The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at 7:30 p.m. today in Benson Auditorium at Harding University in Searcy. Tickets are $26, $36 and $46.
Formed in the 1940s as the gospel Oak Ridge Quartet, choosing a name that reflected their many shows in the vicinity of the Tennessee nuclear research facility, the group switched to country music in the 1970s, and changed the last part of their name from Quartet to Boys. Lead singer Duane Allen and William Lee Golden (baritone) had joined in the mid-1960s and Richard Sterban (bass) and Joe Bonsall (tenor) joined in the early 1970s. Golden left in 1987, replaced by the group's guitarist, Steve Sanders, but Golden returned in 1995 and reclaimed his job.
The group has released 41 studio albums from the 1970s through 2009, plus 12 compilations, seven Christmas albums and one live album. The Oaks have racked up 17 No. 1 hits, the latest being "No Matter How High" in 1989, with hit singles that include "Y'all Come Back Saloon," "Elvira," "Bobbie Sue," "American Made," "Lucky Moon," and "Gonna Take a Lot of River."
Benson Auditorium, Harding University, 900 Center St., Searcy, (501) 279-5777, hardingtickets.com
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Black Oak Arkansas will perform at 10 p.m Friday at the Four Quarter Bar in North Little Rock. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 the day of the show.
The Goodtime Ramblers will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $7.
Four Quarter Bar, 415 Main St., North Little Rock, (501) 313-4704, fourquarterbar.com
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The Arkansas Times' annual Musicians Showcase will have its first competition at 8 p.m. today at Stickyz Rock 'n' Roll Chicken Shack. Admission is $5; $10 for those under age 21.
Semifinalists the first week include Brian Nahlen, Recognizer, Spirit **** and deFrance.
William Clark Green will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10.
Green, a native of Flint, Texas, recorded his 2008 debut album, Dangerous Man, while a college student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He has since released Misunderstood in 2010, Rose Queen in 2013, Ringling Road in 2015 and his latest, Live at Gruene Hall, Sept. 23.
Stickyz Rock 'n' Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Ave., (501) 372-7707, stickyz.com
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Third Degree will perform at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Thirst N' Howl in Little Rock. Admission is free.
7-Toed Pete will perform at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is f̶r̶e̶e̶ $5.*
Thirst N' Howl, 14710 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, (501) 379-8189, thirst-n-howl.com
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A "battle of the bands" (with a grand prize of $2,000) is being held at 10 p.m. Saturday nights through Feb. 25 at the Discovery nightclub in Little Rock. Admission is $10.
The Funk Doctors vs. GOOD FOOT will battle this week, followed by Ryan Sauders Music vs. Brian Mullen on Feb. 4. On Feb. 11 and 18, there will be semifinal rounds, with Feb. 25 the finale.
In the first week of competition Dirty Fuss won over People's Republic of Casiotones.
Discovery, 1021 Jessie Road, Little Rock, (501) 666-6900, latenightdisco.com.
Weekend on 01/26/2017
*CORRECTION: Admission for weekend shows at Little Rock bar Thirst N’ Howlcq — Third Degree at 8:30 p.m. Friday and 7-Toed Pete at 8:30 p.m. Saturday — is $5. The Music Scene column in Thursday’s Style section gave incorrect admission.