Ian Moore and Bill Carter go way back. Before he moved to Vashon in the early 1990s, Moore lived in Austin, where he and Carter first met. Since then the two musicians have appeared on stage together, sometimes in scheduled appearances and sometimes not. They are slated to perform separately on Vashon this week.

Moore will play a free concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Ober Park, as part of the Concerts in the Park series. Tacoma musician Nolan Garrett, 17, who is gaining a reputation for his gutsy rock ’n’ roll, sophisticated pop, elements of grunge, garage rock and blues, will open for Moore.

Carter will play a free cover show at the Red Bike onFriday at 8:30 p.m.

By now, most islanders know that renowned musician Moore lives among us on our rock. Though he and his touring band, The Lossy Coils, often crisscross the country playing to sold out shows, the Austin-born Moore continues to perform on his chosen home turf of Vashon.

Pete Welch of Vashon Events wrote in an email, “As a performer, Moore consistently manages to reduce packed houses to stunned silence through the sheer power of his voice, his songwriting and the unadulterated emotions he conveys.”

Moore’s music defies categorization, melding the genres of rhythm and blues, soul, rock, country and pop. In his early days, Moore played with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and ZZ Top.

Carter, who originally hailed from Seattle, is an inductee into the Austin Music Hall of Fame and a legendary songwriter. For almost three decades, he has been a pillar of the Austin music scene, helping shape the city’s musical history along with Ruth Ellsworth, his songwriting partner and wife.

Over 200 artists — names such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Counting Crows and Waylon Jennings, among others — have taken Carter’s songs to the top of the charts, proving his songwriting genius time and again.

In a surprise move last year, Moore joined Carter on stage at the Red Bike. Carter then played with Moore at the Triple Door. Whether the two pals will again pull a musical ambush on each other is currently not known. But whether solo or together, Moore and Carter are veteran performers who know how to rock their audience.