For most groups, playing live is an ad for their latest record, like those old medicine shows that made their nut hawking snakebite cure-alls in the 19^th century version of a merch booth. But for Nashville's Brother Henry, the band's new CD is an enticement to their live dates—and unlike the tonics of old, their product is actually good for what ails you. Their third studio album, Love Survives, showcases all the jangly pop smarts, reedy harmonies and winsome instrumental brushstrokes that have made twin musicians David (cello) and Ned (guitar) Henry session men of choice on either side of the board for Ben Folds, R.E.M., Yo La Tengo, the Indigo Girls, Josh Rouse, Mindy Smith and the Silver Jews, among dozens of others. (Dig their spot-on cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" for a sample.) The Henrys are so confident that they're making the album available for free download on their website (brotherhenry.com). "All you have to do is spread the word to five friends," says David Henry. First, though, they'll alert the faithful with a full-band hometown show, featuring brother Jeff on bass and non-sibling Park Ellis on drums. David Spencer opens. 8 p.m. at the Belcourt

David Henry and his brother Ned have amassed a host of credits as producers, players and engineers, both for numerous sessions they've supervised and participated in at their home studio locally and for their contributions to tours and recordings by Ben Folds, Tim McGraw, the Indigo Girls, the Cowboy Junkies, Guster, Steve Earle and R.E.M. among others.

But they've found time for their own band project, the four-piece ensemble Brother Henry, whose ranks include another brother Jeff, plus drummer Park Ellis. With their current (and third) studio CD Love Survives, David Henry says they're proceeding with a different marketing and promotion strategy than used to be the case.

"We're offering the CD as a free download for anyone who wants it on our Web site (brotherhenry.com)," Henry said. "Our philosophy now is we want to create and expand our fan base, and we feel that anyone who's willing to download the CD will then want to hear those same songs in concert. It's our way of building our audience, without having to get involved in the huge money expenditures that you've have to do if you got involved with a big label."

Toward that same end, Brother Henry is doing a selected series of tour dates, the latest one being Friday at the Belcourt (8 p.m. 2102 Belcourt Ave, $10, 846-3150).

Henry adds that they did some extensive work for Love Survives.

"It's more musically extensive and rigorous, especially some of the instrumental parts," Henry said. "We wanted to bring to this new disc some of the energy from some things we'd been doing for other projects. The only outside thing that I've done this year was making a trip out to the Academy of Country Music awards and playing with Tim McGraw. Otherwise, all our efforts right now are being concentrated on Brother Henry and also all the various area projects that we're working on and the groups that are coming into the studio."

"The big thing I think that's really happening now in Nashville is the feeling that it's really better to do it yourself or do it independently unless you really have a sweetheart deal," Henry said. "We'd think about it if a major label wanted to commit a half-million dollars in promotion and marketing to one of our projects. But otherwise, it doesn't make any sense to get involved with something where you may sell a few thousand copies and then have to divide any profits that you get. It used to be there were maybe three acts that were being groomed and courted at any one time by a label. Now there are at least 200 really talented groups that are handling their own musical business, working independently and building their own fan bases and audiences."

Brother Henry has released their third studio album, titled Love Survives, but music fans do not have to stop by Borders or CD Warehouse to obtain a copy, they need only a computer and Internet access.

David Henry, father of two, cellist, and True Tone Recording owner, says the idea behind the album is positive thinking, and there's nothing more positive than sharing.

David borrowed the idea from a friend.

"He had this great concept with his last record because he basically let people download it for free," David said.

And hopefully, the notion also has a smart business side.

"There are a lot of people who will still buy the actual CD," David said. "Hopefully, you'll get the record, and then you'll come see us."

David's twin brother Ned plays guitar for the band. The two of them moved their families to the Green Hills area in the '90s to pursue music.

"There's a lot more competition, but there's limitless opportunity," David said

Eventually, David opened the small recording studio on 12th Avenue South where musicians can come to record and where Brother Henry records their own music.

"I guess I'm part of the new model, so rarely do I go somewhere else. It seems to be so much more cost-effective," David said.

Their brother Jeff, who lives in Atlanta, also contributes his talents, playing bass. Drummer Park Ellis is the sole unrelated soul in the foursome.

All four members write songs the band uses, and whoever writes it, sings it.

"There's not one focal person. Most bands tend to have one central character, and I feel like we contribute a bit more on an even level," Ned said.

Individually, the members of Brother Henry have contributed their talents to the albums and shows of Ben Folds, Indigo Girls, Guster, REM, Steve Earle, Tim McGraw, Cowboy Junkies and Sixpence None the Richer.

The twin brothers both live in the Green Hills area, and they've played Percy Priest Elementary and Glendale Elementary school benefits, where their children attend.

"As you might guess, we're pretty intertwined," David said.

And what does their music sound like?

"You take the Everly Brothers. You put them in front of the Bare Naked Ladies. You add YoYoMa, and Ricky Skaggs with a twist of lemon," Ned said.

According to the Henry twins, Ellis is the lemon.

Getting there: To listen to or download the songs on Brother Henry's new album, Love Survives, visit www.brotherhenry.com. To see the band of brothers, go to their show 8 p.m. Friday, August 17 at the Belcourt Theatre. Tickets are $10.

Where can you find two bassoons, a bunch of violins, an electric guitar, an amplified cello and a mandolin? At the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra's Memorial Day concert, of course.

"Fabulous" was the word heard from audience members filing out of Saturday night's concert. Concert-goers enjoyed a pre-concert picnic on the LaGrange College grounds before moving to Callaway Auditorium for the last concert of the season.

The orchestra wore more casual attire than usual, and the audience donned patriotic apparel to fit the theme. The audience was filled with children and adults who sparked an energy of excitement awaiting the arrival of a band with local ties, Brother Henry.

The concert began with a bang as the symphony played "The Thunderer." Though taken at a rather broad tempo, this march was executed with tight precision. The icing on the cake was the piccolo, played by Lynda Brock, which gave dimension to the piece.

Then a moving tribute was paid to all veterans of the armed forces who gave their lives for our freedom. As the "Armed Forces Salute" was played, LSO President Jay Simmons called out branches of service while veterans and their families stood. The audience gave a rousing applause to the individuals.

Wrapping up the symphony's portion of the concert was a Beatles' tribute, "Love Is All You Need." The woodwinds were absolutely brilliant throughout this lengthy piece. The chorale sections were played with a full, dark sound that made me close my eyes and savor the moment. The oboe solo in "Yesterday" was beautifully played by Melissa Brown, as was every other solo throughout the selection. I cannot fail to mention the excellent triangle playing toward the end.

Pretty normal concert for the LSO, right? Wrong! Remember the mandolin and cello mentioned earlier? Brother Henry introduced those instruments during the next five songs sung sans orchestra.

Brother Henry is a rock band comprised of three Henry brothers and an "adopted" brother, Park Ellis. The Henry brothers have local ties through parents George and Helen Henry. George Henry has been a longtime violinist of the LSO and Helen Henry has been a minister in area churches.

David and Ned Henry are identical twins who launched the group. Bassist Jeff Henry later joined, as did Park Ellis on set. Oddly enough, Ellis sounds and looks just like a Henry brother.

The first set was comprised of five songs, including "Fly If You Want To," which is Brother Henry's biggest radio hit to date. Their smooth style and comfortable tempos are perfect for audiences of all ages. My favorite was "Two Old Friends," which David dedicated to his wife. The harmonies in this song could be compared to that of the Beach Boys.

The last four songs intertwined Brother Henry with the symphony through the arrangements of Chris Carmichael. The balance between band and orchestra flowed easily and was brilliantly produced. Carmichael's arrangements were the perfect brush strokes to an already beautiful painting.

Both Brother Henry and the LSO concluded the evening with the encore "Stars and Stripes Forever." This audience favorite was played with excitement.

The conversation between piccolos Lynda Brock and Elisa Lyle was spoken with grace, and the brass gave a boastful punch at the end.

Brother Henry's songs are written with depth and inspiration. They were presented in a humorous way through the brothers' whimsical spirit. I look forward to another concert with Brother Henry and the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra – only next time I think we should all be eating fried chicken under the stars while we enjoy it!

Brother Henry's music is available on iTunes and Amazon. For more information, visit www.brotherhenry.com A DVD of Saturday's concert and Brother Henry's new album will be released in the fall.

Kathy Kirby is an elementary school music specialist in LaGrange.

Last year the summer Tunes at Twilight concert series smashed them to pieces.

Attendance over the entire series: About 2,500 according to estimates by Old Town Cape. That's double the number who saw the series the previous year.

Single concert attendance record: 500 for Boston bassist Kimberley Dahme's solo act. That's hundreds beyond any single concert attendance that came before.

As the 2006 series gets ready to gear up, organizers are hoping to continue the record-breaking trend with a lineup that includes names both familiar and unfamiliar.

"It seems to pick up a little momentum every year," said Larry Underberg, talent booker for the series. "We'd be overjoyed if it continued at the level it did last year."

Since Tunes at Twilight's extremely humble beginnings -- in its first year attendance was sparse, and that language is diplomatic -- the series has become somewhat of a Friday evening institution in Cape Girardeau.

And as usual, Underberg and Old Town Cape are counting on a strong slate of varied musical talent to keep Tunes in the spotlight. No doubt the people will likely show up in throngs for Dahme's Aug. 11 show and local Steve Schaffner's Aug. 18 performance.

But for the concerts before the series' July break, organizers are banking on the sounds of newcomers to Cape Girardeau -- some of which carry impressive credentials.

Opening the series at 7 p.m. May 19 is the band Brother Henry, a Nashville-based act that labels itself "pop-rock."

Fronted by twin brothers Ned and David Henry, Brother Henry has its roots in the town that produced one of the most famous pop-rock groups ever -- Athens, Ga., home of R.E.M.

With four albums -- three studio and one live -- under its belt since 2001, the four-piece Brother Henry has drawn comparisons to Michael Stipe and Co., among many, many others.

"You can't grow up in that area and escape from them," Ned Henry said of R.E.M.'s massive influence.

Other names that have been thrown around when talking about Brother Henry: the Byrds, Crowded House, Barenaked Ladies and the Everly Brothers. Pretty good company.

The main difference between the brothers and the others -- brother David has ditched the typical rock gear for something much more geeky, a cello and a mandolin.

"It's basically a pop-rock band, and we have this cello," said Ned. "Then we have this family-harmony kind of thing going on, which people tend to like."

The four-piece's tongue-in-cheek pop songcraft differs from most Tunes acts in a big way -- a drum kit. Unlike most acts in the series who just rely on guitar and voice, Brother Henry brings the thunder of a drum set, albeit a bit more subdued than the massive rock thumping of a Keith Moon or John Bonham.

With connections in the music industry for David Henry's days as a producer for bands like The Cowboy Junkies, Brother Henry also counts among its friends people like Ben Folds and the members of Guster -- a band that brought Brother to Bonnaroo.

The brothers aren't the only Tunes performers booked on the first half of this year's season with big name ties. Chief among them is Jim Reilley, known best for his work in the late '80s and '90s with The New Dylans. Underberg said Reilley is a musician who has the unique ability to appeal to fans of folk, alternative music and the classic singer/songwriter.

Kevin Gordon is another. A rockabilly songster, Gordon has rubbed elbows with the immortal (literally) Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, even writing a song for a Richards solo album and performing a duet with Lucinda Williams on his debut album "Down to the Well."

The variety, said Underberg, should keep the crowds strong in the 2006 season.

"We're all over the board in terms of genres here," said Underberg. "All of them have what ought to be a real general audience appeal."

The success of the Tunes series has made it a popular attraction for independent acts coming through the area. In the second half of the series two concerts combine two separate acts. Underberg said the performers agreed to this arrangement just so they could play the series.

"Everybody that's played here wants to come back," Underberg said.

One of the big attractions for the audience -- the concerts are free thanks to the sponsorship of the Coad dealerships, Capaha Bank and sound support from Shivelbine's. And following last year's experiment with food, each show will be catered by a different Cape Girardeau restaurant.

For more information on the Tunes at Twilight series call Old Town Cape at 334-8085.

Brother Henry, Greg Trooper, David Olney, Jeff Black. A QUARTET OF QUALITY: This is a stellar lineup of talent that would be a bargain at twice the price. Ned and David Henry, of smart sibling pop quartet Brother Henry, pitched in to help Ben Folds on his latest album, "Songs for Silverman." Folds returned the favor by shooting the photos to accompany the band's sprightly 2005 album, "Chasing Happiness." New Jersey-born, Nashville-based Trooper is a masterful and underappreciated songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by Vince Gill, Steve Earle and Billy Bragg. 2005's "Make It Through This World," his second album for Sugar Hill Records, was hailed as his best yet by Nashville Scene. Rhode Island native Olney first made his way to Nashville in the early '70s, and has impressed fellow musicians with his beautifully observed slices of life for more than three decades. His songs have been recorded by folks such as Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle and Linda Ronstadt. Black has quietly released albums of subtle power and polished songcraft since 1998. Grab any of them because they're all good. Even better, go check out this show, where he's joined by this trio of powerful performers.
Doors open 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30 p.m. $12; $10 advance. Eddie's Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976, www.eddiesattic.com