Howdy friends and neighbors. Come on in and take a gander. Hope you see something you like.
“There is no ‘alt’ in my country,” claims Thad Cockrell, a young country crooner from North Carolina. With two albums produced by the highly-praised and little-known musician, Chris Stamey, and backed by plenty of critical acclaim, the picker and grinner is heading cross country to spread the good news of honest country music and heartfelt songwriting. He’ll be at the Underground City Tavern on Thursday night promoting his newest CD on Yep Roc Records, Warmth and Beauty.
Take a trip around Springfield Friday night and catch some of our most popular and long-lasting local acts. Next of Kinn, a former Best of Springfield winner, knocks out the tunes at Billy’s Stockyards, while Mr. Opporknockity stops into Marly’s Pub in support of their latest CD, The Greatest O on Earth. The Lost Boys recreate the wonderful world of ’80s rock music at the Grandstand and Full Circle covers just about anything you want at Spillway Lanes. Our women are well-represented with the Latin-infused Moroccan Soul, early evening at Robbie’s, Sally Weisenburg‘s swinging Trio at Norb Andy’s, and Jane Hartman plus two jazzing it up at Lime Street Café. If no local band will do, try Blue Monday favorites, the Blues Deacons from Champaign at Jazz Central Station or Wood Box Gang, a bunch of fun-loving hillbillies from Southern Illinois at Underground City Tavern.
Not worn out yet? Good, ’cause there is more to do on Saturday. Canadians Paul Reddick and the Sidemen, make another visit to the capital city, gracing Starship Billiards with their unique rootsy-rock blues sound in an Illinois Central Blues Club-sponsored show. When Ed McCann’s Rockhouse invades Knuckleheads, enjoy their hard rock sounds and please wish Denby a belated birthday and ask him where my chocolate chip cookies are. You can get out of town and enjoy Springfield bands, too, if you like. The Oohs will travel to Jacksonville and end up at Easy Street and Kit Jones and the Mighty Mudbugs slip into Fat Willy’s in Chatham. The Knights of Columbus Hall in Riverton hosts Imagine That for a fun-filled evening of mirth and music. Club 51 in Macon brings the rocking blues of boweband.com and The Remedy rolls into Fowler’s in Edinburg. Head west to Tallula and get Out of Hand at Prairie Rush Saloon or just float up to the Jazz Central Station at the top of the Hilton to see old pals Oysters Rockefeller and gaze upon the scope and beauty of it all.
Be sure to pencil in an evening with Rosie Flores at the Underground City Tavern on Thursday, Nov. 13. The Rockabilly Filly is always a pleasure not to be missed.
Y’all come back now, y’hear?
This article appears in Nov 6-12, 2003.
