Country and pop music on the horizon at area concert venues

Beach-area stages will host a lot of talent in the coming days and nights, including a return appearance by singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams in Dewey Beach.

As she did last summer, Williams will bring her mix of folk and alt-country to Dewey's Bottle & Cork nightclub — this time on Sunday, Aug. 13 ($35).

She will perform following a 9 p.m. opening set by acoustic punk rocker Jesse Malin. The two have been friends since Malin released a 2007 song called "Lucinda" in her honor. 

Grateful Dead tribute act will play its annual two-night stand at the Cork with 8:30 p.m. performances on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 14-15 ($25 per evening).

On Wednesday, Aug. 16, country star Michael Ray will hit the stage following a 9 p.m. opening set by Jimmie Allen ($20).  The Cork has issued "low-ticket alerts" for upcoming concerts by the Eli Young Band (Thursday, Aug. 31) and Lee Brice (Friday, Sept. 22). 

The Cork's sister business, the nearby Rusty Rudder, also has a few shows up its musical sleeve. At 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 13, the Rudder will present a free concert on its indoor stage featuring Portland, Oregon, country-rock act Fruition (following a 9 p.m. opening set by Jackson Pines).

Looking ahead to next week, the Rudder will present the return of country diva Maggie Rose at 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 20 ($10). 

In Ocean City, Fager's Island will present an encore of its Boy Band Review at 9 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16 ($10). Fans packed the place last month for the show, which relives the glory days of teen idol favorites from the past two decades such as 'NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys, New Kids On the Block and more. 

In Selbyville, the Freeman Stage at Bayside is continuing to pack in patrons with its annual series of outdoor concerts.

On Friday, Aug. 11, Freeman will feature a tribute show called Abba: The Concert ($28). Tickets are sold out in some (but not all) of the various seating sections to enjoy the former Swedish pop act's catalog of hits.

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Looking ahead, bluesy rockers Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals will play on Tuesday, Aug. 22 ($35 to $65), and again, some of the sections closest to the stage are sold out. All Freeman concerts begin at 7 p.m.

E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com 

This Week's Must-See List

— Lucinda Williams at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach at 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 13. $35 

— Abba: The Concert tribute at the Freeman Stage at Bayside in Selbyville at 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 11. $28

— Boy Band Review at Fager's Island in Ocean City at 9 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 16. $10

— Fruition with Jackson Pines at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach at 9 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 13. Free

— Phantom Limbs at Pickles Pub in Ocean City at 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 12. Free