By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer

A Bachelorette suitor leads off this roundup of weekend music options.

In the Spotlight

No, Bachelorette finalist Luke Pell didn't go on the ABC show The Bachelorette just to further his burgeoning country music career — to hear him tell it, at least.

"I thought it would be a good time to take a break, to take a couple of months off to go and do new things," said Pell, who'll make his Amarillo debut with a 9 p.m. Friday show at Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St. Cover is $12 in advance or $15 at the door for ages 21 and older, or $20 for ages 18 to 20.

But he's not upset that his fourth-place showing on the reality competition expanded his profile and even almost netted him a gig as the next Bachelor.

"I was kind of in a stage of life where I was saying 'why not?' to a lot of opportunities," Pell said. "It turned out to be a great experience and a lot of fun, and a lot of the fans of that show are fans of country music and have welcomed me with open arms."

But Pell said his first priority is his music.

"My whole life, I've always kind of aspired to be in music. ... I really fell in love with it (when he was 10), but then sports and the military happened, so music as a career was on hold for a while," he said, referring to his time playing football at West Point and his five-year stint as an officer in the Army.

"I worked a couple of different corporate jobs after that, playing music and writing songs on the weekend in my spare time, and I came to terms with the fact that that was what I was really passionate and wanted to be back in Nashville pursuing it full time," he said.

Well, mostly full time, when the additional responsibilities and perks of being a popular suitor on The Bachelorette don't interfere — including signing up to be the next Bachelor.

Pell said he had his bags packed and was ready to start filming the next season, which debuts in January on ABC, when producers changed course and went with Nick Viall, who was runner-up on the 10th and 11th seasons of The Bachelorette and came in third on the third season of Bachelor in Paradise.

"For all intents and purposes, we had agreed on it from my standpoint until the day of the announcement. They changed direction at the last minute," Pell said.

The Bachelor host and producer Chris Harrison told People magazine that no one deserves to be the Bachelor more than Viall: “So many names get thrown around and at the end of the day, as producers, we have to try and think and decide what’s best for the franchise and who is the most deserving and sincere person. At the end of the day, we all looked around the table and nobody could say it wasn’t Nick. You can’t shoot holes at the fact that he is just the most deserving and sincere person.”

Pell said he thinks the change in plans was "a blessing in disguise."

"That would have been two months of filming, another month of promotion, then the show airs for almost three months and you've still got obligations to film extra shows and live tapings," Pell said. "It would have been a very intensive schedule up until March of this next year.

"It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, to be with all these people you've just met, with no contact with the outside world, your family, your career or anything," he continued. "It's definitely a fishbowl. The whole world sees you and your personality and a lot of personal pieces of your life. They see it through a microscope, and now there's 10 million people who now know your story.

"It's something that I'm likely never to do again, but I'm glad I did it," he said. "I've definitely got some material to write songs about, too."

Additional shows

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant

El Trio Cortez performs at 7 p.m. Friday at the downtown restaurant, 727 S. Polk St. There's no cover charge. Call 806-373-8889.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens

In addition to about 200,000 holiday lights, the center's Christmas in the Gardens event will feature music from a variety of performers through Dec. 23 at the gardens, 1400 Streit Drive. On tap for the final days: Amarillo High School's New Sound choir on Friday, Holy Cross church choir on Saturday, Rene Brain on Sunday, Woodlands Elementary School choir on Monday, Puckett honor choir on Tuesday, Church Alive choir on Wednesday, AHS brass quartet on Thursday and Cassandra Hussey on Dec. 23. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. nightly, and admission is free. Call 806-352-6513.

Amarillo Little Theatre

The Flying J Wranglers will bring their Cowboy Christmas show back to Amarillo for a 7:30 p.m. Monday performance at Amarillo Little Theatre, 2019 Civic Circle. Tickets are $25; ALT members get a 10 percent discount. Call 806-355-9991.

Atomic Sports Grill & Bar

The new restaurant, bar and gaming facility, 2523 Brittain Drive, offers DJ Atomic at 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Call 806-355-2100.

Austin’s Texas Pub

The bar, 3121 S.W. Sixth Ave., will feature acoustic shows by Dan Patterson at 10 p.m. Friday and Jason Hodges at 10 p.m. Saturday; there's no cover. Call 806-803-9063.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch

Amarillo bluesman Stew Moss will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the restaurant, 7701 E. Interstate 40. Call 806-372-6000.

Bracero’s Mexican Bar & Grill

Pete Y Los Releros will perform at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the restaurant, 2822 S.W. Sixth Ave. Jackie Haney plays at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 806-220-2395.

Broken Spoke Lounge

Amarillo country band Midnight Express will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the bar, 3101 S.W. Sixth Ave. There's no cover charge. Call 806-373-9149.

Buffalo's Cafe

Amarillo country singer Buster Bledsoe will give a 6 p.m. Tuesday solo show at the restaurant, 2811 Fourth Ave. in Canyon. There's no cover. Call 806-655-4400.

The Burger Bar

Amarillo folk act The Schilling Girls will play at 7 p.m. Friday at the restaurant, 614 S. Polk St., followed by Amarillo singer-songwriter J Trial at 7 p.m. Saturday. There's no cover. Call 806-376-4700.

Butler's Martini Bar

Amarillo singer-songwriter Brandon Todd will perform at 9:30 p.m. Friday at the bar, 703 S. Polk St. There's no cover. Call 806-376-8180.

Cactus Bar

Singer Tommy Davis will perform around 7 p.m. Friday at the bar, 4831 S. Western St. There's no cover. Call 806-356-6369.

Club 301

Hoodfame Go Yayo will headline the Fred Loc's Birthday Bash rap concert at 10 p.m. Saturday at the club, 714 N. Fillmore St. Also on tap are Lit Soxx, Chasedoe, Ace-O, Lil Mal, Trap Slim and G2. Cover is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 806-471-4844.

Cowboy Gelato Smokehouse

Amarillo piano man Jason Patrick will play at 9 p.m. Friday at the restaurant, 6103 S. Coulter St., Suite 200, followed by Amarillo folk-rock band The DustJackets at 9 p.m. Saturday; there's no cover. Call 806-376-5286.

The 806

Savannah King will perform at 9:30 p.m. Friday at the coffee shop, 2812 S.W. Sixth Ave. Shows are free, but donations are accepted. Call 806-322-1806.

Fire Slice Pizzeria

The FireSongs concert series continues at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the restaurant, 7306 S.W. 34th Ave., Suite 10, with Amarillo folk band Sadie's Rangers. The shows are free, but you'll want to enjoy dinner with your tunes. Call 806-331-2232.

575 Pizzeria

Folk singer Andy Chase performs at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the local pizza franchise’s original location, 2803 Civic Circle. Call 806-322-5575.

La Frontera

Los Cuatros Compadres will perform at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the restaurant, 1401 S. Arthur St. Call 806-372-4593.

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts

The Amarillo Symphony hopes to launch a new Christmas tradition with its Happy Holiday Pops concerts at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Tickets are $19 to $55, plus fees. Call 806-376-8782 or 806-378-3096. And here's my preview of the show, which also will feature Amarillo Master Chorale.

Golden Light Cantina

Amarillo country band The Flying Elbows Perspective will perform at 10 p.m. Friday at the cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover is $7. Call 806-374-9237.

Hoots Pub

Reckless Kelly will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday at the bar, 2424 Hobbs Road; cover is $20. Shane Rogers performs around 9 p.m. Mondays, and Brian Wynne performs at 9 p.m. Wednesdays; both shows are free. Plus, the bar's happy hour performances continue: The Solano Project on Tuesdays, Johnny Reverb Holston with Marc Durham and Jay Weeks on Wednesdays and Bobby McCauley of The Cassettes on Thursdays. Happy hour shows start at 5:45, and there's no cover. Call 806-358-9560.

Imperial Taproom

The bar/restaurant, 410 15th St. in Canyon, will host Lubbock-based singer-songwriter Dallas Owens at 9 p.m. Saturday; there's no cover. Call 806-452-8004.

In This Moment

Jingle Jam, a concert featuring singers Devlon Jones, Chana Smith, Melia Roberts and others, is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday at the party venue, 707 S. Polk St. The event also will include hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are $15 each or $25 for couples and are available at Da Spot Barbershop, 1102 W. Amarillo Blvd. Call 806-679-2615.

Joe Daddy's

Amarillo country band Midnight Express will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the restaurant, 2108 Paramount Blvd. There's no cover. Call 806-463-7900.

Kicked Back

DJ Element spins every Friday and DJ RoRo spins every Saturday at the bar, 521 S.E. 10th Ave. Cover is $5 after midnight. Call 806-418-8971.

Leal's

Amarillo folk singer Andy Chase gives acoustic shows at 6 p.m. Thursdays at the restaurant, 1619 S. Kentucky St. There's no cover. Call 806-359-5959. 

Leftwoods

Amarillo rock band Afterthought will play at 10 p.m. Friday at the bar, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave.; cover is $5. Call 806-367-9840.

MacDaddy's

Amarillo rock bands Loaded Six and Lucid Moment will perform around 9 p.m. Friday at the bar, 1221 S.W. 10th Ave. There's no cover. Call 806-373-9149.

Midnight Rodeo

As seen above, Bachelorette star and country singer Luke Pell will perform at 9 p.m. Friday at the bar, 4400 S. Georgia St.; cover is $12 in advance or $15 at the door for ages 21 and older, or $20 for ages 18 to 20. And Amarillo native Aaron Watson will perform with opener Cameran Nelson at 9 p.m. Saturday; cover is $15 in advance or $20 at the door; here's my latest interview with Watson. Call 806-358-7083.

The Mudd Rack

Mason Jar & The Shine Brothers will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday at the bar, 500 E. Hastings Ave. There's no cover. Call 806-381-2599.

Napoli’s Italian Restaurant

Andy Chase will play around 7 p.m. Friday at of the restaurant, 700 S. Taylor St. Call 806-220-2588.

Palo Duro Canyon

The DryLand Dreamers and Oakdale Elementary School honor choir will perform during the Christmas in the Canyon Balloon Glow from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, featuring several hot-air balloons from Amarillo's Black Sheep Squadron. Admission is free with a donation of a nonperishable food item after 4 p.m.; regular park entry fees will apply before 4 p.m. The glow will take place at the Mack Dick Group Pavilion. Call 806-488-2506.

Pescaraz

Amarillo singer-songwriter Yvonne Perea will play at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the restaurant, 3415 S. Bell St., Suite K., followed by Amarillo singer-songwriter Mike Fuller at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. And Perea will return at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. There's no cover. Call 806-350-5430.

RR Bar

The Royal F---- and other Amarillo performers will team up for the Naughty List Variety Show at 10 p.m. Friday at RR Bar, 701 S. Georgia St. Admission is $10, and toy donations will be accepted. Burlesque, comedy, singing, sideshow and drag acts from Bomb City Pretties, Broken Belts Collective, Pickled Sisters Sideshow, and more will perform. Call 806-341-5141.

6th Street Saloon

Amarillo country band Jack C'Ryver & The Rock 'n' Roll Cowboys will play at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the bar, 609 S. Independence St. Cover is $5 for guys and free for women. Call 806-356-0873.

Skooterz

Amarillo rock band Sativa Ro will perform at 10 p.m. Friday at the bar, 4100 Bushland Blvd.; cover is $5. And Amarillo rockers Afterthought will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday; cover is $5. Call 806-355-6600.

The Spot

DJ Panda spins for Latin Nights at 10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at the bar, 4001 E. Interstate 40.

Taqueria El Tapatio

Singer Victor Gallegos will perform at 6 p.m. Friday at the restaurant, 3410 S. Coulter St. Call 806-331-6249.

Tejano Wild West

DJ Tino D spins tunes at 9 p.m. Fridays at the bar, 1200 S.E. 10th Ave. Call 806-340-3313.

Urbana Coffee Works

Amarillo country singer Chawn Cook will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at the coffeehouse, 5215 S. Coulter St., Suite 100. There's no cover. Call 806-803-9022.

The Western Horseman Club

Amarillo rock band Strange Saints will perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the club, 2501 E. Interstate 40. Cover is $5 for men, free for women. Call 806-379-6555, ext. 2999.

Whiskey River

Amarillo rock band Boss 420 will play at 10 p.m. Saturday at the bar, 4001 S.W. 51st Ave. Cover is $7 or two for $10 each night. Call 806-367-6163.

Zombiez Bar & Grill

It's a night of metal with Music Is the Enemy, Gnarly Sacs, Sleep When We're Dead and Foul Play at 9 p.m. Saturday at the bar, 711 S.W. 10th Ave. Cover is $6. Call 806-331-7305.

Open mics