The above headline translates into “Memorable Memorial Day Weekend music” by my calculations, but feel free to make it into anything you want. All I know is we are in for one of the most incredible runs of live music I think I’ve ever known in good ol’ Springfield.
Start off your Thursday catching The Legendary Shack Shakers with our own legendary Los Injectors opening at Bar None around 8 p.m. See our Band Spotlight feature for more on this wonderfully whacked-out and acclaimed combo. Speaking of legendary, Cats on Holiday play purr-fectly for a holiday weekend kickoff at The Curve Inn from 6 to 10 p.m., with Joe Frew opening the show. Special guests include Brian Moore on vocals and saxophone and John Sluzalis on drums, along with who knows who else joining in to experience one of Springfield’s all-time favorite bands.
Once you get over that, prepare yourself for more. Our good friend and most excellent guitarist Rockin’ Johnny Burgin slides into Third Base Sportsbar accompanied by his good friend and most excellent chromatic harmonica-ist and singer Quique Gomez, visiting the States from Madrid, Spain. A very cool and dynamic blues show lies ahead for you, with these two accomplished and seasoned blues artists bringing a classy style of quality blues born of respect and talent, delivered with heart and soul straight to your senses.
Saturday brings us to a bittersweet affair as we bid farewell to bassist Eric Tinsley as he heads to another town in an occupational move. Eric’s bottom end (whoa, ladies) has anchored many a fine band to a higher level of musicianship and performance. His presence will be dearly missed in our music community. Come celebrate from 8 p.m. to midnight at Casey’s Pub for “Eric Tinsley’s Big Blues Send Off” featuring a who’s who with Groove Daddies, James Armstrong,
Mary Jo Curry, Sofa Kings, Dave Lumsden and Friends, Ruth LaMaster plus an array of our finest blues and otherwise musicians all coming to say “See you later, friend” and send off Eric with all the love we can muster.
On Saturday, world-famous Nashville recording artists The Kentucky Headhunters headline Boondocks, a recent winner of the Academy of Country Music’s “Nightclub of the Year” award. Check out the top notch acts coming this summer at the pub club’s web site and you’ll know why.
Next and notable on Saturday is The Purple Xperience, one of the nation’s premier Prince tribute bands, playing the Prairie Capital Convention Center’s outdoor venue, the BoS Plaza. Led by Doctor Fink, Prince’s original keyboardist with the Revolution, the group gets you seeing through purple colored glasses with a look-a-like sound to emulate the late, great Prince. Doors open at 7 p.m., as our very own Off The Wall starts the music at 8 p.m. to lead believers into the purple zone of Purple Rain.
Now get back out on Sunday to The Curve to meet up with Modern Superstar, the rock touring band of our number one area rock star Mickey Shomidie plus special guest Shotgun Surprise. As always when “The Mick” is around, the party hits a higher level as his commitment to the life and style of the lifestyle stands unwavering. Rock on!
By now it’s sold out, but I wanted to mention my buddy Ben Bedford’s very cool CD release shows at the Dana-Thomas House on Thursday and Friday. Joined by internationally renowned sculpture artist and Springfield native Michael Dunbar, who influenced the direction of the new record, Ben and Kari Bedford host a meet-n-greet before each concert. Good luck, Ben, and congratulations on a profound artistic effort achieved.
Have a blessed and safe MMDW for sure.
