Rarely does a promo picture make me smile like this one.

Dick Ward and his lovely bride, Carol Bryant, look so darn happy, don’t they? A nicer pair you’ll never meet.

The Elbridge couple can make some pretty sweet music as an acoustic duo on stage, too.

Ward reports that they’ll perform at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday, July 27, at Creekside Books and Cafe in Skaneateles. The cover is $5 for night of acoustic music.

“By the way, we’ve been practicing up just for you all, with some new stuff and a special announcement,” Ward reports. “I may even tap dance.” Yes, when I saw these two a few months ago at a Guitar League get-together, Ward’s ailing knee was feeling much better.

And, about the photo: “One of the songs could be ‘The Way We Were,’ ” Ward writes in a P.S.

Granny 4 Barrel ready to roll with 2 CNY shows

Terri LeRoi, long a favorite in my book for his heavy metal work with Titanium Black, writes with the news that his latest project will take the stage for two Central New York shows next month.

Granny 4 Barrel will perform its “insane shock country” — LeRoi’s description — Aug. 9 at Suzy’s Tavern in Auburn and Aug. 10 at Mac’s Bad Art Bar in Mattydale.

Banjo player Don Wayne Reno will be flying in from Nashville for the shows. LeRoi calls Reno one of the greatest banjo players in the world. His father wrote the timeless hit “Dueling Banjos” in the 1955. With this crew, the “bluegrass royalty” takes the name Hayseed Dixie.

Kevin Dean, drummer with Brand New Sin and Hobo Graffiti, and local actress and singer Tamara Lee Shutt also have joined the band.

“Granny has been making some serious noise lately down south,” LeRoi reports.

K-Rockathon almost sold out

Morning host Josh Grosvent sent out notice that there’s about 1,000 tickets left for K-Rockathon 18.

The annual hard rock fest put on by Syracuse radio station K-Rock (100.9 FM) moves this year from the New York State Fair’s sprawling grandstand infield to the more intimate space of Chevy Court.

The dozen-band lineup includes Three Days Grace, Chevelle, Sevendust, All That Remains, P.O.D., Skillet, Flyleaf, Asking Alexandria, RED, Aranda, The Virginmarys, and Stars in Stereo.

Gates open at 11 a.m. and music begins at noon this Saturday, July 27. Tickets are $42 in advance, $60 at the gate.