By Ben Cox
Jacksonville Main Street cranks it back up with a return guest to the Downtown Concert Series. Champ Jaxon comes north once again from Florida to bring us his blend of roots, blues and rock with some new tunes downtown on July 18. Things kick off at 6 p.m. Be sure to come grab some grub early as this will likely have a good audience.
Twisted Tree also returns after a two-week hiatus on July 18 with Chicago’s top Fleetwood Mac Tribute band, Second Hand News. They spotlight the music of the band during its heyday with Buckingham and Nicks were out in front and Rumours ruled the charts. The group is full of seasoned Chicago rock musicians who have a host of other projects. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $22 and change.
Pizza Records gets in on the action on July 19 with mother-daughter duo Wisenheart. Erisa Kopp returns to Central Illinois after years in Tennessee. She brings daughter Lilly along to make up this roots duo. Both have made a formidable pair in songwriting and harmonies. Lilly joins on piano while Erisa jams on the guitar. It will be quite the reunion for Jacksonville, as Erisa was one of the original players at the open mic nights at Due Gatti Coffee Shop years ago. For old fans of the scene, go and visit for this show. Mt. Zion, Illinois-based singer-songwriter Ashley Riley opens the show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the cover is just $5.
The Jacksonville community got a real treat during the Morgan County Fair. Young artist Jax Dion performed in the talent show and then performed the “Star-Spangled Banner” for the Salute the Troops night at the fair. You can hear this young man before he heads off to college on July 19 at Patriot’s Pub in Waverly. The beat drops at 8 p.m.
Jacksonville’s favorite acoustic artist, Jeff Newman, is back out performing this week. If you want to catch him and drummer extraordinaire Steve Dawson, you have two opportunities. The first is at Nucci’s Italian Restaurant on the square in Pittsfield on July 18 from 6-9 p.m. If that’s too much of a jaunt, Newman and Dawson will jam it out on July 19 from 7-10 p.m. at Guse’s Pub & Eatery in Jacksonville.
I don’t have the room here but there’s some great music coming up out of town, too. The summer is over halfway done. Get out and enjoy it! 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.
