Stagecoach by the clock
Friday
5 P.M.
DON’T MISS
SHELBY LYNNE (pictured)Country’s greatest semi-famous torch singer has lately devoted herself to reinterpreting the Dusty Springfield songbook, and the project -- captured on her album “Just a Little Lovin’,” soon to be on year-end top 10 lists everywhere -- has revitalized her. She’s not always consistent live, but reports from her recent tour bode well: This country outsider is poised and determined to dominate any stage she’s given. --Ann Powers (Tundra, 5:05-5:55)
STAR DE AZLAN There’s grit and Tex-Mex spice in the traditional-steeped music of this young singer from San Marcos, Texas, who channels equal parts Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette. (Mustang, 4:55-5:35)
CATCH IT IF YOU CAN
NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND This veteran Long Beach-O.C. outfit’s claim to fame in terms of country history was its 1972 triple album “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” which linked country and bluegrass stars with their rock counterparts. (Palomino, 5:10-6) (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Staff writer Randy Lewis sorts out the festival, hour by hour, with critic Ann Powers’ top three picks.
Friday
6 P.M.
DON’T MISS
MIKE NESS Anyone who thinks it strange to find the frontman for veteran O.C. punk band Social Distortion on the lineup for this festival obviously missed his two country-drenched solo albums in the ‘90s. It’s no great leap from the outsider defiance of country kingpins Johnny Cash and Hank Williams to a rootsy punk rocker as perceptive as Ness. (Palomino, 6:25-7:25)
CATCH IT IF YOU CAN
TRISHA YEARWOOD Forget the Mrs. Garth Brooks association -- Yearwood established her ear for a great country song, and skill to deliver it with the requisite power or delicacy, long before he entered her life. (Tundra, 6:20-7:10)
ALSO
RISSI PALMER (pictured) One of a handful of African Americans active in country music, Palmer owns a sultry, smoky voice. (Mustang, 6-6:45) (Diane Bondareff / Associated Press)
Friday
7 P.M.
DON’T MISS
JOHN FOGERTY (pictured) There hasn’t been a better time in 30 years to catch the driving force behind Creedence Clearwater Revival. On his latest album, “Revival,” he sounds more at ease than he has in ages, and as a writer he’s as fired up as he’s been since CCR’s heyday. (Tundra, 7:30-8:30)
CATCH IT IF YOU CAN
MICHELLE BRANCH The better-known half of the Wreckers country-pop duo -- once signed to Madonna’s Maverick label -- performs minus Jessica Harp. (Mustang, 7:05-7:55) (Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)
Saturday
9 P.M.
DON’T MISS
EARL SCRUGGS With longtime partner Lester Flatt, this 84-year-old did as much as anyone to expand bluegrass music beyond niche boundaries, to say nothing of nearly inventing the style of banjo-playing heard on bluegrass records over the last six decades. (Mustang, 9:35-10:25) (Mickey Krakowski / Associated Press)
Sunday
9 P.M.
DON’T MISS
RALPH STANLEY & THE CLINCH MOUNTAIN BOYS At 81, the patriarch of mountain music remains a wonder, with a voice part sandpaper, part ghostly echo of generations of Appalachian poor. (Mustang, 8:40-9:30)
CATCH IT IF YOU CAN
CARRIE UNDERWOOD (pictured) Her sophomore album has been less the blockbuster than her debut, but her vocal prowess transcends even the production’s sonic overkill. (Tundra, 8:50-9:50) (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)
Sunday
10 P.M.
ALSO
TIM MCGRAW The oversized black hat and droopy mustache have become the stuff of Vegas tribute shows, as are the hits in which schmaltz passes for heart, and cliché substitutes for emotional insight. (Tundra, 10:15-11:15) (Bryan Bedder / Getty Images)