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Dry September music

Look out below and above, and in between, too, as we recover from the deluge of last weekend and prepare for more good live music inside and out during mid-September. Hopefully and expectedly ev

Band Spotlight

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018 12:00 am

Laura Rain and the Caesars

By Tom Irwin

Currently traveling all around the Midwest, West Coast and Canada from their music-soaked hometown of Detroit, Michigan, this soul-infused, funky blues band is making sounds while making the rou

Music - Tom Irwin

Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 12:00 am

Round up the music

By Tom Irwin

The first full weekend of September gets us going into the fall mode and mood with an array of outdoor festivals featuring live music, including an Oktoberfest, an Art Spectacular, a Family FunF

Band Spotlight

Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 12:00 am

Eddie Korosa & the Boys from Illinois

By Tom Irwin

As the son of “America’s Prince of Polkas,” 7-year-old Eddie Jr. began playing drums for his dad’s world-renowned polka band and on his Emmy-nominated television show. By the time young

Music - Tom Irwin

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 12:00 am

Fruits of music labors

By Tom Irwin

Here we are rolling into Labor Day weekend 2018, signalling the end of summertime and the beginning of autumn, if not by weather, at least by date and tradition. Let’s go out and in with a ban

Band Spotlight

Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 12:00 am

Ivas John Band

By Tom Irwin

Born in Chicago to first generation Lithuanian immigrants, young Ivas first learned music through his family’s folk sensibilities, then as a teenager, felt the powerful pull of Chicago blues.

Music - Tom Irwin

Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 12:00 am

Last August blast

By Tom Irwin

Let’s offer hearty congratulations to David Casper for his victory on August 17 in the Illinois State Fair karaoke competition. In return for his afternoon triumph, David reaped the rewards of

Band Spotlight

Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018 12:00 am

Barrence Whitfield and the Savages

By Tom Irwin

Just when you thought it was safe to go out to bars and quietly listen to contemplative acoustic sounds, along comes Barrence Whitfield and the Savages to knock your socks off and stick them in

Music - Tom Irwin

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018 12:00 am

That’s fair enough

By Tom Irwin

As we move into the second and final weekend of the Illinois State Fair, the fun keeps on coming, even as the original excitement wears down. I think 10 days is a fair amount of time for a fair.

Band Spotlight

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018 12:00 am

Offwhyte

By Tom Irwin

Offwhyte, born as Ryan Fernandez on Aug. 22, 1977, in Pell City, Alabama, now resides in Springfield as his music is heard around the world. He defines himself an “American rapper, vocalist, d