Steven Roth on Tavern stage before opening for The Who

(Published in Jackson Hole Weekly, additional content added)Roth to Let it In Opening an arena show for The Who before a debut album has even hit the streets is a surefire way to jump-start a career. Singer-songwriter/keyboardist Steven Roth will have that tremendous opportunity on January 30 in his hometown of L.A, just days after playing Town Square Tavern. I’m guessing that his 100-or-so hits on YouTube will have a couple of zeros added to the end by early spring.Roth, who released ElePhant as a member of pop-rock band Redstone Hall in 2010 before shortening his last name from Rothstein and going solo in the last year or so, brings a raw, soulful rock ‘n’ roll vibe to his swaggering vocals. His voice is ruggedly powerful and stands out, reminding me of another Californian multi-instrumentalist with swagger—Jackie Greene.If area music connoisseurs have been digging keyboard frontman and frequent Teton County visitor Andy Frasco as of late, Roth seemingly sidesteps the over-the-top stage antics in favor of a more inviting, ‘70s-era rock tone laced with pop, blues and funk. Though according to his web bio, “his frontman persona stirs images of Morrison, Jagger and the rest of the captivating icons of crowd chemistry.” Roth’s debut album, Let it in, is set for release on Tuesday and was produced by Dave Cobb (Secret Sisters, Shooter Jennings) over three weeks of sessions."I want people to feel where I was when I wrote the songs and connect on an emotional level beyond the superficial,” he explained. Roth’s band will be a quartet with guitar, bass and drums.Steven Roth, 9:30 p.m., Thursday Jan. 22, at Town Square Tavern. $5. 733-3886.