Monday, July 19, 2010

To the Tune of June

It’s been an absolutely fabulous summer. The month of June was great to me. I was lucky enough to see some great music here in my own backyard. Well not literally my backyard, but, "how cool would that be."  I consider an hour or two away, my backyard. I travel pretty far to hear some music, so...............

Early in the month I STUMBLED into a local artist Joey Figgiani.


 It was late night and I don’t recall much more than the excitement that I felt. I have seen this man’s name around the river valley for so long and have yet to hear him. Soon I will plan an evening out in my town and hear him AGAIN. He may or may not have signed something for me. It was late. ha I might have said that.

On June 11th, I saw THE Mike McClure Band at Six Strings Bar in Bloomington. The music, the sound, the band, WOW what an incredible show. All of the “fans” were in heaven. Everyone was totally into the music. I really love the early show for this reason. People appreciate the music. Not too much screaming for Freebird going on before 11pm. Ahhhh, refreshing. I might just be old.

I did not drink the fishbowl, just sayin.

The following songs were played from the heart and enjoyed immensely, thank you Mike, Eric and Tom.

She Don’t Want Nobody
She Gets to You
Saints in the Twilight
Yesterday Road
Stupid Hole
Light on my Hands
Nowhere Woman
Dings
The Void
Belly of the Beast
Magnolia
Hotel Band
The Funeral
Out in the Fields
A Breakdown
Into the Mystic
In my Ears
Open my Door
Skies are Turning Red
Wild Child
Like an Idiot
Remain
Wildflower
I’m still willing?
I Know
Floods

After I visited with the McClure band for a bit, I had the pleasure of meeting some guys from the band 6 Nights Alone. We somehow started talking Ragweed and they let me know they were opening for them in Dubuque, Oct. 23rd. They were nice enough to give me a copy of their EP. Which I have listened to a couple times and enjoyed.   Looking forward to hearing them LIVE at Diamond Jo’s Casino, October 23rd.

Big thanks to Chris and The Whip for bringing the dirt to the Midwest. I look forward to all the shows in the future.


The following weekend I again was blessed with "live" music close to home. The Sangamon Country Fair welcomed Cross Canadian Ragweed for their second performance in two years.  Didn’t get myself a corn dog, but I saw several who did. hint hint. I was a bit excited for the show, a little early and eager. So many old  and new FRANS, oh my hell. I saw everyone. The six packs of beers went down well and the music was loud and lovely. Thank you to the "men" from Oklahoma for keeping this show on the list. The fans here in the Midwest appreciate it.
 Grady Cross was a real trooper and jumped down from the stage and handed this to my best friend. So the set list was.............



                                     No "Carney Man" this year folks.

In case you haven't heard, Cross Canadian Ragweed is calling it quits.  Here are the last dates they will play together as a band. SAVE the DATES and go hear them for the last time.   I’m hoping to make it to several of these shows.  see notes
8/1 California Mid-State Fair – Paso Robles,CA
9/3 Arkansas Music Pavilion – Fayetteville, AR-notes- see ya there!
9/4 The Backyard - Austin, TX
9/11 Texas Gatorfest – Anahuac, TX
9/24 Lucy Park – Wichita Falls, TX
9/25 Western Day – Lewisville,TX
10/16 Ziegfest – Yorktown, TX
10/22 Diamond Jo Casino – Northwood, IA - see ya here
10/23 Mississippi Moon Bar – Dubuque,IA -  and here
 10/24 Joe’s – Chicago, IL and of course here. Your music will live on in our hearts, every last song. BIG TEAR

THE END
 of this blog!

 July Show Blog coming soon.

 Show Dates


August


4th Red Dirt Fest Fundraiser for Children's Hospital-Stoney Larue-Randy Rogers Band-Branjon Jenkins-Joe's Bar- Chicago, Il. see ya here!
5th-Brandon Jenkins-Mulligans-Terra Haute, IN
5th Stoney Larue and The Arsenals-Gabe's-Iowa City, IA
6th Stoney Larue and The Arsenals-Beaumont Club, Kansas City, MO
      Brandon Jenkins-Woody's-Evansville, IN
       Red Wanting Blue-Rathskellars-Indianapolis, IN-!!!
      White Trash Rodeo, Villa Grove Ag Days- Villa Grove
7th Johnny Winter-Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI
      Brandon Jenkins-Otis Campbell's-Washington, MO
8th Band of Heathens-Lollapalooza-Grant Park, Chicago, Il
12th Eli Young Band-Missouri State Fair-Sedalia, MO
13th Mike McClure-Lucky Maggie's-Diamond, MO
        Roy Davis-Uptown Playhouse-Lasalle, Il.
        Wade Bowen-Arkansas Music Pavillion, Fayetteville, AR
         Eli Young Band-Victoria, Kansas
14th TurnpikeTroubadours-Lucky Maggies-Diamond, MO
20th Randy Rogers Band-Indiana State Fair 5:30
21st Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights, River Roots Festival-Davenport, IA
         Eli Young Band-Muskegon, MI
22nd Eli Young Band-Iowa State Fair-Des Moines, IA
24-25 & 26 Red Wanting Blue-Marquette, MI
26th Jason Boland and The Stragglers, Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il
28th Todd Snider-Old Town School of Folk Music-Chicago, Il

September
3rd-Reckless Kelly-Cross Canadian Ragweed-Arkansas Music Pavillion-Fayetteville, AR
       Jackson Taylor-Bradley's-Champaign
      Todd Snider-Upland Brewing Company-Bloomington, IN
4th Jason Boland Mountain Amphitheatre-Lampe, MO
5th & 6th Todd Snider-PK's-Carbondale, Il
10th Red Wanting Blue-Cubby Bear-Chicago, Il.
        Hayes Carll-Blueberry Hill-St. Louis
11th Hayes Carll-Vaudeville News-Des Moines, IA
        Red Wanting Blue-Traverse City, MI
14th Hayes Carll-Knuckleheads-Kansas City, MO
16th Micky and The Motorcars-Snorty Horse-Columbia, MO
18th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights-Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre-St. Louis, MO-Pigroast
19th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights-Toyota Park-Bridgeview, IL-Loopfest 2010
16th Wade Bowen-Exit In-Nashville, TN
24th Two Tons of Steel-Bedrock 66 Live Series-Springfield, Il
25th Little Feat-Parkwest-Chicago
30th-Randy Rogers Band-Council Bluffs, IA

         Todd Snider-Memorial Opera House-Valparaiso, IN
October

1st Todd Snider-Stable Studios-Spencer, IN
7th Chris Knight Full Band-Longhorns Saloon-Manhattan, KS
8th Chris Knight Full Band-Snorty Horse-Columbia, MO
9th Chris Knight Full Band-Knuckleheads-Kansas City, MO
      Jackson Taylor-Lucky Maggie's-Diamond, MO
      Red Wanting Blue-Britton Tavern-Noblesville, IN
11th Justin Townes Earl-Turner Hall Ballroom-Milwaukee, WI
14th Todd Snider-George's Majestic Lounge-Fayetteville, AR
15th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights-Headliners Music Hall-Louisville, KY
16th Jonathan Tyler and The Norhern Lights-House of Blues-Chicago, IL
17th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights-Majestic Theatre-Madison, WI

        Randy Rogers Band-Clive, IA
22nd Cross Canadian Ragweed-Diamond Jo-Northwood, IA
23rd Six Nights Alone-Cross Canadian Ragweed-Diamond Jo-Dubuque, IA
24th Wade Bowen-Cross Canadian Ragweed-Joe's Bar-Chicago FINAL SHOW
29th Red Wanting Blue-Ballydoyles Pub-Bloomingdale, IL

NOVEMBER

6th Red Wanting Blue-Kemp's-Lexington, IL

December
3rd Red Wanting Blue-Ballydoyle-Downers Grove, IL
4th Red Wanting Blue-Ballydoyle Irish Pub, Aurora, Il.