06.12.06 TRI-CITIES Paper Stephen Simmons with Mic Harrison at the Down Home Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:00 AM   Following the hard-bitten singer/songwriter mold of Kris Kristofferson and Steve Earle, troubadour Stephen Simmons will perform his dark musical tales at Johnson City’s premier venue, The Down Home, on Saturday, May 27. The Nashville based singer is touring in support of his latest release, Drink Ring Jesus. Raised in a strict, fundamentalist household in rural Tennessee, Mr. Simmons has obviously experienced his share of trials and tribulations. Telling musical stories of sin, redemption, and purgatory, Simmons is to country music what Flannery O’Connor is to literature. Often compared to both Johnny Cash and Ryan Adams, Simmons is presently playing without the aid of a backing band. These unadorned performances are ideal for Simmons’ rough hewn songs. Knoxvillian Mic Harrison will open the show. Harrison, most known for his work as a member of the V-Roys and, later, Superdrag, will also perform acoustically. Harrison’s most recent release, the pop-rocking Pallbearer’s Shoes, was released on the Valley Entertainment label in 2004.