Aug 2, 2017
Festival Watch is a Tomorrows Verse feature where we break down festival news into the facts you need to know.Ellnora Guitar Festival September 14-16, Champaign, ILHeadliners To WatchJeff Tweedy Holding down the folk side of the festival, Wilcos Jeff Tweedy will bring his massive catalog of music to the festival for an intimate, ticketed...
Jun 21, 2017
Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Michael LepekFrom the new Muddy Waters mural on State Street to inspired appearances by second-generation performers, the Windy Citys vibrant blues legacy was on full display at the 33rd Annual Chicago Blues Festival.2017 marked the inaugural year at the Millennium Park location. But, as blues fans made their way around the...
May 5, 2017
A new compilation album titled Chicago Plays The Stones aims to honor The Rolling Stones catalog utilizing the style and performers of the Chicago blues.Created by Chicago Blues Experience and released in correlation with the Navy Pier exhibit dedicated to the Stones, Exhibitionism, the 12-song compilation features multiple of generations of Chicago blues artists,...
Apr 10, 2017
By: Howard GreenblattFitzGeralds was packed with fans who came out to pay respects for the late Lonnie Brooks, who passed away April 1st at the age of 83, and love for his son and fellow guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks.Ronnie gave the love right back in an emotion-packed two set performance ...
Dec 19, 2016
By: Howard GreenblattShemekia Copeland brought her powerhouse voice from the outskirts of love to City Winery Chicago for two shows on Sunday.Although she is expecting a bundle of joy next month, she was still hittin it two hours in to the second performance.Shemekia was joined on stage by big brother Ronnie Baker...
Nov 2, 2016
By: Howard GreenblattWillie Dixon smiled down on the Big Head Blues Club from the show stage as he surely does from Blues Heaven.In tribute to Willies music, Todd Mohr (aka Big Head Todd), assembled some of Chicagos finest bluesmen: Mud Morganfield, Billy Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks, along with Blues belting Erica Brown to...
Mar 30, 2015
Sometimes the booking agents and talent buyers just get it right.Los Lobos at Fitzgeralds is slam dunk artist / venue pairing, that had me wondering... what took so long? I wasn't alone. The show sold out in minutes.Not to let a good thing go to waste. Los Lobos welcomed Chicago bluesman Ronnie Baker Brooks...