Currently traveling all around the Midwest, West Coast and Canada from their music-soaked hometown of Detroit, Michigan, this soul-infused, funky blues band is making sounds while making the rounds. With the imminent Laura on sublime vocals, backed by husband and collaborator George Friend on guitar, plus Jeff Powe (drums/bass), Jonathan Staten (drums) and Jim Alfredson […]
Music
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Round up the music
The first full weekend of September gets us going into the fall mode and mood with an array of outdoor festivals featuring live music, including an Oktoberfest, an Art Spectacular, a Family FunFest, a Traditional Music Fest and a Joe & Jerry Tribute, along with our usual suspects at local venues. On Saturday from 12:30-10:30 […]
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Eddie Korosa & the Boys from Illinois
As the son of “America’s Prince of Polkas,” 7-year-old Eddie Jr. began playing drums for his dad’s world-renowned polka band and on his Emmy-nominated television show. By the time young Eddie had picked up the accordion, his life’s work was before him as he followed in the footsteps of his famous father to build a […]
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Fruits of music labors
Here we are rolling into Labor Day weekend 2018, signalling the end of summertime and the beginning of autumn, if not by weather, at least by date and tradition. Let’s go out and in with a band and a bang, becoming a blustering, beautiful beacon of believers in our musical labors on this celebratory day […]
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Ivas John Band
Born in Chicago to first generation Lithuanian immigrants, young Ivas first learned music through his family’s folk sensibilities, then as a teenager, felt the powerful pull of Chicago blues. After furthering his blues education in weekend performances while attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, he morphed into full-time music performance, playing the region with an […]
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Last August blast
Let’s offer hearty congratulations to David Casper for his victory on August 17 in the Illinois State Fair karaoke competition. In return for his afternoon triumph, David reaped the rewards of performing that evening at the Grandstand, opening for Brett Eldredge. Casper, the youthful, talented and mostly-country singer who fronts the local group Casper’s Kountry […]
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Barrence Whitfield and the Savages
Just when you thought it was safe to go out to bars and quietly listen to contemplative acoustic sounds, along comes Barrence Whitfield and the Savages to knock your socks off and stick them in your ears. Barrence Whitfield and the Savages, who, back in the mid-80s, launched out of Boston as the darlings of […]
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That’s fair enough
As we move into the second and final weekend of the Illinois State Fair, the fun keeps on coming, even as the original excitement wears down. I think 10 days is a fair amount of time for a fair. Any more just wouldn’t be fair to all those involved in keeping the fair going. Does […]
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Offwhyte
Offwhyte, born as Ryan Fernandez on Aug. 22, 1977, in Pell City, Alabama, now resides in Springfield as his music is heard around the world. He defines himself an “American rapper, vocalist, dancer, producer and videographer, known for a sound that is at once complex, intellectual, wholesome and true to the soul.” There’s plenty to […]
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All’s fair in town
Yes, folks, it’s that time of year when the Illinois State Fair comes a-callin’ and dominates the atmosphere of the local music scene like nothing else. There’s plenty of live music on our north side fairgrounds, and no matter who or what, where or when, musicians should take pride in knowing that live performances are […]
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N.C.R.
Around since 2012, this band has gone through a few personnel changes, but now “the artist formerly known as New City Road” is officially called N.C.R., and with the name change comes a slightly new direction. Once a mostly-classic country group, the latest lineup of Jessica Dooley (vocals, guitar), Robbie Mitchell (vocals, guitar), Harry Lounsberry […]
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August-ing music
Here it is in fine fashion as we roll into August 2018 with Mars and the moon at midnight behind us, plus good music and fine times straight ahead. Who could ask for more? This weekend Decatur is hosting their fabulously famous “Celebration” from Friday through Sunday. It all happens in the downtown area with […]
