On Dec. 31, 2010, we lost a much-appreciated and well-respected singer and musician with the passing of Billy Waldmire. I didn’t know him very well, but after spending some time last Sunday with his family at the Cardinal Hill home of Bill and Arlene Waldmire near Rochester, I walked away wishing I had known him […]
Music
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Joe Cooke Band
From a stint at Berklee College of Music, where he hung with fellow student and future legendary guitarist Al DiMeola, to years as Springfield’s reigning rock guitarist in the ’70s, and from a run as sideman to blues-rocker Jerry Doucette of “Mama Let Him Play” fame, to his Nashville years with St. Louis native Greg […]
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Wacked out Waco Brothers
By any estimation the Waco Brothers are considered one of the finest purveyors of punk and country, folk and rock, tradition and innovation, performing on the American scene today. Many critics and fans alike rave and rail about the band as “the best live rock band on the planet” and “a force to behold live” […]
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Third Thursday phenomenon
Close to a year ago area artist Mike Mayosky extended his longtime outreach of art to the public by inviting other artists to display works in a free-for-all party of sorts that functioned as a downtown art show/music concert event. As one might imagine, it went over quite well and Mayosky had another and another, […]
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Pete Sander
Here’s the idea: take four singer-songwriters, set them on stage then let them sing their songs and talk about the inspiration behind the tunes. Springfield songwriter Pete Sander participated in a Chicago round robin song swap before creating his Homegrown Folk Show. The first public viewing last month was a smashing success and for January […]
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If you don’t have the blues, get some
Once upon a time the blues as a music art form, considered a depraved and morose way of expression by many in the mainstream, didn’t receive the universal respect it now holds. Through the 20th century this traditionally African-American based style of musical lamentation became the foundation for a good percentage of our modern popular […]
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Cabin Fever
With a heartfelt love of music and a strong desire to entertain, Cabin Fever boasts an enthusiastic lineup of extraordinary musicians. Formed in 2006, the band plays regularly at local nightclubs and in the music festival market making it two years in a row at Springfest in Indianapolis and three years running at SOHO Fest […]
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New Year’s news
It’s out with the old and in with the new as we hop on board the 2011 train to continue our wondrous trip through time and space. Every civilization develops a calendar of sorts and they all seem to like celebrating when another year rolls around. And why not, with human beings being the original […]
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Cowboy Randy Erwin
An accomplished musician on many levels, Randy Skalicky a.k.a. Cowboy Randy Erwin, found his niche several years ago as a yodeler of American western swing music. By learning tricky rope tricks (like lassoing stuff, dude), the Texas native developed an entertaining character who ropes and yodels some sweet old-fashioned tunes from the Wild West. Lest […]
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Ben Bedford
In the last five years Ben Bedford went from being a guy playing open mics around town to a nationally known and highly respected folk singer of original music. He did it the old-fashioned way, by writing good songs, performing well and working hard to promote his music to the world outside of Springfield. His […]
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Holiday ruminations
Through a combination of feeling reflective at nearing another year’s end and the small selection of entertainment choices caused by Christmas coming on a Saturday I’m settling in for a long winter’s column on this, that and the other thing. Next week the opposite happens; with New Year’s Eve on a Friday, making it a […]
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Merry music musings
I hardly know where to start or what to cover with so much going on this season. Things could be worse. Here are only a few of the many inviting events happening this weekend. On Friday Tony Turasky plays holiday host with Chillfest at the Illinois Building on the state fairgrounds. For those of you […]
