The one-man-folk-band thing is getting a wee-bit played out. There's only so much banjo-plucking and foot-stomping - coming from a single person with an "Isn't it impressive how many things I can do at once?" look on their face - that a set of refined ears can appreciate. After a while, unless you're actually on a porch somewhere and drunk on moonshine, the head pat-tummy rub shtick just gets old. That said, Ghostwriter is NOT played out - and the shtick is anything but boring. While Steve Schecter - the man who is Ghostwriter - has the country-fried, chicken feather bit down - there's also a gloominess to what he does that keeps things interesting. Saturday Ghostwriter plays twice, for the all-ages crowd early at Rocket Records, and later for the drunks at The New Frontier for a 21+ engagement with Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel. Both shows are worthy. 

[Rocket Records, with Russ Dahler, 4 p.m., all ages, no cover, 3843 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.756.5186]

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel, Jon Walker, Russ Dahler, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E 25^th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]