Robin and Linda Williams are no strangers to the Maintenance Shop. In fact, the duo has missed performing at the Shop only two years in their 22 years together.

“The Maintenance Shop is one of our top-five favorite places to play,” Robin said. “It’s very intimate down there. We enjoy seeing people we’ve known for a really long time.”

Robin and Linda are also no strangers to the recording industry. Their country band has released 13 albums and is currently working on another. Their latest release, a gospel experiment, has been nominated for numerous awards.

“I would call us a contemporary, roots-oriented band, but I’m not real good at that stuff,” Robin explained. “We feature great vocals and original music, but I would say we are definitely rooted into old-time country music like Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. Rodgers is the creator of the country music industry.”

The Williamses joined up with bassist Jim Watson and dobro player Kevin Maul seven years ago and have remained with the same personnel since. Maul’s instrument, an acoustically amplified, Hawaiian steel guitar, plays a big part in the unique sound of the band.

“We were spending a lot of time traveling and getting to know other musicians,” Robin said. “Kevin and Jim were both in a number of bands when they decided to team up with us. Since then, we have been going really strong.”

The Williamses and cohorts have toured throughout the country with such acts as The Prairie Home Companions and Mary Chapin Carpenter. “We always have a very high-class show. We’re funny people and have a lot of variety, from a capella singing to great instrumentalists,” Robin said. “Our recordings sound a lot like our band live.

“There is actually a lot of variety in this business,” Robin added. “Touring with Mary Chapin Carpenter built many friendships. We ended up doing some back-up vocals on her last album and her guitarist, John Jennings, produced our last release.”

Robin and Linda also play a national radio show with The Prairie Home Companions and have done some TV appearances. The quartet is due out on Sugar Hill records in the spring. “Until then, we will just keep writing, recording and playing shows,” Robin said. “We have always enjoyed the Midwest, but the West has really been opening up to us lately.

“We like every place we play, whatever part of the country we’re in, as long as we’re having fun.”

Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group will bring a lot of fun to the M-Shop tonight for a 7 p.m. performance. Tickets are $9, $7 for students and are available at any Ticketmaster outlet.