Yes, we’re into November already and I don’t even want to know how many shopping days there are until Christmas. So far, the weather hasn’t quite caught up with the season, but as most of our outdoor-ish gigs are gone with the wind, let’s see what’s left in this live music world.
I’d like to start off with a few special events that highlight the work of playing music professionally as done by central Illinois folks.
First up, there’s “50 Years with Frankie Valli: Memories & Music” in Litchfield on Saturday night (tickets available online) at the W.D. Kilton Performing Arts Center to honor 150 years of service from St. Francis Hospital with all proceeds going to the hospital’s Family Maternity Center. The local tie-in features brothers Robbie and Rex Robinson (look them up to be amazed) who have been in the official Frankie Valli band for half a century after a stint as area rock ‘n’ roll heroes throughout their high school and college years before moving to L.A. in 1976. Joined by fellow Litchfield native Chuck Wilson and the Frankie Valli Alumni Band, the lifetime music professionals also bring to the show Aaron DeJesus, who starred as Valli in Jersey Boys on Broadway and subsequent touring productions. This is no tribute band, but the real deal guys who made a living making music with one of the biggest names in the business, and they’re from central Illinois. I think that is about as cool as cool can be.
Another area musician, James Armstrong, a California native who has lived in Springfield long enough to be from here now and spent decades touring America and the world as the guitar playing, singing, songwriting “Ambassador of the Blues,” announced a new album upcoming in 2026 and a show this Saturday at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. James is as real a deal as it gets and also does occasional local shows with a Blue Monday gig set for Dec. 1 at The Alamo in downtown Springfield.
After that, let’s jump to Friday and see what’s happening out there where the music takes us. I notice plenty of regular spots blazing bright as Weebles works it out with White Lightnin’ going as good as country gets, while Ethan Taylor Stephenson delivers on evening outdoor entertainment at The Railyard for their Friendsgiving Feast along with food options from six vendors. The Curve Inn goes all in with The Collective, a wonderfully talented, eclectic band featuring a collection of several former and current Best of Springfield music category winners, while Boondocks goes big with Blues Traveler, the harmonica-driven pop/rock/blues band of international renown. Friday keeps on giving with Black Magic Johnson making an all-too-rare (Hey Reg!) outing at American Legion Post 809, while the First Friday show of “housebeats, DJs and good energy” raps it up over at the Butternut Hut.
Now here we are stuck between Saturday and Sunday with some 50 performances listed between the two days, and I’m about out of space. Highlights include Brian Shartzer, presenting his Outlaw Country Music show of original songs and more at Pier 55 and Crash Planet rocking the block at Whiskey Jack’s on Saturday.
Then Prairie Winds Flute Ensemble, vocal students of Justin Johnson, handbell and chime choirs along with combined choirs of five churches supply the inspirational live music for the Grace Food Pantry Benefit Concert at Grace Lutheran Church on Sunday (2 p.m.) while you bestow the non-perishable food items and monetary donations.
Please look through the listings for your personal picks while enjoying the first full weekend in November for 2025. See ya.
This article appears in November 6-12, 2025.
