Hello, fellow music appreciators and participators, who are perhaps currently all decked out with lovely to-do lists accompanied by less and less time to accomplish said lists. As we approach mid-December, I invite you to join me in experiencing the wonders of the season as seen through our Springfield music scene and forget about those lists for the time being.
Thursday would be an excellent place to start your procrastination process, beginning with Thursday Night Live where area musicians shine in a showcase format on the super sound stage at Motorheads. This month’s curated collection includes Jay Leon, John Oder, Jason Webster, Roger Carr, Bruce Combs and Dr. Boss (Doc Holladay, Andy Armstrong, Aaron Garrett, Jason Evers and Josh Szerletich).
Then Jose Gobbo concludes his 2024 jazz tribute program at the Pharmacy with a salute to Elis Regina, a Brazilian singer of bossa nova popular in the 1960s and 70s. I’ll be at It’s All About Wine with Amy Battles doing our music interspersed with a selection of holiday favorites, including my composition entitled Reindeer DooDoo, among other more traditional selections. Robert “Lefty Preacher” Sampson brings his blues and more to the Mother Road Diner as Dutchieboy, JXMP, Osama, X-Caliber, Jefe Dahooligan, Kaysea, Squalee2X and Lil Breezy head up a cast of local hip hop performers at Crows Mill Pub.
Friday continues as the music night of the week, exemplified by spectacular acts such as Silas Tockey at Harvest Market, David Alexander Ensemble at Boone’s and Brandy Kristin Band at the Curve Inn leading the way. The Travis Reid Band brings special guest Dave Littrell on board for a bluesy night at George Rank’s, while Devin C. Williams and Amanda Scrubs do their original Delta Blues at Buzz Bomb.
In small-town action, nationally acclaimed country touring artist Dallas Moore hangs with Ted Russell Camp at the Backroom Lounge in Riverton, Jason McKenzie (IT‘s 2023 BoS male vocalist) sets up at The Filling Station in Rochester and Stuart Smith lands at Hand of Fate in Petersburg performing a collection of original music complimented by his real vinyl records for sale. Top that off with two of the best-named bands around doing some of the most interesting cover music as well, in Sound Decision at Lime Street and Stereo Typical at Weebles, and we have one doozy of a Friday ahead.
I see plenty in store for Saturday night (please visit the music listings), but try checking out these daytime acts when the Springfield Uketopians play – you guessed it – ukeleles at Stella Coffee & Tea (12-2 p.m.), Cal and Jan do a “jazzy Christmas set” as a duo at The Wakery (2-4), The Tangents take on Pease’s at BUNN Gourmet with a “special holiday show” (3-5) and Johnnie Owens offers it up at Buzz Bomb (5-7) as part of the Old Capitol Holiday Walks extravaganza.
In the evening, Midnineties, self-described as “Springfield’s full-album-only cover band,” does Weezer’s Pinkerton in its entirety accompanied by B. Carnes at Anvil and Forge for this all-ages show, while last, but far from least, The Deep Hollow does its quite popular holiday event at DFV for a one-night-only (until next year) showing.
Sunday delivers a plethora of performances at various venues that you could and should look at and consider attending. Our mention here is the celebration of life for longtime local drummer (most notably in Starry Eye and Off the Wall) and all-around great guy, Fred Edmonds, at the Curve Inn with live music (of course), plus special guests, family and friends gathering to show appreciation for Fred’s cool take on life.
You may now resume the holiday business… until next week.
This article appears in Project censored 2024.
