By Ben Cox
Photo courtesy of Revel In Red
The Blues & Brews Festival got rained into the Morgan County Fairgrounds’ pavilion this past week. Don’t worry, though. There’s plenty of opportunities coming up at the end of the month when Jacksonville Main Street kicks off their summer concert series. Revel in Red will open the series on Friday, May 30.
The Peoria-based group consists of Thomas Edwards on lead vocals, Gary Shaine Horrie on drums, Josh Thompson on lead guitar, Pete Ramsey on bass, Brian Carroll on rhythm guitar and Paul Benes on keys. Most of these guys started playing in bands back in the 90s and early 2000s and got together in February 2020 at the height of the pandemic. “Drawing from a diverse array of influences, from nostalgic rock anthems of yesteryears to contemporary hits that pack a punch,” says their website.
Our friends at Twisted Tree Music Hall are taking the week off. They’re gearing up for country legend John Conlee on May 18. Advanced tickets start at $35 online.
The music week for Jacksonville gets started out of town. Local cover band Exit 52 takes the stage on May 8 at The Curve Inn in Springfield from 6-9 p.m. The Curve is one of the premier stages in Central Illinois and they always treat bands great. If you are looking for a little midweek road trip, this would be a great place to stop.
Mother’s Day eve on May 10 is a hot time on the town in Jacksonville. James Tyler & the Usual Crowd, Short Notice, Crash Planet and Scarlet’s Darling take the stage inside Pizza Records starting at 7 p.m. for $20. This is a steal because all of these bands are tight alternative rockers who really call to mind some great bands. They really are on the cusp of breaking out. If you are looking for some covers of old favorites, you can head across town to Kuhl Tyme Korner and catch Money Shot from 8 p.m. to midnight. There’s really music all day on Saturday, May 10. KJB’s Pint Haus starts the day with John Drake doing a brunch set from noon to 3 p.m. and then it’s The Portable Beat from 9 p.m. to midnight. Pat Brannan (keys), Steve Dawson (drums, vocals) and Jeff Newman (guitar, lead vocals) are a treat of some off-the-beaten path tunes that no one else touches.
The last show of the busy weekend also takes us out of town to the east but with a Jacksonville twist. Central Illinois’ own Lefty Preacher, Robert Sampson, rocks and rolls and soothes the soul for an afternoon Mother’s Day set on May 11 at the Trail’s End Saloon in Curran. Take your mama dancin’!
Here’s some local music news, too, to round out this Mother’s Day edition. Singer-songwriter Emily Perkins hits the road this week for a regional tour. Perkins won’t be getting back to this area until some time in early June. Keep an eye on Perkins and other area singer-songwriters. We’ve got a great shortlist of them.
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.
