Music: Best Bets

With 40 gold and platinum records under his belt, Don McLean has had a successful career as a singer-songwriter. Of course, the 68-year-old performer is most known for the epic classic “American Pie,” listed as No. 5 on the Recording Industry Association of America’s Songs of the Century. That track is also the longest song ever to reach No. 1 on the charts—its 8:36 running time was split across both sides of the single when it was released in 1971 (which is why you sometimes hear shorter versions on the radio).

In 2012, PBS aired a documentary on McLean with interviews from the songwriter and others; a companion double CD featured studio and live recordings from throughout his career.

McLean still performs regularly, and a summer tour brings him to the River Center’s Performing Arts Theatre Aug. 22. brrivercenter.com

Essential listening: “Castles in the Air,” “Empty Chairs,” “Vincent,” and of course, “American Pie.”

AUG. 8: Local groovy/synth-y pop band Prom Date celebrates the release of its new album Portraits at the Spanish Moon, with Baby Bee and The Van Der Beeks. thespanishmoon.com
AUG. 8: Chris Hillman, a founding member of The Byrds, and guitarist and songwriter Herb Pedersen perform at the Manship Theatre. Local singer-songwriter Ryan Harris opens the show. manshiptheatre.org
AUG. 9: Jason Martin’s EP release party with The Hitchhiker and The Widowers hits the Spanish Moon.
AUG. 10: Soul singer Maxwell brings his Summer Soulstice Tour (get it?!) to the River Center’s Performing Arts Theatre. brrivercenter.com
AUG. 13: Bringing some late ’90s nostalgia to Baton Rouge, alternative rock band Fuel performs at the Varsity. varsitytheatre.com
AUG. 13: Bringing even more late ’90s nostalgia to Baton Rouge, albeit in a softer way, Edwin McCain Trio performs at the Manship Theatre.
AUG. 15: Local art-rock band Moon Honey performs its last show with the current lineup at Chelsea’s Cafe. chelseascafe.com
AUG. 23: Baton Rouge-based indie rock band West Without takes the stage at the Spanish Moon.
EARLY NEXT MONTH: Red Dragon Songwriter Series presents guitar legends Bill Kirchen and Redd Volkaert at the Manship Theatre.
IN NEW ORLEANS: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah performs at One Eyed Jacks Aug. 13, while Crosby, Stills & Nash perform at the Saenger Theatre Aug. 23.