After watching some videos of David Mayfield performing live, I asked myself what was more impressive, his beard or his guitar playing. It is a great beard, but the guitar playing still takes the cake, as Mayfield is a virtuoso on an acoustic. That's not all Grizzly Adams, er, I mean Mayfield, brings to the table, though. He writes and sings fantastic Americana — and the laughs he draws between songs may have him a career in stand-up if he ever called it quits on music. He's performed alongside folk monsters Mumford and Sons and The Avett Brothers, so though you may not know his name as well as those others, you know he's good from the on-stage company he keeps.

The David Mayfield Parade performs on Thursday, September 4, at Abilene Bar and Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way. 8 p.m. $15. Abilenebarandlounge.com; Davidmayfieldparade.net.