Git along, little dogies, we are moving into March of 20 & 23 with the wind in our sails and the earth beneath our feet, or say some other mixed-up metaphor for getting along a-OK. Soon enough, the outdoor stages will come alive with the sound of music and all that jazz. For now, we’ve […]
Tom Irwin
Tom Irwin, a sixth-generation Sangamon County resident, has played his songs and music for nearly 40 years in the central Illinois area with occasional forays across the country. He's contributed to Illinois Times since 2000 by writing Now Playing, a weekly music column, as well as features stories and other articles. He resides on the Irwin family farm in rural Pleasant Plains.
Posted inMusic
February finish
Well that one just flew by, as February comes to its final weekend for 2023. I do hope you enjoyed your Fat Tuesday and are working your way through the week afterward and onward toward the end of Lent. Let’s see what we can hear out there. Before moving on to the happenings, we report […]
Posted inMusic
Fast times for February music
Greetings fellow travelers and friends in all places. Welcome to mid-February of 2023 as the month with the most holidays per capita of days rolls right along like a warm breeze in wintertime. We’ve got a mixed bag of stuff to do this week with the events holding up very well for what is quite […]
Posted inMusic
Happy valen-tunes to you
Don’t look now, but February (though the weather feels more like April!) is creeping right by us with Valentine’s Day around the bend. Good music keeps making the good times even better and there’s no end in sight, which is a mighty nice thing. Let’s take a peek at what’s happening ’round town and give […]
Posted inMusic
February music finds
Here we are rolling along with lots to see and do and hear as the music-makers are busy this time of year like I’ve never quite seen before. I’m going with the theory we’re making up for the lost last few years by doing more music than ever before. Let’s take a look and see […]
Posted inMusic
January wrap-up
By the time you read this there may be a bit (or two bits) of snow on the ground; otherwise, with the sunshine and nice temps out right now, this current January vibe feels more like March without the madness. But let’s just forget the weather for now and get to the music calendar to […]
Posted inMusic
January-ness music
This time of year sometimes gets described as a blue time, where the post-holiday season blahs began to remind us it’s not all fun and games out there. But wary as one may be for this possible downturn, it sure doesn’t feel a bit like that this January as our music scene continues to pop, […]
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New year music news
Since we’re only nearing two weeks into 20 & 23, I hope you don’t mind that I am still wishing folks a happy and healthy New Year (here’s to ya) and dwelling upon the fact that we turned the old calendar in for a new one. Now let’s take a peek at what’s going on […]
Posted inMusic
Hello to 2023 music
Howdy folks, and welcome to the New Year. This one is known as 20 and 23 in our Western world, just in case you’ve lost count. I’m a little bit in shock, even though I’m fully aware that time marches, leaps and crawls all while standing still, to see the numbers just keep moving on. […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
MICKY SHOMIDIE Sept. 25, 1958-June 16, 2022
Lots of young men dream of living the life of a rock star, but few ever achieve the status necessary to qualify for that exalted position in our society. Those that do and make it to the big time are few and far between. Our late friend Micky Shomidie did it on his own terms, […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
SAM DRAPER Jan. 8, 1963-Sept. 14, 2022
When Sam Draper passed away, he left behind a legacy of music-making in Springfield that reached far beyond the notes he played and melodies he sang. Through a lifetime of performance, along with the thousands of listeners he touched who took the good feelings he sent out home with them, Sam also gave the gift […]
Posted inMusic
Pre-New Year’s Music
Welcome to almost 2023 or actual 2023, depending on when you read your Illinois Times, but I always believe everyone grabs a print copy (or goes online) every Thursday with bated breath to see what we have in store for you. And while we are in the mindset, isn’t it really remarkable and wonderful we […]
