The Rooster's Wife closes the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with two premiere singer-songwriters appearing in downtown Aberdeen, Nov. 25, at 6:45 p.m.

Jonathan Byrd is cook, a Navy veteran, a daddy, a gardener, a reader, a musician - and oh boy, is Jonathan Byrd a writer.

He picked up the guitar in his teens and learned some music theory by way of his school big band. An early enlistment in the U.S. Navy took him to the Mediterranean. On board ship, he kept a guitar stowed behind his bunk, played music and recorded in port when the luxury of an empty berth afforded studio space.

Byrd returned to Carrboro and began navigating the acoustic world, through old-time music festivals to local jams. He began touring in 2000.

Byrd's music is spellbinding: evocative lyrics, memorable characters and universal emotions.

From the Opera House in Sydney, to the Open House in Jerusalem, SONiA Rutstein (who formed the group disappear fear with her sister) writes and performs captivating love songs and confronts the hypocrisies and biases of our culture with a positive message of openness and optimism.

Having performed in Israel and Palestine and in many parts of the world, SONiA's Judaic roots live in the colors of her songs and paintings.

SONiA has performed in 16 countries and has just as many award-winning albums to her credit. She has received the GLAMA Award for Female Artist of the Year, Best Band, Best Song, WAMA Award for Best Vocalist, Out Music Award for OUTstanding World Music CD, OUTstanding Single, Best in Blues Finalist for IMA Awards, and finalist for the Telluride Song Competition.

Singing in Hebrew, Spanish, Arabic and English, her powerful honesty touches people of varied social and ethnic backgrounds, especially those moving toward a positive world vision.

Sunday evening shows at Poplar Knight Spot continue through Dec. 16, with a special Wednesday holiday show from Craver, Hicks, Watson and Newberry on Dec. 19.

The year will end with the IBMA Performers of the Year, the Gibson Brothers, on Dec. 30.

There is seating inside as well as outside under the awning and under the stars. Picnics are welcome.

Admission to this week's concert is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Children under 12 are always free, in an effort to develop the next generation of music lovers.

The Rooster's Wife is a community arts organization dedicated to bringing the best in live music to the Sandhills.

Home base is the gallery room of Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St. in downtown Aberdeen, two blocks east of U.S. 1.

The doors open at 6 p.m. for Sunday shows. For more information, the complete schedule, or to purchase tickets with a credit or debit card, visit the roosterswife.org, call (910) 44-7502 or email theroosterswife@yahoo.com.