Best Fort Myers, Naples concerts in August: Songwriters For Vets, Elvis tribute, G. Love

Country superstar Jason Aldean plays a packed house at Hertz Arena. Metal Church drummer Stet Howland rocks a hometown show with the thrash-metal legends. And Elvis is back in the building at Seminole Casino Hotel (or, rather, popular Elvis tribute artist Chris MacDonald).

Those are just three of the coolest shows happening this August in Southwest Florida. Other biggies include Dove Award-winning Christian singer-songwriter Kari Jobe, heartfelt '90s rockers Counting Crows and mega-popular Mexican-American band Los Tigres del Norte.

Here are our picks for the top shows to see in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and elsewhere. We'll update as more concerts are announced.

Counting Crows at Suncoast Arena

The emotional rockers behind ‘90s hits “Mr. Jones” and “Round Here” bring their Banshee Season Tour to south Fort Myers. Dashboard Confessional opens. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. $59-$125. Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the Florida SouthWestern State College Campus, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com

Saxman Tim Cappello of ‘The Lost Boys’

The buff saxophonist is probably best known for his shirtless beach-party performance in the classic 1987 vampire movie “The Lost Boys.” The singer-songwriter has also played with Peter Gabriel, Carly Simon, Tina Turner and Ringo Starr. Plus opening act The Dead Nettles. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Doors open at 7 p.m. $15. HOWL, 4160 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. 332-0161 or facebook.com/HOWLFTMYERS

Deidre McCalla plays the ACMA

The folk singer-songwriter’s career stretches back to the Greenwich Village coffee house scene in the 1970s. Her melodic, direct songs have been described as a blend of Nina Simone’s lyrics and Phil Ochs’ social commentary.  She’s playing the ACMA stage for the first time. Robert Bidney opens. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. $12-$18. The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org

Christian singer-songwriter Kari Jobe at First Assembly

The Grammy Award-nominated, Dove Award-winning Nashville worship leader and singer-songwriter brings her U.S. tour to Fort Myers. The show also includes husband Cody Carnes, musical duo Bryan & Katie Torwalt and the band Leeland. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Doors open at 7 p.m. $25-$55. VIP packages are also available. First Assembly of God, 4701 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers. karijobe.com/tour

Metal Church at The Ranch

The thrash-metal greats perform with their drummer Stet Howland, a part-time Fort Myers resident who also owns Stet’s Winkler House bar. Metal Church’s hits include “Metal Church,” “Watch The Children Pray,” “Ton of Bricks” and “Badlands.” Grin Cynic and Re-Birth open. Show starts at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8. Doors open at 7 p.m. $25 general admission, $50 for reserved seating. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

Nashville singer/guitarist Dave Isaacs

The acclaimed guitar teacher and singer-songwriter known as the “Guitar Guru of Music Row” plays “foot-stomping swamp blues, rock ‘n’ roll, flamenco and raw and harmony-driven country-rock.” The concert is a sneak preview for Babcock Ranch’s Nashville Night music festival in November. Isaacs will be joined by local rock cover band The Poelker Brothers. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11. Free. Bring a chair or blanket for seating on the lawn. Founder’s Square restaurants will be open, and food trucks also will be at the event from 5-9 p.m. for Food Truck Friday. Founder’s Square in Babcock Ranch, 42850 Crescent Loop, Charlotte County. babcockranchfoundation.org

Jazz bassist Chuck Bergeron at Arts Bonita

The in-demand bassist also leads the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. He’ll be joined by jazz singer Kate Reid and guitarist Rick Howard on jazz and popular standards. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $35. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

Selwyn Birchwood at The Buck

The Tampa bluesman is known for fiery guitar playing and soulful singing. He’s touring in support of his fourth album on Alligator Records, “Exorcist.” Birchwood calls his music “electric swamp funkin’ blues,” described in a news release as “an intoxicating mix of deep blues, blistering, psychedelic-tinged rock, booty-shaking funk and sweet Southern soul, played and sung with fire-and-brimstone fervor.” 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $20. Buckingham Blues Bar, 5641 Buckingham Road, Buckingham. 693-7111 or buckinghambar.com

First Day Back Charity Concert

Naples recording studio Speak Your Truth Records hosts this charity concert featuring the studio’s hip-hop and R&B acts. Ages 18 and older only. They’ll collect school supplies and clothing for the YMCA of Collier County to distribute to people in need. Free meals for the first 15 people who attend. The lineup includes Speak Your Truth Records artists kevspeakstruth, Boy Paco, TakeOff Burford, No Conflict Kev, Daniel Ortiz and Jay Deru. 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Doors open at 7 p.m. Free admission with donation of school supplies or gently used clothes. RSVP required. On A Roll Film Lab. 2740 Bayshore Drive, Suite 9, Naples. biglink.to/sytrecords

Singer/Songwriter Competition at Davis Art Center

The seventh-annual competition features local and national singer-songwriters performing original songs for the audience and a panel of judges. The grand-prize winner gets recording time in Davis Arts Center’s Six Fingers Studio and a performance spot at the annual Island Hopper Songwriter Festival. The audience also votes to name the People’s Choice Winner. 7:30 Friday, Aug. 18. $10-$15. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., downtown Fort Myers.  333-1933 or sbdac.com

Elvis tribute Chris MacDonald at Seminole Casino Hotel

The renowned tribute artist performs his touring show “Memories of Elvis.” MacDonald brings to life several stages of The King’s career, from the early years to the movies to his black-leather 1968 comeback to his jumpsuit-wearing 1970s Vegas shows. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19. $49. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com

Jason Aldean at Hertz Arena

The country superstar performs a nearly sold-out show, but you’ll have to reach deep into your pockets if you don’t have tickets yet. Only verified resale and official platinum tickets remain. Those range from $159-$675. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero.  948-7825 or hertzarena.com

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Matisyahu and G. Love at The Ranch

A double bill featuring Philadelphia singer/guitarist G. Love of popular alternative/blues/hip-hop band G. Love & Special Sauce and beat-boxing reggae star Matisyahu. Plus opening act Cydeways. Show starts at about 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24. Doors open at 7 p.m. $36 general admission. VIP packages also available. The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com

Grant Maloy Smith at ACMA

Jacksonville singer-songwriter and film composer who started his career with the ‘80s pop band Britannia, but started playing Americana later in life, including his breakout 2017 album “Dust Bowl: American Stories.” Peter Bensen opens. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. $12-$18. The Americana Community Music Association Listening Room inside All Faiths Unitarian Church, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. americanacma.org

Los Tigres del Norte at Hertz Arena

The Grammy-winning Mexican-American band has sold millions of albums and is famous for its politically charged corridos and its stories about working people, immigrants, outlaws and politicians. Their name translates to The Tigers of The North. 8 p.m Friday, Aug. 25. $50-$200. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com

El Gran Combo at Seminole Casino Hotel

Puerto Rico’s hugely successful salsa dance band has racked up many hits over the last six decades, including "El Menu,” “Timablero," “Brujeria” and “Me Libere.” 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25. $79-$125. This show is nearly sold out. Seminole Casino Hotel, 506 S. First St., Immokalee. 658-1313 or moreinparadise.com

Songwriters For Vets 2023 concert in Bonita Springs

Nashville songwriters return for another Southwest Florida concert raising money for military veterans through the Songwriters for Vets foundation. They’ll perform and tell the stories behind their songs. The lineup includes Tim Nichols, Channing Wilson, Tyler Reeve, Patrick Davis and Django Walker. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. $125. VIP packages also available. The Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs. songwriters4vets.com

Jazz saxophonist Jesse Jones Jr. at Arts Bonita

RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 15: The Miami native is a virtuoso saxophonist who started his first band, the Melt-Jess Jazz Quintet, in high school with trumpeter brother Melton Mustafa (who later left to play with Count Basie). Jones formed his own quartet and remains a longtime fixture in Miami’s jazz scene. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. $35. Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org

— Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. For news tips or other entertainment-related matters, call him at 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com. You can also connect with him on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers, Naples concerts in August: Jason Aldean, Los Tigres del Norte