By Ben Cox
Jacksonville will get a legendary treat this week when Grand Ole Opry star John Conlee appears at Twisted Tree Music Hall on May 18. Conlee has regularly said he has no intentions to stop touring and recording as long as the fans are there. The 78-year-old Kentucky native first connected with country music audiences in 1978 with his debut album Rose Colored Glasses. The single “Rose Colored Glasses” is his signature song, but don’t just rest on that one. He’s got a killer set of late 70s and early 80s hits. My personal favorite is 1980’s “Friday Night Blues.” He has special guest Wes Shipp opening up for him.
Wes Shipp Facebook
Shipp, who is from Florida originally, may look like a Chris Stapleton or Jamey Johnson but he’s drawn comparisons to the late Keith Whitley. Shipp was noticed and went viral while busking outside of a North Little Rock, Arkansas Walmart while in active drug addiction. Since then, Shipp has cleaned up and turned the video into a success story. He weaves his story of survival and real life into his storytelling. He co-writes with a lot of up in coming outlaw country stars. His set will roll well into the legendary Conlee’s performance. Shipp will leave Jacksonville and embark on a six-date mini tour of Alaska with Waylon Jennings’ grandson, Whey Jennings. He’s going places for sure. Advanced tickets start at $39 and change.
If you are looking to get out of town for the weekend, you can start the day before on May 17. Jacksonville country stars The Longmeyer Band head up a set over at West Central Illinois’ rockin’ winery Danenberger Family Vineyards outside of New Berlin. The set starts at 7 p.m. If you’d like to start a little bit earlier than that and really make a day of music and good times, The Drinkin’ with Lincoln Street Festival starts at 10 a.m. in Petersburg. Merchants, music, and cold brew from Hand of Fate Brewery are on tap for this one. Upright bass player and Petersburg resident Matt Combs kicks things off with a solo set at 10 a.m. Combs does his own thing outside of the local rockabilly/honky tonk/folk punk group Jukebox Casanova. Then, it’s Jacksonville’s top party band Captain Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters at 1 p.m. to round out the festival.
Never fear if you want to stay in town for a good time. Jimmystock is rocking up Pizza Records. Guitarist Jimmy from local hardcore band Keep puts on this mini festival for his birthday. Cover charge is $15 for this beatdown, hardcore and heavy lineup of Hostages, Demsfightinwords, The Delirium Effect, Keep, Krooked, Orphan Source and Misery. Some of these hardcore acts are from next door in Missouri, down in Arkansas and from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is truly a multi-state production that you won’t want to miss if you like life to be loud, raucous and in your face. Grab a friend and jump in the pit.
Last week a very dear friend of mine released yet another great international blues album. Now hailing from Springfield, Brandon Santini has been a blues vocalist and harmonica that’s celebrated worldwide. Several of his releases have made the national Billboard Blues Chart. He has been nominated for multiple Blues Music Awards and multiple Blues Blast Music Awards. This guy is the legit deal for modern blues music. He’s also an all around great human. His latest album Which Way Do We Go? dropped on May 9 everywhere. His previous two albums spent several weeks in the Billboard Blues charts, and this is likely doing the same. He will be in and out from his home base in Springfield. Anytime he is in the area and you love the blues, find him on the schedule and check him out. Maybe, if the time and other stuff is right, we can get him back to Jacksonville for a performance in the near future. Not to be outdone, his guitarist Timo Arthur is also a great solo act who also finds his home in Springfield. These are two can’t-miss blues and roots performers right in our backyard. We are truly blessed with some talented people around us.
The rest of the schedule is pretty light as we await the kids to get out of school, the Jacksonville Main Street summer concert series to start up and some great weather on the horizon.
Remember, only you can prevent empty music venues! Support your local musicians and venues. Jam on!
If you have a show in the Jacksonville area or are a Jacksonville artist/band that would like to be featured here, email Ben Cox with your live music schedule or information at elmcityradio@gmail.com.
