Well, “wow” is all I can say for starters. My column from last week was nearly a wash, mostly because of storm-related cancellations. I’m not really sure what gigs happened and what didn’t at this point. Let’s be thankful for the good help done getting things back to whatever normal is and move on to live music during the first full weekend of July.
Here we are on Thursday again, so it’s time for a Levitt AMP concert downtown at the “Y-Block” just north of the Governor’s Mansion. This week, we have the blues going down with a couple of locally connected bands doing both spots. James Armstrong, a Springfield resident who is known internationally for his blues guitar work and tasteful songwriting, headlines the show. Born into a musical family in California, James dedicated his life early on to playing music and delivering the goods despite many obstacles that could have easily stopped his career. With several albums out on various record labels, songs placed in major motion pictures, decades of worldwide touring and critical acclaim, James, as you would expect, continues to perform, record and give his heart and soul to friends, family and fans as an artist of great stature. Last year during a fast-paced fall tour of Europe, he ended up in a German hospital, unable to catch his breath. This year he’s recovered and working (playing) again, with a new album due out later in the year and a string of shows upcoming, including a July 15 performance at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. Opening the show here is our very own homegrown blues band Chris Camp and His Blues Ambassadors. Chris handles the vocals and harmonica while backed by a crew of super-duper area musicians that could play anywhere with anybody and most likely have done so. In a twist of fate, last Thursday’s show featuring BETTY and UNCHAiNED was postponed on Tuesday (rescheduled for Aug. 2). However, the concert would have not happened anyway because of the mighty storm that walloped us that afternoon.
Let’s hop over to Saturday night, then go straight south of town to see what’s happening out that way. Chatham features Devin Williams picking and playing at AJ’s Corner and Positively 4th Street laying it down at Sangamo Brewing, while Jeff Young and the Bad Grandpas land at the Shed in Pawnee and JackAsh kill it at Slauterhouse Brewing Co. in Auburn. Not far away in Loami, the town hosts its annual “Celebration” with live music by After School Special and Mandy Rose. Nearby, closer to New Berlin, Big Love, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, plays Danenberger Family Vineyard. I find it rather interesting to know all of that music is happening in those places – all at the same time – but I’m easily amused.
From 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Curve Inn, catch the Fireside Relics performing songs from their recent release called 50/50, with this batch known as Vol. 2. The tunes were all recorded with the late Camron Yates at his Waterfront Studios over the last few years. Cam finished up the mixing not long before his recent passing. Nick Park of the Relics says, this is “a more eclectic batch of songs” than Vol. 1 and “different than anything we’ve done before and keeps the listener guessing,” which means you need to get there to hear the band and purchase your very own copy of both volumes of 50/50.
Be sure to check our listings for more good stuff and please be safe out there.
This article appears in Growing a garden for children.
