Mostly, it’s been the South. But today it’s Middle America putting a twinkle in Jim White’s voice. “It is so wholesome here,” he says, describing the scenery somewhere along Highway 61 in Iowa. As a musician, White (playing Wednesday at the Melting Point) doesn’t miss the opportunity to reference Bob Dylan here, either. “We’re revisiting it,” he jokes, noting he and his touring band are traveling Highway 61 on the way to a gig in Madison, Wis. They’re returning to the road after a detour to the Rock Island, Ill. FutureAppletree Studio 1 where they played for the studio’s Internet site, Daytrotter. Read the full story…

Listen to an interview with Jim White:

Listen to “A Town Called Amen” off Jim White’s new album, “Transnormal Skiperoo”:

THIS WEEKEND IN THE CLUBS: Who’s playing where this weekend in Athens, featuring a song from Lona.

Athens Guitar Trio
8 p.m., 106 West, Winder
The members of Athens Guitar Trio - Dusty Woodruff, Rylan Smith and Matthew Anderson - are classically trained guitar virtuosos who put on energetic live shows. Tickets are $10 at the door, $8 in advance, or $5 for children 12 and younger with parents. (770) 868-1977. - Trisha Klein

Lona
9 p.m., Georgia Theatre
Headed by Clay Leverett, Lona features members of Drip, Hayride, Japancakes, Star Room Boys and Tony Tidwell and The Scalded Dogs. In February, its album “To the Nth” was rereleased with two bonus tracks by Ghostmeat Records. Bo Bedingfield and The Wydelles, Betsy Franck and the Bare Knuckle Band and Ritalin Rejects will also perform. Tickets are $5. - Trisha Klein

The Electrik Eelz
9 p.m., Alibi Lounge
Three veteran Athens musicians - Wade Hester (an original member of Strawberry Flats, LandSharks, Genteels, Dos Guys), Chris Hampton (T Graham Brown, Dirk Howell, Still Cruzin’) and Matt Donaldson (Body Electric, Chastains, Milligan) - have formed a power trio that plays party rock, pop, funk and classics. Admission is free. (706) 549-1010. - Trisha Klein

Friday:
• Alibi: Electrik Eelz.
• Allen’s: The Rattlers.
• Caledonia: The Arcs, The Empties, Olympus Mans.
• Farm 255: Last American Hero, Sugar Dixx.
• Flicker: Broken Bits, Will Askridge, Hola Halo.
• Foxz: Jamie Lee and the Blue Flames.
• Georgia Theatre: Lona, Betsy Franck, 3 Foot Swagger, Ritalin Rejects.
• Little Kings: Trav Williams, Ben Stevens, Kyshona Armstrong.
• Melting Point: Curley Maple, 16 Tons.
• Mercury Lounge: Would-Be Farmers.
• Rye Bar: Future Ape Tapes.
• Tasty World (downstairs): Lullwater, Mogus.
• Tasty World (upstairs): Mantooth Music Block Party.

Saturday:
• 40 Watt: Kite to the Moon, Commander Chameleon, Faraday Rage, Rockspring Destroyer.
• Alibi: Tommy Crain and the Crosstown Allstars.
• Allen’s: Kyshona Armstrong.
• Caledonia: Superfluous Umlaut Records Party.
• Flicker: Argyle Denial, Double Dynamite, My Dad is Dead.
• Georgia Theatre: Venice Is Sinking, Casper and the Cookies, The Buddy System, Deaf Judges, Fairmount Fair, Matias.
• Go Bar: Make the Fur Fly, Nite Nite, Allison Weiss, The Winter Sounds.
• Little Kings: 4 p.m. - Jam For Justice 4 with Conjunto Grogus.
• Tasty World: 6 p.m. - Loose Cannon, Splinter Belly; 10 p.m. - 1st Annual Latin Rock Fest.