This Week

It's been said that blues legend Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his exceptional guitar skills.

If such a transaction actually took place, then Michelle Malone must have also made a deal with the gods of rock and riches. As a high school graduate, Malone worked with famed music mogul Clive Davis after a 1989 performance. He was going to guide her through the maze of the music industry. But Malone was more interested in creating her own nitty-gritty blues tunes than performing prissy, pop scripts. So, the Atlanta singer/songwriter turned down overnight fame and retained her down-home talent. Michelle Malone will appear tonight at The Village Tavern, 1055 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., in Mount Pleasant. Tickets are $8 in advance at www.village-tavern.com, and $10 the day of the show. Doors open at 9 p.m., show is at 10 p.m. Call 571-4343 for more information.

Carolina's Songwriters

Suncoast Promotions and Shem Creek Music Center have joined together for another Carolina's Songwriters Show on Sunday. The show will feature area songwriters Danielle Howle, Doug Jones, Valorie Miller and Mac Leaphart and is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. at the Shem Creek Music Center Listening Room, 417 Hibben St., Mount Pleasant. Tickets start at $20 in advance at www.etix.com, to $25 the day of the show. Call 884-1346 or visit www.shemguitars.com for more information.

Pat MacDonald

There is a ghostly presence in Pat MacDonald's music. A spirit that is eerie, remote and yet completely captivating. MacDonald's dark, tempting style of blues provokes images of desolate, desert roads and lonesome cantinas. MacDonald has managed to create progressive music that is just as blues/country based as it is inspired by the shoe-gazing scene. But perhaps most importantly, it's void of cliches or overused inspirations. Instead, his music is a provocative spirit of dust, booze and lonely roadside blues. Pat MacDonald will perform at The Map Room, 1650 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Tuesday with Chris Aaron and the Wyatt Gary Band. Tickets are $5 at the door. Visit www.themaproom.net for more information.

Hickry Hawkins

Charlotte's Hickry Hawkins makes country music cool. After spending quite some time floating outside of the country mainstream, Hawkins has found his wave with the rather recent revival of roots country and bluegrass. He is making the most of the ride. The "psychobilly"/country/punk musician has shared the stage with some surprising acts, including, Mudhoney, GWAR, Fugazi, Whiskeytown and David Allen Coe. Hickry Hawkins will perform at The Map Room with the bo-setvens and Tiny Montgomery for the second annual "Ho-Ho Honkeytonk Tour." Tickets are $5 at the door. Call 769-6336 or visit www.themaproom.net for more information about the show.

Elise Testone

Local singer/songwriter Elise Testone's delicate yet deeply stirring blend of soul, jazz and hip-hop is a startling surprise given the singer's young age. But Testone proves that age is but a number with her mature vocal abilities and poetic lyricism. It's her strong and poised vocals that ring out echoes of other such seamstresses of soul like Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone. Elise Testone will perform at The Map Room tonight with Rick Brantley. Tickets are $5 at the door. Call 769-6336 or visit www.themaproom.net for more information about the show.