Welcome to October 2020 and all the fine, frivolous, fractious, fun, fantastic and phenomenal things it may or may not have to offer you and yours. But whatever the case, we’ve still got live music happening at outdoor venues as we await seasonal weather and the inevitable slowing down of music being made. On the […]
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
Gabe Marshall
This Jacksonville native takes his music work seriously, whether writing songs, performing live, promoting his career or doing whatever it takes to make it in the business. Gabe Marshall composes material, plays guitar and sings, does solo and duo shows, plus brings out the full band when the time and place is right. He packed […]
Posted inMusic
So long September
Yes, that’s meant to be a “so long, been good to know you” and a “it’s been so long of a September” double meaning to this week’s column headline as the ninth month with the seventh moniker has had its ups and downs. But here we are rolling on through 2020, working through the troubles, […]
Posted inMusic
Avery Kern
This talented, ambitious, inspiring and aspiring singer, songwriter, musician and entertainer is doing what it takes to get things done in the business of music show business. From Avery’s recent appearance on the Hollywood version of American Idol (getting that far is a big deal) to attending the esteemed Belmont University in Nashville for business […]
Posted inMusic
Feeling fall music
As we approach our third weekend in September, the weather feels like fall and the music feels like it’s falling into place as well. As all scientific and medical advice advise against gathering inside in close quarters, our usual wind-down of outdoor gigs as the weather cools takes on new meaning in 2020. What’s going […]
Posted inMusic
Unchained
Now if this bunch ever were chained, they’re now most definitely unchained, according to their band name and how they perform at live gigs. Based out of Rochester, music-making mates Ty Ellis (bass), Matthew Runions (percussion), Cooper Marx (guitar), Logan McKneelen (guitar), David Allen (vocals) and Lucas McCafferty (vocals) play, according to their website info, […]
Posted inMusic
Music mending musicians
Here we go on into September, looking for ways to shed these pandemic blues. If we keep working together to get through this for the good of all, there will soon be some light at the end of the tunnel and then, hopefully, we get out of the whole dang tunnel completely. For now, let’s […]
Posted inMusic
Rogers & Nienhaus
You would be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic duo than these two fine gentlemen who come with a true blue rock ‘n’ roll pedigree, including time spent as real “Byrds” and with other luminaries of the rock world. But better than their distinguished careers, is listening to them live in person, whether you know […]
Posted inMusic
Music labors
Welcome to the land of music-making possibilities in central Illinois as we roll our way into the first weekend of September, which in the calendar of holidays. drops us into Labor Day territory. This time is typically known as the end of the summer season, with Memorial Day as the other bookend, but with this […]
Posted inMusic
Lion & Bird with David Francisco
This internationally renowned singer/songwriter, recording engineer, studio owner-operator, multi-instrumentalist and spinal cord-injury survivor has a story to tell and he’s been telling it wherever he goes. From a captivating American Idol Hollywood performance to appearances on major television shows such as Ellen, stage-sharing with Martina McBride, Steven Curtis Chapman and Chris Blue, plus speaking at […]
Posted inMusic
Record the record
Hello all you music friends and fans, to another column on mostly live music in the time of a global pandemic. Live performances on a medium-to-large scale continue to be on hold due to the precautions necessary to keep our citizenry safe. Smaller shows, online streams and recorded tunes seem to be our best bet […]
Posted inMusic
LoneHollow
A Nashville, Tennessee, duo composed of guitarist and singer-songwriter Damon Atkins, joined by singer and songwriter Rylie Bourne makes up the sounds of LoneHollow. Both songwriters are influenced by Americana and Appalachian sounds, Rylie from her time going to bluegrass festivals with her family in Illinois and Damon from hanging out making music with friends […]
