As the heady holiday times approach and the days and nights become filled with whatnots and whyfors please remember that good live music shows increase during the season. So rather than settle for one show a week, here’s a handy list.
On Thursday, be sure to schedule in a moment for a stroll through lovely downtown Springfield during DSI’s Holiday Walk. The delightful event opened on Wednesday, Dec. 2, and continues through Dec. 3, 9, 16 and 23 with plenty of free entertainment in and out of doors. Please take note of a special performance (that means there’s a cover) by Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin on Dec. 9 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. These two talented individuals play beautiful acoustic music together and make any season jolly and bright.
After 17 years of knocking and rocking the socks off of Springfield, the band Rockhouse is calling it quits. Drummer Denby delivered the sad news by a handwritten note to me on Sunday night, the blow softened only by the accompanying home-baked chocolate chip cookies, a specialty of his which may be acquiring a more integral part of his existence, according to his note. The breakup occurred in this manner, and I quote for accuracy here: “The split is on good terms; bassist Frank going home to Ohio; guitarist Pat Rolens joining the Johnny Everist Band; singer Ed McCann’s future is uncertain; and Denby will be reduced to selling chocolate chip cookies and playing drums on street corners.” The group will be sorely missed and go down in the annals of local history as a stalwart of the rock era, firmly and unequivocally a true gem of a band that lived up to its name in every performance. Fans and friends alike are requested to attend the Requiem for Rockhouse at the Trading Post Saloon, Friday, Dec. 4, at 9 p.m. and to “bring recording devices to help document our last local gig.”
C’est la vie.
In an odd way of relating on two levels, one through the common use of the word “rock” and secondly by being a final performance, the Bedrock 66 Live! concert series concludes its 2009 season on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. The event features the handy work of Paul Burch and Tommy Womack, two Nashville-based modern country artists who sound like they are actually playing what one might call modern country music, rather than what is called modern country music by the country music industry that actually sounds like classic rock with a twangy accent. If that makes sense, you know what I’m talking about, if it doesn’t well just forget it, turn up your radio and go on like nothing happened. This is a great quality show as all the Bedrock shows are and the lineup for next year is nothing short of fantastic. At this point we should all say thanks to E & F Distributing, Bill Wheelhouse at WUIS and Sean and Jamie Burns for being the catalysts behind the series. Thank you!
Skip on to Monday night and catch another spectacular Blue Monday at the Alamo.
This week Eric “Guitar” Davis takes the stage as a phenomenal and seasoned blues player from Chicago and Springfield who now is sharing talents with the rest of the world. The remainder of the month includes some interesting stuff with The Reverend Raven and his Chain Smoking Altar Boys doing Chicagostyle blues on Dec. 14, the Suns of Circumstance playing their style of blues on Dec. 21 and longtime, local favorite Sally Weisenburg zipping up the blues, swing style, on Dec. 28.
Well that should do it for now as we head into the holiday season with a blast of cold air and a burst of live local music.
Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected]
