Band Spotlight | Thursday, November 29,2012

The Great Waltz

Hailing from our neighboring city of Decatur, The Great Waltz calls its music “aggressive folk,” and began with Matt Skinner writing songs in his basement. The rest of the band, Josh Dimmi

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 29,2012

UIS music at UIS

By Tom Irwin

Most of the live music shows held at the University of Illinois Springfield, our still growing, four-year institution of higher learning on the southern outskirts of Springfield’s civilized worl

Music - Tom Irwin | Wednesday, November 21,2012

Thanks for Thanksgiving Eve

By Tom Irwin

As reported in this column for the past several years, for those of you who care, the night before Thanksgiving is known as the biggest party of the calendar year for the live music/bar scene. Even la

Band Spotlight | Wednesday, November 21,2012

Geoff Turner

By Tom Irwin

Singer-songwriter Geoff Turner returns to his native Springfield from his current home base of Nashville, Tenn. on a mission to introduce fans, family and friends to his new EP CD. Winter Songs, Turne

Band Spotlight | Thursday, November 15,2012

Chicago Farmer

By Tom Irwin

After an upbringing among offerings of punk and grunge sounds in his hometown of Delavan, Ill. in southern Tazewell County, Chicago Farmer, aka Cody Diekhoff, saw the light upon hearing the songs of H

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 15,2012

Various November varieties

By Tom Irwin

Every once in a while it’s fascinating to take a look at all the music out there in the big picture rather than focusing in on one subject. With all the happenings this weekend, plus the upcomin

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 15,2012

Prairie troubadour

The folk music of Ben Bedford

By Tom Irwin

You’ve been warned, you won’t get far Life’s crooked as a scimitarCut the cord there ain’t no doubtThere’s one way in and one way out – John the BaptistSo goes the

Band Spotlight | Thursday, November 8,2012

Hospital Job

By Tom Irwin

A self-described “melodic indie/punk band,” Hospital Job also says to, “think Superdrag meets The Ramones trying to play Jesus and Mary Chain covers” as a good way to understan

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 8,2012

The Roys arrive

By Tom Irwin

When thinking of bluegrass festivals nature and outdoor settings generally come to my mind, but one of the finest bluegrass fests in the country happens right here in Springfield at the Crowne Plaza.

Band Spotlight | Thursday, November 1,2012

Randy Houser

By Tom Irwin

His father worked as a professional musician and by age thirteen, Randy Houser was fronting his own band. From his native Miss., Randy took off for Nashville in 2002. One of his first cuts was a co-wr