Gabe Lee; Brennen Leigh, Kelly Willis, & Melissa Carper (performances & record signings)

This sharp showcase bookends an impressive run of free-to-the-public Waterloo performances leading up to the ticketed Ameripolitan Music Awards on Sunday. Likewise, Nashville native Gabe Lee put an exclamation point on his career’s ventures through country, folk, and rock with last year’s Drink the River. His fourth LP presents a message of unity with tracks like the addiction-addressing “Even Jesus Got the Blues.” The must-see Austin-affiliated trio of Brennen Leigh, Melissa Carper, and Kelly Willis add to the in-store show/signing with irresistible song-swapping between acoustic guitars and Carper’s upright bass, ahead of their own awards show appearances. Find the full list of awards-affiliated gigs at ameripolitan.org/schedule. – Rachel Rascoe