Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, January 14,2009

The weekly shows, always good and ever faithful

No doubt about it, with Y’allapalooza at the Prairie Capital Convention Center bringing in several country music stars (watch for touring bus traffic jams) and the Hilton hosting the

Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, January 7,2009

The return of the Timmys

By Tom Irwin

Well it isn’t exactly the return of the Timmys because the Timmys never really left. But it’s been a good while since the fun-loving and well-loved local punk-mock rockers grac

Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, December 31,2008

The Midnight Swinger is back in town

By Tom Irwin

It’s been over three years since we last checked in with the Midnight Swinger, when the brash and blonde comedian headlined the sixth anniversary of Springfield’s Funny Bone Co

Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, December 24,2008

The Emerald Underground makes a ruckus

By Tom Irwin

“Ruckus” is defined in my dictionary as a “noisy and unpleasant disturbance,” similar to a commotion, a rumpus or a hubbub. As used by local Celtic fusio

Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, December 17,2008

The Damwell Betters are coming in hot

By Tom Irwin

I suppose you want to know what this headline means, as in, what is a Damwell Better and why are they coming in hot? It’s a perfectly acceptable question and one we’ll address

Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, December 10,2008

Give a hand to Donn Stephens

By Tom Irwin

Here we go again with a hodge-podge of happenings. This time of year it’s “all good” as the kids say and apparently there is so much good going on, one subject does not g

Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, December 3,2008

The cacaphonic charm of ‘Unsilent Night’

By Tom Irwin

Due to the lack of one totally encompassing subject this week in the music scene, we will focus on a few upcoming events that you may find worthy of participation. First on the block we have

Music - Tom Irwin | Tuesday, November 25,2008

Give thanks by showing up

By Tom Irwin

Being thankful for things is a good strategy for happiness in life. A major component of established religions comes from praising a creator not just for being the big dog, but also for t

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 20,2008

Thanksgiving Eve is a big party night

By Tom Irwin

For those of you who have a tradition of slaving over a hot stove on the night before Thanksgiving preparing a fabulous feast for family and friends, perhaps you’ve not noticed the Wednesday n

Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, November 12,2008

Tales of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, now in a book

By Tom Irwin

I first met Michael “Supe” Granda about 2:30 in the morning at Bruce’s Tavern in August of 1990. Or was it ’91? Anyway, the Illinois State Fair was in session, bars were open u