Aug 21, 2013
I first saw Jeff Austin walk on stage at the Abbey Pub in 1999. There must have been about 20 people in the audience and, oddly, it seemed like about half of them were related to the guy. He huddled around a single microphone with his cohorts in Yonder Mountain String Band and delivered a set of...
Nov 24, 2012
Contributed by: Chris MurtaughIt was a family affair at Chicago's Vic Theater on Black Friday. Following a turkey stuffed evening, Cornmeal returned to Chicago for their annual holiday show, a homecoming of sorts for the band and presumably many in attendance. With the departure of the Nowak brothers announced in late summer, I was interested...
Nov 9, 2012
The Cornmeal Thanksgiving in Chicago tradition has been going strong for many years, and even with some changing of the guard, the band is making a return to the Vic for the 2012 edition on (Black) Friday Novemer 23rd.Last year's festivities included a show opening for Umphrey's McGee on Saturday and a rare club gig...
Feb 2, 2012
Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival delivered two solid weekends packed with highlights. Fortunately, the good times don't have to end at the festival, as some of the strongest sets of the festival have been recorded, and we're happy to share them with you. Three keys sets from 1/21 at the Auditorium are available here in their...
Sep 1, 2011
When details started to emerge about Shoe Fest, the first year festival taking place at Stonehouse Park in Earlville, IL on September 9th - 11th, I almost had to pinch myself.There is no denying the overwhelming amount of musical talent in and around Chicago, and the quality festivals taking place all around the region...