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Johnnie Owens can sing

Now a renowned and beloved Springfield-based singer, Johnnie Owens’ voice and talent took him around the world in his younger days. Earlier this week we tried to cover his lifetime in music during an hour conversation while listening to his new CD Butter! in the background at his apartment on Second Street....

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 12:01 am

Micky and the Motorcars

By Tom Irwin

If you’re familiar with Midwest music clubs, then you’ve heard of Mojo’s in Columbia, Mo., Knucklehead’s in Kansas City and Off Broadway in St. Louis, the other venues Micky and the Motorcars play during a roll through the prairie....

Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013 12:01 am

This “Best of” business

By Tom Irwin

Long before I wrote for Illinois Times, for a couple of years I was up very early every Thursday to deliver thousands of freshly pressed papers to make an extra buck or two. The Best of Springfi...

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013 12:01 am

Halloween happenings

By Tom Irwin

Silly me, I was thinking of writing my column on Halloween stuff next week so it would come out on the day proper, but, as I should have remembered, all the goings on come the weekend before a h...

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013 12:01 am

A true Fulks hero

By Tom Irwin

The latest piece of provocative songwriting and innovative instrumentation from Chicago-based musician and artist Robbie Fulks, Gone Away Backward, received critical and fan acclaim for the folk...

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013 12:00 am

Girl-a-Thon again

By Tom Irwin

Wow, what a wonderful time of year! I just spent an afternoon picking apples and now get to spend months eating them. I’m okay with that. Lot’s of goodies this weekend with the entertainment...

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013 12:00 am

Sally paints by music

By Tom Irwin

Say, “Sally Weisenburg” to a local music friend, fiend or fan and I can nearly guarantee an excited reaction commenting on her great voice, terrific piano playing and smoking hot band. For a...

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013 11:52 am

September soundings

By Tom Irwin

Cool weather and cooler things to do appear as the fall season moves into our world with a pleasant and welcome entrance. As the days shorten, the night comes earlier and that means more “nightl...

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013 05:10 pm

Hodgepodge of happenings

By Tom Irwin

With a whirlwind of wonderful whatevers available to while away the hours this week in the entertainment section of our lives, here are a few tidbits and takes on the goings-on.In the “unbelieva...

Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013 02:56 pm

Amazed all over town

By Tom Irwin

I can’t help but be amazed at the incredible variety and substance of shows this week in a host of various venues. Along with the entertainment values acknowledged, many of the upcoming events c...