AJ Scheiber, the lead songwriter and guitarist for Twin Cities Americana band Wilkinson James, celebrates the release of his debut solo album Town Boy. Mixing the downhome storytelling of John Prine and the funky grooves of J.J. Cale, this collection of original story songs evokes the ghosts of America’s small towns and blue highways.

Joining him on this show will be many of the talented musicians that played on the album, including Dave Strahan (Romantica, Farewell Milwaukee), Stephen Murray (Molly Maher, Sherwin Linton), Peter Anderson (Run Westy Run, The Ocean Blue) and Erik Brandt (Urban Hillbilly Quartet).

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It started as a jam session in 1995 in a now burnt-out St. Paul hole-in-the-wall bar. Over 18 years later, the Erik Brandt and The Urban Hillbilly Quartet has grown into an award-winning Twin Cities-based ensemble that delivers an eclectic mix of musical styles, blending electric guitar, piano, accordion, bass and drums. On stage, the Hillbillies perform mainly original material–most of which can be found on their eight albums—especially their latest: 2008’s Bring in the Sails.

The core of the band is Erik Brandt (guitar, accordion, piano, lead vocals), Jeremy Szopinski (electric guitar), Dave Strahan (electric guitar, banjo, vocals), Mike Schultz (bass) and Jim Orvis (drums) who have been performing together in the UHQ all over the United States and overseas.

Make a reservation at AsterCafe.com to reserve your seat for the show. 

$10 cover charge will be added to your tab.