Despite much speculation on social media, there are no definite answers yet about how a fire Friday morning at the Curve Inn started. An official investigation is scheduled to begin Monday. Ami Merchant, who co-owns the popular bar, restaurant and music venue with her husband, Ray, said in a Facebook post that she and several […]
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 flying by
As we approach the last full weekend in February, I know it’s the shortest month, but sometimes this one feels like the longest as we plod and plow through with our sights set soundly on spring. Then again, we all know what makes it fly by and be less un-Februar-able (just made that up) can […]
Posted inMusic
Weekend music cram
My goodness, there’s a lot going on this weekend and I’m just talking about days of significance for now without getting to the music. We have a Friday the 13th, Valentine’s Day on Saturday, then a President’s Day federal holiday on Monday. Sunday could be the Ides of February or President’s Day Eve or Post-Valentine’s […]
Posted inMusic Features
February music fun
Fancy this. my fellow February friends. Suppose you live in a world that offers live music at a reasonable price (often free) in varying venues (generally well-kept) on a regular basis (more than one show nearly every night of the week) and all you need to do to participate is to participate. Yes, this described […]
Posted inMusic Features
January music finish
As we work our way through the last weekend in January, Old Man Winter and all his relatives have chimed in to remind us just what they can do when they’ve set their minds to it. With nothing ahead but a frozen flourish of a freeze-out, it’s time to deal with it and go for […]
Posted inMusic Features
Here we have music
Mush, my frigid friends, as we go full frozen tundra time to see what goes on in the Springfield-area scene this weekend. We know that music heats up the fingers, toes, noggin and nose – as well as the heart and soul – so take advantage of any and all opportunities to allow the sounds […]
Posted inMusic Features
Music in mid-January
As the new year rolls along our community keeps up a steady flow of live music performances from all directions, and that’s the way it ought to be. We often consider right after the holiday season a slower time for entertainment possibilities, but I think you’ll agree with me when you see that no such […]
Posted inBand Spotlight
More music in the new year
We made it through the holiday season accompanied by plenty of live music that magically increased the fun ratio to the max. As the new year continues to provide entertainment enjoyment at dizzying levels with no signs of stopping, let’s go take a peek at what we’ve got going on. This week’s adventures begin with […]
Posted inRemembering
GREG “LUCKY” ALLAN PATTERSON
Made music with his friends Greg Patterson was born in Springfield, the son of Charles Patterson and Nancy Clark. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army and later served two tours in Iraq, receiving the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and several other decorations during his service. Greg married Michelle Abbott […]
Posted inMusic Features
Music for the new year
Howdy, folks! Come on in and say hey to your new friend, 2026, while waving goodbye to good ol’ 2025. As we work our way through the celebrations and commemorations inherent in the passing of the years, let’s not forget the live music we cherish, enjoy, experience and promote day after day, season after season […]
Posted inMusic Features
Betwixt the holidays
Welcome to our in between edition, as we slip on through to the other side of Christmas, headed headlong toward the New Year’s celebration. With the double holidays landing on Thursdays this year, our IT issue is a day early both weeks, so take that under consideration when deciding where to look for what to […]
Posted inMusic Features
Wrapping up holiday music
As we slide on through our last weekend before the big holiday, the happenings keep coming, including make-up gigs from last weekend’s arctic blast performance destabilization situation. With a nearly 50-degree difference in temps and no snow, let’s go with a ho, ho, ho to see what we have to know in order to go […]
