Eight Gigs: Danny Morris & the California Stars

Whatever you do, don't call Danny Morris & the California Stars “new country.” The last thing they want to be lumped in with is the polished Hollywood-type country music of Toby Keith and Tim McGraw. No, Danny Morris & the California Stars play country the way it used to be: stripped down, honest, blue collar and raw—with influences like Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. The group keeps things interesting with some rock and alt-country influences too, including the Band, Wilco and Gram Parsons. DM&CS celebrates the release of a self-titled CD this Friday at Old Ironsides. 1901 10th Street, www.thecaliforniastars.com.