Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 30,2010

October falls into place

I find early October wonderful for many reasons, including but not exclusive to the crisp and awakening air, jackets and boots, communicating owls, red sassafras leaves as seen without my glasses on,

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 23,2010

Remnants from the Roots saga

By Tom Irwin

Along with the privilege of writing this week’s IT cover story on Sean and Jamie Burns’ legacy with the Sangamon Valley Roots Revival came many personal recollections unable to fit into th

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 23,2010

Sangamon Valley Roots Revival turns 10

How Sean and Jamie Burns brought ‘roots’ music home

By Tom Irwin

The first wise guy in this old world to see the truth in the saw, “if you want something done, do it yourself” latched on to a key precept in human endeavors. Another seriously silly sayin

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 16,2010

“Hair” the music calling

By Tom Irwin

The Alejandro Escovedo concert at Bar None scheduled for Sept. 16 sold out about a week ago. I’ve heard from several disappointed fans unable to get tickets and I’m sure plenty of other th

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 9,2010

This, that and one more thing

By Tom Irwin

First up I’d like to offer a standing invitation for all musically inclined bands, groups, combos, duos and individual artists from near and far interested in participating in the weekly Band Sp

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 2,2010

The Graduate goes to work

By Tom Irwin

In these days of rampant ungainful employment, what a pleasant surprise to see someone get work, especially if they’ve strived long and hard for it and are well suited to the task. The recently

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, August 26,2010

Cicero Slim again

By Tom Irwin

If you were around town in 1978 and liked live music in a bar, chances are Cicero Slim and the World War III Blues Band made it onto your favorite band radar. This Friday night Mr. Slim and a good bun

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, August 19,2010

To the fair and beyond

By Tom Irwin

One might think all the goings-on at the Illinois State Fair would be enough excitement for one town, but quite a few entertainment extravaganzas occur beyond the barbed-wire fencing that surrounds th

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, August 12,2010

State Fair, the musical

By Tom Irwin

Yes, fair citizens of central Illinois and other creatures making a beeline for the Illinois State Fair, the time is upon us. Once again Springfield buzzes with underlined excitement, all the hotels f

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, August 5,2010

Zydeco a-go-go

By Tom Irwin

Few types of American folk music are as full of zest and zing as the Louisiana-based sounds of Zydeco. Built around the accordion with often just a rub board or washboard accompaniment, the simple cho