Music – Tom Irwin

Last week was so full I spent the whole dang column discussing Friday night shows. This week is not quite so busy, but it’s still a “Good” Friday, and there’s no stopping the action. Blues opens up the week when those brilliantly bluesy MojoCats take on the Thursday early evening slot at the Curve Inn. […]

If this falls on deaf ears, I suppose that we could turn a blind eye to it and move on. But let’s believe in all who listen and make the most of making music matter. Friday night’s “Pub Crawl” demonstrates a selection that really shows the collection of music in Springfield. At the Cardologist, next […]

This has always been a favorite time of the year for me, partly because of the promise of April (say what you want, T. S. Eliot) and somewhat due to the fun of April Fools’ Day. So in celebration, I’m seeing one of my songwriting heroes in person on Friday when Kris Kristofferson plays The […]

As I write this, I’m looking out the window into the beauteous out of doors, like a schoolkid or state worker begging the universe for something to happen that would legitimately allow responsibilities to fly out said window with me right behind. But alas, no such luck. Let’s start the week off with congratulations to […]

In the aftermath of the St. Patty’s Day parade onslaught of live music all over town, I’m reminded of the real power of music to entertain and excite. Every time I think of all who are involved in getting people going and adding to the enjoyment of life, I am proud to be a working […]

With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday in 2017, our celebration of all things Irish and Celtic stretches for more than a week. Since the long-running St. Patrick’s Day Marching Band Parade held downtown always happens on the Saturday before March 17, the parade this year falls on March 11 (the earliest date it […]

Perhaps the warming weather trend we’ve felt through February made it happen, but things do seem to be heating up early in the music community for 2017. Before you know it, birds will be singing, bells will be ringing, and outdoor music venues attached to taverns will be bustling in their hedgerows. Here comes the […]

Sometimes the stars align and everything happens at once. Without a doubt, that day is Friday, Feb. 24. Not to say that more wonderful and terrific music doesn’t happen on other days, because we all know that it will, but Friday is a music magnet. I hardly know where to start, so I will start […]

We are set for what looks like a fine week for unseasonably warm weather and incredibly good music. These next two weekends closing out February are brimming with music makers making music for you to enjoy. First off, let’s celebrate the successful showing of Back Pack Jones at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis a […]

We spend a lot of time covering the nightclubs in this column, and rightfully so, since a good deal of our live music scene stems from gigs in the bars. But bands and artists continue to make music elsewhere, especially in the recording arena, creating news outside of the city limits. Chris Noonan and Kevin […]

Here comes fantastic February, finely focused on the “fickle finger of fate” as they used to say on “Laugh-In.” Oh my, that will date some of us; but the “F’s” are flying in February because it’s fun and full of folly to fantasize otherwise. Forward! I guess with that silly intro we have to start […]

Well, that month seemed to fly by. Maybe it was the political activities keeping things moving or the ice scare one weekend followed by temps in the mid-60s the next. Whatever is going on, 2017 seems determined to be an interesting year, to say the least, and I always say the least I can say […]