VAIL - Vail Village will fill with sounds of music once again on Wednesday evenings as the popular Street Beat free concert series returns Wednesday with Texas singer/songwriter Django Walker.

Street Beat officially kicked off its seventh season of weekly free performances this past November, taking an 11-week hiatus in order to bypass the traditionally colder months. Concerts continue through April 19.

Walker, the son of Lone Star legend Jerry Jeff Walker, is stepping out of his father's shadow and into his own musical identity, one whose tastes and tempos evoke a kinship with a younger generation.

Citing Coldplay and Tom Petty, along with fellow Texans (including his father), Guy Clark and Pat Green, Walker epitomizes the mix of eclectic musical influences that have always characterized Texas music.

In a brief but hectic tenure on the road, Walker has already worked with leaders in the Texas country-rock scene, opening a number of shows for Green and Cross Canadian Ragweed, while also joining Jerry Jeff for a stint of solo shows from New Orleans to New York City.

"We want to progress to the rockier side of country," said Walker. "The only way to grow is to push myself outside my original comfort zone. We want to be country, but more country-rock."

With the return of Street Beat, residents of Eagle and Lake counties can also set their sites on where they would drive if they are lucky enough to win the season-long grand prize, as Volvo Cars of North American will once again give away a 2006 Volvo S-40 sedan to the lucky local at the final concert.

Out of town guests can also cash in as Volvo Cars of North America, the Vail Valley Foundation and the town of Vail have teamed up to provide the "Volvo Vail Grand Prize Guest Giveaway" for a lucky nonresident.

The Volvo Vail Grand Prize Guest Giveaway, awarded on April 19 during the final concert with Boogie Machine, will include roundtrip domestic airfare for four, two double occupancy deluxe Vail accommodations for five nights, skiing for four or two rounds of golf for four and the use of a 2006 Volvo during the stay.

In addition to the Volvo grand prize, all weekly participants are eligible to win a wide array of prizes during a raffle at each concert.

For more information, call 949-1999 or visit www.vvf.org.



Vail, Colorado