Fri. Dec. 14

Is Boston a country town? Not known to be, but what is country now anyway? Mainstream country music has mutated - in many ways - into just a slightly twangy version of pop-rock and there's a big crossover audience out there. As this bill would suggest: Rising country star Cooper Boone, with a seven-piece band including Spin Doctors guitarist Anthony Krizan and Loggins and Messina fiddler Gary Oleyar. They play a concert at Bill's Bar Friday Dec. 14, starting at 8, with Jesse Ruben,  Jenn Bostic and Patrick Dunn.(Cooper's on at 10:00) It's a benefit for Ernie Boch, Jr.'s Foundation "Music Drives Us," and it's $10 to get in.

5 1/2 Lansdowne St., 617-421-9678 www.billsbar.com