Lyman Ellerman plays Guitars & Cadilllacs on Sat., Jan 17, joined by Chuck Werner, Jimmy Bonefeste, David Leach and Jessi James. Prepare yourself for plenty of local action as clubs are filled with area bands this weekend. But a deeper look shows a Tennessee tie to the local scene now and in recent weeks. Nashville […]
Tom Irwin
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Big Smo
Call it “hick hop” or “country rap,” but whatever you aim to name this style of combining country lyric themes with rap production and attitudes, John Lee Smith, better known as Big Smo, does it like no other. Born in San Diego, Big Smo put out his first recordings in 2002. Not long after a […]
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Very, very January
Blues Expressions perform at the Alamo on Mon., Jan. 12 and again on Thurs., Jan. 15 before they attend the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Jan. 21-25, representing the Illinois Central Blues Club in the band category. Hip, hip hooray, it’s now January and that means we’ve made it to another year. Let’s wish, believe […]
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John Nemeth
John Nemeth Start your New Year off with a winner, the winner of the 2014 Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Artist of the Year, that is. Also nominated for six other BMA’s, including BB King Artist of the Year, plus several others in years past, John Nemeth is on top of his game and going […]
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Happy new music year
Popular comedian Kevin Meaney performs at the Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Jan. 2-3. Welcome one and all to the beginning of 2015 and our last big blast of 2014. New Year’s Eve has long been a night of celebration and one that nearly always includes live music. This year we have a weekend immediately […]
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Monica Morris & Josie Lowder
Monica and Josie are heading back to Memphis to participate in the annual International Blues Challenge competition, bringing their own brand of blues highlighted by a special blend of guitar playing and vocal harmonies. Last year the terrific two reached the semi-finals representing our Illinois Central Blues Club, and this year they head south as […]
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Cats on Holiday
The Cats are back! For anyone around the Springfield music scene from the 80s on, that can mean only one thing. Yes, that’s right, Cats on Holiday are back in town for a one night only Holiday show. Andon T. Davis Jr. (vocals, guitar), Joe T. Phegley (bass), Rick Snow (drums, vocals) and Perry Zubeck […]
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December doings
Lady Carole and Her Knights perform Sunday, 5 to 8 p.m., at Driftwood Cocktails and Eatery, Fifth and Adams. Here we are moving through December like a kid through presents on Christmas morning. Per usual, we have a diverse and dandy assortment of doings to share with you this week. Word on the street says […]
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Milk N Cookies
Milk N Cookies Identical twin brothers James and Paul McElwain, or if you prefer, Dorian and Adrian Westwood, or just plain Milk N Cookies, or best yet, “ice devouring sex tornadoes” are one of the hottest things happening in house music and EDM (electronic dance music). When James/Dorian spun vinyl at crazy frat house parties […]
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Global gigs and gracious giving
Chris Maxey and Friends play Norb Andy’s on Sat., Dec. 6 from 8 p.m. to midnight. As we coolly creep into December, rapidly approaching the year 2015, the Springfield music scene shows its depth, diversity and caring in a variety of ways. Jingle Jam, featuring local musicians performing in support of the St. Jude Children’s […]
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ClusterPluck
ClusterPluck Utilizing acoustic instruments in a bluegrass-folk-pop-ish style, the five players in ClusterPluck (don’t you just love saying that name?!) bring it on and score high. Chris Rader (vocals, banjo, guitar), Justin Torres (vocals, bass, guitar), Derek Rutter (vocals, mandolin, guitar), Leah Osborne (vocals, washboard, ukulele) and Matt Gadeken (violin, vocals) go deep in the […]
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Thanksgiving eve evening
Brooke Thomas and Shayla Logan as Sugar & Spice play Julia’s Kitchen & Lounge, 8 to 11 p.m., on Wed., Nov. 26 for a Black Masquerade party PHOTO BY LAURA KAY COFFEY For years now, I’ve been preaching that Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest bar and club party night of the calendar year in the […]
