This week, Jacksonville has a wide array of music for you to enjoy as well as a pretty cool announcement about a national release.
The weekend gets rocking on Friday, April 25 out at the Morgan County Fairgrounds. It’s not music … but it may be to some people. The World of Outlaws turns up the octane at the Jacksonville Speedway. They had one of the best races in all of the country last year here in town. It’s a great race. It’ll be the most happening place in town. They drew a ton of people from all over last year and it should be another sellout crowd in the grandstand.
Saturday, April 26 is truly the night on the town for music. Pizza Records brings the energy with speed. Master Bastard and The Complaint Line are on the card for $10 starting at 6:30 p.m. If you like bands like Motorhead, Diamond Head and Zakk Wylde, then Master Bastard is the band for you. These guys like to really go full throttle. The Complaint Line calls themselves “speed pop.” Based out of Springfield, they really like to cook through stuff that people can sing along to but at warp speed. It reminds of bands like Me First & The Gimme Gimmes or New Found Glory (but more fun). A late addition to the lineup is alt-rock trio Stargazer. I don’t know much about them but they should be a great part of this show. Ten bucks for three bands is a bargain.
If you are looking for songs that you really know, The Get Down makes one of its regular stops at Kuhl Tyme Korner at 8 p.m on Saturday. The Get Down is one of Springfield’s premier cover bands. They always manage to have a good time at KTK when they stop in.
Scott County friends have an opportunity on Saturday to catch a really good rock cover band at Big Daddy’s Doghouse just off the square in Winchester. The 4 County Band takes the stage at 8:30 that evening. Like the name indicates, these players come from a four-county radius to bring some great covers of tunes you know and love.
Now for that big announcement. Elisabeth Werries, but known to the music world as Elisabeth Ann, is releasing her first national single on Friday, April 25 on all of the world’s streaming services. Triopia and Chapin people likely recognize the name. The Chapin native has been entertaining the world since she was young. A Ken Bradbury kid in the greatest sense, Werries attributes her current success and confidence on the late luminary’s trust and teachings. Now living in Nashville, Werries says she’s participating in weekly songwriting circles and is working shows on Broadway each week. Her travels have brought her in touch with recent country star Zach Top and former Loami resident and singer-songwriter Adam James. “Pray In A Bar” can be pre-saved on several platforms. Werries says it’s a dark, bluesy modern country single in the vein of Miranda Lambert. The 2015 Triopia High School graduate says that she hopes to be back in the area to perform soon.
Twisted Tree Music Hall will turn the amps back on next week. Arkansas singer-songwriter Ward Davis will make his first ever stop on May 3. If you like modern outlaw country like Jamey Johnson, Kendell Marvel and Derryl Dodd, then this will be a show you don’t want to miss. Davis released a tune with Cody Jinks last year. In true outlaw fashion, you might want to keep the kids at home. Davis has written songs for Willie Nelson, Sammy Kershaw, Merle Haggard, Wade Hayes and Trace Adkins. Jacksonville will be his last stop on a Midwest swing of dates before he heads out East. You can find him on the streaming services and at warddavismusic.com. This guy is the genuine article if you are into tried and true country songwriting. He kicks off a great summer of country music for Twisted Tree. Keep checking back here for previews on all the incoming artists. Twisted Tree just announced this week that late 70s and 80s country legend John Conlee is visiting on May 18. “Rose Colored Glasses” and “Friday Night Blues” are staples of any 70s and 80s country playlist. The 78-year-old native of Versailles, Kentucky still plays several shows a year. Wes Shipp will open the show for Conlee next month. Get your tickets early.
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.
