Hello faithful On The Road readers, Associate Editor John Voket here, covering for my counterpart Shannon Hicks while she enjoys a well-earned break. Shannon will be returning with plenty of stories about her trip to help rebuild hurricane ravaged Biloxi, Miss., but in the interim, I will be bringing you up to speed on the local live music happenings right here in our region.

The big news in rock this week: R.E.M., VAN HALEN, THE STOOGES fronted by IGGY POP, PATTI SMITH and THE DAVE CLARK FIVE are among nine acts on the final ballot for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, according to various reports. CHIC, GRANDMASTER FLASH and the FURIOUS FIVE, JOE TEX, and THE RONETTES complete this year’s ballot.

Five of the nine eligible acts will be inducted during a March 12 ceremony at New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, though the inductees will be announced in December.

Locally and more imminently, any musicians out there who want to help a good cause and help me remember a good friend and fellow Dead Head Patrick Bresnahan are invited to the first annual HEARTS FOR PAT open mic and jam to benefit the American Heart Association this Saturday from 6 to 10 pm at Last Drop Coffeehouse, at the intersection of Routes 25 and 59 in Monroe. If you don’t feel like sitting in, just come down for some warm beverages and friendship — the evening is shaping up to be one of the area’s hottest jam sessions in some time!

DOUG WAHLBERG BAND returns to the Georgetown Saloon, 8 Main Street in Georgetown, on Friday, November 10. Showtime is 10 pm and admission is $5. The act has been electrifying audiences for years, performing originals most cannot distinguish from mainstream radio play.

Always hypnotic and driving, the occasional 70s influence can be detected — but with a “renovated” feel. Wahlberg’s guitar work has been compared to Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Leslie West…all rolled into one.

The band includes: Doug Wahlberg, vocals and guitar; George P. Miller, bass; Rich Genovese, drums; and Tim “T-Bone” Stone on keyboards. They have appeared with classic acts such as The Ramones, David Johanson, Cheap Trick, and Mountain. Wahlberg has also worked with legendary music figures including Rick Derringer, Bernie Taupin and Mick Ronson.

Their current CD, titled Party Boss, is available at CD Baby, Tower Records and through the band website. For more information, visit dougwahlberg.com or georgetownsaloon.com.

Fairfield’s own homeboy JOHN MAYER is apparently bypassing his home state during his winter “Continuum” tour. Unless some local promoter can convince Mayer to make a stop on one of the two remaining open dates he has in the region (February 24 or 25). Failing that, Mayer’s local followers will either have to traipse to Amherst for a February 26 stop or New York City for a February 28 show at MSG. Tix for both of these confirmed shows go on sale November 11.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE and special guest PINK “Get The Party Started” in the Arena at Mohegan Sun, March 24. Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 4, at 10 am, through Ticketmaster. Tickets are $125, $110, $95 and $75. The $125 tickets are general admission for open floor access (no seat). Tickets may also be purchased at the Mohegan Sun box office on Sunday, November 5, subject to availability.

CIRQUE DREAMS transforms The Cabaret Theatre at Mohegan Sun into an imaginary jungle December 13–23. Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy takes audiences on an adventure into an enchanted jungle for a show that is both on the stage and in the air. Tickets are $30 and are available now at the Mohegan Sun Box Office and through Ticketmaster.

Anyone heading for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra shows at Mohegan Sun Arena on November 25 is advised of a time change for performances. The shows will be at 2:30 and 7:30 pm, not 3 and 8 pm as previously listed.

Wolf Den favorites AMERICA bring in their hits on Friday, November 10 at 8 pm. THE OUTLAWS take over the room on Saturday, November 11, at pm and Sunday, November 12, at 7 pm. Admission is free, but patrons must be 21 or over.

DAVID CASSIDY will do double duty at Mohegan Sun. On Saturday, November 4, at 8 pm and Sunday, November 5, at 7 pm, Cassidy appears with his backup band at the Wolf Den. Then, from Wednesday, November 8, through Sunday, November 12, Cassidy will join the cast of the popular revue The Rat Pack Is Back! in the Cabaret Theatre. Cassidy plays a cameo role as Bobby Darin in a show that honors the glory days of Las Vegas entertainment.

Speaking of the Rat Pack, FRANK SINATRA, JR, brings “Sinatra sings Sinatra” back to The Cabaret Theatre at Mohegan Sun for five performances from Wednesday, December 6, through Sunday, December 10. Show times are 7:30 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 8 pm on Saturday; and 3 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $45 and are on sale now at the Mohegan Sun Box Office and through Ticketmaster.

Star of the hit comedy TV series Yes, Dear ANTHONY CLARK performs standup in The Cabaret Theatre at Mohegan Sun on Monday, December 4, and Tuesday, December 5, both shows begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $30 and are on sale now at the Mohegan Sun Box Office and through Ticketmaster.

The DANCING WITH THE STARS Tour, featuring the biggest dancers for the hit television series, makes a stop at Mohegan Sun Arena, on Saturday, February 3, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $95 and $55 and go on sale Saturday, November 4th at Noon through Ticketmaster.

In related news, WILLA FORD, the self-proclaimed “bad girl of pop,” is headlining the DANCING WITH THE STARS show February 8 at Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard. Tickets for that stop are on sale now.

And if that doesn’t feed your reality show fix, head to the Chevrolet Theatre (formerly the Oakdale) in Wallingford for ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA on January 27.

Bridgeport will apparently play host to a triple-header show March 7 as NICKELBACK headlines with worthy support from THREE DAYS GRACE and BREAKING BENJAMIN. Nickelback’s website is reporting the tour and Pollstar reported the local stop, but no on-sale info was forthcoming at press time.

JEFFREY GAINES is set to play The Towne Crier in Pawling, N.Y., November 26, and COMMANDER CODY & HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN play the Crier December 29. Tix for both shows are on sale now.

Our friends at The Ridgefield Playhouse have added a few new shows to the end of the 2006-2007 season, if you are planning in advance and you love the blues, pick up tickets now for JOHNNY WINTER and POPA CHUBBY February 10. You’ll get nothing but voice when ROCKAPELLA hits the Ridgefield stage March 24. Go “Reminiscing” March 31 with THE LITTLE RIVER BAND or enjoy the acoustic stylings of LEO KOTTKE scheduled for May 5.

Upcoming Shows

November 3 – The Cheetah Girls, Jordan Pruitt and Vanessa Anne Hudgens at Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard; Three Dog Night at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield; Arlo Guthrie at the Jorgensen Center at UConn, Storrs; Masta Killa of Wu-Tang Clan and Method Man at The Webster Underground, Hartford; Big Shot Billy Joel Tribute at Toad’s Place, New Haven; Melissa Ferrick at the University of Hartford, Wilde Auditorium, West Hartford; Goldens Bridge at Monkey Bar, Danbury

November 4 — Casting Crowns, Pillar and TobyMac at Bridgeport’s Arena at Harbor Yard; Sacred Oath at the Empress Ballroom, Danbury; Arlo Guthrie at the Jorgensen Center at UConn, Storrs; Lez Arlo Guthrie at the Jorgensen Center at UConn, Storrs; Lez Zepplin at The Webster Underground, Hartford; The Strawbs at the Towne Crier Café, Pawling, N.Y.

November 5 — Pianist Soyeon Lee at Edmond Town Hall; Jamarama Live at The Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford; Shooter Jennings at The Webster Underground, Hartford.

November 6 — Stephen Pearcy of RATT at The Webster Underground, Hartford.

November 7 — Steven Bishop at Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard.

November 8 — Steven Bishop at Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard; Alexa Ray Joel at Toad’s Place, New Haven; WCSU Campus Comedy Competition, at Western Connecticut State University’s Midtown Campus, Ives Concert Hall.

November 9 — Dr John at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield.

November 10 — Queensryche’s Operation Mindcrime Tour at The Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford; Tom Rush at the Seabury Arts Center, Westport; Comedian Lewis Black at the Stamford Arts Center, Stamford; Reverend Horton Heat at Toad’s Place, New Haven.

November 11 — Michael Glabicki (Of Rusted Root) and Zox at the Trackside Teen Center in Wilton, Peter, Paul & Mary at the Palace Theater, Waterbury; Jewel at Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard; The Cult at The Webster Underground, Hartford.