Penn's Peak will be rockin'

Things are guaranteed to heat up this weekend at Penn's Peak, beginning Friday with the Kentucky Headhunters and The Artimus Pyle Band. Show time is 8 p.m.

With roots that flared and faded back in the late '60s and early '70s, the band regrouped and refocused in 1986 with a new name and a new sound.

"I knew there was a true passion from the first rehearsal and the fact that the other three were relatives, and had spent their whole lives playing together, made it like a fast-drying glue. For me, it was magic from day one," said Doug Phelps.

In addition to Phelps, the band includes Richard and Fred Young, and Greg Martin. The band has continued to evolve and change over the years, remaining true to the southern country roots.

The Kentucky Headhunters have again reinvented themselves, following on the heels of their first-ever European tour, for their latest album, "On Safari," which is due out Nov. 4.

Band members have credited Richard Young's son, John Fred, and his bandmates of Black Stone Cherry for pushing them out of their comfort zone to make the trek overseas, where many of the Headhunters' rock influences call home.

The Headhunters will be joined by the Artimus Pyle Band. More than just a "tribute" to Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band is a tribute to the man who defined it.

"If it wasn't for Ronnie, no one would know my name," Artimus Pyle has said.

Since his departure from Skynyrd in 1991, Pyle's career has led him down an amazing path of solo records and projects culminating into one the finest tributes to southern rock royalty.

The Artimus Pyle Band is a high-energy, true to the music, and true to the era rock group. Pyle, and band members Brad Durden, Jerry Lyda, Tony Black and Scott Raines, are not only a group of friends and contemporaries but a group with some of the most seasoned musicians in the southeast.

Devon Allman is back Saturday

On Saturday, Devon Allman returns to Penn's Peak at 8 p.m. with special guests Craig Thatcher & Friends.

The dirty blond hair is the same, the body posture is also the same, and there are touches in the voice that have a similar genetic connection, but Devon Allman has toiled long and hard to establish his own musical identity, separate from his legendary dad, Gregg Allman.

One can never leave a name as famous as "Allman" very far behind. There are traces of his father in his soulful voice and his uncle Duane in his innovative guitar playing. According to Devon, the name both helps and hurts.

There will always be fans who come to see him out of curiosity, "But they leave having a respect for the fact that I am my own entity."

Thus as one Allman institution (The Allman Brothers Band) has "retired," Devon Allman is poised to grow his family's musical legacy.

The Craig Thatcher Band has been entertaining audiences with their exciting brand of blues/rock music since 1993. CTB has released two CDs - "Because of You" (1996) and "Temptation" (2000). Most of the recorded material is original, written by Thatcher.

They have also been featured on releases on Bummer Tent Records, and individually, have been featured as guest artists on many other independent releases.

The band has also been featured on radio and television in many parts of the world.

Upcoming shows at the Peak:

• Nov. 3, Cheap Trick, 8 p.m.

• Nov. 4, Blue Oyster Cult with the Apocalypse Blues Revue, 8 p.m.

• Nov. 11, Shenandoah and Pure Prairie League, 8 p.m.

• Nov. 12, The Land of Ozz with special guest Completely Unchained

• Nov. 18, Vanilla Fudge with special guest Joey Molland's Badfinger, 8 p.m.

• Nov. 19, Slaughter and Lynch Mob, 8 p.m.

• Nov. 23, Dark Star Orchestra, 8 p.m.

• Dec. 1, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

• Dec. 3, Foghat with special guest, Blackfoot, 8 p.m.

• Dec. 8, An Olde English Christmas with Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, 8 p.m.

• Dec. 9, Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie's Girl, 8 p.m.

• Dec. 10, DeadPhish Orchestra, 8 p.m.

• Dec. 17, Chris Janson, 8 p.m.

• Dec. 30, Get the Led Out, 8 p.m.

• Dec. 31, Get the Led Out, New Year's Eve, 9 p.m.

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn's Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar. For more information, go to www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.