Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 15,2012

Various November varieties

Every once in a while it’s fascinating to take a look at all the music out there in the big picture rather than focusing in on one subject. With all the happenings this weekend, plus the upcomin

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 15,2012

Prairie troubadour

The folk music of Ben Bedford

By Tom Irwin

You’ve been warned, you won’t get far Life’s crooked as a scimitarCut the cord there ain’t no doubtThere’s one way in and one way out – John the BaptistSo goes the

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 8,2012

The Roys arrive

By Tom Irwin

When thinking of bluegrass festivals nature and outdoor settings generally come to my mind, but one of the finest bluegrass fests in the country happens right here in Springfield at the Crowne Plaza.

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, November 1,2012

Venues make a comeback

By Tom Irwin

Not long ago Springfield was sorely lacking in club venues capable of handling a few hundred folks to see national touring acts. Now within a few months, voila!, ask and ye shall receive, here you go,

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, October 25,2012

Halloweening and how

By Tom Irwin

Now, now my frantic friends, let this week bring out the inner Halloweener in you. But first, we have some sad and serious news to report in a joyous way.This Sunday, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Robbie’

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, October 18,2012

Call me Black Magic Johnson

By Tom Irwin

Reggie Britton is one of my best friends as well as one of the most admired and respected artists on my personal list. We met in the early ’90s when Reggie showed up at my Thursday night gig at

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, October 11,2012

Mix ’n’ matching

By Tom Irwin

First, let me thank Dan Usherwood of the Pleasant Plains Historical Society and all who helped make our first Clayville Folk Festival in 25 years a good beginning for many fests to come. Other than th

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, October 4,2012

Girl-a-Thon the third

By Tom Irwin

For the third year in a row I can, with a true sense of joy, announce another Girl-a-Thon.Once again organizer Gwen Harris has put together an incredible lineup of musicians, guests and sponsors to su

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 27,2012

Blues ambassador James Armstrong

By Tom Irwin

In this day and age of ubiquitous blues, finding a genuine and pertinent purveyor of the genre can be trying. Not to say all the variations of the I-IV-V performed in various instrumental configuratio

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, September 20,2012

Feeling like fall

By Tom Irwin

First I’d like to thank the folks at Penny Lane and all who helped organize the 18th annual Jerry Garcia Tribute at Douglas Park last Sunday. The Raouligans and I were honored to play along with