Sunday, October 22, 2006

Photo by Danny Clinch
OCMS | 11/10/2006 | House of Blues | Chicago, IL
A week after The Avett Brothers (see below) is Ben's fave young upstart string band ... the Old Crow Medicine Show at House Of Blues on Dearborn. Tix are $20. New CD out now. It's even better than their debut. Visit the band's official Web site for details.
HOB.com - It Is Live
The Avett Brothers @ Back Porch Stage @ House of Blues Chicago :: Fri, November 03
To be perfectly clear, The Avett Brothers are (a) brothers but (b) not traditional bluegrass. They are (a) authentically Southern and (b) acoustic musicians but (c) of a decidedly uncorked temperament. If you like Old Crow Medicine Show, you're likely to enjoy this trio as well. Check out the band's official Web site for MP3s and additional info.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Late Breaking News
Don't miss the Bluegrass Festival at the Chicago Botanic Garden! Come to hear the area's best bluegrass bands, enjoy a mouthwatering barbeque, and take part in children's crafts and straw maze while surrounded by outstanding fall color at the garden. The annual Bluegrass Festival promises great music, but that's not all! Pumpkins and gourds will be available for purchase. Green Youth Farm, the Chicago Botanic Garden's high school growers in North Chicago, will be selling their freshly grown produce.

Bands including the Freeway Rangers and the Special Consensus will perform on the Esplanade, and the Fruit and Vegetable Island will be humming with activity on Saturday, September 30, and Sunday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

The Midnight Special - Folk Music with a Sense of Humor - 50 Year!
The First Midnight Special Folk Festival
Sunday, September 17, 2006 at the Harris Theater in Millenium Park

Featured artists include guest emcee Christine Lavin, along with Ronny Cox, the Four Bitchin&aps Babes, Greg Greenway, Kim & Reggie Harris, Bonnie Koloc, Magpie (Greg Artzner & Terry Leonino), Anais Mitchell and Garnet Rogers, as well as special guest appearances by Megon McDonough, the Sons Of the Never Wrong and others. Click here for details.
Celtic Fest Chicago 2006
Celtic Fest Chicago - 9/16 & 9/17
One of my favorite fiddlists is a headliner at Celtic Fest next weekend ... Natalie MacMaster. (Her set's on Sunday, 5pm, at the Petrillo Bandshell.) She's only one of many excellent acts playing for FREE in Grant Park next weekend. Parking beneath the new Millenium Park area is very convenient. And the underground facilities include rest rooms that are spacious and clean. See details by clicking the image below.

Celtic Fest Chicago 2006

Sunday, September 03, 2006


BluegrassMusicUSA.com
This online store offers 22 full length Louvin Brothers CDs. It's the most complete collection I've seen ... anywhere! Plus they've got the King/Star-Day records re-issues. All great stuff. And the prices are excellent as well. Don't miss out.

Shipping charges are just $2.50 for any order within the United States and are shipped within 24 hours of payment verification.

“Girl From The North Country” – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan was a guest on Johnny Cash's first variety TV show in July 1969, and this duet was taped at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium.


More Bob Dylan on Google Video
To promote the newly released "Modern Times" CD, Bob Dylan's record label has released about a dozen videos spanning his entire 45-year career. Some are brilliant. Others merely curiousities. A few are downright embarrassing. But ... ain't that just like Bob Dylan?!? See them all here.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Must See Local Show
This coming Friday, July 28th at Fitzgerald's offers a talented lineup of local musicians, notably the headliner Robert McShane ... whose co-lead singer is none other than Elizabeth Lopardo ... who needs no introduction. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and ... get this ... admission is only $5.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

~ Bob Ware Memorial - Update ~
I've been in contact with Bob Ware's daughter. She's
hoping that anyone from the Market Group who will be
attending the service can stick around for the social
hour following and provide a little music. Please let
me know asap if you plan to attend and can participate
in the music circle so I can let her know how many of
us to plan for. Thanks - Len

~ In Memorium ~
Some of you may remember Bob Ware, the elderly gentleman who used to wear a cowboy hat and play harmonica with the market group. He used to come to the market until failing health kept him indoors at the Oak Park Arms. For those of you who gathered there on Sturday morning's during the winter, Bob would often come down in his wheel chair, still playing his harmonica. Bob passed away last April.

There will be a memorial service for him at the Oak Park Arms, Washington Blvd and Oak Park Avenue, on Saturday, July 29, at 2:00 p.m. Bob's family requests no flowers but memorial donations may be designated for the music program at First United Church or a charity of your choice.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006


[An Appeal From Susan Buchanan]


Hello Farmer’s Market Friends,
My husband’s co-worker is collecting musical instruments for a worthy cause. Please read below and consider donating any old instruments you have lying around the basement!

St. Gregory Episcopal School is in need of musical instruments for their summer music program that is going on now through August. They are looking for any and all musical instruments - flutes, clarinets, electric guitars, bass guitars, horns, violins, etc. Your donation will greatly enhance this summer program which offers the young men of SGES new opportunity to be exposed and learn to play a diverse range of instruments.

Alexis Leslie is the coordinator at the school for donations. You can contact her at 2130 South Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60623-3113; 773-277-4447 (with voice mail), 773-277-4445 (fax) or contact Rev. Don Frye at 630-290-6704 to arrange pick up and delivery of your donations.

History of SGES
St. Gregory Episcopal School was established in 1962 by the Rev. R. L. Whitehouse and Gordon L. Baker. Its founders envisioned a liturgical and educational institution patterned after the all-male English Cathedral choir schools, but situated within the urban context of Chicago. Founded as an outreach ministry of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, the school shared space within the church and its parish hall until August 2002. Enrollment was necessarily small (under 30) given the limited amount of space.

In August of 2002 St. Gregory’s moved to a shuttered school building in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. With the additional space at our new location, we realized a long term desire to add a kindergarten class. There was also room for a computer lab, a library, a lunchroom and a small parking lot that doubles as a playground. In many ways, we became a brand new school, and we are still evolving.
Emmylou Harris & Johnny Cash with Marty Stuart

From a 1970s Johnny Cash Show featuring a very young Marty Stuart on mandolin. Tip o' the hat to Lane Kelly for the link.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

The Banks Of The Ohio

Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Scaggs with Alison Krauss.

Friday, June 23, 2006

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Adam Grosso's Band - Euforquestra
Recently featured on MTV's "Making the Band," Adam Grosso's world-fusion band Euforquestra is based in Iowa. Jim and Mary's son plays bass, steel drums, vibraphone and vocals. Visit the band's site for info on CDs and more.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, Bush, O'Connor, Douglas: Freeborn Man

Thursday, June 08, 2006


Folk Alley: Live From Folk Alley
Wow ... free MP3 downloads of complete shows by Tim O'Brien, Old School Freight Train, Solas and more. Now that's "mighty fine" indeed!

Wednesday, June 07, 2006


A second helping of local songwriters with OPFMB regular Jack Swain and several good friends from the Fitzgerald's scene and beyond. It's all original. It's unplugged. It's at Molly Malone's. So ... let's get out and support 'em.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Friday, June 02, 2006

18 Nights of Bruce Springsteen - Watch U.S. Tour Performances
AOL Music is presenting live performance videos from the current Bruce Springsteen "Seeger Sessions" U.S. tour - for free. While the music is certainly not bluegrass (nor is it billed as such), the old time and folk repertoire is expertly performed by an ensemble that can only be described as big, outsized and virtuoustic. The studio recording failed to capture the dynamics of the band's range; whereas in-concert there's really nothing like it. I saw 'em at Jazz Fest in New Orleans last month. And it was spectacular.

Monday, May 29, 2006

http://www.educared.org.ar/tamtam/lmages/JakeShimabukuro.jpg
Jake Shimabukuro will be making an appearance on WGN's "Steve and Johnnie" show Tuesday Night (May 30th) at 11pm on WGN-AM 720 and on the web at http://www.wgnradio.com.

Sunday, May 28, 2006


Save the Date!

The Oak Park Farmers' Market
Opens on Sat, June 3rd!

(That's NEXT WEEKEND!)

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Upcoming Shows (Many of which may be called ... "Mighty Fine!")
  • Sam Bush Band (newgrass/bluegrass) - Sat, July 7th at The Cubby Bear
  • Brian Hilligoss (roots/roadhouse country) - Wed, May 31st at Fitzgerald's
  • Shawn Phillips (singer-songwriter/legend) - June 23rd at Fitzgerald's
More to come...

Thursday, April 27, 2006

~~ Rest In Peace ~~

Tom Dundee
Tom Dundee

[ Chicago Tribune Obit ]
[ Photos from Utah Phillips ]
[ Additional Tribute Information ]

There will be a special memorial concert in tribute to Tom Dundee on Sunday, May 14th at 5:00 p.m. at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4844 North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Folk Alley: OpenMic

And yet another kind of Open Mic ... this one is completely virtual. At FolkAlley.com/openmic you can upload your own recordings and lots of acoustic music fans will listen. Registered listeners vote for their faves to determine a monthly winner. (Jack's a regular Folk Alley member. You can see and hear him on the Open Mic right about here ...)
[ Bruce Springsteen - Seeger Sessions ]
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See 'em live on June 13th at the First MidWest Bank Ampitheater (formerly the Tweeter Center)
Other Acoustic and/or Bluegrass Open Mic Nights


Two Way Street Coffee House
1047 Curtiss, Downers Grove
Fourth Saturday of Every Month at 2:00 p.m.
630-969-9720
http://www.twowaystreet.org/
A lot of OPFM musicians are quite familiar with this venue and its owners. There are many, many great musical experiences presented practically every night. Check their Web site for special events, festivals and additional jam nights.


Uncommon Ground Cafe
3800 N. Clark St., Chicago
Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Gabriel Otto & Paul Stauffer
773-929-3680
http://www.uncommonground.com/
This one is a very intimate room that features "folk" and "singer-songwriter" genres versus "bluegrass." But I played it once (as accompaniest to my friend Ben Arnold) and the acoustics are quite nice. Smoke free too! Oh, and they can record your performance through the PA. It's like recording live in the studio. Nice!

Saturday, April 22, 2006

[ Mighty Fine Monday Night Open Mic ]
Bluegrass Jam at Kitty Moon
signnewtwomoon.jpg (87717 bytes)
Kitty Moon Chicago
Monday Nights at 9:00 p.m.
Hosted by Kevin Becker of Feathergun and Sleepercar
More info about Kevin and his gig(s) here
This venue is in the Edgewater section of Chicago. It's a ways to go for some pickin'. But the neighborhood's awfully nice. When and/or if anybody checks it out, please write comments here. Thanks a bunch.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Bass Pro Mandolins - for the fishin' musician!

Could this possibly be on the level?
It's your call!
Thanks to Jim Polaski for the link.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Live Upload Series IX :: Grateful Dead 5.8.77


Little Radio Blogzine

Blogging about other blogs ... hmmm. Well, I just found this one. It's about and for independent music with a decidedly young, indie twist. Not so much about bluegrass. But it reveals much about the currently thriving acoustic scene among the under-30 generation.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006


Please support Jack and friends as they showcase original songs at this cozy watering hole.

Here's another string band/old time/bluegrass ensemble (featuring Bill Nershi of The String Cheese Incident) who're givin' away MP3s. Plus they've got shows on archive.org ... mighty fine!

Monday, April 10, 2006

[ Mighty Fine Upcoming Show ]
Darol Anger's Republic of Strings
with Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek

Republic of Strings live 2005

Fri, May 5th ($17, 21+) at Martyrs'
http://www.martyrslive.com/
http://www.darolanger.com

Thursday, March 30, 2006

~ R.I.P. ~
Buck Owens
"The Streets of Bakersfield"


Friday, March 24, 2006

Invitation to Join the NIBA
Ms. Reja Mateski Jager, President of the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association approached the group at the Buzz a few weeks ago wanting to know if we'd all consider joining the organization. Jim told Reja to send him the information and I'd relay it to the group. Membership is $15 a year. The newsletter lists jams, concerts and festivals along with information on Bluegrass happenings, individuals and bands in the area. Jim has a pdf of the form to join the association (that Miguel's having a hard time posting here at the moment).

The NIBA is located at P.O. Box 535, Winfield, illinois 60190.
E-Mail: niba@nibaweb.org
Website : http://www.nibaweb.org/

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Packway Handle Band... Bluegrass From Athens, GA
I'm really likin' this string band from the Peach State. And they're givin' away free MP3s, which is always nice!

Packway Handle Band

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Midwest Bluegrass Festivals

Coming up this weekend ... Fri, Mar 24th through Sun, Mar 26th ... the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Festival in Naperville. The wonderful family band Cherryholmes is featured. Click the headline link for details. Or click to view the flyer as a PDF.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Half Day Bluegrass Band
Here's a Chicago bluegrass band that I may very well be the last person affiliated with the OP Farmer's Market musicians to hear about. But ... they've posted a list of links to even more Chicago area bluegrass bands, venues and festivals. So ... since they've done the leg work ... I'll just post this link! (Now I get more time for pickin')
SOMEBODY ELSES TROUBLES SUNDAY, MARCH 12
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 12TH, WE WILL FEATURE MICHAEL SMITH IN THE S.E.T.S. MUSIC SERIES AT OUR NEW LOCATION: LILLY'S ON LINCOLN AVENUE. COME TO THINK OF IT, AT THE LAST SHOW (WHICH WAS THE FIRST AT LILLY'S) I WAS INSPIRED (BY 16 YEAR LAGAVULIN) TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE SHOWCASE TO:

COME EARLY
STAY LATE
FUN VENUE
GOOD CHINESE NEXT DOOR
FINE SPIRITS
PRICELESS CAMMERADERIE

LILLY'S
2515 N. LINCOLN AVENUE
773 525 2422
7:30 PM

Sunday, March 05, 2006

[ DON'T MISS THIS SHOW ]



The legendary RAY PRICE with Robbie Fulks
Sun, March 19th at 4pm & 7:30pm
at the Old Town School
773-728-6000 or TicketWeb.com
Vintage postcard of The Oak Park Arms
Open Session at The Oak Park Arms ...
Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. 'til ...

Bob Lopardo wishes to remind y'all that the Oak Park Arms is an open session. The residents really enjoy the music, and the management encourages people to come in and mingle a bit. You'll notice the OPA has even posted the session on its outside marquee sign if you drive by.

Some musician folks go to the Buzz first then meander over to the Arms for a while (as the OPA session starts later and doesn't end as early). We would love it for any pickers and grinners who want to stop in and set a spell. Bonus! Free mini muffins and tepid coffee abound!

The Oak Park Arms is on the corner of Oak Park Ave and Washington, which is just one block north of Madison.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

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Hank III Makes One Hell of a Great New Disc
The tempos are fast. The twang is deep. (The Dobro player deserves a trophy!) And the lyrics are PROFANE!!! (You've been warned.) But the spawn of Hank, Jr. and grandspawn of the immortal Hank, Sr., takes the next big leap in his loud, fast rule of the frontiers of alternative country (with his middle finger firmly and stoutly erected in the general direction of the Nashville establishment). With his backup band "Ass Jack" in tow, Hank III runs rip-snortin' through 13 tunes that've been honed and sharpened by constant touring. This album is tight. Buy it on iTunes and get two bonus tracks not on the compact disc. But don't play it at work!

Monday, February 27, 2006

Upcoming Shows at the Old Town School

Junior Brown with The Hoyle Brothers
Texas guitar slinger JB plays the world's only Telecaster-Lapsteel combo instrument. And he plays it like a true master. Brown's deep baritone vocals and a strong penchant for upholding the legacy of Ernest Tubb make for one heck of a show. Warm up act the Hoyle Brothers are Chicago faves in the honky tonk tradition.
Sat, May 13 at 7:00 PM & 10:00 PM

Jim Lauderdale and Gail Davies
Vicki told me a funny story about how she met this guy with a Nudie suit and funky side burns at MerleFest. She wasn't sure who the heck he was until she saw him on stage later and realized he must be somebody! I told her about how Jim Lauderdale sang back ups and wrote songs for everybody from Emmy Lou Harris to Lucinda Williams. And he's recorded a pair of incredible traditional bluegrass CDs with Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. This show promises to be more in the singer-songwriter vein of Lauderdale's ouerve.
Sun, May 21 at 7:00 PM

Abigail Washburn with The Crooked Jades
Here's another of my personal favorites. Abigail Washburn plays banjo in the all-girl bluegrass/old time band Uncle Earl. She's toured China with Bela Fleck. Actually, she's fluent in Mandarin and even sings a couple of songs in Chinese. Her songs are simple yet elegant. And the rough hewn delivery of her instrumental chops lends an air of authenticity to the story songs she shares with eloquence and honesty with her audience.
Sun, Jun 4 at 7:00 PM

Tickets for all shows go on sale to Old Town School members on 3/6/2006, and to the general public on 3/10/2006

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Actor Don Knotts is seen in this undated studio portrait. Knotts, the skinny, lovable nerd who kept generations of television audiences laughing as bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on 'The Andy Griffith Show,' died Friday night, Feb. 25, 2006 of pulmonary and respiratory complications at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. He was 81.(AP Photo)

Don Knotts • Rest In Peace
[ Obituary ]
[ Barney Fife ]

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Pickin' Some Mighty Fine Pickers
Jim Polaski heard these folks on Don Reno's Bluegrass on DSS (Direct TV) RFD-TV (http://www.rfdtv.com/shows/bluegrass.asp) yesterday and they're mighty good!

The Clusterpluckers ... WHAT a name!!!
http://www.clusterpluckers.com/indexx.html

The Cluster Pluckers

Reno's show comes from Blue Highways TV. They have a great DVD set from the show. And Ronnie Reno has his own site -- www.RonnieReno.com

Monday, February 13, 2006

[ Another Mighty Fine Young String Band ]
The Avett Brothers



They've played MerleFest, Bean Blossom and all the rest of 'em. Just a trio with bass fiddle, guitar and banjo. And there's hell raisin' in their blood. Not a cozy dish of home cookin' in the old time tradition; more like a bowl of fire with a whomp bomp a loomah a whomp bam boom! Visit the fellas' official web site for more info and their brand new CD (as of Feb '06).
Reminder: Now pickin' an' singin' at The Oak Park Arms ...
Session starts at 9:30 a.m. Get details here.

Vintage postcard of The Oak Park Arms

As well as The Buzz Café Please note that I've heard the Buzz is pretty crowded these days. Consider both the OP Arms and Buzz sessions for your next Saturday morning pickin' an' a singin' pleasure. Each one is mighty fine!
Here Comes ... John Prine!



Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, IL
Sat, May 6, 2006 at 8:00 PM

Buy tickets online from Ticketmaster

Saturday, February 11, 2006

[ Bluegrass Brunch at Horseshoe Chicago ]
The Dimestore String Band
We can forgive these fellers for playin' with an electric bass guitar. Especially 'cause they're real good pickers. (And the stage is real small.) The location is north of Irving Park on the north side of Chicago. See some photos here.

[ Another Mighty Fine String Band ]
The Reeltime Travelers

- Listen to two tracks here
- Official band site here where you can buy their new "live" CD

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Announcement
Sunday, February 12 at 7:30 PM.
Lilly's, 2515 N. Lincoln in Chicago - 773 525 2422

>In the theme of Somebody Else's Troubles Sundays held in the past
>years at Lucille's; featured will be Matt Stevens, fine songwriter
>in the classic Chicago style. Co-host is the great Kat Eggleston.
>Join us for the series' return to Lincoln Avenue.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

[ Country meets Bluegrass ]
The Woodys



This husband-and-wife duo sing angelic harmonies. Truly a great blend of voices in the Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris mold. They've got three CDs out. The new one, Telluride to Tennessee, features more of a bluegrass feel with top flight session players such as Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, Jimmy Fadden, Al Perkins and Ronnie McCoury.
Cherryholmes - a "Mighty Fine" Family Band
[ http://www.cherryholmesfamilyband.com ]



I read a supportive review in the Sunday NY Times today and ended up buying the CD on impulse (it's on sale for $9.99 at the Virgin Megastore). And ... it's fantastic! You can hear Windows Media Player audio samples on the band's Web site - click the link above. This TN-based group is slated to play on March 25 at the 11th Annual Northern Illinois Bluegrass Festival, Naperville, IL, 217-243-3159 (www.bluegrassmidwest.com).