Monday, October 23, 2006

image of Buzz Cafe store fronthttp://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/il/cook/postcards/opahot.jpg

Welcome Back
We're back at the Buzz (above left) and the Oak Park Arms (above right). Remember, the Buzz gets mighty crowded and the Oak Park Arms session begins a bit later ... around 9:00 a.m. ... and jams ’til about lunchtime.

A very personal suggestion of my own is that you consider alternating somewhat between the two venues on a regular, semi-regular or ir-regular basis as fits your temperament.

The Buzz tilts toward the fiddle tune repertoire whilst the Arms tends towards songs from the old time, string band, bluegrass, roots and country catalogues.

Lisle Station Museum
I just received this note from the organizers of the Ruralfest in Lisle. Unfortunately, the Lisle Park District has informed them that they can no longer host the event. No word on another venue yet. Meantime, they're hosting an event in the old depot here at Lisle Station Museum. Discover the Banjo! will take place on Saturday, November 11th from 3pm-8:30pm. Programs by Bob Carlin, Cheick Hamala Diabate, Mark Dvorak, Dan Gellert, Kinney Rorrer and Keith Collins will be presented throughout the day. Reservations are required, as seating in the depot is limited. To reserve a seat, call 630-968-0499.

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