Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, October 28,2010

Halloween happening here

Knock knock.Who’s there? Boo!! Boo!! Who?Don’t start crying, Halloween is here. The most glorious, ridiculous, fabulous, guilt-free, inspiring, creative, fun holiday we offer in modern Ame

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, October 21,2010

Third Floor opens doors

By Tom Irwin

As the Hoogland Center for the Arts continues to be a major force in area arts events and a blessing upon our collective artistic sensibilities, a certain element of the local scene remains out of the

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, October 14,2010

Anne, Bucky and Mother Jones

By Tom Irwin

Lots of happening things are going on this weekend like the Damwell Betters christening the reopening of Charlie’s Club under Andiamo, Russel Brazzel playing a cool classical guitar concert, Dan

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, October 7,2010

Too much to do to get done

By Tom Irwin

What do a fifties doo-wop group, a world-class female jazz vocalist from Chicago, a thing called Girl-a-Thon, folksingers from Portland, Ore., and Sparta, Ill., a fourth of the Doors, along with a gro

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 30,2010

October falls into place

By Tom Irwin

I find early October wonderful for many reasons, including but not exclusive to the crisp and awakening air, jackets and boots, communicating owls, red sassafras leaves as seen without my glasses on,

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 23,2010

Remnants from the Roots saga

By Tom Irwin

Along with the privilege of writing this week’s IT cover story on Sean and Jamie Burns’ legacy with the Sangamon Valley Roots Revival came many personal recollections unable to fit into th

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 23,2010

Sangamon Valley Roots Revival turns 10

How Sean and Jamie Burns brought ‘roots’ music home

By Tom Irwin

The first wise guy in this old world to see the truth in the saw, “if you want something done, do it yourself” latched on to a key precept in human endeavors. Another seriously silly sayin

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 16,2010

“Hair” the music calling

By Tom Irwin

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