Live Music This Weekend: Evolution and the Johnny Ray Band

This weekend is packed with live music on the North Shore and a whole bunch of bands playing a wide variety of music genres, from classic rock to blues and soul, can be seen for free at rock clubs and restaurants throughout the region.

The Johnny Ray Band is playing the Red Rock Bistro in Swampscott this Friday night. Johnny Ray, called Mr. Las Vegas, took his brand of soulful R&B, western rock all the way to the national stage and became a regular performer along the Vegas Strip. Now he tours nightclubs across the east coast with his band. 

Evolution is playing Capone's Restaurant and Bar in Peabody on Saturday night. Evolution is a top rate Journey cover band and is a sure fire good time for any fans of the popular 80s rock ballad group. 

All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless specified. Call the venue if you're headed to one of the Friday shows; it's possible they've been cancelled or postponed because of the weather.

We've already checked on the Joni Mitchell tribute and good news — it's on! Organizers say they'd love to see folks come out to the Me & Thee for this special performance.

Fri., March 15 - Jah Spirit Reggae
Sat., March 16 - Guy Ford

Fri., March 15 - Tasa and Rob
Sat., March 16 - Doug Kwartler

Rockafellas, 231 Essex Street, Salem

Fri., March 15 - Radio Edit
Sat., March 16 - Midnight Goggles

Gulu-Gulu Cafe, 247 Essex St, Salem

Fri., March 15 - Mark T. Small
Sat., March 16 - Machine 475

Howling Wolf, 76 Lafayette Street, Salem

Fri., March 15 - Jeff Buckridge/Megan McKenzie Duo
Sat., March 16 - John Aruda

Fibber McGee's Bar and Grill, 104 Cabot St., Beverly

Fri., March 15 - The Scones
Sat., March 16 - N/A

Red Rock Bistro & Bar, 141 Humphrey Street, Swampscott

Fri., March 15 - Johnny Ray Band
Sat., March 16 - Shuffle Mode

Stonewood Tavern, 139 Lynnfield St., Peabody

Fri., March 15 - Vinyl Groove
Sat., March 16 - Grupo Fantasia

Capone's Restaurant & Bar, 147 Summit St, Peabody

Fri., March 15 - Wildfire
Sat., March 16 - Evolution

Chianti's Tuscan Restaurant & Jazz Lounge, 285 Cabot St., Beverly

Fri., March 15 - Two Bass Hit
Sat., March 16 - Myanna

The Landing Restaurant, 81 Front St., Marblehead

Fri., March 15 - Fireplace Ten
Sat., March 16 - Pat Runne get his Irish on!

Me and Thee Coffee House, 28 Mugford Street, Marblehead

Fri., March 15 - David Wilcox · Connor Garvey opens - 8 p.m.
Sat., March 16 - N/A