Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s the rain; more likely it’s both or neither, but whatever is going on, the music always starts to bloom around this time of year. Then everything melds – and sometimes melts – perfectly into summer festivals, outdoor gigs, burgoos, bashes, homecomings, fairs, beer tents, winery patios, and all such […]
Music
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Jesse W. Johnson Band
Originally a resident of Springfield before relocating to Champaign, Jesse W. Johnson then moved to Chicago, where he made a splash as the frontman and songwriter in Jet W. Lee, a band that successfully recorded and toured nationally. Soon after a solo record release and time spent negotiating the music landscape, JWJ struck out with […]
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New Orleans groove, excellent cause
“I’m just another New Orleans musician, that’s all I am,” said Charmaine Neville, who will be returning to Springfield to perform with her band at Erin’s Pavilion on Friday, May 11. The singer and bandleader is being modest. A member of one of the most influential and longstanding families in American music, Neville has relatives […]
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Made-up music and mom
Welcome to Mother’s Day weekend in the merry month of May. The made-up music comes on strong as several all-original artists take to the stages. Let us first send our heartfelt condolences to the family of Shane Shomidie for the tragic loss of this fine, young man, who is the son of musician Micky Shomidie. […]
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The Pine Mountain Logs
When they say “you’re not bragging if it’s a fact,” those “theys” could be talking about The Pine Mountain Logs, who claim to be “The World’s Best Cover Band with International Fame in Global Proportions” and actually, in several valid opinions, most likely are. Existing as the alter ego of the original music band Venice, […]
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May music arrives
With the sudden arrival of summerlike weather we rather skipped over spring, but that’ll happen some years. Now our outdoor venues are in full swing, and we’re watching for clouds from both sides now. Venues that start around 6 and host live music outside on Friday and Saturday nights include Weebles (on Peoria Road), Long […]
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Live Wire
There’s a good chance you’ll recognize this band name, as this group has been around town for some 25 years now, with Denny Lucas (guitars, keys, vocals) being the beating heart and caring soul of the group. Denny, a longtime area musician (Denny was in Sky High back in the early 80s, with other local […]
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End of April music
The weather finally decided to act somewhat like April, so our outdoor venues will be kicking into full-on enjoyment mode soon. But music waits for nothing or no one, and, like ol’ man river, “jes’ keeps on rolling along.” The Curve Inn continues to support a monthly Americana night, and this Thursday brings The Deep […]
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The Blue Lotus Soul Revue
Roland Johnson and Gene Jackson spent their adults lives involved in the soul and rhythm and blues live music scenes in the St. Louis area – Jackson since the mid 70s and Johnson since the late 60s. After decades of making music, the two singers met up with Paul Niehaus IV, a local musician and […]
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Varying the venues
Readers of this column know we spend a good deal of our time listening to live music inside the bars, but rest assured, my friends, many other venues host live music on a regular basis. From churches to historical sites and theaters to parks, the music rolls on all around us. This marks the last […]
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Mr. Opporknockity
Back for one more reunion show that celebrates 21 years of togetherness, Mr. O still rules the roost in the local “original music with a few covers” category. After a strong showing in the late 90s and early to mid 00s, including winning Illinois Times’ “Best of Springfield” reader polls, producing CDs of all original […]
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Micky moves and more
If you’ve been out and about lately, you’ve surely noticed plenty of stuff going on all over. From last shows to debuts, celebrations of anniversaries and birthdays, and just plain-old gigs, there’s entertainment in the air. On Friday, April 13 (coincidence?), Micky Shomidie performs one last time in Springfield before moving to Florida to relocate […]
