Blues-rock sensation Gary Clark Jr. headlines music at the beach

The summer tourist season is at its peak, and the coming days and nights will see an impressive array of national talent on area concert stages.

The Freeman Stage at Bayside in Selbyville will host one of its most-anticipated shows of the summer Monday, July 17, via blues-rock sensation Gary Clark Jr. Fans are advised to get there early; another touring virtuoso, guitarist Jackie Venson, will open the show at 7 p.m. with her unique mix of blues, pop and soul. Most of the seating areas are sold out, but select tickets remain and are priced between $40 and $65.

Freeman also has many more concerts left up its sleeve this summer, including Hunter Hayes on Friday, July 28; Michael Franti & Spearhead on Saturday, July 29; and Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Not to be outdone, the Bottle & Cork nightclub in Dewey Beach has a plethora of offerings. Hard rockers Buckcherry return Friday, July 14 ($30), followed by a trio of country shows — Clare Dunn on Sunday, July 16 ($15, $20); Parmalee on Wednesday, July 19 ($25, $30); and one of the Cork's most anticipated shows of the summer, a sold-out appearance by Jake Owens on Thursday, July 20.

The Cork's sister business, the nearby Rusty Rudder, has a pair of concerts scheduled for its inside stage. Nashville country act Lanco will perform at 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 18 ($10), followed by Who's Bad: A Tribute to Michael Jackson on Thursday, July 20 ($10).

Beach Barrels, the combination pub-liquor store at 133rd Street and Coastal Highway in Ocean City, has a free show by local jam band Muskrat Lightning set to take place 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 15. The show is also a 50th birthday celebration for the group's bassist, Johnny "Suit" Sybert. Happy b-day, dude!

Also in OC, Seacrets will present an encore performance by Ballyhoo at 9 p.m. Monday, July 17. The reggae-rock quartet hails from Baltimore, but has taken its show on the road with national tours. Admission is free.

Another Ocean City event is in the offing, but not until next weekend. Morbid Manor Revisited 2017 will take place at the Alibi Room in downtown OC on Saturday, July 22. Punk rock will be the order of the day, courtesy of The Homisides, Abra Cadavers, LNT and East Lincoln Dusters.

The theme pays homage to the former Morbid Manor haunted house, which entertained tourists and locals on the pier in Ocean City in the late 1980s and early '90's. The bands are encouraging patrons to dress up and turn the show into a mini-Halloween. We'll have more on this next week.

E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

This Week's Must-See List

Gary Clark Jr. at the Freeman Stage at Bayside in Selbyville at 7 p.m. Monday, July 17. $40 to $65

Buckcherry at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach at 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 14. $30

Ballyhoo at Seacrets in Ocean City at 9 p.m., Monday, July 17. Fre

Lanco at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach at 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 18. $10

Muskrat Lighting at Beach Barrels in Ocean City at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 15. Free