Whitney Houston had more than 40 chart singles in the United States over a 28-year career, including 22 Top 10s — from 1985′s “You Give Good Love” to 1999′s “My Love Is Your Love.”

Here are some of Houston’s greatest moments in music video:

LOS ANGELES — Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music’s queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.

Houston’s publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown.

News of Houston’s death came on the eve of music’s biggest night — the Grammy Awards. It’s a showcase where she once reigned, and her death was sure to cast a heavy pall on Sunday’s ceremony. Houston’s longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner Saturday; it was unclear if it was going to go forward.

At her peak, Houston the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world’s best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting to Exhale.”

She had the perfect voice and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise.

She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.

But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanor and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.

“The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy,” Houston told ABC’s Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

It was a tragic fall for a superstar who was one of the top-selling artists in pop music history, with more than 55 million records sold in the United States alone.

She seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.

Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.

“The time that I first saw her singing in her mother’s act in a club … it was such a stunning impact,” Davis told “Good Morning America.”

“To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine,” he added.

With Kevin Costner in "The Bodyguard"

Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with “Whitney Houston,” which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. “Saving All My Love for You” brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. “How Will I Know,” ”You Give Good Love” and “The Greatest Love of All” also became hit singles.

Another multiplatinum album, “Whitney,” came out in 1987 and included hits like “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

The New York Times wrote that Houston “possesses one of her generation’s most powerful gospel-trained voices, but she eschews many of the churchier mannerisms of her forerunners. She uses ornamental gospel phrasing only sparingly, and instead of projecting an earthy, tearful vulnerability, communicates cool self-assurance and strength, building pop ballads to majestic, sustained peaks of intensity.”

Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences. The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the “Soul Train Awards” in 1989.

“Sometimes it gets down to that, you know?” she told Katie Couric in 1996. “You’re not black enough for them. I don’t know. You’re not R&B enough. You’re very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them.”

Some saw her 1992 marriage to former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown as an attempt to refute those critics. It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop’s pure princess while he had a bad-boy image, and already had children of his own. (The couple had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in 1993.) Over the years, he would be arrested several times, on charges ranging from DUI to failure to pay child support.

But Houston said their true personalities were not as far apart as people may have believed.

“When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place,” she told Rolling Stone in 1993. “You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that’s their image. It’s part of them, it’s not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody’s angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy.”

It would take several years, however, for the public to see that side of Houston. Her moving 1991 rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl, amid the first Gulf War, set a new standard and once again reaffirmed her as America’s sweetheart.

With Bobby Brown

In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with “The Bodyguard.” Despite mixed reviews, the story of a singer (Houston) guarded by a former Secret Service agent (Kevin Costner) was an international success.

It also gave her perhaps her most memorable hit: a searing, stunning rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” which sat atop the charts for weeks. It was Grammy’s record of the year and best female pop vocal, and the “Bodyguard” soundtrack was named album of the year.

She returned to the big screen in 1995-96 with “Waiting to Exhale” and “The Preacher’s Wife.” Both spawned soundtrack albums, and another hit studio album, “My Love Is Your Love,” in 1998, brought her a Grammy for best female R&B vocal for the cut “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay.”

But during these career and personal highs, Houston was using drugs. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2010, she said by the time “The Preacher’s Wife” was released, “(doing drugs) was an everyday thing. … I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day. … I wasn’t happy by that point in time. I was losing myself.”

In the interview, Houston blamed her rocky marriage to Brown, which included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993. They divorced in 2007.

Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in 2010. But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns.

She was so startlingly thin during a 2001 Michael Jackson tribute concert that rumors spread she had died the next day. Her crude behavior and jittery appearance on Brown’s reality show, “Being Bobby Brown,” was an example of her sad decline. Her Sawyer interview, where she declared “crack is whack,” was often parodied. She dropped out of the spotlight for a few years.

Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album “I Look To You.” The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.

Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on “Good Morning America” went awry as Houston’s voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice.

A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out. Canceled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.

Nicki Minaj

Sometimes the Grammys get it right when it comes to the Best New Artist award … Bobby Darin, The Beatles (duh!), Sade, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Adele, to name a few, were no-brainers.

But when they get ‘em wrong, boy, look out.

Milli Vanilli, anyone?

Heck, one year (1967), they didn’t even bother to hand out the award — I couldn’t find out why until I discovered a Grammy expert through a friend. His response? “Here’s my best guess: The total number of categories dropped from 47 for 1965 to 42 for 1966, so it appears it was part of an overall streamlining. For 1967, the number ballooned back to 48, so there must have been complaints from members and/or the industry about the cuts. Whatever the reason, it does seem odd to cut one of their four marquee categories (along with Record, Album and Song of the Year.)”

This year’s Grammys are on Sunday night (Feb. 12) on CBS. Up for Best New Artist? The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj and Skrillex. (The odds are in Minaj’s favor, but ya never know.) Vote for your favorite in our poll below.

Here are just a few times when the Grammy voters got it right … and got it wrong.

THEY GOT IT RIGHT:

Bobby Darin – 1959
The Beatles – 1965 … the first rock band to win the award, and rightfully so
Carly Simon – 1972
Natalie Cole – 1976
Cyndi Lauper – 1985
Sade – 1986
Tracy Chapman – 1989
Mariah Carey – 1991
Arrested Development – 1993
Sheryl Crow – 1995
Lauryn Hill – 1999
Christina Aguilera – 2000
Alicia Keys – 2002
Norah Jones – 2003
John Legend – 2006
Amy Winehouse – 2008
Adele – 2009

THE ALSO-RANS (they shoulda-won!):

The 4 Seasons - 1963, lost to Robert Goulet
The Byrds - 1966, lost to Tom Jones
Cream - 1969, lost to Jose Feliciano
Led Zeppelin - 1970, lost to Crosby, Stills & Nash
Elton John - 1971, lost to Carpenters
Barry White - 1974, lost to Bette Midler
Bad Company - 1975, lost to Marvin Hamlisch
Boston - 1977, lost to Starland Vocal Band … in the video clip below, the look on the Beach Boys’ faces when they announced the winner says it all
Foreigner – 1978, lost to Debby Boone
Elvis Costello - 1979, lost to A Taste of Honey
The Pretenders - 1981, lost to Christopher Cross
Terence Trent D’Arby - 1988, lost to Jody Watley
Neneh Cherry - 1990, lost to Milli Vanilli … ugh.
Erykah Badu - 1998, lost to Paula Cole
Jill Scott - 2001, lost to Shelby Lynne

Jill Sobule. PHOTO BY KRISTINE LARSEN

Jill Sobule is loving her visits to Sarasota.

The L.A.-based singer-songwriter has come here twice the past three months, to watch rehearsals and oversee the original music she wrote for the Asolo Rep’s version of “Yentl,” adapted for the stage by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer. She was also there for opening night last month.

Now she’s back Monday night (Feb. 13) for her own concert at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

“I have a feeling some of the kids in the cast are going to come and sing with me,” she says.

Sobule says she never has a setlist; she just wings it. “When you’re spontaneous and don’t plan anything, 97 percent of the time it turns out really good. That 3 percent, you go, ‘What was I thinking?!’ ”

Oddly enough, she says, fans don’t clamor for her 1995 hit “I Kissed a Girl.” They want her other signature songs (like “Supermodel”) and her quirky cover versions.

“I’ll do songs like ‘All the Young Dudes’ because you don’t expect it,” she says with a laugh. “I like to shake things up.”

Fri. Feb. 10, $25 for adults, $10 for students. 5840 26th St. W. 761-2862, 795-4555

Molly Gene One Whoaman Band/Reverend Deadeye
8 p.m., Linksters Taproom, 8764 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Sweet soulful Molly Gene (Dyer), a downhome girl, belts out raspy vocals while executing gritty and authentic blues on her  bottleneck guitar, a style reminiscent of old blues greats with a big dose of rock.  Her latest CD — “Hillbilly Love”, an eleven track disc — has an arrangement on the Sleepy John Estes classic “Old Black Mattie” and 10 original tunes.  Next up, Reverend Deadeye — a third generation man of the cloth — plays resonator guitar and sings into a beer can mic while banging on a washtub snare, his preachy tunes turning the bar into a gospel revival. –Ed Midler

Saturday, February 11

Heartstock featuring StoneFish / Kettle Of Fish / Passerine / Joel Fisher / Greg Holt & Sam Zouari
3-10 p.m., The Palace, 7280 N. Leewynn Drive, Sarasota, heartstock.org
There will be plenty of fish on hand at this Saturday’s Heartstock event, including some of the area’s most popular cover acts like StoneFish, Kettle of Fish and Joel Fisher. You’ll also find some birds of a feather courtesy of all-original down-home folk-Americana quintet Passerine, and even some world-class fiddle work from Greg “The Fiddler” Holt and Sam Zouari. But the real reason for the occasion is to raise money for a great cause: helping people pay for costly heart transplants. This particular Heartstock will offer attendees a wide array of fun activities such as a Silent Auction, Raffle, Bake Sale, Bounce House, Cornhole Tournament and an Old Time Photo Booth in an effort to assist Donald Colley in receiving a much needed heart transplant. Bring the whole family and feel great about making other’s lives better. –Tim Sukits

Benefit for Southeastern Guide Dogs feat. Lion Choir / The Send Offs
8:30 p.m., Cock & Bull Pub, 975 Cattlemen Road, $3, all ages, guidedogs.org
This Saturday the Cock & Bull will do their part to help benefit the worthy causes of Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. by bringing in two of SRQ’s hottest bands. Progressively dissonant and technically mind-blowing, Lion Choir are no strangers to lending a hand toward charitable endeavors through musical expression. The socially conscious four-piece most recently partnered with CauseLife.org to help raise money for the construction of shallow wells in water-deprived third-world countries. Joining them in the spirit of giving will be recently formed lo-fi indie-rock duo The Send Off. Come share in the puppy love by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win an Apple iPad2, a Caribbean cruise, and even a shot at $10,000 cash! –Tim Sukits

Benefit for WSLR featuring Ernie Evans and the Florida State Bluegrass Band / Passerine
8 p.m., WSLR Studios, 525 Kumquat Court, $8 in advance, $10 at the door, wslr.org
Ernie Evans and the Florida State Bluegrass Band is a supergroup consisting of members from the best bluegrass bands the state of Florida has to offer. While most of the group specializes in their chosen instrument of trade, front man and band orchestrator Ernie Evans is perfectly proficient at every tool in the bluegrass arsenal, including lead vocals. Sarasota’s one and only community radio station WSLR 96.5 FM has invited these master pickers in for a night of country fried boot-stompin’ to raise money for the continued airing of our very own commercial-free, locally produced radio programming. Passerine will warm up the crowd to help loosen some pocketbooks. –Tim Sukits

The Milkshake Fundraiser w/Young Tosspot, Geri X, The Jetties
9 p.m., Shamrock Pub, 2257 Ringling Blvd. , Sarasota
Benefiting the 2012 Harvey Milk Festival host beertender and writer Anthony Paull serves up a plethora of fun.  In exchange for a suggested $5 donation, Paull bestows a free download of his fabulous gay little novel — “Outtakes of A Walking Mistake” — while attendees will enjoy the musical talents of Young Tosspot, the vivacious Geri X and The (ghoulish) Jetties.  There will be  beer specials, T-shirts, book and sticker giveaways, and all tips go to the festival fund. – Ed Midler

Wednesday, February 15

Ladies Sing The Blues feat. Meredith Garofalo / Lauren Mitchell / Rebecca Bird / Carolyn Davis / Gwen Fogt / Barbara Baker Brockschmidt / Wendy Joffe / Christine Berstling / Katt Graber / Ksue Lovastay Drumastay
6 p.m., Ocean Blues Grill, 1936 Hillview Street, $20 donation
Some of the area’s most highly regarded female vocalists will be belting it out to the best of their abilities as Ocean Blues Grill teams up with Full Moon Promotions and Manatee Children’s Services to help end the scourge of child abuse and neglect throughout our Suncoast communities. With internationally renowned blues man Steve Arvey acting as musical director, more than a dozen talented local ladies will raise their voices on behalf of the little ones among us who desperately need a guiding hand and a safe home. A $20 donation at the door gets you a selection of free menu tastings and featured wine tastings serve up by a host of celebrity bartenders. Blues fans can also help by throwing in a few bucks for the raffle and 50/50 drawings. Show your support by joining in the chorus. –Tim Sukits

ALSO PLAYING THIS WEEK
(Shows are listed chronologically and alphabetically; some showtimes are unavailable.)

THURSDAY 2.9
Gulf Coast Banjo Society, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Snook Haven)
Dagmar Beavers, 11:30 a.m. (O’Leary’s)
Mike Sales, 3 p.m. every Thurs. (Blue Que)
Larry Rich, 5-8 p.m. every Thurs. (Martini Bistro)
Frankie Catalina, 5-9 p.m. every Thurs. (Marina Jack/patio)
Dan Crawford, 5 p.m. (LeBarge)
Gary Ryley, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Mike Markaverich, 5-8 p.m. every Thurs. (Caraguilos)
Henry Monzello, 5:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Snook Haven)
Sax on the Beach (aka Mike Parshall), 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Howards Restaurant on the Water)
Taylor & Taylor, 5:30 p.m. (Cortez Clam Factory)
Russ Adams Project, 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Clancy’s)
Crossover, 6-10 p.m. (Flounders)
Gary Goetz, 6-9 p.m. every Thurs. (JD’s Bistro & Grille)
Ben Hammong, 6-10 p.m. (Captain Curt’s)
Island Vibe, 6-10 p.m. (Gatorz)
Jam Night with Bodie Valdez & Friends, 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Karmic Tattoo, 6-10 p.m. (Woody’s River Roo)
Rock Lee, 6 p.m. every Thurs. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Scott McFarlin, 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
David Moore, 6-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Sharky’s)
Wally “Gator” Sirotich, 6-9 p.m. every Thurs. (Cafe Italia)
Swamp Donkie, 6-8 p.m. (Nav-A-Gator)
Pat Walsh, 6-9 p.m. every Thu. (Pier 22)
Dixie Spirit Jazz Band, 6:30-9:30 every Thurs. (TJ Carney’s)
Metro Connection, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Floribbean)
Acoustic Pete, 7-11 p.m. every Thurs. (SKOB)
Steve Arvey, Dr. Bob Koser, 7 p.m. (Kojaks)
Beau & Becca, 7 p.m. (Lock ‘N Key)
Doug Bidwell, 7-11 p.m.Feb. 16, 23 (Square 1 Burgers & Bar, 1737 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota)
Blues Jam feat. Carolyn Davis & The Stray Dawgs, 7 p.m. (Flying Dog)
Ciceron Brothers Band, 7-10 p.m. every Thurs. (Meadows Village Pub)
Five Points Live feat. The Heart Machine, 7-9 p.m. (Five Points Collective; 5pointslive.com)
Jimmy Reagan, 7-11 p.m. every Thurs. (15 South/piano bar)
Sarasota Slim, 7 p.m. (Englewoods on Dearborn)
Two Can Jam, 7 p.m. every Thurs. (Slip-Not)
Joe Yander (singer-pianist), 7-11 p.m. every Thurs. (Brasserie Belge)
Scott Curts, 7:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Salute!)
Gumbo Boogie Band, 7:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Pelican Pete’s)
Debbie Keeton, 7:30 p.m. (Haye Loft)
The Venturas, 7:30-11 p.m. every Thurs. (Mattison’s City Grille)
Band Jam with Al Owion, 8 p.m. every Thurs. (Kirby’s)
Gals’ Night Out with DJs Scotty B & Mike Anthony, 8 p.m. every Thurs. (Libby’s)
Just Dave, 8 p.m. (World of Beer)
NexxLevel, 8 p.m. (Dean’s South of the Border)
Molly Gene One Whoaman Band, Reverend Deadeye, 9 p.m. (Linksters South)
Charlie Whitt, 8 p.m. (Ace’s)
Cabal, 8:30 p.m. (Ceviche)
Cream Thursdays with host Arica Love, 9 p.m. every Thurs. (Ivory Lounge; 21+; free)
DJ Flipmode, 9 p.m. every Thurs. (Bleachers)
Darrell Lawhorne, 9 p.m. (Crow’s Nest)
Ben Prestage, 9 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Ladies Night with Ansidis and DJ O.D., 9:30 p.m. every Thurs. (Blue Owl)
SuperBot, 9:30 p.m. (Gator Club)
Democracy, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)
Ladies Night with DJ Marcus Molano, 10 p.m. every Thurs. (Findaddy’s)
Ladies Night with DJ Tammy, 10 p.m. (Yvette’s)
Rye Road, 10 p.m. every Thurs. (The Beach Club)

FRIDAY 2.10
Mike Sales, 11:30 a.m. (O’Leary’s)
Rye Road, 2-5 p.m. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Swamp Donkie, 2-6 p.m. every Fri. (SKOB)
Noel Harris, 3-7 p.m. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
Joey Lavalle, 3 p.m. every Fri. (Marina Jack/patio)
Mike Sales, 3 p.m. every Fri. (Blue Que)
Justin Layman, 4-9 p.m. every Fri. (Cedars Bar & Grill)
Jimmy Reagan, 4-7 p.m. (Woody’s River Roo)
Bain Beakley, 5 p.m. (LeBarge)
Mike Markaverich, 5-8 p.m. every Fri. (Caraguilos)
Roadblock, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Kokomo Chris, 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Fri. (Howards Restaurant on the Water)
Ben Hammond, 6-10 p.m. every Fri. (Boatyard)
Jessie & Jemm, 6-10 p.m. (Gatorz)
Debbie Keeton, 6 p.m. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Kettle of Fish, 6-10 p.m. (Clancy’s)
Rock Lee, 6 p.m. every Fri. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Ken Loomer, 6-9 p.m. every Fri. (Bacalao)
Memories of Elvis with Chris Olson, 6-10 p.m. (Meadows Village Pub; $15)
Mumbo Jumbo, 6 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)
Chris Otto, 6-10 p.m. every Fri. (Captain Curt’s)
Rob Satori, 6 p.m. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Wally “Gator” Sirotich, 6-9 p.m. every Fri. (Cafe Italia)
Pat Walsh, 6-9 p.m. (Pier 22)
Jazz Mania, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Fri. (Floribbean)
Bossalero, 6:45-9:45 p.m. (Mango Bistro)
Big Daddy, 7-11 p.m. (Woody’s River Roo)
Big Z Band, 7-10 p.m. every Fri. (Marina Jack/patio)
Bud Buckley, 7-10 p.m. every Fri. (Back Eddy Bistro)
George Carroll Jazz Trio, 7-10 p.m. every Fri. (Floribbean; reservations: 365-2266)
Democracy, 7-11 p.m. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Los Listos, 7 p.m. (Ceviche)
Mellow Vibes (Steel Drum Night), 7-10 p.m. every Fri. (Jamrocks)
Dan Mobley, 7 p.m. every Fri. (Kojak’s)
Moon Over Myakka Concert Series: Ben Prestage, 7 p.m. (Myakka River State Park; $10)
Jack Mosley, 7-10 p.m. (Nav-A-Gator)
Benny Ribaudo, 7-11 p.m. every Fri. (15 South/piano bar)
Rox Band, 7 p.m. (Englewoods on Dearborn)
Danny Sinoff Jazz Trio, 7-10 p.m. every Fri. (JD’s Bistro and Grille)
Peter Taylor, 7-10 p.m. (Closer to the Vine)
Joe Yander (singer-pianist), 7-11 p.m. every Fri. (Brasserie Belge)
Ray Biscoglia & Glenn Stevenson, 7:30-11:30 p.m. every Fri. (Haye Loft)
Gotta Luv It, 7:30-11:30 p.m. (Flounders)
Lady Jazz, 7:30-10:30 p.m. every Fri. (Divino)
sTone Fish, 7:30-10:30 p.m. (Flying Dog)
High Tide, 8 p.m. (Sharky’s)
Low Rent, 8 p.m. (Lock ‘N Key)
Tucci Band, 8 p.m. (Joe Cracker)
Watching Wendy, 8 p.m. (Cortez Clam Factory)
Gitane Blue feat. Kevin Aland, 8:30-11:30 p.m. every Fri. (Darwin’s on 4th)
American Made, 9 p.m. (Dean’s South of the Border)
The Sean Chambers Band, 9 p.m. (Ace’s; $7)
DJs Scotty B & Mike Anthony, 9 p.m. every Fri. (Libby’s)
DJ Shambala, 9 p.m. every Fri. (Selva)
Flashbacks Dance Club, 9 p.m. (Yvette’s)
The Groove, 9 p.m. (Peggy’s Corral)
Max McCann, 9 p.m. (Crow’s Nest)
Nashville Tuxedo, 9 p.m. (World of Beer)
Danny Scott, 9 p.m. (Polo Grill)
Slick Willy, 9 p.m. (Harpoon Harry’s)
Unkle Red, 9 p.m. (Peggy’s Corral)
Valentine’s Party feat. Randall-M, 9 p.m. (Ivory Lounge)
The Venturas, 9 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Anchor Atlantic, 9:30 p.m. (Gator Club)
Pariah, The Cherry Bombs, 9:30 p.m. (Rendezvous Lounge)
Koko Ray & The Soul Providers, 9:30 p.m. (Dcoy Ducks)
DJ Ansidis, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. every Fri. (Darwin’s on 4th)
DJ Casper, 10 p.m. every Fri. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
Jazz Around the Corner, 10 p.m.-midnight every Fri. (Drunken Poet)
SuperBot, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)

SATURDAY 2.11
BeThere Bros., noon (O’Leary’s)
Acoustic Pete Blues Trio, 1-5 p.m. every Sat. (Gilligan’s)
Double Dose, 1-5 p.m. (Gatorz)
Two Can Jam, 1-5 p.m. (Flounders)
Island Time, 2-5 p.m. (Nav-A-Gator)
Dana Lawrence & Friends, 2-6 p.m. every Sat. (SKOB)
Straight Up, 2-6 p.m. (Woody’s River Roo)
Swamp Donkie, 2-5 p.m. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Chris Otto, 2:30-6:30 p.m. every Sat. (Marina Jack/patio)
Heartstock feat. sToneFish, Kettle of Fish, Passerine, Joel Fisher, Greg Holt & Sam Zouari, 3-10 p.m. (The Palace, 7280 N. Leewynn Drive, Sarasota; heartstock.org)
Bill Vinhage, 3-7 p.m. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
Sly McLeod, 5 p.m. (LeBarge)
The Sound of the Beatles feat. Glass Onion, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sarasota Classic Car Museum, 5500 N. Tamiami Trail; $15; reservations: 355-6228)
Bob Comeau, 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Sat. (Howards Restaurant on the Water)
Fremont John, 6 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Lady Jazz, 6-9 p.m. every Sat. (Floribbean)
Rock Lee, 6 p.m. every Sat. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Moments 2 Remember, 6-9 p.m. every Sat. (DeMarco’s Italian Grill)
Purgatory, 6-10 p.m. (Gatorz)
Wally “Gator” Sirotich, 6-9 p.m. every Sat. (Cafe Italia)
Sidney Wingfield, 6 p.m. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Don Hunsinger, 6:30 p.m. every Sat. (Pelican Pete’s)
Gerardo Capdevilla, 6:45-9:45 p.m. (Mango Bistro)
Bandana, 7-11 p.m. (Flounders)
Bud Buckley, 7-10 p.m. every Sat. (Back Eddy Bistro)
Bud Light Platinum Launch Party, 7 p.m. (Jake’s Tavern)
Clint, 7-10 p.m. every Sat. (Jamrocks)
De Corazon, 7-10 p.m. every Sat. (Darwin’s on 4th)
DooWop Denny’s Rockin’ Oldies Show, 7-10 p.m. every Sat. (Jan. 14 thru May 26) (Saltwater Cafe)
Florida Mountain Boys, 7-10 p.m. (Linger Lodge)
Gumbo Boogie, 7-11 p.m. (Woody’s River Roo)
Karyn & Chakulla, 7-10 p.m. (Closer to the Vine)
Jennifer Leigh & Her New Digs, 7-11 p.m. every Sat. (Marina Jack/patio)
Frankie Lombardi Acoustic Revolution, 7-11 p.m. (Pier 22)
Los Listos, 7 p.m. (Ceviche)
Kitt Moran, Mike Moran, Dominic Mancini, 7-10 p.m. every Sat. (JD’s Bistro & Grille)
Jack Mosley, 7 p.m. (Englewoods on Dearborn)
Patsy & Majella, 7-11 p.m. every Sat. (Lynches Pub & Grub)
Benny Ribaudo, 7-11 p.m. every Sat. (15 South/piano bar)
Shotgun Justice, 7-11 p.m. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Spark Notes, 7 p.m. (Kojaks)
Joe Yander (singer-pianist), 7-11 p.m. every Sat. (Brasserie Belge)
TC Allen Band, 7:30 p.m. every Sat. (Mattison’s City Grille)
Lady Jazz, 7:30-10:30 p.m. every Sat. (Divino)
Mike Markaverich, 7:30 p.m. every Sat. (Haye Loft)
Benefit for WSLR feat. Ernie Evans and the Florida State Bluegrass Band, Passerine, 8 p.m. (WSLR, 525 Kumquat Court, Sarasota; $8/$10)
Chameleon, 8 p.m. (Sharky’s)
The Groove, 8 p.m. (Cortez Clam Factory)
High Tide, 8 p.m. (Lock ‘N Key)
Mike Tozier, 8 p.m. every Sat. (SKOB)
Ira Wilkes, 8 p.m. every Sat. (Closer to the Vine)
Ben Hammond, 8:30 p.m. every Sat. (Hub Baja Grill)
North Trail Rhythm Project, Morgan Lawson, 8:30 p.m. (Growlers Pub)
Puppy Love (benefit for Southeastern Guide Dogs) feat. Lion Choir, The Send Offs, 8:30-11:30 p.m. (Cock & Bull; $3; guidedogs.org)
Copperhead, 9 p.m. (Dean’s South of the Border)
DJ Rafferdy, 9 p.m. every Sat. (Cork’s Cigar Bar)
DJ Shambala, 9 p.m. every Sat. (Selva)
Eartheart, 9 p.m.-midnight every Sat. (Cafe Amalfi)
The Equines, Roadkill Ghost Choir, O’Captain, 9 p.m. (Blue Owl; $3)
Jonapalooza 2 feat. Delta Skyline, Escape Tonight, Devil Made Microphones, 9 p.m. (Pastimes)
Katalyst, 9 p.m. (Clancy’s)
Latin Salsa Nite, 9 p.m. every Sat. (Bacalao)
The Milkshake feat. Young Tosspot, Geri X, The Jetties (fundraiser for the 2012 Harvey Milk Festival), 9 p.m. (Shamrock Pub)
R.P.M., 9 p.m. (Crow’s Nest)
Shock to the System, 9 p.m. (Rusty Hook; 21+, $5)
Slamming Electronic Music by Groove Paradigm!, 9 p.m. every Sat. (Kirby’s)
Slick Willy, 9 p.m. (Harpoon Harry’s)
Walter Smith Group, 9 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Big Daddy, 9:30 p.m. (Dcoy Ducks)
Bluestar Band, 9:30 p.m. (Ritz-Carlton)
Cabal, 9:30 p.m. (Ceviche)
DJ Chris, 9:30 p.m. (Rendezvous Lounge)
Rhythm Saturdays feat. DJ Structure, DJ Mike Anthony, Tony Faline, DJ Ekko, Shock to the System, 9:30 p.m. every Sat. (Rhythm)
DJ Kaiser, 10 p.m. every Sat. (Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key)
DJ Rus Deep, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. every Sat. (Darwin’s on 4th)
DJ Will K, 10 p.m. every Sat. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
Jazz Around the Corner, 10 p.m.-midnight every Sat. (Drunken Poet)
SuperBot, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)

SUNDAY 2.12
Sheldon Low, 10:30 a.m. (Temple Sinai, 4631 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota; $10 per family)
Pete Messina, 11:30 a.m. every Sun. (O’Leary’s)
Sunday Jazz Lunch feat. Betty Comora, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. every Sun. (Cafe Palm)
Mumbo Jumbo, noon-4 p.m. (Peggy’s Corral)
Calypso with Cort, 1-5 p.m. every Sun. (SKOB)
Clive Live, 1-5 p.m. every Sun. (Gatorz)
Goodbye Eddie, 1-5 p.m. (Woody’s River Roo)
BC Hathaway, 1-4 p.m. (Sharky’s)
Mac Daddy, 1-5 p.m. (Flounders)
Chris Otto, 1-5 p.m. every Sun. (Cha Cha Coconuts)
Serenade, 1-5 p.m. (Gatorz)
Latitude, 2-5 p.m. (Nav-A-Gator)
Sunday Funday Patio Party with live reggae, 2 p.m. every Sun. (Gilligan’s)
Kevin Thompson, 3-7 p.m. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
Trio de Janiero, 4 p.m. (Lock ‘N Key)
Bodie Valdez, 4-7 p.m. (Linger Lodge)
The Venturas, 4-8 p.m. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Big Z Band, 4:30 p.m. every Sun. (Marina Jack/patio)
Frankie Catalina, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Daddy Mack Blues Band, 5-9 p.m. (Ace’s)
Joel Fisher, 5-8 p.m. (Woody’s River Roo)
Jennifer Leigh & Her New Digs, 5-9 p.m. every Sun. (Blu Que)
Sly McLeod, 5 p.m. (LeBarge)
Jack Tamburin, 5-9 p.m. (Clancy’s)
As Is, 6-10 p.m. (Gatorz)
Blues Jam with Bluestar, 6-9 p.m. every Sun. (Meadows Village Pub)
George Carroll Big Band, 6-8 p.m. (A Touch of Class; $10; reservations: 356-2666)
Frank & Dee Jazz Group, 6-9 p.m. every Sun. (Floribbean)
Rock Lee, 6 p.m. every Sun. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Nick LeValley, 6-10 p.m. every Sun. (Captain Curt’s)
Open Blues Jam, 6 p.m. every Sun. (Gilligan’s)
Joe Thayer, 6 p.m. every Sun. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Tone Slingers, 6-10 p.m. (Flounders)
The Trinidudes, 6-10 p.m. (Sharky’s)
Brown Suga, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Sun. (Pineapples)
Island Swing Band, 6:30 p.m. every Sun. (Pelican Pete’s)
Reath Blickendgfer, 7 p.m. (Kojaks)
Debbie Keeton, 7-10 p.m. every Sun. (Mattison’s City Grille)
Chris Otto, 7-11 p.m. every Sun. (SKOB)
Luigi Toth, 7-10:30 p.m. every Sun. (15 South/piano bar)
Mike Markaverich, 7:30 p.m. every Sun. (Haye Loft)
Lee James, 8 p.m. (Dean’s South of the Border)
The Rucksack Cabaret, 8-10 p.m. (Blue Owl)
Doug Deming & the JewelTones, 8:30 p.m. every Sun. (Cork’s Cigar Bar)
House Sundays at Pastimes (with DJ Smooth), 9:30 p.m. every Sun. (Pastimes)
Democracy, 10 p.m. every Sun. (The Beach Club)
Roadblock, 10 p.m. every Sun. (Gator Club)
SuperBot, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)

MONDAY 2.13
Jim Gromko, noon (O’Leary’s)
Mike Sales, 3 p.m. every Mon. (Blue Que)
Chris Otto, 4:30 p.m. every Mon. (Marina Jack)
Jim Stinnett, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Doug Bidwell, 6-10 p.m. every Mon. (Clancy’s)
Daddy Mac Blues Band, 6-10 p.m. (Gatorz)
Nick LeValley, 6-10 p.m. every Mon. (Captain Curt’s)
Open Mc Night with Dean Johanesen, 6-9 p.m. every Mon. (Star Keeper)
Joe Thayer, 6 p.m. every Mon. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Al Hixon’s Jazz Jam, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Mon. (15 South; reservations: 388-1555)
Chippendales Show, 7-10 p.m. (Polo Grill; $25)
Dixieland Jazz, 7-9 p.m. every Mon. (Floribbean)
Open Mic with Rick Alvis, 7 p.m. every Mon. (Old Packinghouse)
Steve Scott & Andrew Gotham, 7 p.m. every Mon. (Kojak’s)
Luigi Toth, 7-10:30 p.m. every Mon. (15 South/piano bar)
Tony Tyler, 7-11 p.m. every Mon. (SKOB)
Eddie Tobin, 7:30 p.m. every Mon. (Haye Loft)
Pedro Arevalo, 8 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Damon Fowler’s Sugar Shack Monday: Damon Fowler Group, 8 p.m. (Ace’s)
Marcia Mucci, 8 p.m. (Dean’s South of the Border)
MuphinMen, 8-10 p.m. every Mon. (Cork’s Cigar Bar)
Al Fuller Blues Jam, 9 p.m. every Mon. (5 O’Clock Club)
James Albritton, 10 p.m. (Gator Club)
Ben Hammond, 10 p.m. every Mon. (Beach Club)

TUESDAY 2.14
Joe Carter, 11:30 a.m. (O’Leary’s)
Mike Sales, 3 p.m. every Tues. (Blue Que)
Shawn Brown, 5-9 p.m. every Tues. (Gatorz)
Frankie Catalina, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
RJ Howson, 5 p.m. (LeBarge)
Joey Lavalle, 5-9 p.m. every Tues. (Marina Jack/patio)
Larry Rich, 5-8 p.m. every Tues. (Martini Bistro)
Tuesday Night Jazz Jam, 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Tues. (Snook Haven)
Gemini, 6-10 p.m. (Flounders)
Gary Goetz, 6-9 p.m. every Tues. (JD’s Bistro & Grille)
Richy Kicklighter, 6-8 p.m. every Tues. (Hot Doggity Dog)
Rock Lee, 6-11 p.m. every Tues. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Tommy Rox, 6-10 p.m. (Sharky’s)
R.P.M., 6-10 p.m. every Tues. (Gilligan’s)
Joe Thayer, 6 p.m. every Tues. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Bruno Jazz, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Tues. (Floribbean)
John Reno, 6:30 p.m. every Tues. (Pineapples)
George Carroll Big Band, 7-9 p.m. (Floribbean; $10; reservations: 365-2266)
Clam Jam, 7 p.m. every Tues. (Cortez Clam Factory)
Joe Bill Loudermilk, 7 p.m. every Tues. (Rasher Tierney’s)
Melanie Massell, 7 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Randy McNeeley, 7 p.m. every Tues. (Ace’s)
Metro Connection, 7-9:30 p.m. every Tues. (Bacalao)
Myakka Bluegrass Band, 7-9 p.m. every Tues. (Waterside Grill)
Open Mic with Ben Hammond, 7-11 p.m. every Tues. (SKOB)
Taylor & Taylor, 7 p.m. every Tues. (Rasher Tierney’s)
Luigi Toth, 7-10:30 p.m. every Tues. (15 South/piano bar)
Randy Tracy’s Trio of Doom, 7 p.m. every Tues. (Old Packinghouse)
Annie Wenz, 7 p.m. (Kojaks)
Broadway Jam, 7:30-11 p.m. every Tues. (Broadway Bar)
Jennifer Leigh & Her New Digs, 7:30-11 p.m. every Tues. (Mattison’s City Grille)
Pinkham Family, 7:30 p.m. (Ceviche)
The Reflections, 7:30 p.m. (Visani; $15)
Eddie Tobin, 7:30 p.m. every Tues. (Haye Loft)
DJ Eddie, 8 p.m. (Dean’s South of the Border)
DJ Elber, 8 p.m. (Joe Cracker)
Marc Anthony, 9 p.m. every Tues. (Captain Curt’s)
Anchor Atlantic, 10 p.m. (Gator Club)
The Cherry Bombs, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)

WEDNESDAY 2.15
Jerry Shell, noon (O’Leary’s)
Silver String Dulcimer Band, noon-2 p.m. every Wed. (Snook Haven)
Mike Sales, 3 p.m. every Wed. (Blue Que)
Ed Brown & Company, 5-9 p.m. every Wed. (Gatorz)
Dan Crawford, 5 p.m. (O’Leary’s)
Sly McLeod, 5 p.m. (LeBarge)
Larry Rich, 5-8 p.m. every Wed. (Martini Bistro)
R.P.M., 5-9 p.m. every Wed. (Sandbar)
Sal Garcia, 5:30-8:30 p.m. every Wed. (Broadway Bar)
Caribbean Cowboys, 6-10 p.m. (Woody’s River Roo)
Jay Crawford, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Clancy’s)
Jeff Hughes, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Blarney Stone)
Joy & The Gang, 6-10 p.m. (Flounders)
Rock Lee, 6-11 p.m. every Wed. (Marina Jack/lounge)
Moments 2 Remember, 6-9 p.m. every Wed. (DeMarco’s Italian Grill)
David Moore, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Sharky’s)
Rob Satori, 6 p.m. (Mattison’s Forty-One)
Serenade, 6-10 p.m. (Gatorz)
Wally “Gator” Sirotich, 6-9 p.m. every Wed. (Cafe Italia)
Songwriters Night with John Frinzi, 6-9 p.m. every Wed. (Linger Lodge)
Taylor & Taylor, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Tarpon Pointe Grill)
Tommy and Friends, 6 p.m. (Cortez Clam Factory)
The Venturas, 6-10 p.m. every Wed. (Marina Jack/patio)
Latraia Savage & The All Starz, 6:30-9:30 p.m. every Wed. (Pineapples)
Big T & the Tornadoes, 7-11 p.m. (Mattison’s City Grille)
Bluegrass Happy Hour, 7-10 p.m. (Blue Owl)
Gary & Kerri, 7 p.m. (Lock ‘N Key)
Kettle of Fish, 7-11 p.m. every Wed. (SKOB)
Ladies Sing the Blues to Prevent Child Abuse feat. Meredith Garofalo, Lauren Mitchell, Rebecca Bird, Carolyn Davis, Gwen Fogt, more, 7 p.m. (Ocean Blues)
Joey Lavallee, 7-11 p.m. every Wed. (15 South/piano bar)
Open Mic with Joe B., 7-10 p.m. every Wed. (Pastry Art)
Ricky & Franky, 7 p.m. every Wed. (Rasher Tierney’s)
Rocky Ruckman, 7 p.m. (Kojaks)
Joe Yander (singer-pianist), 7-11 p.m. every Wed. (Brasserie Belge)
Bain & Friends, 7:30 p.m. (Mattison’s City Grille)
Andres Colin, 7:30 p.m. (Ceviche)
The Wheedles with Lady Ta Ta, 7:30 p.m. every Wed. (Pelican Pete’s)
Blues Jam with Gypsy Hywy, 8 p.m. (Ace’s)
Dakota Rose, 8 p.m. every Wed. (Bleachers)
Will Erickson, 8 p.m. (World of Beer)
Trio de Janiero, 8 p.m. (Dean’s South of the Border)
Marc Anthony, 9 p.m. every Wed. (Captain Curt’s)
DJ Ryan: Reggae Nite, 9 p.m. every Wed. (Bacalao)
Local Celebrity Band, 9 p.m. every Wed. (Floribbean)
The Cherry Bombs, 9:30 p.m. (Gator Club)
Democracy, 10 p.m. (Dcoy Ducks)
’80s for the Ladies/Ladies Night, feat. Deja Vu, 10 p.m. every Wed. (Daiquiri Deck St. Armands)
Gentlemen’s Night with DJ Tammy, 10 p.m. (Yvette’s)
Jr. DJ Saint, 10 p.m. every Wed. (Scores)
Ladies Night with DJ Ekko & Steve Rice, 10 p.m. every Wed. (Rusty Hook)
Ladies Night with DJ Tugzz, 10 p.m. every Wed. (Yvette’s)
Tony Tyler Band, 10 p.m. (5 O’Clock Club)

Elysian Sex Drive

Anyone familiar with the local music scene will agree that most bands in the area tend to get along with each other relatively well. But there’s actually a lot more love in the air than one may realize at first glance. Sarasota has a number of bands with members who share bonds stronger than mere music and friendship. And not only are these particular couples some of the hardest-working musicians in town, they also play a huge part in the overall workings and developments within the scene.

A prime example is impassioned folk rock duo Bard and Mustache, comprised of guitarist Erin Murphy and cellist Greg Bortnichak. Murphy, best known as frontwoman for The Equines and co-founder of Finch House Records and The Closet, first met Bortnichak after booking his former Philly-based band Sparta Philharmonic to play at the Shamrock Pub last January. The connection was instantaneous, and after a few weeks of long distance phone calls the pair reunited to record their debut EP “Falcor’s Burning Belly.”

Since relocating to Sarasota to be with Murphy, Bortnichak has become heavily involved in all Finch House and Closet activities, and has even taken over bass duties for The Equines. The duo will celebrate the official drop of their follow-up EP “Found,” as well as the release of a live music video for their single “Your Face,” during a special “Lovers Lane Tour” kick off show on Valentine’s Day — going down at the very watering hole where they first met eyes. The lovebirds are also in the process of building a legit Finch House recording studio in their Gillespie Park home, where they plan to cut new full-length albums for both projects by the end of the year.

Another band full of romantically involved movers and shakers is funky acoustic rock group Elysian Sex Drive. The sextet actually has two long-time couples among its ranks: guitarist DeLaran Withers and keyboardist Lova Michelle Patterson have been together for 10 years, while vocalist Katherine Derr and drummer Claire Franklin have been an item for about seven. Franklin is well-known as the co-founder of SarasotaMusicScene.com and the annual Noise Ordinance local music compilations, both of which Derr has contributed to greatly.

A fixture of the Suncoast music scene since 1993, ESD have seen many a local band come and go. But that doesn’t keep them from supporting their fellow area musicians every chance they get. They are currently in the tracking stage for a brand new album to follow 2008′s “A Note to the Alchemist.”

Cassolette - PHOTO BY BRIAN BRAUN

But the crown for most lovey-dovey local band couple undoubtedly goes to lead singer Ciera and guitarist Jesse Coleman of cutesy indie-pop outfit Cassolette. Co-writing jangly songs about innocent young love, the pair swiftly fell head over heals not long after forming the band in 2009. They inevitably tied the knot on 11/11/11 and are now expecting the birth of their first child this spring.

The group’s meteoric rise in popularity amongst the international “twee pop” community recently helped to earn them spots on London podcast Scared To Dance’s “Bands to Watch in 2012″ list, as well as indie-pop blog Skatterbrain.org‘s “January Mix.”

One band that hasn’t been so vocal about their relationship status is psych rockers Sons of Hippies. Singer/guitarist Katherine Kelly and drummer Jonas Canales got hitched back in June 2009, but intentionally sought to keep that info out of any press about the band, even though much of their highly regarded 2009 debut “Warriors of the Light” had been written about their budding romance.

“That’s one of the first sort of catches,” Kelly says. “If someone were to read that in an article, they might pay attention to that aspect more than the band itself. We didn’t want the fact that we were a couple to overshadow any musical merit. But now everybody knows, so it’s cool.”

The Heart Machine

Band: The Heart Machine

When formed: 2010

Style/genre of music: Indie Rock

Bio: Miller came to Florida from Tennessee in 2001. He left a lifetime of experience in Knoxville: discovering musical roots on guitar, following the Grateful Dead (and forming a tribute band, as well), then developing his own compositional chops.

After a four-year relocation to Pensacola, where Miller found the music scene unappealing, he landed on the Suncoast and began playing and performing again. First, acoustically and solo, then with New College bassist Peter Wolfe (a fellow Deadhead, at that) and their first drummer (of several), forming the band whose name originates from Fritz Lang’s sci-fi movie classic, “Metropolis.”

The Heart Machine solidified its lineup with the enlistment of drummer Russell Sharp, whom Miller calls, “A great, great time keeper,” last year.  (Incidently, THM is still seeking a keyboard player and lead guitarist, so interested parties should contact Miller via any of the weblinks listed below.)

During their tenure, THM has worked up nearly 50 songs, which fully embrace a rootsy, midtempo indie pop rock that’s aptly pleasing for a wide range of audiences.

The trio has played numerous festivals (Indie Underground Railroad Live Originals; the “Blackbird” Beatles’ tribute for WSLR radio; various Rosemary Rising events and The Harvey Milk Festival, for instance) and continues to perform regularly at regional hot spots while saving funds to record its debut album (tentatively titled “Love Is Home”) by the end of 2012.

Having recently acquired a red minivan it calls “The Heart Machine,” THM is spreading its sound into the Tampa Bay and Orlando regions while also planning a fall 2012 mini-tour to Knoxville.

Quote: Michael Miller said, “What I would like to see happen with the band is this — I’ve been performing for 20 years, and I would love to get this material recorded properly and release it on CD. That is the milestone.”

Where to see: Live, online video broadcast/performance on Sarasota’s Five Points Live (www.5pointslive.com), today (Feb. 9) from 7-9 p.m.

Web site: reverbnation.com/theheartmachine

– Dispatch music news and notes to dawnzig@hotmail.com

Rising Tide International hosts Music for the Soul with master poet, composer, performer and teacher Ustad Ghulam Farid Nizami on Saturday (Feb. 4)

From 7:30 to 10 p.m., Nizami — with his son Muhammad Faraz Nizami on tablas — will perform a wide variety of music from India and Pakistan. (Chai and sweets will be served at intermission.) $20. 5102 Swift Road, Sarasota. 677-8348; risingtideinternational.org.

Sons of Hippies

Ringling Underground: An Art After 5 Experience feat. Sons of Hippies / Red Feather / Physical Plant: 7-10 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 2, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art , 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, $10 adults, $5 ages 6-17 and college students w/ ID, free for students from FSU, NCF, RCAD, SCF and USF.

While Sarasota isn’t usually considered a college town, it might as well be. We may not house a major university, but there are enough specialized schools and satellite campuses around town to provide a plentiful abundance of higher education students and recent graduates. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is well aware, and will be targeting this coveted demographic with its first ever Ringling Underground event this Thursday.

As an extension to the popular Art After 5, which was started last year as a way to attract young professionals to the Museum after work hours, Ringling Underground aims to serve as a meeting place where local college students can interact with other 20-30 somethings in a block party atmosphere featuring live music, art and pop culture.

The events are scheduled to go down in the Ringling Courtyard on the first Thursday of the next three months, with the initial run highlighting the original music of heady SRQ space rockers Sons of Hippies, New College student-led harmonious folk-rock group Physical Plant, and psychedelic St. Pete outfit Red Feather. Attendees are also encouraged to engage in various art installations on display, such as the new James Turrell Skyspace, Joseph’s Coat, and the exhibition Sculpting Sound, featuring the work of Swiss artist Zimoun.

“With Ringling Underground, we’re trying to reach out to people that we may not have been well at doing in the past,” says Ringling Museum Assistant Director of Academic Affairs David Berry. “We want to be that common area where all the students from all the colleges can come to meet. It’s not just wanting people to show up, but to think about how they want to participate… Part of what were doing is to change the perception. We feel very strongly that for young people to change the way they think about Ringling they have to be involved in the process.”

They have certainly been talking to the right people. A few months back the Museum brought on Shakira Refos, founder of The Take Over youth culture festival, to serve as Promotions Assistant in Marketing and Communications. When talks got underway about what local bands to invite, Refos looked to The Closet’s Michael Murphy, who helped put together the lineup.

Physical Plant

“There’s nothing that Sarasota needs more than a fresh new venue surrounded by beautiful art and all the colleges coming together to dance and mingle,” says Refos. “It’s free for five local colleges, and after working with The Take Over, I was excited to get on this project and I was excited that the Museum was opening up this opportunity.”

Ringling Public Functions Coordinator Christina Fraser handles Ringling’s public events such as Ringling by the Bay, a similar series that features cover bands playing by the Ca’ d’ Zan every third Thursday. Fraser first worked with Refos during last year’s Beyond Bling exhibition after Refos donated graffiti pieces from The Take Over for the exhibit’s Hip-Hop Lounge opening reception.

“Beyond Bling really brought in a mix of ages and we realized there’s a lot of people that hadn’t been here,” recalls Fraser. “We wanted to get local bands and artists that were looking for that exposure… We’re going to do more of a mix of DJs and bands for the next two. If it’s popular we’ll bring it back for next season.”

Berry points out a John Ringling quote from 1931: “I hope this museum… will promote education and art appreciation, especially among our young people.”

“They’re important words and something in my position I take close to heart,” says Berry. “This audience is what Ringling was striving for back then, and this relationship needs to start now. Where ever there’s a possibility of a meaningful partnership we’re definitely interested. That can be other institutions or local art collectives. We want to give young people a clear sense of why we’re here and what Ringling really is.”

Ronnie Milsap

Get soulful next week as Bill Bailey’s 2012 Winter Gospel Music Convention invades Palmetto.

At various times from Monday to Saturday, the Manatee Convention Center will be animated with the voice of headliner and country music icon Ronnie Milsap. Milsap is a Grammy Award-winning artist who is famed for hits such as “It Was Almost Like a Song” and “Any Day Now.”

More than 40 other Southern gospel musicians will be performing throughout the six-day event, and guest keynote speaker Dr. Charles Stanley will make a cameo.

“This is the largest southern gospel concert event in the nation during the winter,” organizers said. “This year also marks Bill Bailey’s 26^th anniversary promoting gospel concerts throughout the Southeast.”

Expect to see such acts as the Hoppers, the Kingsmen, the Dove Brothers, Tony Gore and Majesty, and the Diplomats. At 7 p.m. Tuesday will be a “A Night of Gold!” with Gold City, Ivan Parker, Brian Free and Assurance, the LeFevre Quartet, and a special reunion of the “Classic Gold City” featuring Tim Riley, Ivan Parker, Brian Free and Mike LeFevre.
General admission is $16 per night or $85 for a six-night pass for adults, and $5 per night for children ages 3 to 11. Tickets are not required for the 1:30 p.m. matinee concerts.

Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. for matinees and at 5:30 p.m. for evening concerts. Manatee Convention Center, One Haben Blvd., Palmetto, 756-6942; billbaileyconcerts.com.

Don Cornelius, the silky-smooth founder and host of TV’s long-running “Soul Train,” died of an apparent suicide at his Los Angeles home. He was 75.

With Cornelius at the helm, the syndicated “Soul Train” (1970-2006) introduced mainstream America to black music like no other show. The format was similar to Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand,” but “Soul Train” was solely devoted to soul and R&B and, in its later years, rap and hip-hop. And who didn’t love the famous dance line?

Cornelius would start off his show with “And you can bet your last money, it’s gonna be a stone gas, honey!” … and end it with “We wish you love, peace, and soul!”

Here’s wishing Don Cornelius love, peace and soul.