Legend Once More

2005 was a banner year for John Ralston.It started off humming when the Lake Worth-based singer-songwriter finished and released Needle Bed, a brilliantly sullen album of upbeat Americana strumming, shuffling rhythms, and sugar-sweet hooks that qualified as one of the best local releases of the year. Soon thereafter, the former Legends of Rodeo frontman and longtime friend/contemporary of Chris Carrabba went on tour with Dashboard Confessional, opening for the emo giants throughout the summer. By the end of the year, he had signed to Vagrant Records, Dashboard's home, with plans to rerelease Needle Bed on the L.A.-based label this June. Late summer, he'll tour with Dashboard again, this time opening and playing keys in his band. So what's a hard-working, fast-rising star to do to celebrate all these milestones? Play Respectables, of course! Consider yourself lucky, and catch him in this intimate setting while you still can.

John Ralston plays with Dear & Glorious Physician and Band Marino at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Respectable Street, 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Tickets cost $8. Call 561-832-9999.