Hey there, all you happy readers of Now Playing and Illinois Times, I’d like to say thank you, just for you being right here, right now, as part of our community. This week is Thanksgiving, of course, so I’m considering it a wonderful time and an excellent opportunity to say such things. We should also […]
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
Family music and more
Here we come a-wassailing, among the leaves so green – no, wait a second – it’s much too early for that song. Let’s please get through Thanksgiving first, which is nearly as late as it can be with another week remaining before Turkey Day happens. Then we can plunge into all the hoopla surrounding the […]
Posted inMusic
Fall into November music
No matter what season we are in, there’s always something and almost anything, plus nearly everything you need while never amounting to nothing week after week. So let’s go see what’s in the works out there. Thursdays are resurging, starting with the Thursday Night Live showcase at Motorheads, still going strong after several years. This […]
Posted inMusic
November to remember music
Here we go full bore into our November transition stage, from the usual outdoor spaces so popular in Springfield to indoor entertainment areas of the cooler season. Let’s see what’s up for this upcoming weekend in the here and now of the who and where. Many thanks to all who attended the Best of Springfield […]
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October music rolls on
Entering our last full weekend of October, we’re finishing up some beer/music garden events for the season and finding plenty of alternative happenings. Let’s pound the pavement in search of whatever it is you’re looking for. First, we have sad news at the passing of two lifelong musicians in the area. Bassist and arranger Rob […]
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Rockin’ in October
Come on in, my fellow travelers and let’s take a peek at some goings on within the wide and wonderful (mostly) world of the Springfield (Illinois) music scene for this week. We’ve been plugging the Thursdays pretty hard lately, and I hope you’ve made it out to see some of these available, pre-weekend shows. This […]
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October-ing music
It’s nearly mid-October in central Illinois, a time when the squirrels get busy, the festivals wind down and the seasonal changes in our live music locations are noticeable. What doesn’t change is the quantity and quality of our entertainment options, so let’s go jump in a proverbial pile of leaves to see what rolls around. […]
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Fall into music
More than a few folks I know appreciate the autumn season as a favorite time of year. We can definitely notice the difference in the air and in the types of live music events happening as the cooler temps bring on a slowing of outdoor activities. But for now, we’re still on a roll with […]
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So long, September
Seems like it was only yesterday we were celebrating the end of August and waiting in line for September’s songs to commence. Now October is coming ’round the bend and our last full weekend of the ninth month is upon us. So let’s see what we have on the platter. Our friend and fellow musician, […]
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September music sizzles
Just when you thought we had escaped the ravages of that Midwest summer heat, here we are in mid-September paying the price for a moderate August. Actually, it’s an easy way to say something silly like, “The weather is hot, man, but, oh, the music is so cool, dude.” Let’s go see how that works […]
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A September to remember
As we enter the second full weekend of September, the live music looks, sounds and maybe even smells good for what, where and who is playing right now. Shall we dispense with further ado and leap headlong into the scene before us? Heck, yeah! Thursdays continue rocking the room with Thursday Night Live at Motorheads […]
Posted inMusic
September songs are here
You heard that right (or read it right, actually) the headline proclaims September is here, and so it is. And with that comes the beginning of the end of the summer season as we wind our way toward the autumnal time, all the while finding more live music to experience. After that introduction, let’s move […]
