By Ben Cox
Photos Submitted
The local clubs are going to be somewhat quiet in the coming weeks, save for a few, as the Fourth of July celebrations and the local county fair scene kicks into high gear. That doesn’t mean Jacksonville and the surrounding area won’t have its share of musical talent slipping into the area for a one-night stand.
Jacksonville Main Street is getting a real treat before they go into their two-week hiatus. Laura Rain & the Caesars are coming down from the Motor City to bring us some blast furnace rhythm and soul on June 27. This group has toured the world. I’m proud to say that I introduced their music to the airwaves on my old blues radio show many years ago. You may have caught a song or two from them if you’d been paying attention. Laura Rain is a dynamo and the band is smoking. Formed in 2012 with her husband George Friend, the group has toured throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. The winner of six Detroit Music Awards over the years, they are making a swing through Missouri and Illinois for the very first time to my knowledge. If it’s not the first time, it’s been a long time since they’ve been this way. It’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss. This ain’t your mama’s Motown!
Don’t worry country music, Southern Rock and Red Dirt fans, Twisted Tree Music Hall continues to have you covered as one of the best stops in town. They’ve got not one, not two, but three great acts visiting town this week and a superb, once-in-a-lifetime show coming up on the Fourth of July. First, let’s start with June 26. The Comancheros headline a Southern Rock throwdown. Hailing from Missouri, they’ve been together since 2015 and have played with the likes of Whiskey Myers, Blackberry Smoke and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to name a few. Up and comers, The Filthy Heathens open the show. The Heathens are out in support of their new EP. Twisted Tree isn’t done. Colorado outlaw singer-songwriter Danno Simpson arrives for a show on June 28. Too country for punk and too punk for country, his unique sound and stories should make for a good time. After the 28th, Twisted Tree takes a break for a big show with Shinyribs on July 4. Come back next week to hear about this unique roots band coming to Jacksonville.
Elsewhere in the area, on June 27, the Longmeyer Band entertains the folks at the Cass County Fair. On June 28, Devin Clemons has a solo set for Bike Night at Patriots Pub in Waverly. The North Greene area has some music coming up, too. Jamaica & The Wildside pull a four-hour set at Two Dogs Saloon in Roodhouse from 7-11 p.m. and local singer-songwriter Ptuck holds down the stage for the infamous Lions Fourth of July Celebration at Lions Park in White Hall on July 3.
One more idea before I get out of here for this busy week is for blues fans … namely Chicago Blues fans. Studebaker John & The Hawks visit The Alamo in downtown Springfield for the long-running Blue Monday concert series. The Illinois Central Blues Club have been holding down the Monday night blues for nearly forty years now with local and international blues talent. Studebaker John has been around nearly that long. He’s the real deal, authentic type with some great songs and stories. Entry is affordable. Music starts at 7 p.m.
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.
