Entertainment

A galaxy of big-name concerts will light up local stages beginning Saturday, April 12. Options range from Megadeth to Mary J. Blige, with all sorts of options in between. Here's a rundown:

Many artists sing about pain and drama, but few have managed to translate those emotions as fruitfully as Mary J. Blige. Each of her eight studio albums – from 1992's What's the 411? to last year's Growing Pains – contains hit singles that crystallize the 37-year-old's personal battles (drugs, alcohol and self-esteem) with a raw strength and honesty that have endeared her to millions.

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Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige perform during the opening of their Heart of the City tour Saturday, March 22, 2008, in Miami.

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It takes a performer of equal longevity and universal appeal to share a stage with the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, and no one fits the bill better than Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, one of hip-hop's most prolific and profitable rappers. It's been nearly four years since the seven-time Grammy winner, entrepreneur and former Def Jam Records president and CEO performed in Dallas (remember the infamous R. Kelly stint?). But the 38-year-old, now four albums out of his self-imposed retirement in 2003, is ready to show them that he still just might be the "greatest rapper alive."

Lorrie Irby Jackson

It's been six years since Bruce Springsteen came to town with the E Street Band. His most recent show, in 2005 at Nokia Theatre, was a mostly somber solo gig. Sunday's concert should be more upbeat as he mixes rockers from 2007's solid Magic CD with classics, including "She's the One," "Badlands" and "Born to Run." He's also been dusting off obscure gems such as "Be True" and the never-released Born in the U.S.A. outtake "None but the Brave."

The other new developments are in the E Street lineup: Keyboardist Charlie Giordano is sitting in for Danny Federici (who's battling melanoma), and violinist Soozie Tyrell is handling vocals usually sung by Patti Scialfa (the wife of Mr. Springsteen), who's staying at home in New Jersey with the three teenage Boss-lings.

Thor Christensen

Even at age 46, Jon Bon Jovi can do no wrong. He's one of the most enduring sex symbols for Generation X, a distinction that's actually enhanced because of his loyalty to both his family and his bandmates. It's also a vital reason why Bon Jovi's recordings, even newer ones such as 2005's Have a Nice Day, still sell tremendously. In fact, every Bon Jovi album has been certified at least platinum, including last year's semi-risky but well-conceived country-rock release, Lost Highway. That ended up surprising even Mr. Bon Jovi, who had planned the band's current tour as a greatest-hits retrospective but instead turned it into a jaunt to support Lost Highway. But, just in case, he upped the ante early by signing on heartthrob and American Idol vet Chris Daughtry and his namesake band as the opening act.

Mike Daniel

No matter how you feel about divisive Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine, he deserves tremendous respect. Anyone who's managed to beat what he's beaten, both personally (substance abuse, a badly injured wrist) and professionally (leaving Metallica on the cusp of its ascent, perfectionism, a worship-him-or-despise-him reputation), should garner waves of approving devil-horn hand gestures. His ensemble tour, now in its third year, is another triumph because he's so far resisted the temptation to change Gigantour's central goal, which is to highlight progressive extreme rock (as well as give Megadeth an excuse to tour every year). The 2008 lineup is its strongest yet. In addition to two excellent Scandinavian acts (influential Gothenburg, Sweden, act In Flames, and Finnish death metalers Children of Bodom), the undercard includes one of America's most intense speed metal bands (Job for a Cowboy) and one of sludge metal's top acts (High on Fire).

Mike Daniel

Besides the obvious, what do rock, soul, gospel and opera all have in common? Aretha Franklin has interpreted every one of the genres with verve.

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Aretha Franklin

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It's been 40 years since the Queen of Soul's first No. 1 crossover smash, "Respect," but she has continued to regale music lovers of all generations, thanks to her soul-shattering, multirange mezzo-soprano and an artistic ingenuity that has enabled Ms. Franklin, 66, to perform material with a list of who's who in music. She's graced genre-skipping songs – "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (Keith Richards), "Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves" (the Eurythmics), "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" (George Michael) and even "Put You Up on Game" (Fantasia) – with aplomb and agility.

Although she's known affectionately as "Sister Ree" to her fans, it's a given that the 20-time Grammy-winning songwriter and pianist will get a reception worthy of her royal status as that voice unfurls in all of its glory Wednesday night.

Lorrie Irby Jackson

In February, Canadian singer Leslie Feist (simply Feist to her fans) lost the best new artist Grammy to Amy Winehouse, but she probably didn't go home sulking. Days earlier, she won the Shortlist Music Prize for her third album, The Reminder.

And thanks to the success of "1234," featured in an iTunes ad, the 2007 album is still selling. It's now passed the half-million sales mark in the U.S. – not bad for an esoteric disc fueled by cellos, vibraphones and flugelhorns.

For her current tour, she's planning to add hand puppets to the mix. Seriously.

Thor Christensen

Spain's Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva certainly has enjoyed a longer and infinitely more varied career than most Latin pop crooners could boast. Not only has he cemented his legendary status in Latin music worldwide, but he also crossed over to the American pop charts long before Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Shakira turned it into a trend.

Plus, remember how he scored his first pop hit. It was a 1984 duet with – of all people – Texas country icon Willie Nelson titled "To All the Girls I've Loved Before." It was a gold-selling No. 1 country smash that peaked at No. 5 on the pop list. Who could have ever predicted that? Since then, Mr. Iglesias has zigzagged from Latin to pop releases. He successfully ventured into Argentine music with 1996's Tango. A decade later, he put his recognizable artistic stamp on pop love songs during Romantic Classics, his most recent disc.

At this point, there's not much else he can do that would fit his style. But his enduring popularity doesn't fade. His name is now synonymous with candlelight dinners and satin sheets.

Mario Tarradell

Shelby Lynne gamely titled her 2003 CD Identity Crisis. She was being more than tongue-in-cheek, folks. This ridiculously talented singer-songwriter has endured a sometimes frustrating, sometimes rewarding music career that has survived despite never striking commercial oil. One listen to her stunning new CD, Just a Little Lovin', an homage to the late Dusty Springfield, and there's no doubt she should still be heard.

But rewind to 1989, when Ms. Lynne's debut album, Sunrise, was released, and you'll hear a much different artist. Back then she was a new country singer vying for attention from mainstream radio stations. She got some on her follow-up disc, 1990's Tough All Over, in the form of two Top 30 singles.

Ms. Lynne, however, always seemed the square peg trying to fit into the round hole. Years later, long after she abandoned country, she made 1999's I Am Shelby Lynne, her stunning retro-soul-pop opus that won her a Grammy Award – in the best new artist category. Go figure. Hey, all that matters is she's still making music.

Mario Tarradell

Colombia's Juanes makes it sound so easy. The respected singer-songwriter blends pop, rock, reggae, vallenato and lyrics that touch on love, relationships, ecological concerns and even a little philosophy. And yet his seemingly complex tunes play like perfect radio singles, with seamless hooks and memorable melodies.

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Juanes

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La Vida ... Es un Ratico, his excellent fourth album, could almost be taken for granted. After the brilliance of 2000's Fijate Bien, 2002's Un Día Normal and 2004's Mi Sangre, we've come to expect greatness from him. So one might be skeptical. This guy surely couldn't keep turning out great records of original material, right? Does he not have an off day?

We're still waiting. For those of you new to the Juanes oeuvre, pick up a copy of La Vida ... Es un Ratico. The disc has already spawned two No. 1 staples on Billboard's Latin singles chart, the insanely catchy "Me Enamora" and the rock 'n' reggae-fortified "Gotas de Agua Dulce." In fact, Juanes replaced himself at the top of the charts. How's that for self-competition?

Mario Tarradell

Interesting trend: Bands that broke big as emo sensations appear to be opting out of the style. Even the king of the genre, Fall Out Boy, stuck one foot out of the crowded emo pool with its latest CD, Infinity on High, and may be ready to towel off in a year or two. The story of how FOB's kooky bassist, Pete Wentz, discovered Panic at the Disco (he stumbled upon it on MySpace) is well-known but could wind up mere trivia if Panic's just-minted sophomore CD, Pretty.Odd., cements the band's ever-growing status. Panic has largely abandoned its emo immediacy, too, and for a more classic rock approach that could have its young fans scratching their heads. Those same fans may not move on quite yet, since the Las Vegas band appears to have retained its playful and artsy impulses – traits that often keep a band fascinating even if its music no longer is. As it headlines this year's Honda Civic Tour, listen to it along with one of pop punk's most talented bands, the comparably simplistic Motion City Soundtrack, and decide if it's worthy.

Mike Daniel

Where were you when you first heard Ruth Pointer, in her bass vocal tone, sing, "Look what you're doing to me/I'm utterly at your whim/All of my defenses down"? The year was 1984, and the Pointer Sisters were sizzling hot on the pop charts with "Automatic," "Jump (For My Love)," "I'm So Excited" and "Neutron Dance," all tracks from the 2 million-selling album Break Out.

More than two decades later, those songs remain signposts of a happy musical era. Of course, the Pointers began singing much earlier. The sibling group, then Ruth, Anita, June and Bonnie, first tasted success with 1973's sassy-fun "Yes We Can Can." By the release of Break Out, they were a trio; Bonnie had departed for a solo career in 1978.

Time marches on, bringing more changes. Today, the Pointer Sisters are Ruth, Anita and Issa, Ruth's daughter with former Temptations member Dennis Edwards. June Pointer died of lung cancer in 2006. Bonnie Pointer is largely estranged from her sisters. The reconstituted Pointers re-recorded the classic hits for a limited-edition CD titled Favorites, sold only on www.thepointersistersfans.com. But for a true blast from the past, dust off Break Out and jam to "Automatic."

Mario Tarradell