Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, April 26,2012

Big on the Big Band

While lollygagging somewhere recently I ran into longtime Springfieldian and self-proclaimed “jazz junkie” Byrd Davis. We talked about the upcoming Spring Jazz Brunch (Sunday, April 29, 11

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, April 19,2012

Celebrate your record store

By Tom Irwin

From the humble efforts of a few who believed in honoring our independent record stores, we now have an internationally celebrated and recognized day known as Record Store Day. Held on the third Satur

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, April 12,2012

Hurricane-powered blues

By Tom Irwin

Since we last talked with “Hurricane” Ruth LaMaster (NOW PLAYING, July 12, 2011) a lot has happened. A flurry of steady gigs elevated Ruth and band to winning a trip to the 2012 Internatio

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, April 5,2012

April-ling along

By Tom Irwin

Now that all the May flowers came out in March, those April showers may have to find something else to do. Regardless of the weirdly warm weather, the music marches on as we see some new venues openin

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, March 29,2012

Marching on to April

By Tom Irwin

No themes this week, just several items worth mentioning to our illustrious readers as March moves on and April comes to pass.Kick off your party week with a visit to the Trading Post on Thursday to h

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, March 22,2012

Metal, math, mandalas and Mini O’Beirne

By Tom Irwin

I couldn’t quite settle on one act this week, so look out. As the calls came in, the list grew until several shows reached the Now Playing field. Let’s take them in headline order.Chris Hu

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, March 15,2012

Under the Irish influence

By Tom Irwin

In Springfield our Celtic heritage runs deep, with St. Patrick’s Day as one of our most anticipated holidays, celebrated with the long-running marching band parade on the nearest Saturday to Mar

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, March 8,2012

Blues news

By Tom Irwin

Who knows how these things happen – and frankly, my dear, who cares – but this weekend, the blues make an impressive showing in Springfield. For those of you who just returned from a time

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, March 1,2012

Skibbereen mixes in the green

By Tom Irwin

In Springfield, our recent Celtic legacy has a vibrant history, including bands The Emerald Underground, Exorna and Fake McCoys, groups like St. Andrew’s Society and Ogilvy Studio, plus events s

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, February 23,2012

End-of-February fun

By Tom Irwin

My, oh my, looks like we’re in for a jam-packed weekend of music goodies. Here we go with a whoop and a holler.First up is my quick report on recent adventures that took me through Kansas, Texas