Two friends with different styles but similar tastes come together to host an all-acoustic night at the Ghost Light Open Mic instigated by local raconteur, impresario and musician Ted Keylon. In 2009 Chicago resident and former Springfieldian Joel Styzens released the award-winning acoustic guitar album, Relax Your Ears. For Styzens, a former studied jazz percussionist […]
Music
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Irresistible resistance
Once upon a time, folksingers and musicians everywhere used voices and music to righteously rail and necessarily knock unfair and overbearing public and private wrongs. Believe it or not, people listened to these artists, considered by many to offer insight into problems and see ways of averting or adjusting these troubles for the common good, […]
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Blackfeet
Coming from four guys who claim to be, “just some fellas from the Midwest looking to change some lives,” Blackfeet makes a statement by being vague about what they are and being good at what they do. With Mikey Barber (vocals), Nathan Harmening (guitar, vocals), Kirk Donley (bass, vocals) and Chris Florence (drums) listed as […]
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April Tomfoolery
If you’re reading this on Thursday, April 1, I’m very proud and happy for you: if it happens to be on another day, just pretend it’s April Fool’s Day. Either way, always remember, don’t believe everything you read. The Fieldhouse continues its run of concerts with nationally touring hard rock bands when Tantric and Dear […]
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Central Illinois bands in Texas
Austin, Texas — At the South by Southwest music festival, the spring break of the music industry, sensory overload is practically guaranteed. From March 17-21, nearly 2,000 acts played in Austin, Texas, convention centers, outdoor amphitheaters, concert venues, bars, restaurants, street corners and just about any other nook or cranny where a band can play. […]
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Eva Hunter
Now residing in Bloomington, the “girl and her acoustic guitar” comes fresh off of a solo swing through Indiana, Kentucky and Georgia for her first Springfield show in awhile. Last July, Eva released another spectacular solo album filled with well-produced, quality songs supported by excellent musicianship from a who’s who of local players that is […]
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Goodbye to Jerry
Last Thursday a dear friend and fellow musician passed away. The loss is nearly incomprehensible, completely shocking and devastating. As easy as it is to say people die every day, and they do, when a death occurs that is so tragic and so personal, the feelings of grief come over and over in pounding waves […]
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Gypsy Revival
In early 2009 Gypsy Revival rose from the ashes of a popular Indianapolis band called Davey and the Chorus with a firm idea of creating a new original sound within the rock Americana genre. Davey Allen (guitar, bass, keys, vocals), Jesse Langebartels (guitar, bass, vocals), Andy Nathan (bass) and Mike Sanson (drums, vocals) spent time […]
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Kristin Lems is back
During the 1970s when Illinois became a battleground as a pivotal state in the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment, many women and men spent a great deal of time and energy at the Capitol attempting to persuade our lawmakers and sway public opinion on the validity of the ERA. In the end, Illinois failed […]
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The Emerald Underground
During the St. Patrick’s Day season The Emerald Underground becomes Springfield’s Celtic house band. Starting with a CD release party at the 49er on Friday, TEU next does Marly’s Pub at noon and Lime Street Café at 8:30 on Saturday, private shows at the Island Bay Yacht Club on Sunday and at Floyd’s Thirst Parlor […]
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Urban music radio comes to Springfield online
It began with a childhood dream of becoming a radio personality. But when Angel Macon sent demos to countless area radio stations, none responded. Instead of idly waiting for that big break, Macon took matters into her own hands by creating an opportunity for herself and others attempting to enter the radio industry. At a […]
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March marches on
Here comes the middle of March with the most famous Ides of all, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and other assorted diversions, the best of all being a feeling of spring in the air. As an astute observer of nature shared with me on Sunday, “Wow, you can smell the world getting warmer,” and I couldn’t […]
