EXCELLENT SMITHER(S)

Blues and folk guitarist Chris Smither will bring his foot-stomping style of stripped-down acoustic music to the Camden Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21.

Now in his third decade as a touring artist, Smither is promoting his latest album, “Live As I’ll Ever Be,” along with special guest Steve Forbert.

Smither’s songs have been recorded by some of the best-known artists in the world, including Emmylou Harris. Though he may not be well-known worldwide, Smither has been drawing raves from critics throughout his career.

“Chris Smither’s grand voice, stomping foot, blues-drenched guitar and abiding interest in the problem of evil packed more power than the bands of [Tracy] Chapman and [John] Martyn combined,” a critic once wrote. That’s pretty good company, and he still could have taken them on by himself.

That has to be worth a listen.

General admission tickets are $20 apiece and are available at Wild Rufus in Camden, Mr. Paperback in Belfast, Grasshopper Shops in Rockland, Ellsworth and Bangor, Amadeus Music in Portland, Music Gallery in Waterville, and the Music Bar in Bar Harbor.

For more information, visit www.joelraymondpresents.com.

WALK THIS WAY

Rock ‘n’ roll rarely has it this good.

As if The Cult wouldn’t be enough of a rock show for anyone looking to turn it loose, they’ll just be serving as a warm-up act for the legendary Aerosmith at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center Providence in Providence, R.I.

So maybe Aerosmith has gone a bit soft with its last few albums, but the band doesn’t hold back anything from its catalog of tunes spanning nearly 30 years.

Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler still has all the moves and the band comprises some of the world’s best musicians. And do they ever put on a rock ‘n’ roll spectacle.

It’ll be worth the drive on 95 to see this kind of rock.

Tickets range from $38.50 to $75 and are on sale now. Seats are available by calling Ticketmaster at (617/508/401) 931-2000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

SHE’S GRAND

Singer-songwriter Iris DeMent will appear in a special performance 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth.

DeMent’s three releases have received acclaim for smart songwriting, resonant vocals and honest execution. Her music recalls the simple country songs of her Arkansas roots, the traditional folk sounds of artists like Woody Guthrie and the reflective craft of the singer-songwriters of the 1970s. She recently collaborated with John Prine on his Grammy-nominated album, “In Spite of Ourselves,” singing duets on a variety of old-time classics. On her own, DeMent is a two-time Grammy nominee for 1994s “My Life” and 1996s “The Way I Should.”

Tickets for the concert are $22 in advance and $24 at the door. For tickets call 667-9500. For more information, call 667-3618 or visit the Web site www.joelraymondpresents.com.