Yessiree, folks, it’s that time of year when the state fair comes to town, whether you like it or not. Along with the all the fair doings, here are a few other happenings in our fair city that might get lost in the shade of the bright lights of the Illinois State Fair. Tonight (that’s […]
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.
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New City Road
Named after a country blacktop heading south out of town that could tell some tales if it could, this band is full of authentic local country musicians that could (and do) tell some tales of their own, but prefer to let their music do the talking. Melanie Finley (vocals, guitar, tambourine) fronts the modern country […]
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August with gusto
August in Springfield is ruled by heat and the events of the Illinois State Fair, which runs from August 10 through August 20. In the week before, here are a few doings to do (or not). Tonight (Thursday) at Bar None (I hope you got your Illinois Times today) another hopping Bedrock 66 Live! concert […]
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Midnight River Choir
This Texas quartet (they’re really from New Braunfels, but people just say Austin) got their name from an incident on the first night they met. While floating together down the Guadalupe River, they bonded by harmonizing and singing songs through the night. The next day, folks were talking about the “midnight river choir” mysteriously heard […]
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What’s up with Downhome
Ready or not, here we go rocking and rolling into the last weekend of July 2017. My how the summertime has flown by. This weekend’s big event is the Downhome Music, Beer and Art Festival, held downtown on Seventh between Washington and Adams. The stated reason of the happening is to support local, original bands […]
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Joshua Reilly
A Springfield-area native and now Clearwater, Florida, resident, this talented and engaging guitarist, singer and songwriter in the Americana vein released his first full-length album on July 5. After years of performing and writing songs, Josh finally got into the studio and recorded a great sounding record of outstanding songs entitled, Mercy on the Strange. […]
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Explosive scenario
This weekend the scene explodes, and I don’t know which way to go. All one can do is list as many happenings as possible that might slip under the radar and hope for the best. On Friday, singing sensation and Springfield-area native Kelsey Hickman returns to central Illinois as a special guest at the Granger […]
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The Brotherhood
Although The Brotherhood originally started out as the same blues band under various names, members eventually evolved into their current group, playing music that covers many genres, all reflecting the varied tastes and influences of its members. When Jason McKenzie (vocals, guitar), Jake Baxter (lead guitar, vocals), Kyle Busby (harmonica), John Huemann (bass), Chuck Davidson […]
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Fruit of the Amaranth Apple
Congrats to our friends Tammy and Larry for getting hitched on Saturday, hosting a reception at George Rank’s, then taking the party to the Amaranth Apple Festival in downtown Springfield. May the union be long lasting and long loving, and may I continue to see you all Fridays at the round bar. For the rest […]
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Joel DaSilva
This nationally renowned blues/roots musician is hitting the road as part of his “Fire and the Fury Tour” and preparing for the latest release of a new album that’s the follow-up to his acclaimed 2014 release, Durty Howlin’ Blues. The road trip included an appearance at the Tremblant International Blues Festival in Quebec last weekend, […]
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July on the move
Here we are rolling into July with a wheelbarrow full of entertainment goodies. Things are happening at an incredible pace, so hang on, keep updated and enjoy the goings on. Friday night brings us a sweet selection of regular local groups at the normal haunts including Broken Stone at Trade Winds, Betty Whitesnake at Weebles […]
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Mr. Opporknockity
It seems just like yesteryear! In 1997, Troy Roark and Doug Gholson broke on the scene as Mr. Opporknockity with “Lisa’s Shirt,” a bona fide, local hit song on WDBR-FM from the acoustic guitar-powered, high-energy vocal duo. The addition of Mark Sanders on drums and Tom Irwin on bass put them in the band category […]
