Country Picks

In 1990, Joe Diffie topped the country chart with "Home." Throughout the decade, the Oklahoma native kept delivering, scoring hits with such fan faves as "John Deere Green," "If the Devil Danced (in Empty Pockets)" and "Pickup Man." Diffie is sure to revisit some of his hits tonight, when he takes the stage at the Longbranch.

Dobroist and steel guitar player Cindy Cashdollar has worked with a "who's who" of contemporary artists, including Rod Stewart, Van Morrison and Bob Dylan. As violinist with the swing band Hot Club of Cowtown, Elana James has made friends in high places. Her admirers include fiddle pro Johnny Gimble and Dylan, with whom she has toured and performed. Saturday, Cashdollar and James, along with the Hot Club, will perform at the N.C. Museum of Art.

The country concert season kicks into high gear Saturday as perennial favorite Toby Keith makes a return appearance to Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion with "She's a Hottie" and other hits in tow. Montgomery Gentry, Carter's Chord, Mica Roberts and Trailer Choir will share the bill.

On Saturday, Chapel Hill's Cave hosts an evening of string-band music performed by the Ramblers. Bill Hicks, Jim Watson, Mike Craver, and Joe Newberry will pick and sing songs from Tommy Jarrell, the Carter Family and other old-time sources.

Also Saturday, the G2 Bluegrass Band from Stockholm, Sweden, brings its music to the Holly Springs Cultural Center. www.friendsofbluegrass.org, 567-4000.

Raleigh-Durham's own Gravy Boys will offer an outdoor concert Sunday at Southern Village. The Gravy Boys play an Americana mix of old-time, country and rock.

And on Wednesday, the incomparable Emmylou Harris (page 14) brings her always tasteful, cutting-edge country music to the N.C. Museum of Art. Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein will open the show (page 15).