Disturbed and Three Days Grace help thaw the Polar Vortex in the Midwest

Peoria Civic Center - Peoria, Illinois January 31st, 2019

Review and Photos by Jeremy Rickman of JKR Photography

Outside temperatures in the negatives didn't stop fans from filling the Peoria Civic Center for the much awaited Evolution Tour. Even after having to be postponed a day by Mother Natures wrath that didn't stop anyone from making it from close and far to rock out to this powerhouse pair of bands.

Sublime with Rome with guests Tropidelic stop by Peoria, Illinois

Monarch Music Hall - Peoria, Illinois January 16th, 2019

Review and Photos by Jeremy Rickman of JKR Photography

With cold January temperatures covering the Midwest Sublime with Rome and openers Tropidelic spent their 5th tour night in Peoria, Illinois bringing that West Coast sound to warm up the Monarch Music Hall as well as the fans.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Rockin' the Opera

The rock opera is alive and well;

December 11 in Greensboro, North Carolina the Trans-Siberian Orchestra played the first of two shows in one evening. Scheduled to play Sunday, Dec. 9, they had to delay due to the severe snow storm that hit the east coast. Trans-Siberian Orchestra has been playing seasonal operas to sold-out crowds around the globe. With multiple Platinum-selling albums (10 million units worldwide) they've brought their rock operas to more than 100 million people in eighty plus cities over a twenty year period. Regularly performing up to ten shows in a six-day period, featuring elaborate stage and light shows. With over three dozen alternating musicians, of similar appearance, backup singers, storytellers, and a small seven-person string orchestra drawn from local talent in every city. They leave crowds in awe with over the top performances that last up to two hours and sets that include massive disappearing stages, numerous laser and light banks. Smoke machines, multiple rows of pyro, spark ejectors and massive projection screens round out the $ twenty million dollar production that is equaled only by Pink Floyd.

The Higgs

Live at The Foothill Fillmore

11/29/2018

Photos By EarthMusic Photography

Story By Leslie Pitts

It's time for the world to meet the Higgs, Southern California's psychedelic jam band sensation that is capturing the attention of concert goers everywhere.  They are the musical manifestation of the Higgs Boson particle, the cosmic glue that holds the whole show together.

"Melting faces, blowing minds" is the motto their fans have unanimously coined, and it's well-earned.  The Higgs are reaching frequencies that have people clutching their hearts, simultaneously in pre-cardiac arrest and/or orgasmic bliss.
As one of those people, this Higgster can testify that it certainly feels like ascension.  How many times can a person say "it doesn't get any better than this" and still be believed?  The Higgs are testing the limit with each note.  Yeah, that good.  Let's just say that if they played 3 nights in a row, and you went every night, you would still leave wishing you had more. 

Bob Weir....”Bringing it all Back Home”

 Nov. 08, 2018

Nashville, TN

Story By Butch Worrell of One Heart Photo

Photos By Butch Worrell of One Heart Photo

And with a lil help from my friends.....

Julia Nichols, Deseare Iwin-Gnann, Karen Dismukes-Cooper, and more

The Wolf Brothers (Bob Weir, Jay Lane, Don Was) stopped in at the Ryman Auditorium to pay homage at the “Mother Church” of Americana. Ever since receiving the 2016 Americana Lifetime achievement award Nashville seems to be a special spot for Bob. As Bob said then in his acceptance speech....”You take musical traditions from England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain a little bit, a little bit from France, and blend them together with a rich variety of African musical traditions, and stir it up. You let is simmer for 200 to 300 years and see what happens. This could only happen in a new land. Physically, culturally, and spiritually. That place was and is America.” It was very appropriate to have some special guests that are prominent artists in the Americana genre, Margo Price, John Oates, and Buddy Miller to join in to make it a very special evening.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Last of the Street Survivors Stops in Peoria, Illinois

Peoria Civic Center - Peoria, Illinois November 3rd, 2018

Review and Photos by Jeremy Rickman of JKR Photography

In 1964 Lynyrd Skynyrd popularized what was to be Southern Rock. Their music helped define the 1970's and sold over 28 million records. Among their biggest hits, "Sweet Home Alabama", "Simple Man", "That Smell", and "Free Bird" just to name a few. Tragedy Struck of course in 1977 and the Last of the Street Survivors founding member Gary Rossington and former member Rickey Medlocke and younger brother of Ronnie Van Zant, Johnny Van Zant are touring for the last time. They many be stepping out of the spotlight however their music will live on forever.

Sweetheart of the Rodeo returns to the Ryman

Oct.11, 2018

Nashville, TN

Story By Butch Worrell of One Heart Photo

Photos By Butch Worrell of One Heart Photo

Fifty years ago the Byrds were in Nashville recording “Sweetheart of the Rodeo”, having been influenced by the country roots of Gram Parsons who joined after the departure of David Crosby.

Country Rock's birth happened and although it took decades this album is now considered one of the most influential for the “Americana” genre today. To celebrate it's 50^th anniversary Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman joined forces with Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives (“cousin” Kenny Vaughn, “handsome” Harry Stinson, and Chris Scruggs) to perform not just the songs from album but also legendary songs from the Byrds catalog of hits along with a special nod to Tom Petty with whom all had collaborated.