By Ben Cox
Photos/Special to The Source
Well, ghouls and goblins, it’s time to “Monster Mash.” It’s the week before Halloween. Every place you can imagine is having a fall festival or a Halloween trick- or trunk-or-treat. Put on a costume and let’s rock!
The first opportunity to enjoy some music in town is at the Jacksonville Country Club on Thursday, October 23 starting at 6 p.m. Go out and support the Mia Ware Foundation for the Little Black Dress event. Jeff Newman brings his acoustic treasures to enjoy.
Friday, October 24 in Jacksonville is filled with all kinds of parties. Grab a book at the All Hallows Boo(oooo)k Fair held at The Vault. Catch a drag show at Soap Co. Coffee House. Float around with ghosts at Big Heads Gifts & Stuff 21+ Halloween Party. If you just want some cold brews and rockin’ tunes, head over to Winchester and jam out with Toxic Johnny at Big Daddy’s Doghouse starting at 8:30 p.m. Also, local musician Robert Sampson has a trio together and they will be performing at Duke & Joanie’s in Chandlerville from 7-10 p.m.
There are two nights worth of some great shows coming up at Twisted Tree. First up is Mitch Rossell, whowill headline on October 24. Rossell is a country singer-songwriter from East Tennessee who has written hits for Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton. His songwriting success comes from Brooks’ 2017 number one hit, “Ask Me How I Know,” and he also co-wrote Brooks and Shelton’s duet “Dive Bar.” Additionally, he co-wrote three songs from Brooks’ 2020 album, Fun. He opened for Brooks’ 2022 stadium tour and has been releasing his own material since 2011. Some fans of “America’s Got Talent” may be familiar with him, as he performed his song “Son” in 2023 on the show. Rossell has released two singles this year, and appears poised for his first official full-length album release.
He’ll be joined by a special guest, North Carolina native and singer-songwriter Addison Johnson. Johnson, who is now based in Nashville, has been out supporting his album Dangerous Men since last year. He’s also released two singles this year that will likely show up in his set. Then, the folks at Twisted Tree will bring in local country rock favorites Lick Creek on Saturday, October 25. The Twisted Tree folks will let you celebrate Halloween next week before they come back with some killer shows in November.
October 25 has the second annual Meredosia Burgoo fundraiser to support the Meredosia May Days festival. The Strange Candy Band will perform from 5-8 p.m. in the beer tent while you enjoy a bowl of burgoo. If you don’t want the fun to end, head to the east end of Meredosia to Floyd’s 104 Grill where a duo from Mad Hoss Jackson performs at 8:30 p.m. If you want to stay in town, head over to The Hangout Bar & Grill as Central Illinois-based rockers Capt. Quirk performs from 8 p.m. to midnight. Waverly will be rocking too as Springfield music veteran Kortney Leatherwood takes the stage at Patriot’s Pub from 8 p.m. to midnight. Murrayville’s newest night spot, West End Bar & Grill, hosts Jason Michael Launer starting at 8:30 p.m. as well on Saturday.
Remember, only you can prevent empty music venues! Support live and local music!
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.
