Band Spotlight | Thursday, August 16,2012

Don Smith Band

The Illinois State Fair has many long-running traditions and in the music department none is more incredible than the run of the Don Smith Band. This year marks 32 straight years of performances on th

Band Spotlight | Thursday, August 9,2012

Lyman Elleman & The Nashville Salvation Band

By Tom Irwin

Riverton native and now Nashville resident Lyman Ellerman pays his hometown a visit this weekend with shows at the Illinois State Fair on Friday and Saturday in The Shed venue plus a late-night Saturd

Band Spotlight | Thursday, August 2,2012

Hot Bag O’ Donuts

By Tom Irwin

There are many bands playing original music in the area, but few are more original in character and sound than Hot Bag O’ Donuts. The band describes themselves as “a classic wave combo&rdq

Band Spotlight | Thursday, July 26,2012

Harmony Deep

By Tom Irwin

With a combined musical experience of more than 75 years, Harmony Deep truly brings a deep and lasting sense of melody and harmony to all performances. Former Oohs Brian Curtis (vocals, keyboards) and

Band Spotlight | Thursday, July 19,2012

Dream Team Ensemble

By Tom Irwin

Dream Team Ensemble’s live music performance as described by Richard Gilman-Opalsky, UIS professor of political science and a creative music performer, is “an experimental tapestry of soun

Band Spotlight | Thursday, July 12,2012

Up in Arms

By Tom Irwin

Formed nearly six months ago in the aftermath of the breakup of three Springfield rock bands, Up In Arms came together with the “common state of mind to bring the best music they can into the Mi

Band Spotlight | Thursday, July 5,2012

John Paul Keith

By Tom Irwin

A 2011 performer at the Bedrock 66 Live! concert series and a favorite among Springfield roots rock fans, John Paul Keith returns to the capital city for a big stage slot at the American Music Show. K

Band Spotlight | Thursday, June 28,2012

Kelli Scarr

By Tom Irwin

Raised in Folsom, Calif., Kelli Scarr made her way to music school in Boston and eventually arrived in Brooklyn, N.Y. After 10 years of bands and music making, including an Emmy nomination for a film

Band Spotlight | Thursday, June 21,2012

Biscuit Miller and the Mix

By Tom Irwin

Raised on Chicago’s South Side by his grandmother, young Dave Miller received his lifelong nickname of Biscuit from spending too much time in the kitchen. It wasn’t long before he discover

Band Spotlight | Thursday, June 14,2012

Brushfire

By Tom Irwin

Get a good look at how it happens, folks, as Brushfire, a locally based “upbeat rockin’ country” band makes a splash in the scene. Formed a few years ago, the boys are booked solid t