The Turnpike Troubadours make their debut in Illinois!

I feel like I’m about a week late on writing this little story about the Turnpike Troubadours, who I will refer to as the TTT for simplicity. I’m absolutely in love with the sound these guys put out. Their sound is so refreshing and freeing. I’ve only  been listening to them for about six months now.  I  first heard about them because  of McClure's connection with Diamonds and Gasoline, their latest cd. Then I was on a road trip with my musical mentor and she slipped their cd into the player. This is how she teaches me. She gets my undivided attention and then points out all the important  and clever lyrics? Then I’m hooked, mostly because the lyrics provoke thought, but also because I'm happy to be learning "new" music.   This particular day, I made a real faux pas and she hasn’t let me live it down, YET. I made the mistake of saying I wished a particular verse had rhymed. I don't know why.  I'm not  one for the rhyming music.  My poetry maybe, but I wasn’t thinking. Just listening to these new lyrics and their sound was just very different.  Catchy even.    Sorry, I slipped.  I’ll never wish for a rhyming lyric, again. haha  I just cannot talk about TTT without telling that story first. Because that was the first day I ever gave them a listen. Whew, now that I made that admission, I’m moving forward. Leaving dork behind.

I write this blog because I am already looking for new shows, so I might as well share what I find.  The shows here in the Midwest are some of the best performance's I've seen. When I started watching for a TTT show, I saw they really didn’t travel much past OK or TX. boo hiss But I did see they were going to open for  Jason Boland in Missouri. I was making my plans to go…..until I saw they were going to make the trek to ILLINOIS for their first show here. A full show.  Old 36,  in Riverton would be their host.

If you ever get a chance to see a show here, I recommend it. I’ve come to love this little place. Jeb, the owner, greeted my husband and me upon arrival and shared one hysterical “McClure” story, while we waited for the bar to fill up. Jeb is the reason we get such great shows. Thank you sir, my hat is off to you. I can happily say I’ve lost count of how many great shows I’ve seen at The Old 36.

I met up with friends from everywhere. Chicago, Effing-ham, Taylorville, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign. It’s amazing to see the lengths people will go to on a Tuesday night to see shows like this. We all have to come alive in the morning early. Doesn’t matter, The Turnpike Troubadours are in “RIVERTON” and that’s in ILLINOIS, so you drive to the show and deal with the logistics at midnight. Eh no worries. Right friends.  We are here to LISTEN to the TTT. Knowing most of the people at the show, we collectively decided to move tables towards the stage so we can enjoy the show with a seat. “Until happy dancing, takes over”

The show opened around 9:15 with Every Girl and the small talkative crowd, went silent. It was as perfect as I could have imagined. All I could do was sit there, smile and sing along and thank my lucky stars. Several songs into the show Jeb motioned for us to stand our lazy butts up and come to the front of the stage. Great move too, by the way. TTT music is to be danced to. TTT said they wondered how we danced in an Illinois honky tonk. Well we really don’t. Side note: We should start! My friend Travis’ buddy showed me how to two-step. I thought it was a blast, even though I almost biffed it during one of the spins. My husband and I have tried it out here at home, but neither one of us know it well enough to lead.  Plus we don’t have quite enough space. Hmm, maybe that’s what we will do with that empty room in the basement.

  They played for our Midwest group for about two hours before they took a break. They all pretty much took turns taking the spotlight. Lead guitar, Ryan even impressed us with his steel guitar “skills”. During their break they met fans, sold and signed merchandise and took a few photos. After about a half hour they took the stage again for an outstanding encore. The crowd couldn’t have been happier, many thanks to Old 36 for another fine evening of phenomenal “live” music.

Three and a half hours later, we climbed in the car after saying our goodbyes and drove up I-55 homeward bound. Definitely went to sleep dreaming of Diamonds and Gasoline and the Turnpike Troubadours return to Illinois, someday.

Do yourself a favor, see some live music, soon.

xxmusicgypsyxx

:-)

Here are the latest shows I've found. Let me know if you hear of any others.


December
9th Robert Earl Keen-George's Majestic-Fayetteville, AR
10th Paul Thorn-The Castle Theatre-Bloomington, Il.
13th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights, Old Rock House, St. Louis, MO 9pm
14th Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights, House of Blues-Chicago, Il
15th Red Wanting Blue-Cassleman's-Denver, CO ~~~~~~~Casey and Michelle !!
16th Blackberry Smoke-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il
Jackson Taylor Acoustic-Shooters-Kearney, NE
17th Jackson Taylor Acoustic-Nite Crawlers-Worms, NE
18th Blackberry Smoke-Bar 3-Rockford, Il
Reckless Kelly-The Wormy Dog-Oklahoma City, Ok
Jackson Taylor-The Mill-Deweese, NE
19th Jackson Taylor Acoustic-Benchwarmers-Fullerton, NE
31st Randy Rogers Band- with special guests Cody Canada and The Departed-The Wormy Dog-Oklahoma City, Ok


January

1st   HANGOVER BALLThe Wormy Dog-Oklahoma City, Ok
Cody Canada, Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Stoney LaRue, Charlie Robison, Seth James, Brandon Jenkins, and Bruce Robison
13th Dale Watson-Rose Bowl Tavern-Urbana, IL
Cody Canada & The Departed-Granada-Lawrence, KS
14th Cody Canada and The Departed-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il. 10pm
15th Dale Watson-The Wiggy Saloon-Janesville, WI
James McMurtry-Old Town School of Folk Music-Chicago, Il
16th Cody Canada and The Departed, The Majestic Theatre-Madison, WI
17th Cody Canada and The Departed, The Canopy Club, Urbana, Il
19th Cody Canada & The Departed-The Blue Note-Columbia, MO
Jason Boland and The Stragglers-Peoples Court-Des Moines, IA
20th Jason Boland and The Stragglers- Off Broadway-St. Louis, MO
21st Jason Boland and The Stragglers-Luke's Bar and Grill-Altamont, Il
22nd Jason Boland and The Stragglers-Beaumont Club-Kansas City, MO
29th Pat Green-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il.

February

11th Wade Bowen-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il-8:30pm $8
18th Red Wanting Blue-Rathskellar's-Indianapolis, IN
Phil Vassar-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il.
Old 97's-The Pageant- St. Louis, MO
19th Red Wanting Blue-Britton Tavern-Noblesville, IN
Old 97's-The Vic Theatre-Chicago, Il
26th Robert Earl Keen-Joe's Bar-Chicago, Il. 8:30pm $25