While not necessarily “weird,” when fans discovered that bad-ass, longtime local Blues artist Kelly Richey had started a side-business as a “life coach,” undoubtedly a few thought they misheard or misread. It’s not really a logical step from stunning Blues guitarist and vocalist to personal life coach for hire. Likewise, when I first got an email about the new lineup of Richey’s band, I did a double take. Again, not that it was particularly unusual news — I just didn’t see it coming. (The music world could use a lot more moments like that.)Joining Richey in the new version of KRB is experienced drummer Jyn Yates from Kentucky and Chris Sherman, the guiding force behind popular local Funk group Freekbass (and his new duo project, Freekbot). While Sherman (who goes by his stage name, Freekbass) is best known for his huge Funk grooves, dabbling in modern EDM and rather flamboyant stage outfits at times, Richey’s sound skates the line between hard Blues and Rock; the most flash from her live shows come from out of her fingers as she plays and mouth as she sings.On the surface, the pairing seems on par with Buckethead joining Bonnie Raitt’s band or Flea sitting in with Stevie Ray Vaughan. In other words, it should be quite interesting to hear what the trio comes up with. The first single, “Fast Drivin’ Mama,” offers a hint — the song is a rocking slice of riffing Blues Funk. It’s not drastically different from Richey’s usual sound, but the groove is appropriately huge. Here's the debut single/video for "Mama":The new KRB trio was assembled to record the next Kelly Richey Band album, which the musicians have been working on at Shangri-La Studios in Lexington, Ky. The album — Sweet Spirit — is scheduled for release March 1, followed by tour dates that will take them from Florida to Canada. The trio’s debut show is Saturday in Northern Illinois (Mishawaka, to be exact), but local fans won’t have to wait long to check out the new KRB. The group performs on Jan. 11 at Legends Nightclub in Cheviot. Showtime is 8 p.m. and there is a $10 cover at the door.

Indie darling Annie Clark and her St. Vincent are at Bogart's tonight promoting their new album, Strange Mercy. Check out Jason Gargano's recent feature story on Clark from last week's CityBeat here. Opening the show is Austin-based Shearwater, Jonathan Meiburg's orchestral Indie project that is on tour in support of the new Animal Joy album on Sub Pop Records. (Read more here.) Showtime is 9 p.m. and tickets are $20. Here's a recent live clip of Clark and Co. performing "Surgeon."• Local Boogie Woogie piano master Ricky Nye has been taking his pals in the Paris Blues Band around the region for several performance dates. If you missed his show last week at the small room at Baker Hunt Arts & Cultural Center, you can catch the whole crew at Covington's Chez Nora tonight at 7:30 p.m. for free. Read Brian Baker's 2010 feature on the band ("The French Connection") here. And here's a clip for Ricky and his Paris bros from last year's visit.• Former local singer with Uncle Six (and in other local projects) Noah Hunt returns to Greater Cincy tonight with the man who took him away from us, Blues/Rock guitar whiz Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Hunt has been singing with Shepherd's band since 1997. On Noah's website it says, "Noah and Kenny are like brothers, and continue to record and tour the world together." Local crew Grooveshire opens up tonight's show at Covington's Madison Theater at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Here's a clip from the KWS Band's "Never Lookin' Back" from the most recent album, How I Go. • Indie trio The Spring Standards consists of three longtime friends who knock out harmonies as if they were related and have been singing together since birth. James Cleare, Heather Robb and James Smith formed the band in the Delaware Valley during their teens, but moved to Brooklyn to launch their career. The Standards’ 2008 debut, the EP No One Will Know, was produced by Rhett Miller of The Old 97’s; their debut full-length, Would Things be Different, was self-released in 2010. The band recently issued a superb “double EP,” Yellow/Gold, which features 12 engrossing tracks’ worth of the trio’s crafty Pop, which occasionally conjures the warm, fuzzy feelings of “AM Gold” Soft Rock from the ’70s, but also pumps things up to a more rocking level, such as on the Carsian tune "Here We Go" (check the clip below).  The threesome performs tonight at MOTR Pub. Local Folk Pop act Shiny and the Spoon opens the free, 10 p.m. show.• Freekbot, the local Electronic/Funk/Dance duo featuring local funkateer Chris Sherman (aka Freekbass) and award-winning turntablist/producer Tobe Donohue (Tobotius), has not played a ton of local shows, spending a lot of time on the road as a touring unit instead. But that changes starting tonight when the duo begins a Wednesday residency at MVP Bar & Grill in Silverton (formerly Play By Play). Each week, the musicians will be joined by a different artist to “give things a different flavor,” says Sherman. For tonight's inaugural event — dubbed “Full Spectrum Wednesdays” — Yusef Quotah from You, You’re Awesome and Brian Olive’s band sits in on keys. On May 23, longtime Jazz saxophonist Randy Villars (currently touring with Bootsy Collins) is the special guest. In June, Sherman says they’ll have a different DJ or band open the shows, as well. Here's the twosome at work.

There are oodles of live musical options tonight all over our area tonight. Here's a quick rundown.• Dayton/Columbus band The Werks — self-described as a "Psychedelic Dance Funk Rock Improv" group — celebrate the release of their new self-titled album, the band's third, a self-issued full-length. Opening up the 10:30 p.m. show at Covington's Madison Theater is Freekbot, the dance-inducting duo project of Chris "Freekbass" Sherman and Tobe "Tobotius" Donohue. Below, check out the Freekbot track "Get Up" from a recent Rock Against Cancer benefit album (which also includes a track from locals Skeetones). Tickets for tonight's show are $10.<a href="http://nonebackwards.bandcamp.com/track/get-up">Get Up by FREEKBOT</a>• Inventive banjo genius Bela Fleck has reconvened the original lineup of his Bela Fleck and the Flecktones band. The progressive/Jazz/Roots/World/experimental troupe got back together to record Rocket Science (released around this time last spring), the first recording by the original four Flecktones in nearly two decades. They're touring behind the album and coming to Millett Hall on the campus of Miami University in Oxford tonight for a 7:30 p.m. concert. Tickets range from $20-$50. (Read more here.)Here's a behind the scenes look at the recording of Rocket Science:• Much buzzed about singer/songwriter and Garage/Rock/Blues explorer Hanni El Khatib performs a free show tonight at around 10 p.m. at MOTR Pub. Sundelles open up. Check out our interview with El Khatib in this week's CityBeat here and then check out the video for his song, "Loved One," below.• Elsewhere tonight: Eclectic local label Grasshopper Juice celebrates its third anniversary with a two-floor party/show at downtown's Mainstay featuring the diverse lineup of Revenge Pinata, Sometimes, Playfully Yours, The B.E.A.T., Blastronauts, Dub Lock and DWB. (9 p.m.; $5); a great display of fresh local Hip Hop can be found at Mayday in Northside. Valley High, Trademark Aaron, Zoo Crew, DJ Sinceer and DJ Benigma perform. (10 p.m.; free); acclaimed local Celtic Rock crew Roger Drawdy and the Firestarters perform at a benefit for the Keegan's Spirit Foundation, which assist families affected by heart disease. The show is this evening at Molly Malone's in Covington. (7 p.m.; $10); radio show Salina Underground hosts a free "Record Store Day Eve" bash at Northside Tavern tonight at 10 p.m. featuring the great lineup of The Sweep, newcomers The Chance Brothers and Brian Olive. (10 p.m.; free); great local Americana ensemble Mangolia Mountain presents its album release party at the Ballroom at the Taft Theatre tonight (read more here). (8 p.m.; $13); get your 420 on at Stanley's Pub tonight as the club hosts a "420 Party" with Reggae band The Cliftones and the Grateful Dead-lovin' Jerry's Little Band. (9:30 p.m.; $7); and — where I know MOST of you will be — schmaltzy singer/songwriter Barry Manilow turns the Bank of Kentucky Center in Highland Heights into the Copacabana when he performs at 7:30 p.m. tonight ($34.99-$124.99). We kid the Barster, of course. I mean, have you heard the dude rap?Click here for even more local live music events tonight.