If Oaklawn Park-style handicappers were giving odds on the Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase, Chris Henry’s band Cooper’s Orbit would likely have opened as the favorite in the Morning Line. A solo act edged out by a single point last year by winner, Hannah Blaylock and Eden’s Edge, Henry would only be a more formidable act with a full band.

Cooper’s Orbit did prevail as many would have expected last week at Sticky Fingerz in Round 2 of the Showcase. But it wasn’t a runaway: all four acts in last week’s lineup were seasoned performers.

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Beau Nixon, who’s piloted two bands into the Showcase over the past six years, went the rocking solo acoustic route last Thursday, and got the night off on a strong start. Then, Stephen Hansen and his 4×4 Crew gave the audience, who braved a snowy night to come, an education in hip-hop and rap with an electrifying performance, capped by the rousing “Tell Your Mama I’m From Arkansas.” We decided right then that boxing champ Jermain Taylor had a new theme song. (Look for this song this week on our Musician Showcase page at www.staging.arktimes.com and catch some of the video from Round 2 on the Little Rocking blog).

Cooper’s Orbit took a few of Henry’s original acoustic-rock songs (think Dave Matthews) and gave them the layered delivery they deserve.

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The night wasn’t done, though, and Tim Moritz’s surf music creation, the Reverburritos, gave us a 30-minute set that would be a great soundtrack to another Quentin Tarantino flick like “Pulp Fiction.” Moritz is an amazing guitarist in the way he bends the mellow without going flat. This is a fun group, even if it’s all instrumental music. The Ventures would be proud.

Another talented quartet of bands is up this Thursday beginning at 9 p.m.: Jeff Coleman and the Feeders, Latture, Rigby Fawkes and Sideshow, all acts who have gotten a lot of local club attention. To see them all on the same stage the same night is what the Showcase is all about, and well worth the $5 admission.

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