Wide variety of shows set for the Peak

On July 22, Trigger Hippy, with special guest Will Hoge, take the stage at 8 p.m. at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe.

Trigger Hippy covers a lot of ground on its self-titled debut album.

Cruise through the 11 tracks from this Nashville quintet and you'll hear propulsive rock, gritty blues, heart-searing soul, sinewy grooves, sublime vocal harmonies and a rich, earthy sensibility steeped in Americana roots.

What to call it? Drummer and co-founder Steve Gorman favors "a rock band that can jam."

These musicians can certainly do that. Gorman co-founded The Black Crowes more than 25 years ago, and is considered one of the best rock drummers of his generation, playing not only with the Crowes, but also with Jimmy Page, and Stereophonics, among others.

Singer Joan Osborne has released seven albums since her triple-platinum 1995 debut "Relish" and its Top 5 hit "One of Us."

She's also collaborated with The Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends and Motown's Funk Brothers, with a featured role in the film "Standing in the Shadows of Motown."

Singer-guitarist-keyboardist Jackie Greene, who performed with The Black Crowes during the band's 2013 tour, has seven solo albums to his credit and has logged time in Phil Lesh & Friends, among others.

Tom Bukovac is a first-call Nashville cat who won five consecutive MusicRow Session Guitarist of the Year awards, while bassist Nick Govrik performed in his former band Highwater and played more recently with singer Mike Farris.

"Sure, you can see this as a 'player's band,' but it really is a band, in the true sense of that word," explains Gorman.

"We don't see this simply as a project. It's vital that Trigger Hippy be a real communal effort that feels good to all of us."

Osborne adds, "Steve is not a person who thinks small. He kind of said, 'Well, who would I get if I could get everybody I wanted?' and went for it. We all have very complementary strengths."

"Took a whole lot of miles to know what I know now," sings Will Hoge on "Growing Up Around Here," the opening track off his 10th studio album, "Small Town Dreams."

It's been a whole lot of miles, indeed for Hoge: miles on the road, driving the bus himself from venue to venue since the 90s; miles to and from Nashville writing rooms, where he's spent countless hours penning songs some for him, some for others; miles exploring lands outside of his native Franklin, Tennessee, chasing the spirits of his musical heroes.

Also coming to Penn's Peak at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 is Back to the Garden-1969 The Woodstock Experience.

Back to the Garden 1969 is a group of seasoned players who have toured, performed, and recorded nationally.

The musicians all are multi-instrumentalists, as well as unique lead vocalists. Their common bond is a love for the music of the Woodstock era, and they formed this band for the sheer enjoyment of playing these songs.

By performing these well-loved favorites, they remind us of the astounding breadth and depth of the music of the Woodstock generation.

Other shows include:

• 8 tonight, The Official Blues Brothers Revue

• 8 p.m. Friday, The Weight performing the music of The Band

• 8 p.m. Saturday, Get the Led Out

• 8 p.m. Wednesday, Cinderella's Tom Keifer

• 8 p.m. June 19, Jay and the Americans with special guest, The Mystics

• 8 p.m., June 26, Gary Allan

• 8 p.m., June 27, Live Wire and the Land of Ozz

8 p.m., July 2, America

8 p.m., July 17, Lee Greenwood

8 p.m., July 19, 38 Special

8 p.m., July 23, Arrival

8 p.m., July 24, Steve Canyon Rangers & Jeff Austin Band featuring Danny Barnes, Eric Thorin and Ross Martin

8 p.m., July 31, 45 RPM, A tribute to the 70s AM hits.

Tickets for these concerts are on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn's Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar. Penn's Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant ticket sales are walk-up only, no phone orders.

For more information on Penn's Peak and upcoming shows, go to www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.