Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - The Neverly Brothers

The Neverly Brothers : A Rock & Roll Tribute from Elvis to the Beatles.

No, that's not a great headline I thought up, that's the promo tag line for the 3-piece band, based in Chiagoland, called The Neverly Brothers.  And well, it's a perfect description, but not a complete description.

The Neverly Brothers is more like a musical history lesson - or as they called it - a "Magical History Tour".  I was fortunate enough to see their show at Steger's First Responders Community Event.  The band was the part of the Day 1 festivities, which also included a parade, bouncy-houses, touch-a-trunk, dunk tank, a DJ, and fireworks.

The band's tagline basically explains the musical genre - but the band doesn't just play music or cover music for that era, they literally transport one back in time.  The band itself consists of just 3 band members, and the 3 basic instruments of that time, instruments that gave that era of music its own never-since-duplicated sound.  A bass violin (the band taught us that was the correct term), many know it as the upright bass, standup bass, "the doghouse", and "that giant bass".  A 6-string acoustic guitar.  And, a simple drum kit - one bass drum and one tom, no cymbal.  Basic, but to the point - and pure - just like the sound of that era.  Those three instruments, when played properly can sound like an orchestra.  Less is more, as they say.  The band played everything from Elvis to The Beatles, to Johnny Cash, to Rolling Stones, to The Kinks, to the Big Bopper, and so many bands in between.

The show focused on Early American Rock & Roll, starting at Sun Records, and progressed through the British Invasion, led by The Beatles and ending with the Stones.  The show even included a costume change to go with the different eras.

But, really, a Neverly Brothers show is so much more than the songs and the attire.  It truly is a Magical History Tour.  Throughout the evening, from the opening to the encore, the band transports the audience back in time through narration.  They set the stage with descriptions of venues, recording studios, and events.  Literally, one could close their eyes and be transported.  But it was even more than that - there was even history lessons about the songs or the artists or their influences or the times.  Did you know, for instance, that "Wake Up Little Susie" was so controversial in its time, that radio stations would not play it?  I didn't know that - but I do now - thanks to The Neverly Brothers.

More than a concert, this was a show, more than a show, this was a true TRIBUTE, a heartfelt recreation of an era that was the cornerstone of Rock & Roll.

Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - First Responder Community Event

With today's entry, we are helping to spread the word for an event occurring Saturday August 19 and Sunday August 20 in Steger, IL.

The First Responder Community Event.

This event is to honor the men and women of the First Responder Community; Fire Department/EMT, Police Department, Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and Public Works.  These are the first people on the scene serving and protecting the residents of Steger and nearby communities.  They are there for fires, accidents, general assistance, traffic control, snow removal, water main breaks, getting cats out of trees, checking for carbon monoxide or natural gas in homes, keeping water purified, illness, injury, and education - and so much more.

The event starts on Saturday, August 19 with a parade.  Everybody loves a parade.

The parade begins at 3:00pm on the west side of town, and travels down Steger Road to Hopkins and ends at the Louis Sherman Community Center.

At this point, all sorts of activities will be ready to roll - a dunk tank, water games, bean bags, and a DJ.  There will also be food and beverages available.

At 7:45pm, The Neverly Brothers- A Rock N Roll Tribute from Elvis to The Beatles - takes the stage for a free concert.

Following the concert - FIREWORKS!!!  And then a DJ in the beer tent to finish off the evening.

On Sunday, August 20, there will be a fundraiser dinner to raise money for the First Responder Departments.  Money raised will be split across the groups and used as necessary.  Reservations are now closed for this event, so the caterer has a headcount.  This dinner takes place inside the Louis Sherman Community Center.

Here is the link to the official facebook invite page - https://www.facebook.com/events/1930286787235340/

Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - Rock 4 A Reason/Steger

Today we are simply promoting a charity event to be held on Friday, March 3 at The Glass Tap in Steger, IL.

This is the first in a series of Rock 4 A Reason events.  The concept - once a month, assemble awesome local musicians to perform a gig at an awesome local venue to raise money for some amazing local charity.

The Kick-Off Concert is Friday, March 3 at The Glass Tap.  A Beatles/Classic Rock Inspired Jam Night.  The host band is the most awesome High Anxiety, and there will be local musicians joining in all night long.

Former and current members of various bands have indicated participation, from such bands as Green Umbrella, Beatle Buddies, Concrete Shoes, High Anxiety, Little Johnny, Plastik Glass, Kashmir, American English, B4 And After, Time Bandits, Meet The Beatles, The Ralleys, Low Voltage, The Lauds, Last Exit, The Big Boppers, Pepperland Rockestra, Sad Monster Party, Johnny Burnett Band, Sgt. Sauerkraut's Polka Band, Wiresky, Dead Feathers, StarRider, Sniper, and possibly even more.  (This list does not guarantee appearance, only indicates musicians who expressed interest in joining into the jam).

MOST IMPORTANTLY - the local charity - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation.  100% of the proceeds raised during the event will go directly to this charity.  The AshleyCan Foundation raises money which is used to raise awareness of childhood cancer, donated directly to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, donated to other children's hospital, and donated to families impacted with this terrible disease to use towards treatment and care.  The end-goal of this charity is to cure those with childhood cancer - and to END childhood cancer completely!!!!  More details can be found on their homepage (link provided just above) and on their facebook page at AshleyCan Facebook Page.  The charity is based locally in Bourbonnais, IL - however their impact is felt nationwide.

The event webpage is Rock 4 A Reason - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Charity Gig.

Featured Running Event of the Week - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation-Steger Days Of Music 5k

Returning after a brief hiatus from working the various aspects of Steger Days of Music - here is the next featured running event.

The AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation - Steger Days of Music 5k.

This event is run on the Saturday morning of Steger Days of Music beginning a busy day of activities throughout the village.

The event has a summer-friendly early start of 8:00am.  This is a street 5k, but with some uniqueness in the course.  The route starts at the Fire Station and Fire Fighting Practice Complex and heads into a tree-lined neighborhood, after about 1 mile, the course enters the wide streets of a light industrial park, and passes by the start/finish line on its way to an relatively out-and-back segment of the course.  The route heads up an unexpectedly steep hill into a newer subdivision with smaller trees, and not as much shade, before turning towards an older neighborhood and large trees again.  It then begins the "back" portion at just about the 2 mile mark.  On the way back, after going down that surprisingly steep hill, it makes a quick turn into a serene retirement community and makes a loop.  Following that loop, it's all downhill from there, literally.  From the point on, the course begins a long gradual downhill all the way to the finish line - providing a nice finish line kick and a chance to gain some time towards a PR.  Aside from the one obvious hill, the course actually has several very gradual long uphills (which become downhills).  At first they aren't noticeable, until the runner has traversed 4 or 5 blocks and looks back, and realizes why that seemed harder than expected.

But it's not the course that makes the event special.  It's what is ON THE COURSE.  At the start/finish line is a DJ, who starts the race with the National Anthem, and then, upon the gun/horn - plays Eye Of The Tiger and other "motivational" rock songs.  Now, this is especially cool, because not only do runners hear the DJ at the start, and the finish, but also just after 1 mile, as they pass the start/finish line to head to the 2nd part of the course.  Three opportunities to enjoy the DJ stylings of Dave's Entertainment Karaoke & DJ.

But wait, there's more.  After leaving the start line, and before 1 mile is reached, runners encounter a student summer band program.  A complete band, with horns, and woodwinds, and percussion, and everything one would find in a high school band!  Also playing music to motivate the runners, all courtesy of the Steger Summer Rec Band.

But wait, there's more.  On the out-and-back portion of course, right near the water station, is a two-piece live acoustic band, playing everything from classic rock to surf music as runners go by.  What's cool about this is twofold.  One, because it's at the water station, many runners slow down and get to enjoy the music longer and two, because it's on the out-and-back portion, runners get to enjoy the live music of The Big Boppers duo two times.....two times.

But wait, yes, there's MORE.  And it's more music.  Just before (and after) the turn-around an EMA (volunteer Emergency Management Agency) vehicle is playing standard football game/motivational music through it's intercom.  But not just that - accompanying the music is the Steger Storm Cheerleaders - providing much appreciated inspiration and motivation to the runners.

And if that isn't enough, throughout the course various residents - and business owners/employees in the industrial park also cheer on the runners as they pass.

The finish line is awesome too, with grilled hot dogs and chips for everybody, plus the standard runner fare of bananas and granola and such.  And, in addition, for those 21+, a wine tasting tent!!!

And, it all goes for a great charity, the AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation, which raises money to help find a cure for childhood cancer, to provide treatment to those with childhood cancer, and to provide assistance to the families impacted.

AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Steger Days 5k

The AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Steger Days 5k is in the books - and the first 2 words that come to mind are "Thank you".

Thank you to all of the participants, runners, walkers, joggers, woggers of ALL ages from the single-digits to the golden years!!

Thank you for supporting the cause and coming out! Without you, there is no event.

Secondly, Thank You to the Village of Steger workers. The on-course support provided by the Steger PD and Steger EMA was TOP NOTCH. Compliments were given from many runners and volunteers regarding the support on the course!!!! I am not surprised by this at all, as I have worked with these men and women in blue for years.

Thank you to Steger Public Works. I provided a laundry list of things we would need by 7:00am on a Saturday - and 100% of them were not only delivered, but in some cases, delivered even better than I even asked!!!! Excellent teamwork!

Thank you to our on-course entertainers - the ones who helped make this a truly enjoyable event : The Big Boppers, Steger Summer Rec Band, Dave's Entertainment DJ & Karaoke, and Steger Storm Cheer & Football!!!

Thank you to the neighbors of Steger who came out and cheered on the runners! It really does mean alot to a runner or walker to be cheered on - it's amazing boost!

And, last, but definitely definitely not least all of our wonderful sponsors!! Without your support this would not have been possible: Dari-Whip/Twisted Q BBQ, Steger Days of Music, Creative Squared Custom Picture Framing, JDM Coatings, Mayor Ken Peterson, SteveO Photography, James Herr & Sons Auto Repair, Newk's Boxing Gym, Country Financial Agent Tim Perchinski, Thrivent Financial Agent Larry Burton!

Your support with this event will go a long way in the long fight to end, cure, and treat Childhood Cancer!!

We couldn't have done this without each and every one of you!!! Thank you!!!

STEGER DAYS OF MUSIC 2016 - LINEUP ANNOUNCED

FRIDAY JULY 8 (free admission)
7:00pm - The Shift
8:30pm - Epic
After Show - Karaoke with DJ Dave

SATURDAY JULY 9 (tickets on sale March 5)
8:00am - AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure 5k (starts outside Fire Station/Temp Village Hall)
8:00am - The Big Boppers (live on the 5K course)
1:00pm - Bingo
3:30pm - Windy City Dueling Pianos
5:30pm - Nobody's Business
7:00pm - Iron Horse
8:30pm - Joe Nichols
After Show - Karaoke with DJ Dave

SUNDAY JULY 10 (free admission)
1:00pm - Annual Parade (Fireman's Park to Veterans Park)
2:15pm - Bacchanal
3:30pm - Serendipity
5:00pm - Room To Move - Performing Arts
6:00pm - Little Johnny & The HouseRockers
7:30pm - 95th Street Band
9:15pm - Fireworks Celebration


For tickets and more information go to www.stegerdaysofmusic.com


For 5k registration and information go to https://www.raceentry.com/race-reviews/ashleycan-race-for-a-cure-5k-steger-days

Local Live Music - Turkey -Week Onward

I don't want to hear anybody say "I can't find any live music"..........

This will be updated often.

As with any live event, check with band or venue before heading out.  This is live music, sometimes things change.


11/25 - High Anxiety - Slugger's, Momence, IL
11/25 - Big D Unplugged - Cutter's Way, Vincennes, IN
11/25 - Kashmir - The Abbey Pub, Chicago, IL
11/25 - Serendipity - Action Territory, Kenosha, WI
11/27 - Big D Unplugged - Cutter's Way, Vincennes, IN
11/27 - 95th Street Band - Strike & Spare, Lockport, IL
11/28 - High Anxiety - Rambo's Sports Bar & Grill, Somonauk, IL
11/28 - Matt Yeager - Off The Vine, Momence, IL
11/28 - Sniper - Jesse's Tavern, Chicago Ridge, IL
11/28 - Big D Unplugged - Seven Sports Grille, Linton, IN
11/28 - Sopro's 34th Annual Thanksgiving Chicago All-Star Blues Revue - Sullivan's, Midlothian, IL
11/28 - Kashmir - Buddy & Pal's, Crown Point, IN 
12/1 - 'Tis The Season with Mac Frampton - Freedom Hall, Park Forest, IL
12/4 - Acoustiholics - Weber Grill, Lombard, IL
12/4 - Masters Of Soul - Freedom Hall, Park Forest, IL
12/5 - Masters Of Soul - Freedom Hall, Park Forest, IL
12/5 - Epic - Tailgaters, Bolingbrook, IL
12/5 - Kashmir - MT Barrels, Schaumburg, IL
12/5 - Texas In July, Unknown Zodiac, To The Wind, Invent, Animate, Wanderers - Star Bar, Chicago Ridge, IL
12/9 - Acoustiholics - Weber Grill, Lombard, IL
12/11 - Big Boppers featuring the Montecki's - Mama & Me's Pizza, Homewood, IL
12/11 - The Weeklings - Crossroads, Garwood, NJ
12/16 - The Weeklings - Daryl's House, Pawling, NY
12/18 - Ides Of March feat. Jim Peterik Annual Christmas Show - Arcada Theater, St. Charles, IL
12/18 - Epic - Nevin's Brewing Company, Plainfield, IL
12/18 - Big Boppers featuring the Montecki's - Mama & Me's Pizza, Homewood, IL
12/19 - Little Johnny - Janie's Pub & Grill, Sullivan, WI
12/31 - Sniper - Jaxx Pub & Grill, Glendale Heights, IL
1/3 - American English - Space, Evanston, IL
1/16 - Jim Peterik's World Stage - Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville, IL
7/8 - Steger Days of Music Day One
7/9 - Steger Days of Music Day Two
7/10 - Steger Days of Music Day Three

Steger Days of Music - Photo galleries & 5k Results

There are 5 photo galleries from Steger Days of Music

Day 1 - Ides Of March headliner - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973573175997686.1073741845.304654299556247&type=3

Day 2 - David Allan Coe headliner - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973708499317487.1073741846.304654299556247&type=3

Day 3 - American Warrior 5k (benefiting Wounded Warriors Project) - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973880892633581.1073741847.304654299556247&type=3

Day 3 - Travis Tritt headliner - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.974417695913234.1073741848.304654299556247&type=3

Day 4 - Kashmir headliner - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.975099149178422.1073741849.304654299556247&type=3

5k RESULTS can be found here - https://runscore.runsignup.com/race/results/?raceId=16940#resultSetId-11624

Start/Finish Line Area photos from American Warrior 5k - http://www.photojournalize.com/woundedwarriors

Steger Days of Music - Kashmir

Steger Days of Music - Day 4


Sorry for the delay in posting - but I need some R&R (rest & relaxation) from my weekend of R&R (rock & roll).

Day 4 was absolutely amazing, four top notch bands on the schedule beginning at 2:00pm and ending at 9:00pm with a bang (literally - there were fireworks immediately following Kashmir).

The day opened with The Big Boppers full band in the beer tent (all ages attendance). The Big Boppers focused on classic rock & roll from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Mostly those rockers that get people up and moving, but also a couple of classic slow songs for the couples to dance to. The Big Boppers full band incarnation consists of Bopper (and Midnight) staples, John Falston and Frank Anastos on the guitars. Artie Baldacci on drums, and Fran Green on vocals. I should say on phenomenal vocals. Between accomplished guitarists (bass and lead), Anastos and Falstrom, accomplished drummer Baldacci, and the singer with the golden voice - it was an amazing and full sounding set. And, let's not forget, Frank Anastos on lead vocals on some songs and harmonies on others!!! An awesome show, could talk about it for hours, but need to move on - I'm sure there is a word limit to fb posts.

The Time Bandits, a Beatles cover band, followed the Boppers. The Time Bandits stuck to all Beatles this round, with no solo songs, but trust me - they know those as well! They did an awesome job of scanning the Beatles catalog to provide a well-rounded picture of the Beatles music from slow ballads to Helter Skelter, which is basically a heavy metal song, to deep cuts like Leave My Kitten Alone. Vocals were traded between all 3 guitarists (just like the Beatles, but no Ringo songs in this set). The Time Bandits had the crowd singing along and even "head banging" during Helter Skelter. A very tight and accurate sound for sure! Could spend longer talking about them - but two more bands to go.

EPIC - well, I'll do the cliche, was Epic! Epic, and Chicagoland 80s cover band can cover everything from 80s ballads, to power ballads, to flat out rockers! For tonight's show they stuck to the 1980 hard rockers, pulling out 2 Rush songs!! With only a 1 hour set and a Zeppelin Tribute Band up next, they planned the list accordingly to pump the crowd full of energy and get them in the mood to rock out. For 60 straight minutes this band went from song to song to song, without slowing down in between. They opened the show with front man "Lenergy" running into the audience to start things off. And that set the tone for a non-step energy filled 60 minutes, including crowd sing-along favorite Don't Stop Believing!! These guys have mastered the 80s sound, across vocals, guitars, drums, and keyboards. If you went to high school in the 80s - this is a band you must see!!! They play these songs so accurate you'll feel transported back to high school for sure. And, I'll say it again, the energy of this band - all the members - is amazing. It was a HOT and HUMID day under the 5:30 setting sun - and this band rocked it out every single song they played. Non-stop motion on stage!!!

And, finally, Kashmir. The best quote I ever heard about them "If you close your eyes, you think it's Zeppelin. If you open them, you think it's Zeppelin". And that quote is spot on true!!! This band plays the songs so perfectly accurate it is simply amazing! Then, not only do they dress the part, like tribute bands do, but they ARE the part. The mannerisms are so perfect, it was very easy to think it was Zeppelin on stage - VERY EASY. Of course, they weren't always on stage.........."Jimmy Page" traveled out to the audience 2 (maybe 3) times and worked his guitar magic up close and personal with the crowd - going 10-15 rows deep and covering the audience from stage left to stage right. During one trip to the audience, he did the classic bow-played guitar. And the crowd loved it!!! Back to the mannerisms, bass players often get overlooked, but even here - "John Paul Jones" was exactly John Paul Jones. And the drummer, well, nobody can be John Bonham, but he sure was close! And the singer - if I didn't know any better - I'd swear they hired Robert Plant himself - from vocals to stage presence!!! I wish I could remember the intro speech the band gave word for word, but they basically said "Look, we know we aren't Zeppelin and we aren't even trying to be. We are trying to play the songs as they were meant to be played" (or something like that). And they pulled it off from every single aspect - musically and visually!!!

And, I must say, that each one of these 4 bands was SO AWESOME to work with. So easy to work with, fun to be around, extremely professional at all times! Bands like this make my job backstage sooooo much easier, and fun!! (The Ides of March and The Shift from Thursday, also fit into this category)

I had so much fun working with these very professional, very cool, and very fun bands!!!! And even more fun sitting back and enjoying the show!!! I plan to see all of these bands many more times - and hope to work with them again as well!!!

Oh, if that wasn't enough, Day 4 also had a parade prior to the first band, a car show, craft/food vendors, and a carnival!!!

What a successful 4 days!!!!!

Performance photos at : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.975099149178422.1073741849.304654299556247&type=3

2015 Steger Days of Music - Travis Tritt

Steger Days of Music - Day 3

What an EVENT!!!

The day started early.......very early........with same day registration and packet-pickup beginning at 6:45am for the American Warrior 5k (benefiting Wounded Warriors Project). This was Steger's first 5k and the event was organized as professionally and detailed as any long term downtown Chicago 5k. Vendor tents, DJ, picnic tables, and plenty of food/drinks at the finish line. As participants crossed the finish line a professional announcer called out their bib number and names on the loud speaker. To finish, runners ran under a giant time clock, so they could see their times as they crossed. The course itself ran through an older Steger neighborhood with big trees (and much needed shade, as it was already 81 degrees and 90% humidity), then through a light industrial park, then into a newer neighborhood, then a Senior Citizen Complex, then back to the start. The route included one long and subtle hill and one not so subtle hill going up about 10 feet in 1 block (estimates). Along the route there was a Junior High Summer Band, a live band (The Big Boppers), and cheerleaders. Photos are posted in a separate album on this page.

Later in the day, the Windy City Dueling Pianos took the stage. If you've never seen Dueling Pianos, I highly recommend it. These guys were fun - and funny - and TALENTED. The whole idea behind Dueling Pianos is improv - and they mastered it. Singing everything from Elvis to Elton from Gilligan's Island to Beatles - and when the rains came (yes, again) - they immediately switched to GNR's "November Rain", which then led to another GNR song. The catalog was limitless and spanned every possible genre of song, including TV Themes!! Requests were always welcome!

During all this of course, somewhere around 2 dozen craft and food vendors were vending (is that the term?). A large carnival with classic rides and newer rides was operating only steps away - a mechanical bull was throwing people to the ground, and people were having a good time.

In the evening Bernie Glim and Country Roads Band, a local country covers/originals band, opened for Travis Tritt on the Main Stage. They have one amazing fiddle player, by the way!!!! Then Travis Tritt took the stage and played for 90 minutes to the delight of a very large crowd!!! Going through all of his hits, and some classic cover songs. The fans were most certainly not disappointed by the performance......at all! He rocked the place!!

Performance photos at : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.974417695913234.1073741848.304654299556247&type=3
5k photos (taken outside of Cabin 7 Studios) at : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973880892633581.1073741847.304654299556247&type=3

2015 Steger Days of Music - American Warrior 5k

As part of the 2015 Steger Days of Music, the American Warrior 5k benefiting Wounded Warriors Project was held in the streets of Steger.

The course ran through an older neighborhood with giant trees, a light industrial park, a Senior Living Complex, and a newer neighborhood.  As part of the course, participants passed Cabin 7 Studios two time.

Photos taken outside Cabin 7 Studios are posted here : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973880892633581.1073741847.304654299556247&type=3

Results can be found here : https://runscore.runsignup.com/race/results/?raceId=16940#resultSetId-11624

2015 Steger Days of Music - David Allan Coe

Steger Days of Music - Day 2

Headliner - the legendary David Allan Coe

The night started off hot and humid, 95 degrees, 108 heat index. But once the sun went in, it cooled quickly. But, then, like night 1 - something wicked this way comes! Lightning and rain. Not as bad as the first night, fortunately. About 3 downpours.

The opening band, Johnny V and the Bzzz got their full set in before the rains came.

David Allan Coe went on stage, and the first downpour happened. But, nobody left. His fans were there for the duration! Coe went through his greatest hits, and included stories about working with Johnny Cash and Kid Rock and others - and even sang some Kid Rock material. Coe's voice is still phenomenal and he can still play the guitar. Those who play guitar understand the skill needed to make ones fingers move that way and that fast. Sure, by now, it's all muscle memory for Coe - but that doesn't diminish his talent one bit.

The crowd endured two other downpours - again - none of them leaving - and they enjoyed every second on his set. And, they let him know when loud applause, screams, and whistles. Those who know Coe and those than came to see Coe were not disappointed - not at all.

The show was completed - on the main stage - without the need for the rain-related heroics of the night before.

One thing is for sure, the fans left satisfied!

A small photo gallery is available on our fb page at - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973708499317487.1073741846.304654299556247&type=3

 

2015 Steger Days of Music - The Ides Of March featuring Jim Peterik

What a magical night!!!!

Jim Peterik said it best as he introduced his final song of the evening, "Steger Days, you've got the Eye Of The Tiger!"

But before I even begin this story - HUGE HUGE HUGE THANK YOUS to all of the members of The Ides Of March band and crew!!!!!

So the plan was to have The Shift open at 7:00pm and play for 60 minutes, and then The Ides Of March to headline beginning at 8:30pm.  Mother Nature had different plans, after watching the clouds skirt around the festival grounds, at precisely 7:00pm - yes, precisely - the skies opened.  And they dumped the equivalent of Lake Michigan onto the crowd for the next 180 minutes.  I kept remembering that movie title "A River Runs Through It" as I looked around.

Members of Mix Design's sound/stage crew were closely monitoring the radar, even before the rain hit.  After much discussion between Mix Design, the Village of Steger Event Committee, and Cabin 7 Promotions, much to our regret, it was determined to cancel the opening act - and start switching the stage over for The Ides Of March.  The plan was, the minute the rain stopped, the show would go on - on the Main Stage, outdoors.

Everybody continued to monitor the radar as it rained and more and more cells were popping up.  Contacts at O'Hare Airport and Lansing Airport confirmed our suspicions, it was not going to stop raining that night - and it was going to remain a very heavy rain for most of the duration.

Again, in an amazing show teamwork, Mix Designs, the Village Committee, and Cabin 7 converged to discuss the next plan.  It was decided to ask the Ides of March if they'd be willing to play a purely acoustic set in the beer garden, not even a full set, just something for the fans.  Or maybe just a meet-and-greet.  But, something for the fans who stuck it out - some who sat in raincoats under umbrellas the entire time!  The band's manager was brought into the discussion - which went something like this :

Event Committee : "We were wondering if the Ides would be willing to play a small acoustic set in our beer garden?"
Manager - with absolutely no hesitation at all said "They'd love to!"

And, so it was done.  Upon hearing this news three different village RESIDENTS offered to go home (in the monsoon) and get their sound systems to set up for the Ides in the beer tent.  One, who also owns We Have You Covered, Inc. already had the equipment loaded in a trailer and just had to go grab the trailer - and he did.

Within less than a half an hour, residents, committee members, band crew, band members, Mix Design staff, Cabin 7 Staff, village board members, Public Works employees, EMA, and many others descended on the beer tent and created a temporary stage (as the pavement was a 1/2 inch lake), set up tables for the sound board, set up a merch table, set up an entire sound system with multiple mics and outputs for the acoustic guitars.  In 30 minutes, a concert hall was built.  This was an AMAZING example of teamwork and community at work.  That moment made me proud to be associated with the event, the Village of Steger, and the Ides Of March!

During this time, many of the band members were mingling with the crowd, taking pictures, signing autographs, playing some music, and talking.  It was any fans dream!  A chance to meet their band up close and personal - and then to watch them in the intimate setting.

The Ides Of March, ROCKED IT, as we knew they would.  No drums, no keys, no electric instruments at all.  2 acoustic guitars, percussion instruments, and the horn section!  Oh, and most importantly AMAZING AMAZING vocal harmonies to fill out the sound!!! 

They played the hits, Vehicle, LA Goodbye (a fan favorite for sure), You Wouldn't Listen, High On You, a .38 Special medley, and many others, culminating with a wonderful story of Sylvester Stallone phoning Jim Peterik, and the creation of Eye Of The Tiger - followed of course, by the performance of Eye Of The Tiger!

During the set up time and after, I tried to thank each member of the band for doing this extra effort for us.  And their responses?  "Musicians want to play" and "We wanted to give the fans something for sitting out there" and "Of course, anytime, it's about the fans, right?" and the funny answer "Well, of course, I spent time practicing for this gig!".   But those responses show what an awesome group of people The Ides of March is made from!  True musicians who love their fans!

But wait, there's more!  Even after all of that - they they stuck around for quite a while for a meet-and-greet autograph session.  And they took the time to talk to every person who went up there.

I think (I hope) that the people in attendance will talk about this for a long time!  I hope the band is just as happy as the fans and the event staff - I'm pretty sure they would.

The only downside of the evening was having to cancel the opening act - a local all-original band called The Shift.  They were great too, as they completely understood.

Something truly magical happened that night as the community came together and, with the band of course, put on a show that will always be remembered!!

Some photos can be found on the Cabin 7 Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.973573175997686.1073741845.304654299556247&type=3

Featured Live Music Artist of the Week - Steger Days Of Music

Instead of an artist review this week - we will feature the lineup for the 4-day music event.

Steger Days Of Music
Veterans Memorial Park, Steger, IL
July 16 - 19

Music, craft/food vendors, carnival, car show, fireworks, and even a 5k
Access to the grounds is free.  Selected live musical acts do have a ticket charge.

7/16
6:00pm - Craft/Food Vendors open
6:00pm - Carnival Opens
Main Stage - $10.00
   7:00pm - The Shift
   8:30pm - The Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik

7/17
6:00pm - Craft/Food Vendors open
6:00pm - Carnival Opens  
Main Stage - $15.00
   7:00pm - Johnny V and the Killer Bzzz
   8:30pm - David Allan Coe 

7/18
American Warrior 5k benefiting Wounded Warriors Project
  6:45am - Registration/Packet Pickup
  8:00am - Gun time for 5k run/walk
  8:00am - Big Boppers (Duo) - live music located along the 5k route!!
2:00pm - Craft/Food Vendors open
2:00pm - Carnival Opens
Beer Tent - $5.00
   3:00pm - Windy City Dueling Pianos
Main Stage - $20.00
   7:00pm - Bernie Glim and The Country Roads Band
   8:30pm - Travis Tritt

7/19
1:00pm - Parade (ends at Steger Days of Music)
2:00pm - Craft/Food Vendors open
2:00pm - Carnival Opens
2:00pm - Car Show begins
Beer Tent - no cover
   2:00pm - Big Boppers (full band)
   4:00pm - The Time Bandits
Main Stage - $10.00
   5:30pm - Epic
   7:00pm - Kashmir 
9:30pm - Fireworks (time approximate) 

More details here -  stegerdaysofmusic.com

Steger Days of Music Event Site Map

Steger Days of Music - July 16-19.

Site map.  (may change based on grounds conditions due to recent severe weather).

Veterans Memorial Park, Steger, IL - Hopkins and 35th Street

Click to enlarge.

Event details and schedule at www.stegerdaysofmusic.com

American Warrior 5k and Steger Days Of Music

American Warrior 5k race director, Cindy Trotier, talks about the 5k itself, as well as the entire Steger Days of Music event on "Exploring Joliet".

Click here (or copy paste into the browser) :

https://vimeo.com/132163031?fb_action_ids=10204719482575654&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=[836610839793903]&action_type_map=[%22og.shares%22]&action_ref_map=[]

2015 Steger Days of Music - Full lineup released

STEGER DAYS OF MUSIC
Full lineup of events announced!!

Thursday July 16
6:00pm - Carnival Opens
6:00pm - Craft/Merchandise Vendors Open
6:00pm - Food Vendors Open
6:00pm - Beer Tent Opens
7:00pm - The Shift on Main Stage
8:30pm - The Ides Of March feat. Jim Peterik on Main Stage
 
Friday July 17
6:00pm - Carnival Opens
6:00pm - Craft/Merchandise Vendors Open
6:00pm - Food Vendors Open
6:00pm - Beer Tent Opens
7:00pm - Johnny B and the Killer Bees on Main Stage
8:30pm - David Allan Coe on Main Stage
 
Saturday July 18
6:45am - American Warrior 5k registration begins
8:00am - American Warrior 5k (benefiting Wounded Warriors Proj)
2:00pm - Carnival Opens
2:00pm - Craft/Merchandise Vendors Open
2:00pm - Food Vendors Open
2:00pm - Beer Tent Opens
3:00pm - Windy City Dueling Pianos in Beer Tent
7:00pm - Bernie Glim and Country Roads Band on Main Stage
8:30pm - Travis Tritt on Main Stage
 
Sunday July 19
1:00pm - Parade Begins (starts at Fireman's Park)
2:00pm - Carnival Opens
2:00pm - Craft/Merchandise Vendors Open
2:00pm - Food Vendors Open
2:00pm - Beer Tent Opens
2:00pm - Big Boppers in Beer Tent
3:00pm - Car Show
4:00pm - The Time Bandits in Beer Tent
5:30pm - Epic on Main Stage
7:00pm - Kashmir on Main Stage
9:30pm - Fireworks

Official website - http://www.stegerdaysofmusic.com/

2015 Steger Days Of Music

We are excited to be one of the many sponsors of the 2015 Steger Days of Music.

The Ides of March featuring Jim Peterik
David Allan Coe
Travis Tritt
Kashmir
The Shift
Epic
Big Boppers
Time Bandits
Windy City Dueling Pianos
Johnny B & The Killer Bees
Bernie Glim & Country Roads

Craft Vendors
American Warrior 5k benefiting Wounded Warriors Project
Car Show
Fireworks
Carnival
Parade

Official website and all the details, including ticket sales at :

http://www.stegerdaysofmusic.com/

2015 Steger Days Carnival Live Music Acts Announced

The 2015 Steger Days Carnival at Veterans Memorial Park (Steger) will host 4 nights of live music.

Details here : Village Of Steger Webpage

Best. Present. Ever!

My coolest Christmas present was from my wife, and it was a box of rocks. Okay, really a box of broken bricks. Seriously.

In the 1970s, my Dad owned his own Barber Shop (Bob's Barber Shop) - right on Dixie Highway in Steger, IL. It was a stand-alone building with a cutout corner where the door was. The corner had a support pillar that was painted red/white barber stripes. It had at least 5 barber chairs (maybe more) and plenty of chairs in a giant open waiting room. Multiple barbers would work at the same time on certain days. Being that it was in a large single room, it was just like the old-fashioned shops, where people would walk in - no appt - and sit and talk to each other while waiting for their turn in a chair. It was, like the olden days, the center of the community, it had a CB radio (it was the 70s) and a police scanner - if it was happening in town - you knew about it at the Barber Shop. It also had a radio and wall mounted TV (before wall-mounted flatscreens existed). It still had one of those old cash registers where you had to push the buttons all the way down and it went "cha-ching" with each sale. It had a large picture window right onto Historic Dixie Highway, which was adorned with a Christmas tree and extensively decorated window during December. It had a bottle Pepsi machine and was really the place to come hang out. The gas station attendant/owner at the Steger Standard would often just stop by on his break to chat with whoever happened to be there that day. The owner of the shoe store across the street would do the same on occasion (the shoe store owner was also the Fire Chief). The Mayor would also stop by randomly several times a week and just chat. It really was something out of an old movie - it was the center of town - both geographically and socially.

Sadly, and quite suddenly, a large corporate super-gas-station bought the property, fenced it off, and tore it down. Removing one of the final historic pieces of Steger (all that remains now is a completely decimated train depot and the old Steger Standard, now a used car lot, in terms of history). At any rate - my wife was thoughtful enough to run over there and grab some pieces of brick for me and my sister!

Best. Present. Ever!