Here we go taking a stroll through the first full weekend of March, with a whole bunch of happenings and heralding, notes and news, write-ups and rundowns, plus much music being made. Let’s march on down the column to find out the what, when and where of it all.
We begin with sad news of the passing of a few music folks from the area. Lynna Thornhill, bassist in the local original band Thornhill, left this world recently. Her twin sister Laura passed in 2021. Tina, another sister and the main songwriter and singer in Thornhill said, “She was not only my sister and friend, but one of the most rock steady bass players. I will miss her with every note. Whenever she talked about local musicians, she would always call them ‘my good friend’ and insert the name.” On March 13 (yes, it’s Friday the 13th and anyone that knew Lynna would know she’d appreciate that) the family will host a gathering and visitation at Staab Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. with a service and burial planned for Memorial Day weekend at the original Thornhill hometown in Ohio.
Last Saturday, Feb. 28, Rob Sokolis, a solid drummer in many local rock and country bands, as well as a member of the Springfield Municipal Band, passed away. Known as the guy always ready with a smile, his wife Deb and the family will hold a celebration of life this Sunday, March 8, at the VFW Post on Stockyards Road from 2 to 7 p.m.
On Jan. 26, Regina Mahoney-Lock, wife of bluesman Springfield Shaky, died after years of battling cancer. Anyone who knew her was well accustomed to her wicked sense of humor and dry as a bone wit that came in quite handy for many a situation. A celebration of life is planned in the near future.
The Illinois Central Blues Club celebrates a milestone anniversary marking 40 years as one of the oldest blues societies anywhere with a big party at Casey’s Pub in the K of C Hall out west on Meadowbrook and Iles this Saturday night. Always a fantastic gathering of good friends and good music for good times, this year features the Cash Box Kings at 6 p.m. with the Wayne Baker Brooks Band to follow around 8:30.
Not only does the ICBC throw an annual birthday party, but remember every Monday night they host world-class blues bands, including local, regional, national and international groups, at The Alamo for a $5 cover. Plus, it produces the Blues in the Schools program available at no cost to area schools, all done to keep the blues alive.
And while we’re on the blues subject, congratulations are in order for our hometown celebrated songwriter, band leader, vocalist and harmonica hero Brandon Santini for four nominations from the 2026 Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Awards. This is a prestigious honor to be nominated and winning comes from public voting. You have until March 18 to go to blues.org and support this hardworking, well-deserving, talented musician.
With all that news we don’t have a lot of room left for our actual music listings, but I can guarantee you that with more than 20 gigs on Friday, nearly 40 on Saturday and a dozen or more on Sunday, plus a smattering of shows throughout the week, you’ll have no problem finding what you want to hear, when you want to hear it at the place of your choosing. So march on out there and support live, local music for you, for the musicians, for the venues and for a long while to come.
This article appears in March 5-11, 2026.
