Band Spotlight | Thursday, March 7,2013

Hillbilly Casino

Wild, wooly, raucous and racy, these guys come on with a bang and stay lit all night. Well-known up and down and all around, plus parts beyond for the music, the show, the attitude, the tattoos, the s

Band Spotlight | Thursday, February 28,2013

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

By Tom Irwin

With a back story like a Hollywood movie, Josh, “The Reverend” Peyton was told he’d never play guitar again, met his wife and band mate “Washboard” Breezy while recoverin

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, February 28,2013

March madness

By Tom Irwin

Looks like we’ve made it through the winter music doldrums as March comes in like a lion in the entertainment calendar world. Here are a few of the slew of upcoming happenings.This Saturday the

Band Spotlight | Thursday, February 21,2013

Lionel Young Band

By Tom Irwin

Raised in Rochester, N.Y. and trained as a classical violinist, Lionel Young is not your typical blues performer. The young Young found his way to the blues and using his “distinctive electric v

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, February 21,2013

Ricky Skaggs at the Sheldon

By Tom Irwin

I usually only write about Springfield-area shows, but when I got the chance to interview Ricky Skaggs for his upcoming performance at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis on Feb. 22, I changed my tu

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, February 14,2013

A sweetheart of a time

By Tom Irwin

I’m telling you what – I had a whale of a time last Saturday night right here in lovely, downtown Springfield. From first being one of “those guys” not wanting to leave the hou

Band Spotlight | Thursday, February 14,2013

Hard Road Blues Band

By Tom Irwin

When Bruce Baise (guitar, vocals), Dave Marr (guitar, vocals), Craig Wood (bass, vocals), Mark “Doc” Janis (drums), Steve Jackson (saxophone, clarinet, flute) and “Bad” Bill Ro

Band Spotlight | Thursday, February 7,2013

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

By Tom Irwin

Son of the legendary accordion player and Zydeco master Rockin’ Dopsie, Sr., Dwayne “Dopsie” Rubin comes into his heritage honestly and avidly. Always a party when he comes to town w

Band Spotlight | Thursday, January 31,2013

Deadstring Brothers

By Tom Irwin

Hailing from Detroit, Mich., these guys are more like Motor City alt/country rockers, described by many critics as producing a sound reminiscent of the Exile on Main Street period Rolling Stones. Fron

Music - Tom Irwin | Thursday, January 31,2013

February already

By Tom Irwin

After this odd week of weather contortions, I’m not sure if we are thawing out, warming up or freezing in, but I can assure you, no matter the fluctuating conditions of the climate, there is a s