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Hamilton native David Shaw will perform his own songs and renditions of covers tonight, Dec. 26, at Ryan's Tavern. He also will unveil several new songs.

Joining Shaw for the evening is Tim Meyer, a member of his previous band, The Summit Brothers, who will open the show at 9:30 p.m. Shaw will take the stage at 11 p.m. The night will end with a jam session that will feature other local musicians.

Shaw, 25, is a graduate of Hamilton High School who moved to New Orleans about a year-and-a-half ago to pursue a music career.

He picked up the guitar at age 12, but his primary interest in junior high and high school was skateboarding. After he broke both of his wrists, however, he turned to music as an outlet.

He's been playing music professionally for two years.

"In junior high and high school I was always writing things like poetry and short stories, but I never really put any of that to music," Shaw said. "In college, I began playing guitar and started focusing on songwriting. That's when I first realized I might have a knack for it," he said.

"I was a major product of the grunge period like Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots, and I was definitely influenced by them a lot, as well as a lot of the staple soul singers like Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers. Other influences include The Band and Creedence Clearwater Revival," Shaw said.

In New Orleans, he formed The Revivalists. The group's self-titled EP is available online through iTunes, CDbaby.com and the band's MySpace site, www.myspace.com/revivalists.

Shaw said he welcomes the chance to come back home and play. "I love it, it's great," he said.

How to go

WHAT: David Shaw Solo Show, with opener Tim Meyer and other special guests, including Mike Gray, Jr., Jimmy Gadd and Brian Trenner

WHERE: Ryan's Tavern, 241 High St., Hamilton

WHEN: Music begins 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26

COST: $5; 18 and older

MORE INFO: (513) 737-2200; www.ryanstavern.com or www.myspace.com/revivalists