Mush, my frigid friends, as we go full frozen tundra time to see what goes on in the Springfield-area scene this weekend. We know that music heats up the fingers, toes, noggin and nose – as well as the heart and soul – so take advantage of any and all opportunities to allow the sounds to raise the temps.
Let’s take this time to congratulate Devin C. Williams for his very solid second-place win in the solo/duo category last week representing the St. Louis Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. It takes a lot of work and dedication (not to mention cash) to join more than 250 other acts from around the world as bands and solo/duo acts compete for the chance to play for the finals in the famed Orpheum Theater. Devin took his Delta-style, one-man band sound all the way to the finish line and deserves a hearty hi-ho for the achievement. So congrats to DCW and be sure to catch his next local gig (which is this Friday at Buckhart Tavern) and personally say hey.
Other IBC competitors from our scene have done well, including Robert “Lefty Preacher” Sampson, who reached the finals more than once. So let’s pause to be thankful for all the amazing talent we have available to see on any given night in the area. Now with that segue, let’s see what’s out there.
Friday comes on strong with a variety of acts, including Niko Boeker singing his cool style at Harvest Market, Not Petty getting all Petty at the Butternut Hut and 3’s Company bringing you their best at the Curve Inn, while Angel Brown’s Smooth N’ Blue Duo featuring Rick Gasparin lights up the Lime Street Cafe and Micah Walk shines at Bar Bella.
The Main Gate hosts an all-ages hip hop show with Meet-Up 5 night featuring local hip-hop artists doing their thing. There might still be slots available for performers, so go to the event Facebook page and check if you want to participate in this fine opportunity to support the hometown hip hop scene.
More Friday shows give us the amazing talents of the Jay Larson Band on full display at Mowie’s Cue, Deep Lunar Blue lassoing the moon at George Rank’s, Joel Honey doing the dance at Boone’s, while Dumb Records presents a karaoke night fundraiser hosted by our local Food Not Bombs group set to raise awareness and some bucks to help with helping out our community to distribute food to those in need.
Saturday lists more than 30 things for you to do in the area for entertainment including some action in Decatur when the Wolf Crick Boys with Tyler Landess land at the legendary Winery, Groundhog Jam jams at Pop’s Place, Brad Hursh and David Sample do up Rocco’s and Pizzazz permeates the Camouflage Bar at VFW Post 99, if you so happen to be in the market for some Soy City adventures.
Sunday delivers an array of small-town afternoon gigs with Keith Dunlap at Trails End in Curran, Hank Greenwalt at Vixen Hill Winery in Palmyra, Wes Olsen at Buckhart Tavern and Hippies of the Heartland at Hill Prairie Winery near Oakford.
We also have plenty of shindigs in the capital city including After School Special at Little Corner Bar and those one and onlys, Antone DeRocchi and Jaigh Lowder, playing an evening show at Mother Road Diner. And just in case you stayed all night in Decatur, Bluesmattic hits at Pop’s Place and Andre Wilke does Golden Fox Brewing on your way home.
Until next time…
This article appears in January 22 – 26, 2026.
