By Ben Cox
Photos provided
It’s a quiet week for music in the area. That’s plenty alright if you got out and got some new tunes for the Black Friday Record Store Day event at Pizza Records. Then, all this snow and bitter cold makes for a good night huddled up to the warm hum of the tubes in a classic stereo turntable.
Saturday, December 6 should be warm enough though. The music gets started early over in Waverly at Patriots Pub with JackAsh as part of a Christmas celebration from 5-8 p.m. Ashley Staley and Jack Stege from the local cover band Off the Wall have come together to play some special acoustic shows as this local duo. Check it out.
Then you have the choice to head south on Saturday. You can stop in Murrayville and check out acoustic duo Jobe & Woody at the West Bend Bar & Grill from 8:30-11:30 p.m., or you can head a little further down old Route 67 to Roodhouse and stop over at the Two Dog Saloon and party with rock cover band Flip the Frog from 8 p.m. to midnight. Be careful. Drive slow and sober if you head out of town. We want you all to rock on in one piece.
If you still want to party on Sunday, country rockers White Lightnin’ take over for Sunday Funday at the Jacksonville American Legion from 3-6 p.m. If you are feeling the call of the Holy Spirit and gospel is what you’re looking for, an area favorite, The Gibson Girls perform their vocal harmonies for free at Calvary Baptist Church in Jacksonville from 6-8 p.m.
Blues lovers, if you want to go to Chicago but don’t want to drive there (or pay for a drink up there), head over to Springfield and catch the legendary Tom Holland & the Shuffle Kings for Blue Monday at The Alamo up on 6th Street. Five dollars gets you in the door for this 21+ ages show. Not to be a name dropper, but Tom has played with L.V. Banks, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, John Primer, Carey Bell, A.C. Reed, Phil Guy (Buddy’s brother) and James Cotton. He’s also a Chicago Blues Hall of Fame member. The dude has been around handing out no fluff, just the stuff when it comes to Chicago Blues.
Remember, only you can prevent empty music venues. Support live, local music! And, this holiday season, don’t buy your tunes online, go and get the real stuff at your local music store or resale shop. Those orphan records need a good home!
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.
