By Ben Cox
The Illinois State Fair is over. The kids are back in school. The smell of fall is growing. Let’s turn up the volume.
Saturday, August 23 is a busy day in the area for music. The Chapin Summer Bash hosts Harmony Gritz at 4 p.m. and Deja Voodoo at 8 p.m. The Chandlerville Burgoo hosts the 66 Ramblers from 6-9 p.m. The Hangout Bar & Grill is having their Summerween bash with tunes from DJ Smoke Gizzle starting around 10 p.m. Rod Grant entertains the folks in Waverly at Patriot’s Pub starting at 8 p.m. DJ Rick spins the tunes at AJ’s Bar & Grill in Arenzville starting at 9 p.m. Hat Trick takes the stage at the Riverbank Bar & Grill in Florence. In case you didn’t get enough of Tapestry the night before, Stan Robinson, Roy Mathy and Lynn Ruby jam from 5-8 p.m. at Duke and Joannie’s in Chandlerville on Saturday night.
If the August 22 show wasn’t enough for you at Twisted Tree, local country band The Longmeyer Band headlines a show there with opener the Wes Shipp Band on Saturday, August 23. Based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, Shipp blends modern country with the classics. Shipp is making a return trip after he opened up for 80s country legend John Conlee in Jacksonville back in May. This will be a bit different as he’s got the whole band with him this time. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Southern gospel fans will have a real treat at Westfair Baptist Church on Saturday. The Soul’d Out Trio is singing in concert and debuting an album release. The doors open at 5 p.m.
You can round out the weekend next door in Sangamon County on Sunday, August 24 for an afternoon show. Robert “Lefty Preacher” Sampson, Jacksonville’s traveling bluesman, takes the stage at the Trails End Saloon in Curran from 3-6 p.m.
Remember, only you can prevent empty music venues. Support local musicians!
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.
