Country shows bookend August

August begins with country singer-songwriter Keith Anderson at The Tackle Box on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

The Oklahoma-born guitarist hit Nashville and had a string of three top 10 hits (“Pickin’ Wildflowers,” “Every Time I Hear Your Name,” and “I Still Miss You”) in the mid-2000s.

He also has co-writer credits on Garth Brooks and George Jones’s hit “Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)” This is not to be confused with Todd Snider’s “Beer Run,” and the fabulous story he tells about the two songs makes that clear.

The big show of the month is America at Gold Country Casino on Saturday, Aug. 5 . The folk-rock duo of Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley began as a trio in England back in 1970, where their fathers were stationed in the Air Force. Dan Peek left the band in 1978, but he was around for the group’s chart-topping hits “Horse With No Name,” Ventura Highway,” “Sister Golden Hair,” and others.

The Tackle Box brings country-rapper Colt Ford to its stage on Aug. 11. About a decade ago his albums “Declaration of Independence” and “Thanks for Listening” had the unprecedented distinction of topping the Billboard Country, Indie and Rap charts at the same time. He’s touring in support of his eighth album, “Must Be the Country,” released in May.

In a more strictly country vibe, the next night The Tackle Box welcomes Sunny Sweeney. Her 2010 album, “Concrete,” spawned three top-40 country singles, including the top-10 hit “From a Table Away.” The Longview, Texas native is out promoting her latest release, “Married Alone,” which dropped in September.

That same night, Aug. 12, traditional country fans can catch Josh Turner at Gold Country Casino. Known for his resonant bass voice, the South Carolinian broke through with this debut single “Long Black Train” in 2003. His second release, 2006’s “Your Man” garnered two No. 1 hits (“Your Man” and “Would You Go With Me”). The gospel-inspired singer’s biggest hit, “Why Don’t We Just Dance” sat at the No. 1 spot on the country charts for four weeks in 2010.

Bluesman Chris Cain stops at the Chico Women’s Club on Aug. 17, thanks to the Chico Concerts. The California-based guitarist is known for his blistering sound that’s reminiscent of the blues greats like Albert King while remaining uniquely his own. Joe Bonamassa calls Cain “one of my favorite and criminally underrated blues players of all time.” And when B.B. King says “Chris Cain? Now that boy can play guitar” it’s pretty much all you need to know.

Chico-born and Seattle-raised The Mondegreens return home for a show at the Chico Women’s Club on Aug. 19, thanks to Chico Concerts. The Harmony-rockers were founded by Chico natives David Friedlander and Russell Rabut and blend their folk-rock roots with a synth-heavy sound. The band is supporting its upcoming EP, “A Town I Know,” which drops today, Aug. 1.

Finally, August wraps up when SMO (formally Big Smo), who deems himself “The King of Kuntry” and “Boss of the Stix” brings his country-rap to the Tackle Box on the Aug. 25. His biggest release was 2014’s “Kuntry Livin’” which reached top 10 status on the Billboard country and rap charts.

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