Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Don't expect the man behind "Lullaby" to put you to sleep.

Shawn Mullins, who penned the '90s platinum smash, is a multi-instrumentalist and road warrior, playing more than 200 gigs a year in support of his fresher material, including last year's gritty "honeydew."

The Mullins train will make its fourth - and, more importantly, its free - stop at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse on Friday.

The Grammy-nominee performs as part of the ongoing Moonlight and Music Concert Series, a free and lawn-friendly mini-festival designed as a boon for Lawrenceville's revitalizing downtown.

Scheduled from May to September, the concerts are the brainchild of the Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association. Each show kicks off at 8 p.m.

Best known for his tuneful critique of Los Angeles pomp and trend - the aforementioned "Lullaby" - Mullins has turned inward for a more folksy, narrative style of late. His most recent lyrics distill the imagery of his native north Georgia, especially the urban tapestry of gentrifying Atlanta.

"This one is about the South, what has changed and what hasn't changed," Mullins said on his Web site. "It has to do with what I'm seeing around me, and telling stories that haven't really been told."

There's still lawn space aplenty for the show, but reserved tables are sold out, said Rebekah Cline, the association's membership and marketing director.

Cline said the concerts are able to remain free "through the donations of our generous sponsors" who work to keep the shows family friendly and recession-proof.

"All of the LTTA's events ... are sponsored by businesses who desire to show both support within the community and a commitment to the revitalization of Lawrenceville," Cline said.

The association is credited with bringing more than 30,000 visitors to Gwinnett's historic county seat yearly, Cline said.

The concert series will continue Aug. 22 with covertune extraordinaires Rack of Spam.

SideBar: If You Go

What: Moonlight and Music Concert Series, featuring Shawn Mullins

When: Friday

Where: Downtown Lawrenceville

Cost: Free

For more information: Visit www.visitlawrenceville.com