*Word from Mohegan Sun this week is that “two of the great groups of classic rock,” DEF LEPPARD and REO SPEEDWAGON, will take the stage at Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 pm. Tickets, from $45 to $70, will be going on sale this Saturday at 10 am through TicketMaster vendors. Tickets will also be available starting Sunday, January 13, at the Mohegan Sun box office, subject to availability.

This show will span Def Leppard’s full career, which included becoming part of the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame in September 2006.

REO Speedwagon, meanwhile, recently released Find Your Own Way Home, the group’s first CD of completely new material since 1996, so expect plenty of hits and favorites along with new material during their set.

*Music at Mocha this weekend will begin with a return by J.D. HILL, who will perform his “impassioned brand of classic/indie rock vocals and funky guitar.” The Sandy Hook native will be at the 3 Glen Road coffee house on Friday, January 11, with showtime set for 7:30.

Then on Saturday enjoy some more coffee, tea, cocoa etc while taking in the music of MIKE GRIFFIN, who I believe is also a return performer. Mike has been writing since he was 14 years old and has already recorded four albums, one EP, and has a library of more than 200 original songs. Showtime for Mike is also 7:30.

*DOUG WAHLBERG BAND will be back at Foxwoods later this month. Doug and crew (George, Rich, T-Bone, Rick and Tom) have another pair of shows scheduled at the Ledyard casino, performing a free show in The Atrium, the weekend of Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26. Showtime both nights is 9:30.

The guys are also scheduled to be in The Atrium on February 8-9.

*Speaking of Foxwoods, a reminder for Aerosmith fans – particularly those of its lead guitarist – that JOE PERRY will be headlining in the casino’s Fox Theatre on Friday, February 8.

While Perry has of course been creating one chapter of musical history as a founding member, one of the principal songwriters and the electrifying lead guitarist of Boston-based Aerosmith, he has also provided a glimpse at another side of himself with a self-titled solo album back in 2005. Tickets for the Joe Perry show are $55 and $65, and are on sale through the Foxwoods box office.

*Also playing the Fox Theatre next month will be 2U, “the world’s second best U2 show,” on Thursday, February 1 (tickets are $16.50 for general admission or $38.50 for VIP tickets, which will include priority seating and one of Bono’s Signature Series T-shirts); and CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED on Friday, February 22; tickets are $27.50 and $38.50.

Some details about that 2U show: Hard Rock Café is celebrating the release of Bono’s exclusive signature series T-shirts, the sales of which will partially benefit The Wildlife Conservation Society (15 percent of net sales from each shirt will benefit the society). Additionally, all proceeds from tickets sales of this 10 pm show will also benefit Wildlife Conservation Society.

Until next week I’ll be seeing you... on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141. Shows listed at clubs are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING SHOWS

JANUARY 11 — J.D. Hill at Mocha Coffee House, Sandy Hook; Smokehouse at Georgetown Saloon, Redding; Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville; Eran Troy Danner & The Hot Dallas Nights at 59 Bank Street, New Milford;

January 12 — Mike Griffin at Mocha Coffee House; Ozzy Osborne & Rob Zombie at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; Stratospheerius at Ray Kelly’s Pub, Bridgeport; Trippy Phonics at Georgetown Saloon;

January 13 — Willie Nininger at Georgetown Saloon (5:30 start); Eric Burdon and the Animals at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

January 16 — female vocal revue at Georgetown Saloon (Sarah Brooks hosting, with special guests); 

January 18 — The Quake at Georgetown Saloon; Eran Troy Danner & The Hot Dallas Nights at Circa Bistro, Waterbury;

January 19 — Shoo Fly Blues at Georgetown Saloon;

January 25 — John Cain & The Blues Busters at Georgetown Saloon; The Doug Wahlberg Band at The Atrium at Foxwoods Casino (also January 26);

January 26 — Bob’s Your Uncle at Georgetown Saloon; The Doug Wahlberg Band at The Atrium at Foxwoods;

January 31 — Keith Urban at Mohegan Sun Arena, Carrie Underwood opening (also February 1).