By Ben Cox
Photos provided
It’s anniversary celebration week everywhere in Jacksonville. Let’s start with the big one. Jacksonville is celebrating the big 200! This will be a big blowout all over town. If you enjoy live music, there are plenty of options for you on Saturday, Oct. 4.
But, let’s start at the beginning. Downtown Jacksonville will get one more outdoor free concert on the square on Friday, Oct. 3. Twisted Tree Music Hall decided to move their headlining act to the square to help Jacksonville kick off its bicentennial celebration. Kenny Fiedler & the Cowboy Killers will headline the show.
Tony Logue & the 184 will be the featured opening act. Logue is from Western Kentucky and provides gutsy roots rock with authentic stories about rural characters with grit and tenacity akin to the classic Heartland rock of yesteryear. Kenny Fiedler sounds like you stuck Chris LeDoux into a gutsy rock band. Feidler and his band, Cowboy Killers, have played everything from local shows to big venues, opening for acts like Reckless Kelly and Colter Wall. They play what is considered alt country, blending a hard rocking sound with true blue country music lyrics. This should be some top-notch performances to end the year and start off the Jacksonville celebration in the right way.
On Saturday afternoon, a local band is holding a celebration of their own. While the members are not all local any longer, their roots are in Jacksonville. The New Goat Ensemble will perform as a part of the Jacksonville bicentennial festivities downtown from 2:30-4 p.m.
Then, you can head across the square to GoodTime Docs. Say hello to Randy and the folks behind the bar as they celebrate their 40th anniversary on Saturday. Solo artist Colt Ball will perform as a part of their celebration from 6-8 p.m.
If you want to get away from the square on Saturday, two great local bands will be performing in town. Just 4 Kicks will rock the Jacksonville AmVets from 8-11 p.m. Kool Tyme Korner will host 4 County Band, who will be playing all your favorite rock hits from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The Jacksonville music scene is crowded this week but there’s opportunities outside of town to jam, too. Whiskey Driven has their own party down at the West End Bar & Grill in Murrayville on Saturday, Oct. 4 starting at 8:30 p.m. Patriot’s Pub in Waverly also keeps up a strong schedule on Saturday as well, with James Crosby taking the stage at 8 p.m.
Remember only you can prevent empty local music venues. Support local artists!
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.
