June 13-19, 1997

17
T U E S D A Y

Contemporary urban radio programmers may consider Johnny Rawls' brand of Mississippi soul passé, but nothing seems to stop this 46-year-old Baptist from staying true to his calling. In the '70s, he crisscrossed the South as cult legend O.V. Wright's guitarist and bandleader. In the '80s and early '90s he backed numerous down-home balladeers, and as part of the duo Rawls & Luckett, he stepped out front and recorded some critically acclaimed (but hard to find) blues and gospel. As revealed on his 1996 solo debut, Here We Go, this musician devotes his spirit to testifying on six strings, a Hammond organ, and a choir of horns. At 8 p.m. at Smokehouse Blue, 6001 Centreville Crest Lane, Centreville. FREE. (703) 222-8707. (Steve Kiviat)