Local scenester extraordinaire Cy Rawls is doing well in his battle against a nasty brain tumor, but he's not out of the woods yet. So the benefit-show action continues, and here's a good one -- Cy Rawlsters, a local super-group consisting of members of Rosebuds, Birds of Avalon, Polvo and other notables, playing covers requested by Rawls himself. They'll play the "Raleigh for Rawls" show Saturday at the Pour House, with Loners, Sir Arthur and the Royal Knights and Here Lies also on the bill. Represent!

One of the funniest things I've heard recently was Susan Cowsill onstage, recounting what it sounded like when Lucinda Williams serenaded her with "Happy Birthday." Cowsill had Williams' drawl down just perfectly, and it's a positive sign for the fate of the universe that enough people recognize Williams' voice for that reference to work. Catch Williams herself, touring in advance of "Little Honey" (out in October on Lost Highway Records), Tuesday at Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium.

Tonight: After a recent medical hiccup, Doc Watson is on the mend and playing at Louisburg College Auditorium with David Holt (see page 10); O.A.R. jams at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre, with Matt Wertz opening; and the very fine singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin plays the Clayton Center.

Saturday: Good to see Kingsbury Manx playing out again, at Nightlight's "Come the Freak On" Festival in Chapel Hill; Transportation shows off its new album at Chapel Hill's Local 506; Mel Melton's Wicked Mojos purvey home-cooked blues at Papa Mojo's in Durham; and Bombadil is back from afar to play Carrboro's Cat's Cradle.

Furthermore: Stereolab is just too cool to live yet somehow survives -- nay, thrives -- Monday at the Cradle, which has a very solid week with Mason Jennings on Tuesday, Fratellis on Wednesday (see page 11) and Walkmen on Thursday; also Thursday, Lloyd Cole (remember "Rattlesnakes"?) plays Carrboro ArtsCenter and Sarah Borges is back at Raleigh's Berkeley Cafe.

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