By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer

Hop to it, folks: Your Easter weekend (and beyond) is filled with great music choices. Here's our all-inclusive roundup and a preview of Amarillo singer-songwriter Ray Wilson's new CD.

In the spotlight

Ray Wilson 

A love song designed to appeal to gay and straight couples alike took an unexpected turn when Amarillo singer-songwriter Ray Wilson entered the studio to record it: It became a country song, of all things.

"I really wanted to write a more modern love song," Wilson said. "Love songs have kind of been for more of a traditional boy-meets-girl (story). ... I wanted something that could reach anyone — boy-meets-boy, girl-meets-girl — so I sat down to compose what would be a love song no matter where you're at or who you fall in love with."

As he began recording it at Red Sky Studio in Amarillo, he was surprised to find it worked best with country-style instrumentation. But he went with it.

"If you let it flow, I think it's more authentic, and I think it'll resonate more," he said, adding that that's certainly his goal with "Perfect Love": "We're entering such a beautiful age where we're so much more accepting of the different kinds of relationships that are out there."

Wilson will celebrate the release of his new album, Coming Through in Waves, which includes "Perfect Love," with a 10 p.m. Friday release party at Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave. 

Cover is $7.

Daily music listings

Friday

Singer Victor Gallegos performs at 6 p.m. at Taqueria El Tapatio, 3410 S. Coulter St. Call 806-331-6249.

Mariachi band Pete Y Los Releros performs at 6:30 p.m. at Bracero's Mexican Bar & Grill, 2822 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-220-2395.

Amarillo-based folk singer Yvonne Perea will perform at 6:30 p.m. at Pescaraz, 3415 S. Bell St., Suite K. No cover. Call 806-350-5430.

Mariachi band El Trio Cortez performs at 7 p.m. at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, 727 S. Polk St. No cover. Call 806-373-8889.

Amarillo bluesman Stew Moss performs at 7 p.m. at The Big Texan Steak Ranch, 7701 E. Interstate 40. No cover. Call 806-372-6000.

Folk singer Andy Chase performs at 7 p.m. at Napoli's Italian Restaurant, 700 S. Taylor St. No cover. Call 806-220-2588.

Amarillo band Danny Freeze & The Earthlings will play at 7 p.m. at Urbana Coffee Works, 5215 S. Coulter St., Suite 100. Cover $5 with BYOB alcohol, no cover without. Call 806-803-9022.

Amarillo piano man Jason Patrick will perform at 8 p.m. at Cowboy Gelato Smokehouse, 6103 S. Coulter St., Suite 200. No cover. Call 806-376-5286.

Lubbock/Amarillo country act The Shane Rogers Band will perform at 8 p.m. at Joe Daddy's, 2108 Paramount Blvd. No cover. Call 806-463-7900.

The Jim Laughlin Trio, a jazz combo, will perform at 8 p.m. at Metropolitan — A Speakeasy, 9181 Town Square Blvd. No cover. Call 806-242-0117.

DJ Atomic spins at 9 p.m. at Atomic Sports Grill & Bar, 2523 Brittain Drive. No cover. Call 806-355-2100.

B-Man's Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at Broken Spoke, 3101 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-373-9149.

B-Man's Karaoke also is featured at 9 p.m. at Buckles Lounge, 6800 E. Interstate 40. No cover. Call 806-379-8064.

Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at Duke Tracy's, 3101 S.W. 26th Ave. No cover. Call 806-351-0757.

DJ Sinister spins tunes around 9 p.m. at Guitars & Cadillacs, 3601 Olsen Blvd. No cover. Call 806-322-7979.

Texas country favorite (and former area resident) William Clark Green returns for a 9 p.m. show at Midnight Rodeo, 4400 S. Georgia St. Cover $15 in advance, $20 day of show, $20 ages 18 to 20. Call 806-358-7083.

Lil T Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at The Mudd Rack, 500 E. Hastings Ave. No cover. Call 806-381-2599.

Amarillo singer-songwriter James Owens will perform at 9 p.m. at Rain Premiere Sushi Bar & Lounge, 817 S. Polk St. No cover. Call 806-331-1155.

DJ James Erik McMurry will spin at 9 p.m. at Rounders Club, 2801 Virginia Circle. No cover. Call 806-352-3317.

Amarillo rock band Loaded Six will perform at 9 p.m. at 6th Street Saloon, 609 S. Independence St. Cover $5 for guys and free for women. Call 806-356-0873.

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

DJ Ted provides tunes at 9:30 p.m. at Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40. Cover $5 for men, free for women. Call 806-379-6555, ext. 2999.

Fort Worth singer-songwriters Mike Webb and Blake Burrow will perform at 10 p.m. at Austin's Texas Pub, 3121 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-803-9063.

Amarillo singer-songwriter Ray Wilson (see above) will give a CD release party at 10 p.m. at Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave. Shandy Bandits will open. Cover $7. Call 806-374-9237.

DJ RoRo will host hip-hop perfomers A.D. Grand, Nicky Cortez and Dreama Kid at 10 p.m. at Kicked Back, 521 S.E. 10th Ave. Cover $10. Call 806-418-8971.

Lubbock country singer Randall King will play at 10 p.m. at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road. Cover.

Austin blues band Darius Jackson & The Mighty Texas All-Stars will perform at 10 p.m. at Leftwoods, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave. Opening acts are Hnry Flwr and The Ferdy Mayne. Cover $5. Call 806-367-9840.

Amarillo country singer-songwriter Danny Ruiz will host an open jam at 10 p.m. at No Dogs Allowed, 700 S.W. 10th Ave. No cover. Call 806-373-3647.

DJ Ramon hosts The Latin Spot at 10 p.m. at The Spot, 4001 E. Interstate 40.

Amarillo punk band The Bastard Sons of David Hasslehoff will play at 10 p.m. at Whiskey River, 4001 S.W. 51st Ave. Cover $7. Call 806-367-6163.

Saturday

Amarillo folk singer Mike Fuller will perform at 6:30 p.m. at Pescaraz, 3415 S. Bell St., Suite K. No cover. Call 806-350-5430.

Amarillo bluesman Stew Moss performs at 7 p.m. at The Big Texan Steak Ranch, 7701 E. Interstate 40. No cover. Call 806-372-6000.

Amarillo singer-songwriter James Owens performs at 7 p.m. at Napoli's Italian Restaurant, 700 S. Taylor St. No cover. Call 806-220-2588.

John Michael MontgomeryandRestless Heart will team for an 8 p.m. show in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St. Tickets are $44.50 to $64.50, plus fees. Call 806-378-3096. (Check out my interview with Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart.)

Amarillo guitarist Hayden Pedigo will perform in a tribute to John Maus, the original keyboardist for Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, at 8 p.m. as part of the art installation Humans, Being by Jacob Breeden. Boyband, the DJ alter ego of former Amarillo resident George Ingalls, will spin, too. My preview explains more. The event runs from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Double R Lofts, 705 S. Grant St., Loft 12. No cover. Call 806-681-4337.

Amarillo rock band Moon Dog will play at 8 p.m. at Smokey Joe's, 2903 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-331-6698.

DJ Atomic spins at 9 p.m. at Atomic Sports Grill & Bar, 2523 Brittain Drive. No cover. Call 806-355-2100.

Amarillo country band Midnight Express will play at 9 p.m. at Broken Spoke, 3101 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-373-9149.

Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at Duke Tracy's, 3101 S.W. 26th Ave. No cover. Call 806-351-0757.

Amarillo rock singer Ace Rodriguez will play at 9 p.m. at The Mudd Rack, 500 E. Hastings Ave. No cover. Call 806-381-2599.

Amarillo rock band Karma will play at 9 p.m. at Rounders Club, 2801 Virginia Circle. No cover. Call 806-352-3317.

Karaoke by Frank Britto will be featured at 9 p.m. at 6th Street Saloon, 609 S. Independence St. Cover $5 for guys and free for women. Call 806-356-0873.

Amarillo rock band The Solano Project will play at 9 p.m. at Tom & Jerry's Sports Bar & Grill, 715 S. Polk St. Cover $5. Call 806-322-0089.

B-Man's Karaoke is featured at 9:30 p.m. at Cactus Bar, 4831 S. Western St. No cover. Call 806-356-6369.

Country band Gary Nix & West Texas at 9:30 p.m. at Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40. Cover $5 for men, free for women. Call 806-379-6555, ext. 2999.

Americana-roots band The Buffalo Ruckus will perform at 10 p.m. at Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $7. Call 806-374-9237.

Amarillo '80s cover band The Cassettes will play at 10 p.m. at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road. Cover.

DJ RoRo spins around 10 p.m. at Kicked Back, 521 S.E. 10th Ave. Cover $5 after midnight. Call 806-418-8971.

Austin-based surf-rockers The Sun Machine will perform at 10 p.m. at Leftwoods, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $5. Call 806-367-9840.

Amarillo rock band Lifeless 2 Life will play at 10 p.m. at No Dogs Allowed, 700 S.W. 10th Ave. Cover $5. Call 806-373-3647.

Amarillo country act The Buster Bledsoe Band will play at 10 p.m. at Whiskey River, 4001 S.W. 51st Ave. Cover $7. Call 806-367-6163.

Sunday

Amarillo country singer-songwriter Danny Ruiz will host an open jam at 4 p.m. at Red Rock Saloon, 1305 N.E. Third Ave. No cover. Call 806-463-2000.

Amarillo bluesman Stew Moss will perform at 7 p.m. at The Big Texan Steak Ranch, 7701 E. Interstate 40. No cover. Call 806-372-6000.

B-Man's Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at 6th Street Saloon, 609 S. Independence St. No cover. Call 806-356-0873.

Monday

Round 3 of the Battle of the Bands to determine who'll open Homer's Backyard Ball continues at 8 p.m. at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road. This week's lineup includes The Justin Kemp Band, The Kirks and Next to Kin. No cover.

Indie rockers The Blind Spots will perform at 10 p.m. at Leftwoods, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $5. Call 806-367-9840.

Tuesday

Amarillo classic rock band The Solano Project performs at happy hour around 5:45 p.m. at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobb Road. No cover. Call 806-358-9560.

Mariachi band El Trio Cortez will perform at 6 p.m. at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, 727 S. Polk St. No cover. Call 806-373-8889.

Folk singer Andy Chase performs at 6:30 p.m. at 575 Pizzeria, 2803 Civic Circle. No cover. Call 806-322-5575.

Amarillo folk-rock band The DustJackets is in the spotlight for the weekly FireSongs concert series at 7 p.m. at Fire Slice Pizzeria, 7306 S.W. 34th Ave., Suite 10. No cover. Call 806-331-2232.

Rockers P.O.D. will headline a show at 8 p.m. at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road, with Darke Complex, Refugee and Never Your Zero. Cover $20. 

Karaoke by DJ David Eric is featured at 10 p.m. at No Dogs Allowed, 700 S.W. 10th Ave. No cover. Call 806-373-3647.

Jim Bean hosts an open-mic night at 9 p.m. at 6th Street Saloon, 609 S. Independence St. No cover. Call 806-356-0873.

Buster Bledsoe hosts an open-mic night at 9 p.m. at Throwbacks Sports Bar, 7150 S. Bell St. No cover. Call 806-418-4482.

Karaoke by DJ Ronnie is featured at 9 p.m. at Whiskey River, 4001 S.W. 51st Ave. No cover. Call 806-367-6163.

Detroit rock band Koffin Kats will perform at 10 p.m. at Leftwoods, 2511 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $5. Call 806-367-9840.

Wednesday

Amarillo rock band The Solano Project will play at 6 p.m. at Ruby Tequila's, 3616 S. Soncy Road. No cover. Call 806-358-7829.

Classic rock singer Jackie Haney will perform at 6:30 p.m. at Bracero's Mexican Bar & Grill, 2822 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-220-2395.

Amarillo country singer Buster Bledsoe hosts an open-mic night at 7 p.m. at Buffalo's Cafe, 2811 Fourth Ave. in Canyon. No cover. Call 806-655-4400.

Amarillo singer-songwriter James Owens will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Rain Premiere Sushi Bar & Lounge, 817 S. Polk St. No cover. Call 806-331-1155.

B-Man's Karaoke is featured at 8 p.m. at Smokey Joe's, 2903 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-331-6698.

Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at Duke Tracy's, 3101 S.W. 26th Ave. No cover. Call 806-351-0757.

DJ James Erik McMurry spins during Beer Pong Night at 9 p.m. at House Bar, 1219 S.W. 10th Ave. No cover. Call 806-677-6450.

DJ Element spins tunes around 9 p.m. at Guitars & Cadillacs, 3601 Olsen Blvd. No cover. Call 806-322-7979.

DJ Gemini spins at 9 p.m. at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road. No cover. 

B-Man's Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at 6th Street Saloon, 609 S. Independence St. No cover. Call 806-356-0873.

Amarillo country singer Lee Scheetz hosts an open-mic night at 9 p.m. at Whiskey River, 4001 S.W. 51st Ave. No cover. Call 806-367-6163.

Thursday

Folk singer Andy Chase performs at 6 p.m. at Leal's, 1619 S. Kentucky St. No cover. Call 806-359-5959.

Amarillo folk singer Yvonne Perea will perform at 6:30 p.m. at Pescaraz, 3415 S. Bell St., Suite K. No cover. Call 806-350-5430.

Amarillo country singer Buster Bledsoe hosts an open-mic night at 7 p.m. at Smokey Joe's, 2903 S.W. Sixth Ave. No cover. Call 806-331-6698.

Amarillo country band Kickshikers play at 7 p.m. at Western Horseman Club, 2501 E. Interstate 40. Cover $5 for men, free for women. Call 806-379-6555, ext. 2999.

DJ Atomic spins at 9 p.m. at Atomic Sports Grill & Bar, 2523 Brittain Drive. No cover. Call 806-355-2100.

Amarillo country singer Danny Ruiz hosts open-mic night at 9 p.m. at Cowboy Gelato Smokehouse, 6103 S. Coulter St., Suite 200. No cover. Call 806-376-5286.

Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at Duke Tracy's, 3101 S.W. 26th Ave. No cover. Call 806-351-0757.

Tommy Davis hosts an open-mic night at 9 p.m. at 6th Street Saloon, 609 S. Independence St. No cover. Call 806-356-0873.

B-Man's Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at Buffalo's Cafe, 2811 Fourth Ave. in Canyon. No cover. Call 806-655-4400.

Lil T Karaoke is featured at 9 p.m. at House Bar, 1219 S.W. 10th Ave. No cover. Call 806-677-6450.

Colorado outlaw band Tejon Street Corner Thieves will perform at 9 p.m. at Imperial Taproom, 410 15th St. in Canyon. No cover. Call 806-452-8004.

Karaoke by David Eric is featured at 9 p.m. at Rounders Club, 2801 Virginia Circle. No cover. Call 806-352-3317.

Oklahoma singer-songwriter Miles Williams will perform at 10 p.m. at Golden Light Cantina, 2906 S.W. Sixth Ave. Cover $5. Call 806-374-9237.

Angelrey hosts Throwback Thursdays at 10 p.m. at The Spot, 4001 E. Interstate 40.