This year marked the tenth anniversary of the North West String Summit at Horning’s Hideout in North Plains, Oregon.  And, for the first time, the event included music playing on the main stage on Thursday night.  Thursday music, matched with a stellar line-up, made this Strummit one of the ...view article

It was like Black Friday all over again at the USTORM Umphrey's McGee Garage Sale, held just prior to Brendan and Jake's 8th Annual Holiday Show.  The Garage Sale was an opportunity for Umphreaks to pick up some vintage merch.  It was also a good way for Umphrey's to clear out the warehouse, and ...view article

On a summer night in mid June with temperatures in the upper 70’s the weather set the mood for the perfect evening. Ravinia, a venue just outside of Chicago in the upscale Illinois suburb of Highland Park, hosted a diverse crowd ranging from young to old. Who had all gathered in for the performances ...view article

Umphrey’s McGee has graced almost every stage of significance in their hometown of Chicago.  So when the opportunity arises to see them in a new venue there is a palpable sense of excitement and expectation. Such was the mood when guitarists Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger followed up their ...view article

Mickey Hart is currently touring in support of his latest recorded offering Superorganism, as well as celebrating his approaching 70th birthday.   I personally have not kept up with Hart’s more recent projects, in fact the last piece I listened to with quite a bit of interest ...view article

Saturday evening in Chicago always tends to be an interesting evening no matter where you are venturing, so much to do and such good music all around to see. This can truly make or break a band yet for Kinetix seeing the draw and the hype of the audience sets this band apart. Traveling to Wicker ...view article

After fulfilling their duties as the opening act for the Eagles, playing at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, JD & the Straight Shot played an after-show at Sundown at the Granada.  They’ve been supporting the Eagles on the current leg of the History ...view article

The 3^rd annual Head Jamz Music Festival began at the same time a massive heat wave rolled through the States with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees. The humidity that accompanied the opprobrious heat wave was beastly and for those who have been to music festivals in Tennessee, you’ll ...view article

I awoke from my slumber half expecting to find the Biltmore Hotel had been buried under a ton of snow. This seemed highly probable seeing as how when the show ended the night before it was full on blizzard conditions outside. As I was walking back to my hotel room last night I assumed with this much ...view article