As our September comes to a close for weekend doings, fall is in the air and October rises to say howdy very soon. Shall we sneak a peek at this week to see what music we should seek? Okey dokey, if you say so.
Understandably, one of my least favorite tasks in writing Now Playing is relating the passing of members in our music community. Recently we lost two stalwarts of the scene, John Crisp and Sam Crain. John was a musician, keyboardist, band leader, visual artist, community organizer and many other things to many people. He played with folks like Ike and Tina Turner and Albert King back in the day and hosted lots of jams at Robbies and other spots around town. Plus, he founded and ran the Garvey Tubman Cultural Arts and Research Center and his life and oral history are archived with the Springfield African-American History Foundation. John will long be remembered for all he did in teaching, inspiring, encouraging and lifting up folks. His memorial tribute happens at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 at Ruby Funeral Home (1520 E. Washington St.). Sam was a jazz guitarist and composer who played with about everyone in town and released many works of original compositions during his 60 some years of making music. Posts on the Springfield Illinois’ Music History Facebook page say it all in tributes from dozens of friends and fellow musicians. I found nothing about an upcoming celebration of life, but surely there will be one where music will be made, jokes will be told and Sam will be remembered for all the good work accomplished through playing his art.
Now on to Thursdays, as we proceed to the route with a cool free show at Motorheads called Richrath Project REO featuring REO Speedwagon songs in the rocking, Gary Richrath era as a kickoff for the downtown Route 66 fest. Regular shows include the dandy duo of Robert Sampson and Donnie Hinkle at Mother Road Diner, while Ed Clark tickles the ivories at Illinois Product Farmers Market on the State Fairgrounds.
Friday comes a-rocking with over 30 entertainment options along with the International Mother Road Route 66 Festival cruise as an added attraction with Revel in Red playing downtown after the cars have settled in. For music along the cruise route, OAT Band gets it at George Rank’s when the smoke has cleared, as other spots light up with Jay Larson Band at The Bird Tavern, Mississippi Leghound at Sky Lounge, Elvis Himselvis at Harvest Market Farmhouse Brews, Chris Camp & His Blues Ambassadors at Lime Street and Deja Voodoo at Blue Grouch for a tiny taste of the town.
Saturday continues the Route 66 car show with more music downtown at the Isringhausen Main Stage including Sugar Davis Band (2 p.m.), Red Hot Rubber Biscuit Band (4:30 p.m., appropriately renamed for right after the burnout competition), Route 66 Rockabilly Jam with Union Avenue (6 p.m.) and Rockhouse (8 p.m.), along with several local acts playing at various locations around the festival. If you want to get out of the city, Daniel Cavanagh hits it at Whiskey Ridge Saloon near Breckenridge (1-4 p.m.) and Grant Barnett slides into Curveside Bar & Grill near Athens (2-5 p.m.) as Rich Hogan rolls up at The Backyard in Taylorville (6-9 p.m.).
Hurrying on to Sunday Funday, there’s a ton to do starting with Jeff Newman settling into Peases at BUNN Gourmet, Hippies of the Heartland handling Buckhart Tavern, Naughty & Nice doing Brookhills Golf Club, Red Ribbon Revue riling up It’s All About Wine and The Cocktails rocking out at The Library Pizza and Sports Bar.
And, yes, please check our listings for lots more music. See you in October.
This article appears in September 24-30, 2026.
