Many a word spent here in this column relates to our bar scene, where much of the live music happens in Springfield. Hence the “oddities” comment in our headline describing these outof-bar experiences occurring this week.
Often hosts name their house concert series, like the Log House near Edwardsville or the local Cabin Concerts by Ann Bova or the Hillbilly Haiku near Nashville. Our friends, the Killians in Williamsville, go by Paris-Belle House Concerts and have presented classical chamber music one day and world-class folk the next. With Harpeth Rising, the group playing this Friday, Oct. 17, they combine both genres. Hailing from Nashville, Tenn., the three-piece combo of classically trained women on stringed instruments takes a fun and interesting look at bluegrass-ish related music laced with the tenacity of classical and the freedom of folk. They are a treat to behold and even more so in the intimate confines of a house concert venue. You may Google Paris- Belle concerts or email paris-belleconcerts@ outlook.com for more information. Be sure to look into the other upcoming shows in the next few months.
On Saturday, the Hoogland treats us to an American living legend as actor, storyteller, author, songwriter and musician Ronny Cox drops into Theatre III for an evening performance. Cox, who got his big break as the guitar player in the 1972 film, Deliverance (not the banjo player!) during the dueling banjos scene, went on to appear in countless movies, plays and TV shows during his 40-some-yearsand-counting career. But as he says on his web page, due to his “lifelong love and dedication to music,” these days he turns down acting jobs to travel and play music. Interestingly enough, one of the main reasons he was hired for the Deliverance spot was because he could play guitar. Now the music that got him there leads him everywhere to share his stories, songs and folk-style of playing. I’ve seen him perform at folk music conferences and Ronny is personable, entertaining and is as good as his character in Deliverance states about the banjo picker (check out the YouTube version). Just to be clear, neither character actually played the instruments for real on the soundtrack version, but that’s show business.
East of Jacksonville sits the Woodlawn Farm, established in 1824 and now supported by the good folks in Morgan County. The historic site hosts a fall festival this Saturday to celebrate the long and fascinating history of the area. From a homesteaded early Illinois farm to a valuable link in the Underground Railroad, the majestic edifice and grounds is now a living testament to the days of old. Along with various activities and real Kentucky-style barbecue, Robert Sampson plays and discusses blues in the morning and Theresa O’Hare and I play and discuss Irish, folk and banjo music in the afternoon.
Next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, Donnie’s Homespun hosts the NORML of Illinois Festival to keep alive and empower the hope and plan to reform the marijuana laws in the country and specifically Illinois. Come sample some hemp-based beer and food, listen to music and get acquainted with correct information about this common herb used for centuries in many ways that helped humankind. Yes, Reefer Madness was a propaganda film that did much more harm than good.
Here’s a shout out to brother Bad Bill Robinson as he commemorates a year since Mom passed with a Sunday show at Hill Prairie Winery in Oakford. BBR plays harmonica with the Hard Road Blues Band and likely will recite a few of his famed ditties for dear old Mom, all during a chili cook-off. She would be pleased and proud.
Odd enough for you?
