Untitled Document Let’s start at the Brewhaus, the downtown bar that was cool when downtown wasn’t. Beginning on Thursday, Mike Parkes and company celebrate five year]]> Oh, I can close my eyes and hear those wonderful sounds of music played out-of-doors as the weather breaks and spring returns to take us into summer. I hear rock bands outside in beer gardens, festiva]]> 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]]> With the holiday landing on Saturday this year, Halloween parties at the bars abound, with private parties happening too. ]]> Wow, I feel like one of those people saying, “Wow, it’s New Year’s already? I thought we just celebrated the last one.” Or something akin to that exclamation of realization and]]> First, let me thank Dan Usherwood of the Pleasant Plains Historical Society and all who helped make our first Clayville Folk Festival in 25 years a good beginning for many fests to come. Other than th]]> Yes, friends and neighbors, the official beginning of the summer season is upon us as we celebrate Memorial Day with a weekend of fun and excitement. Please remember to remember your lost loved ones a]]> On Dec. 31, 2010, we lost a much-appreciated and well-respected singer and musician with the passing of Billy Waldmire. I didn’t know him very well, but after spending some time last Sunday with]]> Oh, how we love to measure time, indeed, we live by that desire, but that’s the human way of observing and commemorating movement through our lives. Important events in our travels are designate]]> This first weekend of August 2012 qualifies as one of those wonderful and infrequent times where there are just too many good things to do.The Decatur Celebration, now celebrating its 26th year of pro]]> One of the most difficult things in the music industry is not so much playing the music (as hard as that can be), but keeping everything together, from booking, bandmates and business, to supporting a]]> Untitled Document It’s become a holiday tradition here at Now Playing world headquarters to write a column about Marina V on her yearly Yuletide return to central Illinois.]]> Untitled Document No, I’m not morphing into a nature columnist. I just want to tell you about a band known as Pool of Frogs. The name, the band says, is an ]]> When I first saw Nora Jane Struthers she was standing around at a Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, Tenn., in February of 2010, passing out promo EPs of her upcoming CD. At those get-togethers ever]]> Untitled Document They say that when it rains it pours — or perhaps it’s an April-shower thing. Whatever the saying, there is a regular deluge of live mus]]> Several years ago here at Now Playing world headquarters we broke the story on Thanksgiving Eve being the biggest party night of the year in the bar and club scene. From reliable on location research ]]> This week, we will study the similarities and differences between two bands playing in Springfield on Saturday night, Dec. 2. First, both bands are based in large metropolitan areas of Missouri: The ]]> It’s hard to tell if James Intveld would rather be making movies or playing music until you realize it’s all the same to the California native. Getting a chance ]]> Now that we’re almost three weeks into the Springfield smoking ban, one thing is certain: The bars are clear of smoke. Clothes smell fresh; throats don’t tickle in the morning. Unfortunate]]> Not long ago Springfield was sorely lacking in club venues capable of handling a few hundred folks to see national touring acts. Now within a few months, voila!, ask and ye shall receive, here you go,]]>