Music: Petunia and the Vipers play rockabilly at the Muse

Petunia & The Vipers thrive on the challenge of adding Latin rhythms to a country blues tune, or gypsy flavoring to a rockabilly standard. Petunia (real name: Ron Fortugno) defies convention and yet there is some conservancy to his music. His honest, cut-to-the- heart songwriting and yodeling narratives brings to mind the high and lonesome vocals that conjure up the ghost of Jimmie Rodgers.

Petunia’s tapping boot often propels the audience into a wave of jitterbuggers; he sometimes throws in a Spanish ballad or chanson a la Edith Piaf.

The band plays at 8 p.m. Friday, July 3, at the The Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce St. Cover is $12. Details: 360-445-3000, conwaymuse.com

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 2:20 AM with the headline "Music: Petunia and the Vipers play rockabilly at the Muse."