Mike Henderson, leader of the Bluebloods—and perhaps the only guitarist in Nashville ever to steal the stage from Kenny Greenberg—will release his new solo album, Edge of Night, on Jan. 16. Produced by Henderson, Edge of Night will include several new club-tested originals, along with covers of Elvis’ “You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care)” and Ernest Tubb’s “Drivin’ Nails in My Coffin.” The record will be issued on Nashville’s Dead Reckoning label, now distributed by mega-indie Rounder Records.

Backing up Henderson on the LP are such reliables as bassists Glenn Worf, Larry Marrs and Forrest Rose, and drummers John Gardner, Owen Hale and Harry Stinson. In addition, the record features vocals from the likes of Delbert McClinton, Tracy Nelson, Kieran Kane, Gary Nicholson and John Cowan.

The release of Henderson’s album begins what sounds like a strong year for Dead Reckoning, which was founded by Kane, Stinson, Kevin Welch and Tammy Rogers last winter. In late spring, Dead Reckoning’s founders will collaborate on a band project, writing and performing an entire album together. At the same time, the label will release a new vocal album by fiddler Rogers, with which Dead Reckoning hopes to duplicate some of Alison Krauss’ breakout success.

If you can’t wait until then to sample Dead Reckoning’s wares, however, the labelmates will stage another of their successful Motown Revue-type shows Jan. 30 in a benefit for Hospice. Watch listings for more details.

Overheard recently in the parking lot at Tower Records: “Who’s this band Dingus?” That’s Dignus, peabrain—according to bandleader Randy Perkins (a.k.a. Dignus), it’s Latin for “worthy of respect,” and it’s the name of the power trio Perkins has headed since March. In the past eight or so months, Dignus has toplined shows at 12th & Porter, Jack’s Guitar Bar and Tootsie’s Upstairs. The rootsy adult-alternative group will release its first album next spring on locally owned D’Ville Records.

“Everyone told me when I moved here that it would take five to seven years to get anything going,” observed Perkins, who spent 10 years gigging in Richmond, Va., before moving to Nashville last year. “But I’ve really paid my dues.”

Perkins linked up with bassist Jason Mundok and drummer Tom Williams to form Randy Perkins and the Inside Story last spring. In August the band changed its name to Dignus, and last month Perkins and company began recording their upcoming album with producer and D’Ville cofounder Garry Tallent. Guests on the recording include guitarist George Marinelli of Bruce Hornsby’s Range and keyboardist Steve Conn, who released his own record on D’Ville earlier this fall.

The album should hit record stores in late February or early March. Asked where the record would be placed in stores—rock, R&B, folk or zydeco—Perkins sounded amused. “I don’t know,” he said. “Look in the ‘Hootie’ racks in the record store.”

The band plays 12th and Porter Friday night, Dec. 29.

Local bluesman Mike Dowling has just released a fine new CD, Swamp Dog Blues, which should be out in local stores. Dowling’s country and bluegrass credentials are solid: His songs have been recorded by Kathy Mattea, Emmylou Harris and the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and he’s played alongside Jethro Burns and Vassar Clements. His own record, however, is an utterly pleasing collection of acoustic blues, featuring Dowling’s ringing, fluid slide on originals and songs by Big Bill Broonzy, Mississippi John Hurt and Wynonie Harris. Recorded crisply by Mark Howard and Forrest York, Swamp Dog Blues is available from the Dutch label Strictly Country Records, which will also rerelease Dowling’s 1991 debut LP, Beats Workin’, next year. Check local record stores under either blues or folk.

Elliptical dispatches: Blues guitarist Tony Sarno, who played in the Thunderhawks with Shaver stalwarts Eddy Shaver and Keith Christopher, celebrates the release of his solid Icehouse Records CD It’s a Blues Thing with a show Friday night at the Sutler. Sarno, a Puerto Rican native who was raised in New York, has been playing the bar circuit since he was 15, including gigs with everyone from Peter Tork to Blood, Sweat & Tears; on his CD, he glides through covers of John Hiatt’s “Alone in the Dark” and Elmore James’ “Talk to Me, Baby” and his own sweaty originals. Sarno plays two shows Friday night at 9:30 and 11:15 p.m....

The Vegas Cocks, fresh from a gig with the Ramones in (where else?) Las Vegas, host a record-release party for their new Caroline Records 7-inch “Too Late” at 12th & Porter Thursday night. The single arrives in advance of an EP due next month on Caroline; the EP was produced by Paul Mahern, who produced the Afghan Whigs and Blake Babies. “Our sound is, now, I guess you’d say, more pop and what you’d call ‘alternative,’ ” says lead singer Trace Sasser. “Our writing’s gotten a lot better.” They also have a new drummer: Reggie Las Vegas, brother of guitarist Viva Las Vegas. Even money says it’ll be a good show....

Grammy-winning vocalist Linda Davis, best known for her knockout duet with Reba McEntire on the single “Does He Love You,” releases her new Arista solo album, Some Things Are Meant to Be, Jan. 30. The record includes a remake of Gladys Knight’s “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye),” and the title single is already picking up airplay....

Looking for that next new line-dance sensation? Try “Ricochet Waltz,” the new country dance single by Boz Boswell, a burly hunk whose credits include TV’s SeaQuest. According to Boswell, the song is already the official theme song of Orlando’s Cheyenne Saloon, where the singer holds down a regular gig. Can the Wildhorse be far behind? Check for yourself by writing Luxury Records, c/o Rick Levy Management, 1881 S. Kirkman Rd. #715, Orlando, Fla. 32811....

If that doesn’t scoot your boots, give this platter a spin: “(Choppin’ Wood With a) Chicken Feather,” the single by Hermitage’s Terry and Tim Wendt, otherwise known as The Wendt Brothers. The single has gotten response and/or airplay from more than 50 radio stations across the country; you can obtain a copy from WMI Records, P.O. Box 562, Hermitage, Tenn. 37076....

When you think of fine cuisine with French and German accents, one name immediately comes to mind: Naomi Judd. Or so it might if you visit Trilogy, Judd’s new restaurant, which opened Thursday, Dec. 14, at 1911 Broadway in the space formerly occupied by Maude’s Courtyard. The restaurant will feature sections devoted to each member of the Judd multimedia trinity: Wynonna’s Formal, an elegant dining room; Ashley’s Corner, described in the press release as “a cozy nook decorated with her movie posters for a more relaxed atmosphere”; and Naomi’s Parlor, said to exude an intimate salon ambiance. Award-winning chef Boris Keller, who previously served as executive chef at the Wild Boar, will be on hand to dish out the sweet-and-sour pork loin and hickory grilled New York strip. To find out more, call 321-8818....