SoundCheck: O.A.R., Christabel and the Jons, Suite Caroline

O.A.R.

Details: Wednesday 7 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $37.50. (727) 791-7400.

Five Ohio State friends got their start at Buckeye frat parties and campus events, jamming out a hospitable hybrid of alternative pop, winding rock and reggae. Before long, they were selling out Madison Square Garden. But O.A.R.'s rise to the big time wasn't all high fives and hacky sacks. Following Dave Matthews Band's lead, O.A.R. (which stands for Of a Revolution) built a devoted fan base (without any major label marketing or radio play) by playing shows tirelessly and encouraging fans to share their recordings. That Was a Crazy Game of Poker, Hey Girl and Love and Memories are among the live highlights.

Christabel and the Jons

Details: Sunday 4 p.m. Ella's Americana Folk Art Café, 5119 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Free. (813) 234-1000.

You'd think Knoxville, Tenn., had a major speakeasy scene the way Christabel and the Jons play. Sure, the group's Southern swing tunes are more sweet tea than dry vermouth, but they're topped with flapper revivalist Christa DeCicco's sultry jazz vocals. Along with Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics, the folk-swing group was one of a handful of retro restoring acts to wow at WMNF's Tropical Heatwave this year.

Suite Caroline (Music in the Park Series)

Details: Friday 7 p.m. Seminole City Park, 7464 Ridge Road, Seminole. Free. (727) 398-3108.

She has shared stages with Pat Benatar, Martina McBride and the Go-Go's, sung a duet with Sheryl Crow, and recently, signed with William Morris, the powerhouse agency that represents superstars Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley. So, what's next? When you're 12-year-old Caroline Kudelko, finishing middle school is one item on the agenda. On Friday, Belleair's burgeoning country-pop singer will start Seminole's 14th annual Music in the Park weekly series. Our advice to you: See her before it's too expensive.

Carole Liparoto can be reached at carole.liparoto@gmail.com.