Country music in St. Charles, benefit show in Batavia top music offerings

Hot country party

Country's Hottest Party 2009 comes to the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles this weekend with a bill headed by Gretchen Wilson. One of the three opening acts will be John Rich, half of the duo Big & Rich, who has previously penned songs for Wilson and is now embarking on a solo career with a debut album coming out in May.

Gretchen Wilson, Cowboy Troy, John Rich and Jeffrey Steele perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets range from $39 to $89. Call the box office at (630) 584-6342 to avoid Ticketmaster fees, or call (312) 559-1212 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Drumming up support

The Hannah Ford Band, led by the Lake Zurich High School product on drums, takes it downtown this weekend. She and her three-piece group are nominated in seven categories in nitelife.org's "Best of the Burbs" competition, and she'll be drumming up support, with voting to close at the end of the month.

The Hannah Ford Band plays at 9 p.m. Saturday at Reggie's Music Joint, 2105 S. St., Chicago, opening for Veronica Lake, Killing the Enemy and Harlon Flo. Tickets are $5. Call (312) 949-0120 or visit reggieslive.com/musicjoint.

Empty Can fills Pantry

The Empty Can Band plays its classic rock in a benefit for the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry this weekend. The group - Dave Glynn and Johnny Mack on guitars, Rich Van Ham on harmonica, Paul Wegman on drums and with James "Chevy" Chevalier sitting in for J.D. Klatt on bass - will be augmented by mandolinist Ray Rehberg.

The Empty Can Band plays at 9 p.m. Saturday at O'Brien's Pub & Grill, 12 N. River St., Batavia. Admission is free, but concertgoers are asked to bring nonperishable food items for collection. Call (630) 406-9200 or visit obrienspubandgrill.com.