Comin’ Soon…

Club Helsinki in Hudson welcomes the great Steve Earle in concert at 8pm on Sunday, January 8. Tix are $48 & $55. ‘Nuff said. Also new on Helsinki’s schedule is acoustic blues guitarist David Jacobs-Strain, who steps into the spotlight at 8pm on Thursday (December 8).

Two former Lost Planet Airmen – twangmaster Bill Kirchen and Nippertown’s own John Tichy – join forces for a special Honky Tonk Holiday show at the Ale House in Troy on Thursday (December 8). You can bet that they’ll play Tichy’s classic “Daddy’s Drinkin’ Up Our Christmas.” Tix are $20.

The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has added the Americana/bluegrass trio Red Molly to is spring concert calendar. The band, which performed at the Eighth Step in Schenectady just last month, will step into the Music Hall spotlight at 8pm on Friday, May 11. Priced at $10, $12 & $20, tix are currently available only to Music Hall members and will go on sale to the general public on Monday (December 12).

Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany welcomes Plug in Stereo on Saturday, January 21. Kicking off the evening at 7:30pm will be the Scene Aesthetic and Romance on a Rocketship. Tix are $10 in advance; $12 at the door.

Yes, as previously announced, Matt Nathanson will be at the Times Union Center, opening for Kelly Clarkson on Tuesday, January 17, but if you want to see him in the headliner slot, just head to the Calvin Theatre in Northampton at 8pm on Saturday, March 3. Priced at $20 & $25, tix go on sale on Friday (December 9).

Stand-up comedian PJ Walsh stars in his autobiographical “Over There: Comedy Is His Best Weapon” at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock at 8pm on Wednesday, December 28. Opening the show is Patrick Carlin (yes, George’s brother). Tix are $20.

The folks at the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge have begun hosting concerts as well as theater in their Unicorn Theatre. Upcoming concerts include a holiday cabaret show by Rebecca Leigh & Friends at 8pm on Friday, December 23 ($15); and the kid-friendly David Grover & Grover’s Gang with the Berkshire Theatre Group Children’s Chorus at 7pm on Wednesday, December 28 and at 11am on Thursday, December 29 ($15; children $7).

TRIBUTE TIME: According to the Palace Theatre’s new season brochure, Gary Mullen & the Works will be rolling into town to perform “One Night With Queen” at the Palace at 7:30pm on Sunday, April 1. Stay tuned for details regarding tix prices and on sale date.

SOLD OUT: The upcoming Big Time Rush and One Direction concert slated for the Palace Theatre on Tuesday, February 28 sold out in a matter of minutes when tix went on sale last week. Producer Live Nation has issued a press release stating in no uncertain terms, “No tickets will be released. Non-ticket holders are asked not to come to the venue.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Live Nation unveiled the first pop concert announcement for the 2012 summer season at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs. It’s Yanni. Are they just trying to lower our expectations for next summer at SPAC?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART II: The Egg in Albany has added three new concerts to its 2012 calendar, including Stephane Wremble’s Django A Go-Go Festival with Howard Alden, more; alt-country rocker Todd Snider; and Canadian Celtic rockers Enter the Haggis.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART III: Blue Collar comic Larry the Cable Guy will be stepping into the spotlight to “Git-R-Done” at the Palace Theatre in Albany in February. Tix go on sale on Friday (December 9).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART IV: There’s more stand-up comedy on tap at the Palace Theatre on Saturday, December 31, with the fourth annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Blast, featuring Killer Beaz, Corey Alexander, Bill Campbell and Keith Anthony.