Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 16,2010

“Hair” the music calling

The Alejandro Escovedo concert at Bar None scheduled for Sept. 16 sold out about a week ago. I’ve heard from several disappointed fans unable to get tickets and I’m sure plenty of other th

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 9,2010

This, that and one more thing

By Tom Irwin

First up I’d like to offer a standing invitation for all musically inclined bands, groups, combos, duos and individual artists from near and far interested in participating in the weekly Band Sp

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 2,2010

The Graduate goes to work

By Tom Irwin

In these days of rampant ungainful employment, what a pleasant surprise to see someone get work, especially if they’ve strived long and hard for it and are well suited to the task. The recently

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, August 26,2010

Cicero Slim again

By Tom Irwin

If you were around town in 1978 and liked live music in a bar, chances are Cicero Slim and the World War III Blues Band made it onto your favorite band radar. This Friday night Mr. Slim and a good bun

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, August 19,2010

To the fair and beyond

By Tom Irwin

One might think all the goings-on at the Illinois State Fair would be enough excitement for one town, but quite a few entertainment extravaganzas occur beyond the barbed-wire fencing that surrounds th

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, August 12,2010

State Fair, the musical

By Tom Irwin

Yes, fair citizens of central Illinois and other creatures making a beeline for the Illinois State Fair, the time is upon us. Once again Springfield buzzes with underlined excitement, all the hotels f

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, August 5,2010

Zydeco a-go-go

By Tom Irwin

Few types of American folk music are as full of zest and zing as the Louisiana-based sounds of Zydeco. Built around the accordion with often just a rub board or washboard accompaniment, the simple cho

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, July 29,2010

End of July jewels

By Tom Irwin

Here we are nearing the end of July 2010 with a good forecast for upcoming live music. As August begins we head into the Decatur Celebration and then the Illinois State Fair as major music fronts, wit

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, July 22,2010

Chris Miller’s in town

By Tom Irwin

Let me take you all back a few years (how about roughly 25 or so?) to revisit an interesting time in Springfield’s live music history when several unique music venues operated in the area. Most

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, July 15,2010

Supe’s on

By Tom Irwin

I met Michael Granda, known to the world as “Supe du Jour,” in 1990 while playing around 2:30 a.m. at Bruce’s Tavern. Supe, bassist for and a founding member of the Ozark Mountain Da