Spears’ little sister, Money to play at Juanita’s

It may not be “two tickets to paradise,” but a pair of tickets could at least get you into a couple of big-name shows this weekend at Juanita’s.

Starting tonight Britney Spears’ little sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, performs. Sunday night it’s Eddie Money - the former New York police trainee whose 1978 hit song “Two Tickets to Paradise” was used in a 2012 GEICO ad, in which Money, as a travel agent, sings to a family wanting a vacation.

The younger Spears recently embarked upon a country music career rather than follow in the shoes and revealing outfits of her sister.She released a single, “How Could I Want More,” on Nov. 25, with an album reportedly soon to follow. She also appeared on Britney’s latest album, Britney Jean, singing on “Chillin’ With You.”

Jamie Lynn Spears, who will turn 23 on April 4, launched her own show business career when she played a younger version of her sister in a film, Crossroads, then had a two-year stint on All That, a Nickelodeon series. She began to come into her own in 2005 when she was cast in Zoey 101, a Nickelodeon/Family TV series, winning the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Award for Best Actress.

Two years later, at age 16, she made tabloid headlines when she announced she was pregnant. Her daughter, Maddie Aldridge, was born June 19, 2008. Spears was engaged to marry her baby’s father, Casey Aldridge, but never did so. Spears became engaged to Jamie Watson, identified as a businessman who owns a communications service, Advanced Media Partners, based in Hammond, La., in March.

Money, the Sunday night headliner, became popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with hit radio and MTV singles, including “Baby Hold On” in 1978; “Maybe I’m a Fool” in 1979; “Think I’m in Love” in 1982; “Take Me Home Tonight” and “I Wanna Go Back” in 1986; “Endless Nights” in 1987; “Walk on Water” in 1988; “The Love in Your Eyes” in 1989; “Peace in Our Time” in 1990; and “I’ll Get By” in 1991.

Born Edward Joseph Mahoney in 1949, Money grew up in an Irish Catholic family of policemen, and came close to becoming one himself. He decided to pursue his musical ambition and left New York City for California, where he realized his dreams.

Those already looking past winter to summer festival events can check out the Waka Winter Classic at 8 p.m. Saturday at Stickyz Rock ’n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Ave., Little Rock. For more information, call (501) 372-7707 or see the website, stickyz.com.

Five local bands were invited to perform, and those five - Ice Cold Fatty, FreeVerse, The Sound of the Mountain, American Lions and the Little Buffalo River Band - will all play at Stickyz. Paying patrons will get a ticket on which to vote for their favorite band. The band with the most votes will get to play at the June Wakarusa festival in the Ozarks, near the Mulberry River.

Ice Cold Fatty is based in Eureka Springs, FreeVerse is from Little Rock, The Sound of the Mountain is from Russellville, American Lions (formerly This Holy House) got its start in Greenbrier and the Little Buffalo River Band is from Jasper.

Jamie Lynn Spears

9 p.m. today (doors open at 8 p.m.), Juanita’s, 614 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock

Admission: $12

Eddie Money

Opening acts: The Fable & the Fury, Rodge Arnold

7:30 p.m. Sunday (doors open at 6:30 p.m.), Juanita’s, 614 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock

Admission: $30 advance, $35 day of show

(501) 372-1228

juanitas.com