By Emily Skehan
Special to the Daily Press

SM PIER A rocking conglomeration of gospel, pop and bluegrass will resound tonight at the Santa Monica Pier. Imagine jukebox rock paired with Sunday morning service — hand-in-hand with fiddle-riddled country — and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from this week’s free Twilight Dance Series concert, featuring the Holmes Brothers and Carrie Rodriguez.

The Holmes Brothers — comprised of bassist Sherman Holmes, guitarist and pianist Wendell Holmes, and drummer Popsy Dixon — began their careers close to 40 years ago playing in New York blues clubs. The trio sing in a harmony of deep soul and Americana with a dash of consecrated gospel, and have performed everywhere from Los Angeles to Turkey to Russia.

“The Holmes Brothers are the quintessential blues, soul, gospel and country trio,” said Marc Lipkin, the band’s publicist. “They’re completely comfortable with just about every type of American music.”

The group — which has recorded with prominent artists such as Van Morrison, Willie Nelson and Joan Osborne — never performs with a set list, Lipkin said, instead winging their performance based on the feel of the night.

“Outside on the pier on a beautiful night, their three-part harmonies are just going to soar over that audience,” he said.

The Brothers’ 10th album, “State of Grace,” was released earlier this year.

Tonight’s second act also follows American roots traditions, but she is a relative newcomer in the music scene. Carrie Rodriguez, a singer/songwriter and violinist, was discovered by Chip Taylor — of “Wild Thing” infamy — at an in-store performance in Austin, Texas, during the South by Southwest Music Festival in 2001.

Rodriguez and Taylor collaborated on three albums, touring North America and Europe.

Known for her seductive twang and unique cosmopolitan spin on down-home country music, Rodriguez released her solo effort “Angels on a Bicycle” in 2006.

Located on the west lot of the Santa Monica Pier, the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. A free bike valet will be provided.

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