Tom Rush at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen

If it sang or song-wrote in the Great Acoustic Era of the ’60s and ’70s, Tom Rush was playing it. Back when Joni Mitchell and James Taylor could barely afford the embroidered guitar straps, Rush was carrying their words to wide audiences and helping put folk on the map. He organizes a lot of the folk shows these days, but he’ll be putting down some music of his own, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. $25-$30. 261-6200.

Wrenn Mangum at Hollywood Grill

Former Frog Legs frontman Mangum’s rockabilly revival reminds us why oil is at a premium these days: It all went into the big cars and big hair of the ’50s. Armed with a guitar and an amp, Mangum’s curled lip recalls the labor pains from the birth of rock. He plays a free show Jan. 20 at 9 p.m. 819-1988.

Black Watch at the Modlin