SPOTLIGHT

One of the biggest-selling songwriters of the 20th century, Jack Tempchin (above), performs at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Aug. 31. The Encinitas resident is perhaps best known for penning a number of hits for legendary group, the Eagles, including “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Already Gone,” and “The Girl From Yesterday,” but that’s only a small part of the amazing catalog of music Tempchin has written. Other classics include Glen Frey’s “You Belong to the City,” Johnny Rivers’ “Swayin to the Music,” and Emmy Lou Harris’ “White Shoes,” with his most recent collection, “One More Time With Feeling,” full of new gems waiting to be covered. Tempchin will be joined for this show by up-and-coming rockers Mrs. Henry.

Jack Tempchin: Thursday, Aug. 31 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $15. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

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There are many musicians with busy schedules in town, but few have as diverse a set of projects as Scott Samuels. Samuels can be seen around San Diego playing with his own group, as well as playing guitar with Oasis tribute band, Oasiz, fronting Neil Diamond tribute band, Solitary Diamonds, and leading cover band, The Vinyl Pirates. The latter will be performing on Sept. 1 at Campland on the Bay with the night specializing in a deep dive into 1970s rock and roll. The Vinyl Pirates set list is an eclectic record collector’s dream, with an impressive range of songs that might include the powerpop of the Bay City Rollers or the early electronica of Edgar Winter.

Vinyl Pirates: Friday, Sept. 1 at Campland by the Bay. 7 p.m. No cover. campland.com.

Surf music fans will want to hear The Bird Rockers, appearing at Beaumont’s on Sept. 1. Led by ace guitarist Joe Dameron (who also performs with The Tourmaliners), the band’s repertoire is largely instrumental, with big beat songs from genre icons such as The Lively Ones and The Surfari’s. Great for dancing, the songs in the group set list have stood the test of time because of their great melodies and their sense of fun. The Bird Rockers’ energetic take on early 1960s party music is the perfect soundtrack for a late summer night near the beach.

The Bird Rockers: Friday, Sept. 1 at Beaumont’s Eatery, 5662 La Jolla Blvd. 9 p.m. $10. beaumontseatery.com.

Acclaimed guitarist Peter Sprague and singer Rebecca Jade will perform songs from their album, “Planet Cole Porter,” at Tio Leo’s on Sept. 3. Released in 2017, the tribute album to Broadway composer Cole Porter would go on to win the following year’s San Diego Music Award for “Best Jazz Album.” The recording recasts Porter’s show tunes, such as “Night & Day” and “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” adding samba, funk, and salsa to the mix. As with the recording, Sprague and Jade will be backed for this show by an all-star group that includes Tripp Sprague (sax), Danny Green (piano), Mack Leighton (bass), and Duncan Moore (drums).

Peter Sprague and Rebecca Jade: Sunday, Sept. 3 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 5 p.m. No cover. tioleos.com.

Multi-instrumentalist Jonny Tarr stops in at the La Valencia on Sept. 10. The two-time SDMA winner is best known for his funk-inspired music, as heard on his most recent album, “The Rules.” Normally, Tarr is backed by a hard-driving band, however, for more intimate gigs such as this, he is in solo mode, using looping and his talents at playing guitar, keyboard, sax, and flute to create his own backing. Tarr’s set list includes a wide range of covers, from Stevie Wonder to Lorde, with a bonus in the mix of his excellent originals.

Jonny Tarr: Sunday, Sept. 10 at The La Valencia, 1132 Prospect St. 6 p.m. No cover. lavalencia.com.

Two of the most popular groups of the 1960s, Motown artists The Four Tops and The Temptations, join forces for a performance at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on Sept. 12. Each group has a set list full of iconic songs that still resonate decades after they first hit the airwaves. From The Temptations’ “My Girl” and “Ball of Confusion,” to The Four Tops “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “Baby I Need Your Loving,” this is music that will have the audience up on their feet and singing along from the first note.

The Four Tops/The Temptations: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. $76.50. humphreysconcerts.com.