Out of Town Opportunities: Heading North and South

Dishing with Diltz: Henry Diltz has shot some of the iconic photographs in rock music history – his famous images include the Crosby, Stills & Nash “On the Couch,” The Doors’ Morrison Hotel, and James Taylor Sweet Baby James album covers, as well as treasures photos of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and many more. Now also known for his prowess as a raconteur, Diltz brings his illustrated slideshow and storytelling show back to one of his favorite haunts, The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez as part of the Tales from the Tavern series on Wednesday, March 22. Info at (805) 688-0383 or www.talesfromthetavern.com

Ventura Ventures: The Majestic Ventura Theatre – which back in the day had concerts with the likes of Pearl Jam and Los Lobos – has largely ceded the pop concert business in the seaside city to the Ventura Music Hall, about a mile east. A couple of appealing Americana shows are headed to the venue this week, beginning with Matt Nathanson, still best known for his breakthrough “Come on Get Higher” that has been certified triple platinum. Later gold records include “Faster” and “Run,” the latter featuring Sugarland. In addition to his originals, Nathanson has also put energy into covering songs and artists that inspire him throughout his career, Def Leppard approved his take on the band’s iconic Pyromania album, with Joe Elliott calling the record “an amazing reinterpretation (with) heart & soul.” For his latest such effort, Nathanson covered U2’s Achtung Baby in tribute to his all-time favorite album. His 12th studio album, Boston Accent, is about how the Lexington, Mass., native immediately feels a connection whenever he hears someone speaking with the accent – something your faithful correspondent, a fellow Lexington native who, like the singer-songwriter, has lived in California for more than 30 years – completely understands. Nathanson plays the Music Hall on Sunday, March 19.

Alt-country pioneers the Old 97’s hit the Hall on Thursday, March 23, with its three decade-old original lineup still intact, though lead vocalist and primary songwriter Rhett Miller has also put out a bunch of solo albums. While Miller has steered his solo output into more pensive, low-key and often acoustic leanings, the Old 97’s have veered into a crisper, power pop direction, although both still have the seven-generation Texas native’s country-rock flavors. Opening is the erstwhile country singer-songwriter Caitlin Rose, whose well-received November 2022 album Cazimi is her first studio release in almost a decade.