Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, June 13,2013

John Byrne brings on the Irish

From centuries-old songs and tunes performed in traditional ways to the adaptation of instruments and melodies to the new land, Irish music certainly infused itself into the American consciousness thr

Band Spotlight | Thursday, June 13,2013

Bill Price

By Tom Irwin

Based out of the Indianapolis area, Bill Price discovered early on a fascination and respect for the songwriting of both Bob Dylan and the Beatles that led to a lifetime of chasing the song muse. Afte

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, June 6,2013

So goes SOHO so far

By Tom Irwin

Here it is the first of June already and time for another SOHO music fest and, for some reason or another, time for more controversy surrounding the charity-driven event. Regardless of the obstacles,

Band Spotlight | Thursday, June 6,2013

Mr. Opporknockity

By Tom Irwin

The origins of Mr. Opporknockity’s peculiar moniker remains a conundrum, but the Springfield-based, five-piece rock band continues to attract fans and gain attention some 15 years after hitting

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, May 30,2013

Chris Vallillo makes music work

By Tom Irwin

Macomb resident and working folk musician Chris Vallillo (sounds like pillow), has spent a lifetime making a living making music. Anyone who’s tried knows what a trying time that can be, and any

Band Spotlight | Thursday, May 30,2013

Great American Taxi

By Tom Irwin

Considered some of the best Americana artists touring today, the “Americana Without Borders” music of Vince Herman, Chad Staehly, Jim Lewin, Chris Sheldon and Brian Adams sparkles with roc

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, May 23,2013

Memorable Memorial Day Weekend

By Tom Irwin

Yes, friends and neighbors, the official beginning of the summer season is upon us as we celebrate Memorial Day with a weekend of fun and excitement. Please remember to remember your lost loved ones a

Band Spotlight | Thursday, May 23,2013

Whiskey of the Damned

By Tom Irwin

Take an Irishman, drop him in Milwaukee and let him go wild in a Celtic-influenced rock band, and that’s Whiskey of the Damned. With Eoin McCarthy (guitar, vocal), Blaine McQuinn (fiddle, bagpip

Band Spotlight | Thursday, May 16,2013

ZZ Tripp

By Tom Irwin

Springfield’s ZZ Tripp with Brad Alan (as Billy Gibbons on guitar), Dan Kress (as Dusty Hill on bass) and Tom Summerlin (as Frank Beard on drums) gives ZZ Top a tremendous tribute treatment. Wit

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, May 16,2013

From Perkins to Presney

By Tom Irwin

John Michael Presney spent the better part of the last two years on the road in the first national touring production of the Tony award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet portraying the “fat