As we work our way through the last weekend in January, Old Man Winter and all his relatives have chimed in to remind us just what they can do when they’ve set their minds to it. With nothing ahead but a frozen flourish of a freeze-out, it’s time to deal with it and go for the cold. Be safe and stay warm, then say hello to the old man and his kinfolk but don’t get too friendly. Let’s see what’s out there in the calendar.
First up this week, let’s jump to next Thursday, Feb. 5, for a highlight career moment for one of our own who’s done well up in Chicagoland. Andon Davis (still known as Ted to many around here) took his guitar, killer chops and all, up to the Windy City back in the early 1990s and made a home and name for himself in the busy and competitive world of the big city. While living here during the 1980s,“Ted” played in Cats on Holiday, one of the most popular local bands ever, and in several well-respected, original groups before that such as Horse Creek and The Plains.
During his time in Chicago, Andon not only gigged with several well-known groups including Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel, Heartsfield, the Riptones and the Real Pretenders, he became a top-shelf luthier and guitar repair guy, plus a staple on recording sessions, which is quite a big deal as well.
Now on to next Thursday when Andon is releasing music of his own making – an eight-song album using many of the musicians he’s played with during his Chicago tenure – and Feb. 5 is the celebration date with a live show at the famous FitzGerald’s Historic Nightclub. So get tickets to go if you can. Send a message of congrats to Andon on this accomplishment if you can’t. And by all means, find a way to get your hands on the music for a listen to one of the best of the best from our scene. Then let’s see if we can get our pal back down here for an album release party after things thaw out.
Back in the world of bands and bars, acts and artists, doings of duos and other such representations of music-makers, Thursday looks a little quiet in the cold, but things heat up (only gig-wise) over the weekend.
Friday gives us bunch of good stuff, including classic jazz by the Blue Note Quintet at Pease’s at BUNN Gourmet, original Americana from OAT at Harvest Market, Robert Sampson serving up the songs at Mother Road Diner, Square of the Roots getting around at George Rank’s and For the Love of Lennon beating the Beatles bandwagon at the Curve Inn, while Chris Camp & his Blues Ambassadors negotiate Lime Street Cafe (Saturday, too) and Travis Ried Band goes blues heavy at Butternut Hut.
By Saturday we’re rockin’ and sockin’ to the tune of nearly 40 listings including a home turf visit to the Backroom Lounge in Riverton by the Wolf Crick Boys, Astrofix cueing up at Mowie’s, a Nirvana tribute called Nirvani at Danenberger Family Vineyards and Harris Trio cruising into The Stadium.
Sunday is still our Funday (also the first day of February) with plenty of happenings around the area, such as Sista and the Mistas at Hill Prairie Winery near Oakford, Joe Black at Buckhart Tavern, Molly Seaton at Edmo’s in Edinburg, Hippies of the Heartland at South Fork Pub in Kincaid and California Jeff & Jen with 4th St. Forty at Golden Fox Brewery in Decatur.
Let’s look for a warmer next week and say hello to February.
This article appears in January 29-February 4, 2026.
