Little Milton and Oliver Sain

The names Little Milton Campbell and Oliver Sain have been linked since the early 1950s, when the two Mississippi natives first began playing as a pair in clubs in the Greenville area. Over the years, they've continued working together -- beginning with their collaborations on the Bobbin Records label here in St. Louis in the late 1950s and then for the Checker label in Chicago in the early '60s. So in a way, it's no surprise to see them billed together once again.

What is surprising is the location of the Sain/Little Milton performance, BB's. Campbell, who still records regularly for the Malaco label and tours often, is usually found playing outdoor festivals or much larger venues. So it's a rare opportunity to hear him perform in a small-club setting -- especially in the company of his longtime compatriot Oliver Sain. You can bet that the two musicians (backed by Sain's fine band, the R&B All Stars), will turn back the clock to perform some of the Little Milton hits they collaborated on decades ago -- for instance, "I'm a Lonely Man" and "So Mean to Me." And given the rarity of this pairing in the small club atmosphere of BB's, there's no telling what other local musical legends might turn up to be part of the show. Admission is $15, and the music begins around 9 p.m.