Well, as amazing as it seems, here we are smack dab at the beginning of our very own time invention called 2016. As Greg Brown, one of my favorite songwriters, said in a song, “Who woulda thunk it.”
Speaking of Mr. Brown, he’ll be performing at the UIS Studio Theatre on Jan. 22. To those of you ignorant of the Iowan songwriter, please take the time to look up the man and his lifetime of work in roots music, specifically folk and blues. Anyone familiar with his canon and career has likely already bought a ticket to the general admission show. In another amazing concert for lovers of roots music, Ry Cooder joins Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White for a Sangamon Auditorium performance on Jan. 31. That’s a lot of talent on one stage, my friends, and also a concert not likely be seen again in these parts or to be missed.
Last weekend was a bit of an anomaly.
With New Year’s Day on a Friday, folks seemed at a loss on what to do on Saturday since bookings in the Pub Crawl didn’t make it to the level of an average weekend. I heard the “Lick the Wall” show at Boondocks, bringing together Lick Creek and Off the Wall bands and audiences, was a hoot and a half. I made it out (I forgot to book the night after New Year’s for myself) to see Hipbone Sam at the Blue Grouch. The show was the last for longtime harmonica man Hawkeye Kane, who is moving on with family obligations and other music adventures. Hipbone promised some pretty hip additions to the band, so watch out for the Jan. 23 show at Casey’s Pub.
This weekend we are back in full swing with a typical slate of fine entertainment all over town. James Armstrong Presents at The Alamo hosts the amazing Blues Expressions on Thursday while the lovely Angel Brown slips into Charlie R’s Steak House. The Craft Beer Bar ramps up its entertainment schedule starting this weekend with music by Casey Cantrall and Friends on Friday and Brooke Thomas and Mike Burnett on Saturday. Watch for live music here all weekend in the front of the bar, where many cool and phenomenal performances happened over the decades of different bar owners and club names.
Out in Riverton, acclaimed real country singer Josh Morningstar lands at Conrad’s with his group of found players called the Pick Ups on Friday. As a part of that acclamation, Josh just received the great honor of being voted “#1 artist to keep your eye on in 2016” by the folks at the We Hate Pop Country web site, home to a million-plus views by those who like real country music.
On Friday at Mowie’s Cue the Harris family of siblings celebrates 50 years (you heard me right) of making music together as Bustin’ Loose cuts loose. From those early (and that means pre-teenage for this bunch) days of The Little Big Shots, on through other bands with all the members not named Harris, the five brothers and one sister always carried the family torch of the music connection. Congratulations to the family Harris, and thanks for giving so much music to our community for so many years.
Elvis Himselvis gets it going with a matinee show on Saturday at the Hoogland a day after what would have been (or maybe is, according to some sources) the King’s 81st birthday. Powerhouse lights up the Third Base Sports Bar on Saturday with some real time, late night, in-your-face pure rock. Happy New Year to all, and welcome to our very own 2016.
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
