Thinking man’s rocker Elvis Costello, Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd, pop star Linda Ronstadt, crooner k.d. lang and pop rockers Hootie and the Blowfish are among the headliners of the 2006 Britt season announced Friday.

Britt’s 44th season begins June 9 in Jacksonville with singer-guitarist Junior Brown opening for country star Marty Stuart. It concludes Sept. 3 with Celtic brother-and-sister act Leahy and flamenco master Jesse Cook.

The season was announced at a Friday luncheon at the Britt office in Medford. With 42 performances in all, it ranges from jazz, blues and pop to dance, folk, country and classical.

"It’s a Britt season," says Mike Sturgill, who books the acts.

That means there’s probably something for most musical tastes, he explains.

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Returning favorites include Bruce Cockburn, Bela Fleck, The Temptations, Arlo Guthrie, Chicago and more. The previously announced classical component takes place the first half of August.

Ticket prices remain in the $30-$50 range for many acts, although lawns seats for some shows are in the $20s, and tickets top out above $80 for Costello, Ronstadt and Donna Summer. Most shows begin at 7:30 p.m., with some starting at 8.

Stuart and Brown kick off the season at 7:30 p.m. June 9 at the Britt Pavilion on the hillside in Jacksonville. Jazz great Ramsey Lewis visits the next night, with Bill Frisell’s New Quartet opening. Super duo Hall & Oates bring their brand of soul June 13.

Fusion starts Spyro Gyra perform June 16. The focus turns to blues June 17 with the Larry Carlton Blues Project featuring Robben Ford.

Ronstadt performs June 18 in a Sunday show starting at 8 p.m. Jamie Cullum, a young British singer, songwriter and pianist takes the stage June 20.

Elvis Costello performs June 22 with the Impostors, which comprise most of the Attractions, his long-time backup band. In one of the more mercurial careers in rock, Costello has ranged from punk to hard country. Along with Costello will be New Orleans pianist/songwriter/producer Allen Toussaint. Top tickets are $85.

Singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn will perform the next night, with singer-songwriter Greg Brown opening.

Sixties legend Arlo Guthrie brings the family in what’s being called the Guthrie Family Legacy Tour June 25.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones return June 30. On July 1, The Radiators and Ian Neville bring a New Orleans show. Disco diva Donna Summer will perform July 2 in a show that ties Ronstadt for most expensive ticket of the summer at $87. But then, she works hard for the money.

Genre-hopping acoustic players Nickel Creek are booked for July 3. Spanish flamenco company Noche Flamenca perform July 13, followed by world music star/social activist Michael Franti and Spearhead the next night. Blues Traveler returns the 15th. The Temptations and the Four Tops make for a stellar night of Motown July 16.

Lingo dancetheater of Seattle, under Artistic Director KT Niehoff, promises an evening of world-class dance July 21.

Popsters Hootie and the Blowfish will play July 22, and country star Lee Ann Womack July 26. Singer Shawn Colvin will perform July 27 along with Dar Williams.

Another evening of dance will come in the guise of Tony Waag’s Tap City June 28. Waag created the ensemble in 2001 in New York City with the help of Gregory Hines. Singer-TV personality Vicki Lawrence will wrap up the first half of the season July 29.

Britt’s Classical season, which was announced previously, runs Aug. 4 through Aug. 21 with Peter Bay and special guests.

In the middle of classical season, Lynyrd Skynyrd will rock the Lithia Motors Amphitheater in a 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 show. It is the only Britt show as yet slated for the larger arena this year.

A Gordon Lightfoot show Aug. 22 will resume the pop season, followed by classic rockers STYX Aug. 24. California rockers Cake ("The Distance") will perform Aug. 25.

The protean lang will return Aug. 27, followed on the 29th by the return of jazzy ‘60s rockers Chicago. The idiosyncratic Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks will visit Sept. 1 with Michelle Shocked and the Ditty Bops.

Susan Tedeschi will play Sept. 2 in a show for which The Subdudes open. Canadian live-wires Leahy and flamenco master Jesse Cook bring down the curtain Sept. 3.

Tickets go on sale March 23 to members and May 8 to the public. Visit brittfest.org, or call 773-6077.

Reach reporter Bill Varbleat 776-4478 or e-mail bvarble@mailtribune.com.