My first experience with the Ozarks-based group Big
Smith came during our Wednesday-night songwriter circle. I was praising
singer/songwriter Mark Bilyeu’s CD, First
One Free, when one of the circle members became
almost uncontrollably excited. He started stuttering about Big
Smith’s being the best band ever and claiming that Bilyeu was a
member. I knew that the affected party possessed considerable taste in
music, so I did my research. I concluded that Big Smith is one fabulous
band, probably one of the best in the Midwest. The group, consisting of
five first cousins born and reared in the Missouri Ozarks, descends from a
rich musical heritage. They honor those regional traditions and add to them
with good songwriting, impassioned playing, and practiced musicianship. Of
course all this happy talk does no good without the actual goods, be it a
great live show or excellent recorded output. Preview the group at
www.bigsmithband.com or just show up Friday, July 14, at the Underground
City Tavern (Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams St., 217-789-1530). The
lovely and talented Cindy Woolf opens the show in support of her
Bilyeu-produced CD Simple and Few. She is now part of the MayApple Records family, based in
Springfield, Mo., which also includes the discography of Big Smith, Bilyeu,
and other area artists. The Music in Communities & Education “In Bed
by Ten” music series continues with a performance by the Good
Brothers at the St. Nicholas Ballroom (400 E. Jefferson St.), 5:30-7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 19. The jazz-improv group from Pleasant Plains comprises
three siblings, ages 20, 11, and 12, who truly live up to their name. Cats on Holiday reunite once again, this time 9 p.m.-1
a.m. Friday, July 14, at Thirsty’s Playground (1975 Wabash Ave.,
217-787-7273). Will they play “Burning Down the House,” you
ask? You bet your sweet bippy they will. Josh Holmes returns to Marly’s Pub (9 W. Old
State Capitol Plaza, 217-522-2280) for a show at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 15.
The electric-guitar-playing singer/songwriter is making his mark on the big
scene with hearty guitar-rock fare — kind of poppy and kind of rocky,
and, well, you can dance to it and it sounds good on the radio.
This article appears in Jul 6-12, 2006.
