Even Stephen King (yes, THAT Stephen King) says, “God bless Chuck Prophet.” Such luminaries and icons line up in support of the edgy-rock songwriter -- "we're rock 'n' roll saviors, is what we are," he says. His music career began much like the careers of others; he was a kid with a guitar. By the time he was 15 he could do more with it than most would be able to do in a lifetime. His fans within the music community are vast. Lucinda Williams, after hearing his 1999 release No Other Love, asked, "Can I take him on tour with me?" He went on that tour, playing to audiences 10,000 strong. He's written songs with Dan Penn and Alejandro Escovedo, produced the most recent Kelly Willis record and has had his songs recorded by Solomon Burke, Kim Richey, Jim Dickinson and even Heart. As Stephen King declares of Prophet's music, "...lovely, incantatory and mysterious."

While nearly every modern-day rock band is affected by rock’s iconic songwriters, few bands aspire to rise above fad-status and achieve something great. Sherwood is one of those few. With a diverse selection of influences that include The Beach Boys and Jimmy Eat World, the northern California band, whose new album, QU, is available at Target, offers sharp lyrics, indie charm and a nod to the great songwriters of decades past, drawing on classic-rock standards such as Pet Sounds and Revolver to create engaging instrumentation and transform personal experiences into inspired lyrics. Be sure to arrive early for the openers, including Hot Chelle Rae, who’ve announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with on their debut album Lovesick Electric. How can you argue with bold, swaggering vocals, monster singalong choruses, crunching rock guitar, and a propulsive rhythm? Lovesick Electric brims with the confidence and energy that only a group of musicians with serious chops can deliver.

The Upstate's favorite-ist, wackiest, chicken-th'ow-in-est, toe-suckin' geek-rockin'est red-neckin' partyin'-est band EVER returns to The Handlebar for Southern-fried rock most fowl. That's right, Southern Culture on the Skids comes back with another heapin' helpin' of trailer park surf rock turned up to dance-splittin' volumes to get your puddin' shaking. (Don't forget to get your Banana Puddin' Ringtone!) Their live shows feature the sartorial distress of Rick Miller, who blasts you with his Dick Dale-meets-Buck Owens-meets-Junior Kimbrough guitar wizardry; the rock-solid bass of the adorable Miss Mary Huff; and the nifty dead-on percussion of Mr. Dave. As always, watch out for flying fried chicken!

The Psychedelic Saturday Series kicks off with Palmetto Music Co.'s nod to 1965. If you missed Palmetto's Woodstock Anniversary concert in August, you missed one of the liveliest concert events of the year. As in past fund-raisers that have featured upwards of two dozen bands -- each one playing a song from, say, Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash or Rolling Stones -- THIS one's going to feature more than a dozen local artists, each contributing a hit from one year smack in the middle of the '60s. Songs from Elvis, The Yardbirds, Beatles, Supremes and more, performed by artists who will make each song their own, create a frenetic and musically rich experience. And it's all for a good cause, too: Musicians donate their time and talent, and Palmetto Drum Co.'s going to send the proceeds to Haitian earthquake relief.

You read that right. Grace Church holds a Sunday morning service at The Handlebar at 10 a.m. each week. The scene is casual, with loud, live worship music and relevant teaching from the Bible.

Here at The Handlebar, we love to brag about the incredible musicians who’ve rocked our Listening Room. But sometimes we know it’s best to just let them speak for themselves. Here’s what Vive Le Vox has to say about their music: “Viva Le Vox is a roots rock n roll band headquartered in Southern Florida. We've been described as a ‘full bodied religious experience’ and a ‘hillbilly zombie circus.’ Joe Buck of Hank III fame says we sound like ‘a New Orleans death march.’ The jury is still out on exactly what type of music we play, but you can damn well bet yer sweet ass our live show will make you feel something in places you didn't even know you had. So look for us in a town near you, check out our songs on CD baby and iTunes, and above all, as our recently deceased homeless friend Panama taught us, ‘Keep the rock in yer hearts.’”

Just as there's no mistaking his smooth lyrical delivery and searing hip-hop prose, there's no denying the incredible force that is Kool Keith. Whether as a member of the Ultramagnetic MCs, or as his renegade rap personas, Dr.Octagon and Dr. Dooom, Keith is an innovative lyricist whose erudite raps stretch the envelope to the limit. Kool Keith first emerged as part of the Ultramagnetic MCs back in 1987. At a time when rap was making the transition from B-Boy bragging to a more aggressive, politicized stance, the group were hailed as lyrical innovators. After the Ultramagnetics' demise, Kool Keith re-emerged helming various hip-hop groupings with artists like DJ Q-Bert. Through his various releases Keith has gone from the playful to the downright carnal, releasing classics like Kool Keith's Sex Style and First Come, First Served. A true renaissance man of hip-hop, and the ultimate “rapper’s rapper,” Kool Keith is one of the most legendary figures on the rap landscape.

Get on board the funk train to your happy place - Zach Deputy is coming to a station near you. Part human beat box, part guitar genius and part soul-searing singer/songwriter, Zach makes your flip-flops flap with his pocket full of original tunes. You never knew six strings, a couple of microphones and a big white fella, along with his deep-grooved percussionist, could bring so much positive energy to the table of live. Backed by years of hard work, a stage presence you can't teach and his musical wingman Paul Kearns, Zach has created a style that transcends genre, sort of the Keller Williams of the Islands. Part reggae, part blues, a smidge of gospel and a dash of bluegrass keep his audiences grooving through a night of "What's gonna happen next?" Zach's a master of making hips sway and troubles melt away, an entertainer who puts the fun in funky and a Teddy Bear jammer whose crowds grow like the sounds roll on your favorite beach.

Boasting a lineup of former Hedsnap, Fluid and Phungusamungus members, Kelen Heller has all the makings of a regional supergroup. Their ultra-heavy, powerful sound is poised to flatten all in the music world who would stand in their way. Their current single, “Redefine,” is crushing the competition on the Upstate’s premier new-rock radio station, 93.3 WTPT The Planet. They’ve shared the stage with such giants as Rob Zombie, hed(pe), Mushroomhead, Saliva, Afroman, Fear Factory, Kittie and Shinedown, and their new, self-produced EP is turning major-label heads all over the country. And don’t miss Atlanta’s own Dear Enemy, another supergroup formed from the ashes of some of Georgia’s most popular bands, while Nothing Saints turns in a head-turning performance. For this powerhouse quintet, the sky is the limit to what they can do with their hard-hitting riffs, addictive vocal melodies and a stunning live show.

Once upon a time (long before there was a Jack Johnson) The Handlebar was working to lure G. Love to the Upstate. Now, finally, G. Love & Special Sauce arrive with their beloved stew of hip-hop, R&B, and laid-back blues. One of rock’s favorite indie bands since their self-titled debut in 1994, G. Love became a lynchpin of the ’90s alternative explosion. His addictive combo of laid-back soul, upbeat funk and sunny jazz moved and grooved fans, while he shared stages with such modern-rock icons as Blues Traveler, the Dave Matthews Band and The Black Crowes. G. Love spins quirky lyrics and mellow guitar licks over the JB’s/Parliament-style funk workouts of Special Sauce and casts a sun-drenched spell with classics like “Cold Beverage,” “Rodeo Clowns” and “Stepping Stones.” New York’s Giant Panda Dub Guerilla Squad adds a heavy dose of relentless reggae to the show, a JamBase favorite. Their thumping roots-reggae and experimental dub are THE ideal get-on-your feet warm-up for G. Love.

THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT! Singer/songwriter Amos Lee grew up in Philadelphia and developed a love of both the rockers of the '70s and his own city's soul stars. He developed a style that borrowed from both -- and threw in some modern folk music for good measure. Taking his inspiration from soul greats like Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, as well as folk legends like John Prine and Dave Van Ronk, Amos Lee infuses his music with a spirit and presence rooted in American tradition. Amos delivers a unique brand of folk-soul music that aims to unite, uplift, and inspire. The "folk" side is reflected in his nimble acoustic guitar playing and the intimacy of his live performances. The "soul" strain comes through in the engaging song-poetry of his lyrics.

The cream of the studio musicians from Atlanta, the Atlanta Rhythm Section (actually from nearby Doraville, Ga.) came together in 1970 after working at a Roy Orbison recording session. After touring hard for the first half of the decade, ARS struck paydirt starting in 1977, racking up three gold albums, one platinum album and crashing the pop charts with Top 10 classics like "So Into You," "Imaginary Lover," and "Spooky." The ARS sound, an addictive blend of smooth pop melodies and Southern-rock muscle, has propelled the band through a four-decade career, keeping their impeccable musicianship onstage and in the spotlight.

Giving back . . . wouldn’t you know that it would be Acoustic Syndicate stepping up to the plate for one of the biggest Haitian-relief benefit to come through The Handlebar. (Palmetto Music Co.’s hosting a big one, too, so let’s not forget that one on March 13.) What makes this one so special is that Acoustic Syndicate just doesn’t play much these days, and the North Carolina band has sold out almost every Handlebar show so far. Featuring much-loved performers Big Daddy McMurry, along with Byron and Fitz McMurry and Jay Sanders, Acoustic Syndicate was named No. 6 on WNCW’s Top 100 list for 2009, with their acid-jazz bluegrass sound that draws from the likes of John Hartford, Grateful Dead, Donna the Buffalo, Steely Dan and Bill Frisell, among others. From Bonnaroo to Merlefest to Telluride to SmileFest, Acoustic Syndicate has earned every fan . . . one high-energy note at a time. All of this masterful fun for a magnificent cause – the proceeds go to our earthquake-devastated neighbor.

This show wasn't even posted to our Website before tickets started flying out the door. After all, this show marks Ingrid Michaelson's third time (the charm!) at The Handlebar, while Mat Kearney finally arrives. When you record the type of smart, catchy songs Mat Kearney does, you spend a lot of time on the road. After his 2006 album, Nothing Left to Lose, throttled up the charts, Kearney found himself opening for the likes of John Mayer, Sheryl Crow and The Fray. Kearney’s songs are open-hearted tales of self-discovery, a chronicle of the people he met and missed during his journey, laced with hooks and rhythms that sneak up on you. Ingrid, with her piano-fueled songwriting and witty wordplay, rockets the tradition of the female singer/songwriter into the 21st century. With influences ranging from Fiona Apple to Coldplay, Ingrid serves up infectious melodies, smooth vocals and smart lyrics, a fusion of indie pop, folk and alternative for a beautiful sound that nudges at the soul.

Some artists have great vision, some great voices, and some a great story. Danielle Howle’s remarkable musical gift embodies all three. Stylistically, she runs the gamut: jazz, punk, rock, soul, jam, folk, country; and her spirit embraces the truest sense of what we have come to know as Americana. Her voice is a stunning instrument that tugs at your heart strings, making you want to laugh, cry and cut a rug all at the same time. Mac Leaphart is a dream combo of Gram Parsons soul and Sticky Fingers-era Rolling Stones. He’s a kind of Old South Warren Zevon; an artist who writes wickedly funny tunes, and he uses his raspy tenor to sell these hardscrabble scenes to the max. Rounding out this amazing trio of performers is Josh Roberts, whose sprawling, rough-hewn lyrical portraits conjure the cinemascopic feel of Dylan in the '60s or Springsteen in the '70s.

Unknown Hinson and his ass-kickin' psychobilly carney-rock crack some Easter eggs on Good (Bad & Ugly) Friday. And if this show don't sell out, well, hell . . . we'd be shore surprised. The Charlotte-based Drac-surf-country-western guit-freak has been on tour with Billy Bob Thornton--when he's not too busy voicing Early Cuyler for the Squidbillies. Not just for trailer-park also-rans and white-trash wannabes, Unknown's Live 'n' Undead these days. He's got big-tihm fans, too. Marty Stuart introduced him as his illegitimate half-brother; he's toured with Hank III and Reverend Horton Heat; Tom Petty once went backstage in Hollywood to ask how he gets his "sound," and the Rolling Stones invited him to a soundcheck session for their Charlotte show.

The rock 'n' roll fire called Parmalee just needs a little Gasoline. Greenville, NC's Parmalee stokes the flames, bringing bigger crowds every time to their hook-filled shows of new-fangled old-fashioned, on-your-feet Southern rock. Who can't love a band that makes good rock look so effortless and fun? The band rips through punchy tunes full of flawless harmonies, memorable riffs where the guitars soar in tandem, and huge choruses. Parmalee's moving toward rock stardom the old-fashioned way - one fan at a time. Building at The Handlebar, while also opening for Buckcherry and Shinedown at Clemson's Littlejohn Coliseum and for Staind and Shinedown at the Bi-Lo Center. They're also packing out clubs throughout the Southeast. The foursome has released two albums with famed producer Steve Bruno, including a collaboration with Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, and work with Grammy-winning producer Noel Golden. Their single, Gasoline, has been picked up by ESPN for NASCAR.

Sometimes, all you have to do is mention the artists -- and the tickets are history. No hard-sell here. These two artists between them have sold 3.5 million albums, in a decade where that's no easy task. They’ve had two of the biggest rock radio hits of the last 10 years, with Rehab’s “Bartender Song (Sittin’ At A Bar)" and Uncle Kracker’s “Follow Me.” They’ve both perfected a smooth, yet high-energy, modern-edged rock sound that fuses the best elements of hip-hop, country and alternative music, spiked with instantly addictive melodies and singalong lyrics. They’ve got some serious touring and recording pedigree as well. Rehab’s been on the VANS Warped tour and recorded with Cody Chestnutt, Cee-Lo and Goodie Mob, and, oh yeah, you may have heard of Uncle Kracker’s boss, a worldwide superstar known as Kid Rock. If there’s ever been a surefire party-starter of a show in our Listening Room, it’s this one.

Like Florida’s state flower, the orange blossom, JJ Grey’s songs are fascinating, beautiful and complex. And they’re products of the rich, fertile and ancient soil of the Sunshine State. Grey comes from a long tradition of Southern storytellers and, like the best of them, he fills his songs with details that are at once personal, political and universal. Mofro’s music blends front-porch blues with the best soul and funk traditions of the South, and whether it is a narrative passed down from his grandmother or the tribulations of a childhood friend, Grey’s ear for detail rings true. His voice delivers unflinching strength that makes the personal universal and paints a vivid portrait of time and place. Like his songs, the rich, soulful music Grey makes with Mofro is forceful and commanding, wise and experienced beyond the band’s years.

Georgia native Tim Wilson's distinctive baritone twang has an edge of roughness -- like most of his comedy material. Wilson’s material covers everything from blind dates and cell phones to annoying relatives such as his Uncle "B.S." He dissects his topics with a meticulous eye for detail and a skewed worldview. Wilson is best known for such ditties as "The Jeff Gordon Song," "Trailer Love" and "First Baptist Bar & Grill." Since inking a deal with Capitol Records in 1998, he's released more than a half-dozen albums, including "The Real Twang Thang," "I Should've Married My Father-in-Law," "Hillbilly Homeboy," "It’s a Sorry World" and "Church League Softball Fist Fight." Along with being a regular guest on nationally syndicated radio shows, including John Boy & Billy and The Bob & Tom Show, Wilson also has appeared on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, and Grace Under Fire. Opener Chris DuBail is well-known on the national comedy circuit for his blend of stand-up, physical comedy, and dead-on impressions.

Jay Clifford has some pretty major fans. Elton John called him up to express his admiration for the Jump, Little Children tune, "Cathedral." Zach Braff is a "giant fan." Missy Higgins has recorded his songs. Jay has written songs and toured with Howie Day, Robert Randolph, Sean Lennon, Mandi Perkins, Peter of Peter, Bjorn and John. AND "Know When To Walk Away" was featured on Grey's Anatomy. Says the Charleston City Paper: "Jay Clifford owns one of rock's supreme voices: a silky-smooth, soulful tenor ... And he gives you as refined and totally original a product as you can find in his genre: tender, poetic lyrics; gorgeous melodies; and sophisticated harmonies." His hauntingly ethereal voice, evocative voals and pitch-perfect compositions prove how gifted Jay really is.

A banjo player with a Phd from MIT. If that’s not enough to tear apart the “friends don’t let friends play banjo” jokes that fly around here, watch the sparks that fly from Crooked Still, the ne0-bluegrass band the Boston Globe called the “most important folk group to emerge from Boston since the early ’60s.” But the quintet is far from a folk group, with an neo-bluegrass sound that does what The Handlebar does best: expands entertainment and art, bending boundaries. From playing Telluride to the Newport Folk Festival, to rave reviews in USA Today and Interview magazine, Crooked Still also has opened for McCoy Tyner and Liz Carroll, to name a few, and they’ve worked with Darrol Anger, Wayfaring Stranger and Jake Armerding Band. This from a band of pros degrees from MIT, the New England Conservatory and Berklee. Not since Infamous Stringdusters ignited The Handlebar with their electrifying alt-bluegrass have we heard—or seen—anything as compelling as Crooked Still.

Joshua James has been writing and singing songs for only six short years . . . but that's a quarter of his life; the 25-year-old heartland poet has the perspective of a wise, old soul. On his second album, Build Me This, the follow-up to his critically acclaimed The Sun is Always Brighter, Joshua expands his musical palette to include foreboding hard rock, folkish harmonies, country twang, world beats and Southern rock, all while exploring themes of spiritual searching and heartbreaking loss. Possessing a whispery and intimate vocal style that works its way into the ear peacefully and directly, Joshua's pitched midway between seminal influences like Bob Dylan and Neil Young. “I don’t usually try to tackle specific subjects,” he says. “It’s usually about what I’m feeling at the time. Things start to come out, then they form a story and a reason, and that’s how things evolve. I’m influenced by everything . . . by life, by love, by hate, by music.”

It's always a blast to watch a band go from a few fans to an all-time record of THREE consecutive sold-out Handlebar shows to an arena. Littlejohn Coliseum and TigerPaw Productions (with a little help from The Handlebar) welcomes NEEDTOBREATHE in their first major "hometown" arena show. Celebrating the release of their anthemic album, The Outsiders, the band features members who are hardly that: Brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart went to school in the Upstate. Bo graduated from Clemson, where he strapped on his rock guitar, and Bear was an award-winning wide receiver at Furman. Now with their Atlantic/Lava release (with three producers who helped with Tom Petty, Shinedown, John Mayer and Dave Matthews Band), NEEDTOBREATHE takes things up a notch with their Coldplay-meets-U2-meets-Train arena rock. We couldn't be more thrilled to watch these guys explode. MEET AT THE HANDLEBAR FOR FREE PARKING and for carpool and caravan opportunities to Littlejohn!

It’s hard to explain what a breath of fresh Southern air The Georgia Satellites were when they blasted onto the radio in 1986 with the instant classic, “Keep Your Hands To Yourself.” A swaggering blend of Stonesy crunch, down-home twang, and knowing, acerbic lyrics, the Satellites were a desperately needed break from the robotic synth-pop and soul-less corporate rock of the '80s. And as their platinum-selling debut album proved, “Hands” was just the tip of the iceberg. Through the late '80s and into the '90s, the Satellites did their Southern heritage proud, releasing a trilogy of classic albums (culminating in 1991’s In The Land Of Salvation And Sin) and touring like the road-dogs they are. And today, almost 25 years down the line, the Satellites are still pumping out their brand of hard-charging, heartfelt sub-Mason-Dixon rock 'n' roll.

Blues, reggae, Southern rock -- a genre-defying pair of Greenville’s good-time bands create Music on a Mission, a benefit for Bridges to a Brighter Future. The Bridges program at Furman University exposes low-income high school students to the benefits and possibilities of higher education. Ovations: Music on a Mission raises funds for the Bridges program to promote higher education to these kids . . . and features two of the Upstate’s most popular bands: True Blues, Greenville’s own house band, with their distinctive blend of Southern rock, blues and juke-joint rock; and Mystic Vibrations, a gift to South Carolina’s roots-reggae sound. A long night of music awaits concertgoers whose ticket purchases go to help kids see a brighter future.

Serena Ryder has already left an indelible impression in Canada, where her album, "If Your Memory Serves You Well," has been certified Gold and contributed to her winning the 2008 Juno Award for Best New Artist. (Junos are the Canadian Grammy Awards.) For American listeners, this sets the stage for "is it o.k.," her full-length debut for Atlantic Records, on which Ryder paints a self-portrait that’s alternately bitter, furious, affectionate, romantic and contradictory. Ryder brings all of these emotions to life with performances that resonate in memory. Absolutepunk raves about "the raspy timbres of her register, which brandishes a rustic tint similar to Carole King and KT Tunstall and a soulful resonance relatable to the bluesy crooner Lyle Lovett." The accomplished result is the strength and conviction evident in one of Canada’s - the world’s - most intriguing and compelling new songwriting voices.

How one guy can captivate and electrify a packed house continues to stand as one of today’s modern musical mysteries. And he does, too -- more than 100 times a year. The Virginia native has been called a “solo cult hero,” “music’s mad scientist.” And after 15 years as a solo artist, Keller has released live album, titled simply, LIVE, a documentary that shows off the fireworks when Keller played with crushing musical bruisers Jeff Sipe, Keith Mosely and Gibb Droll. Still, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Keller returns to what he does best: the master of improvisational performance art: his one-man show, padding barefoot from guitar to bass to percussion station. He has enough instruments to stock a strip-mall music store, and layers sound atop sound until the stage swirls with a full-blown composition. He returns, again, to The Handlebar for what is bound to be a sold-out show. So get your tickets soon. (photo C. Taylor Crothers)

You've heard of Miss America. Miss USA. Of course, there's Miss Fortune, Miss Understood, Miss Guided and, now, for the 3rd Annual Womanless Beauty Pageant . . . Miss Relay 2010! In what has become one of the most his-terical, inappropriate, wacky, politically incorrect and, okay, funniest events on The Handlebar Calendar, the, ahem, pageant benefits the American Cancer Society (and colorectal surgeons everywhere, who will have to suture busted guts from so much laughing). For one long, ugly night, the area's most drop-dead gorgeous doctors and health-care providers strut their stuff, vying for: Most Believable Woman; Best Walk In Heels; and, of course, the coveted Miss Relay crown. C'mon down and cheer on your favorite (yes, loveliest) contestants, and witness skills and talents you never knew these pretty boys ever had -- and neither did they. Event ends ONLY when the winner is crowned!

For 15 years, since the very beginning of The Handlebar, the northern Virginia quartet Eddie From Ohio has become one of the most all-time requested bands. With their folk-rock sound, killer percussion and dead-on, jaw-dropping four-part harmonies that give them the distinct sound (think Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young meet Jewel meets the Grateful Dead) that has made EFO their own success story. With one of their nine CDs actually recorded live at The Handlebar when the venue was located at the old mill ("Portable EFO Show"), Robbie, Mike, Eddie and Julie have become as much a part of The Handlebar family as the fans who love them. EFO doesn't tour much these days, so it's a rare opportunity to see longtime friends and powerfully talented musicians . . . come home.