In what has become a local holiday tradition of sorts, the husband-and-wife team of Chris Ligon and Heather McAdams will return to FitzGerald’s this weekend for their annual Country Calendar Show. The concert is a release party for McAdams’ “2004 Country Calendar,” featuring her drawings of legendary and not-so-legendary country heros. The bill is packed with a lineup of local alt-country all-stars who will cover the music of the calendar’s subjects, including Andrew Bird covering Bob Wills; Neko Case doing her best Loretta Lynn; and Jon Langford and Sally Timms playing the music of Buck Owens. If you’re scratching your head wondering why you recognize Ligon’s and McAdams’ names, it’s probably because the duo operated the Record Roundup store in Lincoln Square for a couple years before packing up and moving to Delaware. (McAdams’ cartoons also appear locally in The Reader.) 9 p.m. Saturday. $15. Fitzgerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. 708-788-2118.
Chuggin’ into town
The last time Train came through Chicago, the earnest everyman rockers played two sold-out shows at Navy Pier’s Skyline Stage. When the group returns in January, it will be doing what most successful rock groups only talk about–a small club tour. Train will set up shop at Schubas from Jan. 27-31, and tickets go on sale noon Friday at www.schubas.com. (A limited number of tickets are available now through an Internet presale at traintickets.musictoday.com.) While the details aren’t firm, the band is mulling giving each ticketholder a CD recording of the concert they attend as part of the $25 ticket price.
Grammy whammy?
One of the biggest head-scratchers from this year’s Grammy nominee announcements is local singer-songwriter Cathy Richardson’s nod for best recording package. Richardson, along with Chicago artist Bill Dolan, also nominated, designed the cover for “Road to Bliss.” It’s not that it isn’t a fine-looking album, but we’re curious how an album Richardson released independently on her own Ca$h Rih Records snags the attention of the often-aloof Grammy panel. Who knows? Maybe she got some advice from fellow Chicagoan Eddie Blazonczyk, the perennially-nominated polka king. Richardson’s next stop in town is New Year’s Eve. 10 p.m. Dec. 31. $70-$80. FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. 708-788-2118.
