Jackson Free Press

On Dec. 17, Jacksonians home for the holidays will have a chance to hear what they have been missing on the Jackson music scene, and newcomers can get a taste of Mississippi sounds. The 9th Annual Esperanza Plantation Holiday Showcase includes a diverse lineup of artists from the label and will also feature many bands with ties to Mississippi and the Jackson area.

"It's an exciting opportunity to experience a wide array of Mississippi music from talented artists," Chaney Nichols says. Nichols owns the Esperanza Plantation music label. "It is not something you get every weekend in Jackson."

The annual holiday concert for the Jackson-based record label features T.B. Ledford, Wooden Finger, El Obo, Bear Colony, and Johnny Bertram and the Golden Bicycles. The night's lineup includes genres ranging from acoustic, folk, bluegrass and rock.

The Pix Capri Theater venue is also really important to Nichols. The seldomused theater is home to the event for the seventh straight year, and the showcase is one of the only events still held in the Fondren landmark.

The concert has a holiday theme, but many of the musicians will feature material from their latest releases, such as T.B. Ledford's album "Butcher Bird," Wooden Finger's "Take and See and Do What You Want," and El Obo's debut album "Oxford Basement Collection." El Obo is a side project for Colour Revolt lead singer Jesse Coppenbarger.

Also, expect to hear songs from upcoming releases from artists Johnny Bertram and the Golden Bicycles, and Bear Colony.

The festival is an all-ages event. The Pix Capri Theater (3023 N. State St.) opens its doors at 6:30 p.m., and the music starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. For information on the event and the artists, visit Esperanza Plantation on Facebook or http://www.esperanzaplantation.com.