Playlist

Texas country group the Randy Rogers Band will take the stage Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Billy Bob's Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, in Fort Worth. The gig is a celebration of the new CD, Randy Rogers Band, which hits stores Tuesday as well. It's a really good disc, folks. The guys again worked with fellow Texan Radney Foster, who produced the record and co-wrote a few tunes. Among the standouts are "Better Than I Ought to Be," a radio hit waiting to happen, and "In My Arms Instead," the first single and video. Admission to the Billy Bob's gig is $15 (which includes a copy of the new album). For more information, go to the Billy Bob's Texas website.

Photo: From left to right -- Randy Rogers, Brady Black, Jon Richardson, Les Lawless and Geoffrey Hill (courtesy of www.randyrogersband.com).

The floors of The Loft were shaking Thursday night as young music-goers danced and sang along with indie rock band Pinback. The San Diego-based group didn't start playing until about 10:30 p.m. after a late start from Kylesa, the opening band. Kylesa's lyrics were barely decipherable, and the group's act sounded more like a screaming match than a musical performance.

Pinback delivered a more entertaining show and mostly performed songs from its fourth full-length album, Autumn of the Seraphs, which came out last September. The band put on a solid performance of "Devil You Know" and "Boquet," but other songs, such as "Torch" fell flat. Singer Zach Smith, originally of Three Mile Pilot, at times looked insecure and lacked energy.

But Rob Crow, who also sings for the group, engaged the crowd in conversation and exuded energy as he contorted his face and opened his eyes wide while singing. Hearing Smith and Crow sing together is like listening to a melodic and poetic conversation with deep meaning.

Pinback's performance proved entertaining but was slightly disapponting when compared to the group's recorded music.

Hadn't heard much about Dallas native Lisa Loeb lately until a colleague passed along this offbeat article where she talks about pastries, caffeine and the medicinal power of urine. Loeb's got a new CD out, Camp Lisa, featuring campfire songs she learned while going to camp in Marble Falls, Tex. Topics include pancakes and peanut butter, but alas, there are no bathroom humor ditties.

Atlanta, "Stand Up" and give props to your native son, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, for becoming the first-ever rapper in Georgia's Hall of Fame. If his appeal or the name alludes you, check the resume...

In less than a decade, Christopher Bridges has gone from an intern and announcer at what is now Hot-107.9 (where he went by Chris Luva Luva); to a three-time Grammy-winning hip-hop act (as Ludacris); to actor in a Screen Actors Guild Award-winning movie ("Crash," "Hustle & Flow") and TV series ("Battleground Earth," "Law & Order" -- where his credit usually says Chris "Ludacris" Bridges).

"Wow, this just means to me that all of the hard work I've been doing has not gone ignored. And to hear that I'm like the first rap artist to be inducted --I love it! I love making history and I take pride in and love what I do."

"And please believe me when I say I don't take those words, 'Hall of Fame,' lightly. This just motivates me to continue to do more. I mean, some of the same people whose music I've sampled -- Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield -- people I've looked at as legends, it just really makes me feel good that I will be included among them. And that it is because of rap music -- a voice that will not be ignored!"

And if that still isn't enough for you, he also owns the upscale Singaporean spot Straits, in Midtown. Go Luda, go Luda, stay busy, do your thing Bruh...