Roadtrips

Four promising young singer-songwriters join forces this week for a swing through New England on what's been dubbed the "On the Fringe Tour": David Poe, who's supporting a new Epic CD and who gets rhythmic support on the road from Rollins Band drummer Sim Cain; Kim Fox, who released a fine debut titled Moon Hut (DreamWorks) earlier this year; David Rice (see "Off the Record," on page TK, for a review of his new CD); and Atlantic recording artist Kacy Crowley. The tour hits the Iron Horse (413-584-0610) in Northampton on June 18, Lansdowne Street Playhouse (617-536-2100) in Boston on June 19, the Elvis Room (603-436-9189) in Portsmouth on June 20, and the Call (401-751-2255) in Providence on June 21, where local singer/songwriter Chick Graning will join the bill. Poe sticks around to play his own show at the Green Street Grill (617-876-1655) in Cambridge on the 22nd. The "Def Jam Survival of the Illest Tour" is making only one area stop -- on June 21 at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel (401-272-5876) in Providence -- but since it does feature the chart-topping new rapper DMX, as well as Onyx, it should be worth the trip.

Another singer/songwriter, rootsy dude Dave Alvin, goes it alone on a tour supporting his new CD, Blackjack David (Hightone), which brings him to the Iron Horse on June 24 and the House of Blues (617-491-BLUE) in Cambridge on the 25th. The artist formerly known as Monster Mike -- local blues guitarist Mike Welch -- celebrates the release of his new CD with gigs on June 20 at the Call, where Vic Foley and His Southern Fried Swang Thang open, June 28 at the Grog (978-465-8008) in Newburyport, and July 3 at the Sea Note (781-925-4300) in Nantasket Beach. And Great Woods (call 617-423-NEXT for tickets) in Mansfield has a big week, with the Allman Brothers Band on the 19th, the B-52's and Pretenders on the 20th, Randy Travis headlining the WKLB Country Festival on the 21st, and Ani DiFranco on the 24th.

-- Matt Ashare