Off we go into the wilds of our music scene in the midst of April as consistent warmer weather approaches with each passing day, bringing us closer to those outdoor shows we so adore. Next thing you know, the hot, dripping temps of summer will be here in full force. But for now, let’s go see what’s in the mix.
Sticking with Thursdays as the kickoff, jumpball and first pitch of our entertainment weekend review, this week sports a fine variety of fun stuff. The Backroom Lounge in Riverton hits it out of the park featuring Justin Wells and the Jones doing, as Justin calls it, “a sit down show” with the drummer standing up. Wells is touring with American Aquarium soon, playing with Miles Nielsen on Friday, and is all over the place traveling from his old Kentucky home. He just released a new record called Cynthiana in February that Bandcamp featured on its Best Country Music list and continues to make the climb with inspired music and proficient touring.
It’s Thursday Night Live time at Motorheads with this month’s rotating lineup including the UIS Jazz Band (director Bill Mitchell), Tombstone Bullet (Bruce Baise, Mark Estill, Rick Hardin, Jeff Loftus, Eric Tinsley) and Pop Quiz Hot Shot (Nick Friedrich, Phil Marks, Andy Huber, John Barr, Bob Patterson). Mother Road Diner serves up Elvis Himselvis in full regalia accompanied by yours truly on guitar along with their fried chicken special, while Pizza Records in Jacksonville and MKM Enterprises slam dunk it with James Tyler and the Usual Crowd joined by Short Notice, Crash Planet and Scarlet’s Darling. Add in four open mics and six karaoke nights and you’ve got an official “Thor’s” day party happening.
Friday clocks in with 26 acts a-playing including our very own Andon Davis back in town with Suns of Circumstance at the Curve Inn, The Meerkats making a gleeful return to George Rank’s, Last Call Blues Band waiting it out at Goodfellas and The Rowdy Jones Band coloring their world wild at The Blue Grouch. Acclaimed Australian acoustic guitarist Kyran Daniel (a composer, producer and musical director who played alongside Tommy Emmanuel for a time) scores big at Buzz Bomb, Wowie Zowie hits at Mowie’s Cue and Me, Myself & Schy bats for the cycle at Boone’s.
May I suggest a Saturday night tour of clubs in villages, towns and cities around Springfield? I’d encourage visiting Locals Bar in Pawnee for a Wolf Crick Boys experience and Town Hall Pub in Loami to go off with the Tangents or hanging out at Sliderz in Decatur for a dose of Pizzazz (four z’s, mind you, with a total of five counting the bar’s name) from 3 to 6 p.m., then stay to gamble when Lady Luck rolls the dice from 8 to 11. Continue on to The Filling Station in Rochester for a pumped up Joel Honey, then gravitate toward Gracie’s Sports Bar in Green Valley for a Brushville dusting off and complete the game at Kuhl Tyme Korner in Jacksonville to celebrate with Jamaica & the Wildside.
Sunday gets going at the Curve Inn with a benefit for Tammie Seitz-Reynolds, who’s battling lung cancer, (noon to 4) featuring giving musicians Jeff Young and the Bad Grandpas, Brandy Kristin Band and UNCHAiNED, plus a live and silent auction along with other ways to help.
In band action as opposed to our usual “Funday” acoustic acts, Robert Michael Beam and Bluesmattic with Robert Sampson play Pop’s in Decatur, Folsom Prison Five plays Johnny Cash at Danenberger’s Family Vineyards and Kurt Allen Band plays to win at Buckhart Tavern.
Keep on keepin’ on until we see you next week.
This article appears in From bedsides to the boardroom.
