however, Rudd is a one-man show, surrounded by didgeridoos, a guitar, a stompbox, several drums, a banjo and a bass. He was awarded “World’s Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity” by PETA, and his 2007 White Moth tour was entirely carbon-neutral.

Can Be Found: The Orange Peel, Tuesday, Sept. 7.

RIYD: Jack Johnson, Brett Dennen, Dave Matthews.

You Should Go If: Your iPod case is made of hemp; you can’t stop thinking about peanut butter tofu; everything about you is natural and organic except your platinum highlights; you hate it when people touch your Native American arrowhead collection.

— Becky Upham co-hosts the weekly music show, “Your Mom’s Idea,” with Lark Rowe every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. on MAIN-FM.