Dave Parnell, founder of the Brooklyn Americana band called Runaway Dorothy, had perhaps more incentive to follow his muse than the usual rock-dude wannabes. At a critical juncture when Parnell was trying to decide whether to push his own songs or take a gig in a band being pursued by major labels, he by chance ran into some guy named Ryan Adams.

The two hung out a bit, Adams heard Parnell's songs - and strongly suggested they were damned good and worthy of serious artistic commitment.

Thus inspired, Parnell formed Runaway Dorothy - a particularly tight outfit whose instrumental prowess and close vocal harmonies add deep texture to the material. Adams was right: Parnell IS a great songwriter. The newest Runaway Dorothy album, "The Wait," recalls such sterling acts as The Jayhawks, The Gin Blossoms, The Old '97s and, well, Ryan Adams.

See Runaway Dorothy on Saturday at the Strange Brew Pub in Norwich. In a bit of inspired booking, Dirt Road Radio also appears.

- RICK KOSTER

Runaway Dorothy, 9 p.m. Saturday, Strange Brew Pub, 297 West Main St., Norwich; with Dirt Road Radio; $5; (860) 886-7600.