By Ben Cox
The summer started off rockin’ last week with the Jacksonville Main Street Downtown Concert Series. The square was packed. The after party was packed at Doc’s. But wait, there’s more … The McCartney Project brings all things Paul McCartney to the concert series this week on Friday, June 6. Music starts at 6 p.m. After 9 that evening, the party heads to the AmVets where Toxic Johnny keeps kicking out the jams.
You can keep the square rockin’ on Saturday evening for a good cause. On June 7 from 6-9 p.m., Jeff Newman plays a benefit at Pizza Records along with music bingo. All proceeds raised at the event will go toward the Jacksonville Walk to End Alzheimer’s coming up this fall. Cost of admission is $10.
A pair of county fairs out of town are on the schedule this week. The Macoupin County Fair runs from June 3-7 down in Carlinville. Country music stars Easton Corbin and Diamond Rio are the featured music entertainment on June 5. Tickets start at $44.
Before our next county fair, head on up to Virginia for some of the best bbq on the planet from June 6-8. Devin Clemons Band entertains at 8 p.m. on June 6. Lacey’s Ditch, Robert Sampson, Jacksonville Community Band and Allie Colleen headlines on June 7. You can get in some yoga and then watch some professional wrestling on June 8.
Then, it’s the Sangamon County Fair’s turn, running June 11-15 in New Berlin. Music starts on Thursday, June 12 at 1 p.m. with the Capital Area Big Band, followed by Deja Voodoo from 5-8 p.m. and then Brushville from 9 p.m. until close.
Brushville will also have a stop at Evandy’s Boatel on June 8 if you miss them at the fair. Friday night it’s Jacksonville’s Longmeyer Band opening up the music from 5-8 p.m. prior to 90s country music superstar Tracy Byrd and Jake Worthington taking the grandstand stage. The Neon Rodeo 90s country tribute band wraps it up in the pavilion from 9 p.m. until close. Saturday at the pavilion it’s Menace to Sobriety and Lick Creek on the docket. Sunday wraps up the fair with Alex Pearce and Bustin’ Loose.
Twisted Tree Music Hall continues with some of the best independent country artists in their summer line up. Tennessee Jet, who walks in the same orbit as Cody Jinks and Whiskey Myers, makes a stop on June 6. The Oklahoma native ranges from poetic eloquence to politically polarizing but always entertaining. He has a new album out called Ranchero, which is taking him through the Midwest on tour.
There’s also a new rockin’ blues band with some Jacksonville ties that are starting to perk up some ears around Springfield. Power trio Smokestacks has had gigs recently in Curran and in the southern part of Springfield. If you want to hear what all the buzz is about, check them out in Springfield at Buzz Bomb Brewery on June 7 from 7-10 p.m.
Jacksonville will get a treat of its own on June 12 with a no cover show at Twisted Tree Music Hall. Billed as “rockin’ country & hi-octane fiddlin’” Jake Clayton brings his band through as they make a Midwest tour. Patrick Longmeyer will open the show, which starts at 7 p.m. on June 12. Clayton grew up playing music in Missouri, Illinois, and the surrounding areas before moving to Nashville and playing with every country music artist known to man. He’s out supporting his new album Signs, which can be listened to wherever music is streamed and sold.
If you are a hardcore blues fan like I am, you can catch one of Central Illinois’ favorite musicians making a stop in the area at The Alamo in Downtown Springfield on June 9. Johnny Burgin has played every bar and concert venue between here and Chicago. Johnny cut his teeth playing four nights a week on Chicago’s West Side with Taildragger, Smokey Smothers and others. I last ran into Johnny at the now closed Dr. Ugs Cafe up in Virginia where he was supporting the late Eddie Taylor, Jr. for a show. He’s got a great album called Ramblin’ from Coast to Coast you should pick up. For just a few bucks, this is a must for blues lovers.
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.
