Archive for April, 2011
MARTIN-CATE: Live music can’t be beat this weekend
Apr 29th
What a great weekend to go out and support local music, find any genre you fancy and have fun!
WEEKEND SHOWS
Ketcham Louden Live (acoustic)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Spirit Knob Winery, Ursa, Ill.
Martin-Cate
Bravefellow, Esther Moore and Huckabutt Trio (rock/acoustic)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: New Hampshire Bar, 1000 Hampshire
Raised On Radio (blues)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Elk’s Lodge, Quincy
Ketcham Louden Live (acoustic)
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Saturday
WHERE: Hopewell Winery in Summer Hill, Ill.
Boulevard Band (classic rock)
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Union Difference Picnic in Madison Park
Cheeks McGee (acoustic)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Village Vineyard and Winery in Camp Point, Ill.
Cheeseburgers (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: RT & Honey’s Saloon, Augusta, Ill.
Raised On Radio (blues)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Chasers, Rushville, Ill.
NOCEBO, Mob Action, and Drilld (rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The New Hampshire Bar, 1000 Hampshire
COST: $3
Bombshell (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Tennessee Tap, Tennesee, Ill.
Eleven (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Driftwood 13, Keokuk, Iowa
Harlot (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Vinnies Tap, Fort Madison, Iowa
Jerad Harness and Blackgrass (country)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Kinnick On The River in Montrose, Iowa
Love Junkie (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Car’s Pit-Stop, Keokuk, Iowa
Road King (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: River City Billiards in Hannibal, Mo.
Jessica M. Martin-Cate
MARTIN-CATE: Cheeks McGee performs live on radio, plus live events abound this weekend
Apr 22nd
Cheeks McGee
Cheeks McGee went on WGEM News/Talk 105 this morning to perform and talk about the Local Q Music Fest, listen here: Cheeks McGee
WEEKEND SHOWS
Pimpkatz (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Spiderillo’s Bar & Grill, 601 N. Fifth St.
COST: $3
The Undecided (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Hotspots Bar, Hwy. 24, Clayton
Highway 99 (country)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Adams Trading Post, 1619 N. 735th Ave., Liberty
Scott Holt (blues)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Club Tavern, 1023 N. 10th St.
Fatty Lumpkin (rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Captain Kirk’s Marina, Fort Madison, Iowa
Road King (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Ike’s River Front Tavern, Dallas City, Ill.
The Jeff Page Band and The Young Gunz Band (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: South Side Boat Club, Keokuk, Iowa
Looking for more information on local musical acts? Go to music page at www.thelocalq.com.
MARTIN-CATE: Local WGEM ‘X Factor’ winners surprise all by talent and presence
Apr 16th
I was a judge today for WGEM’s local version of “X Factor” today that was held at John Wood Community College. “X Factor” is popular former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell’s new singing competition show that will focus on vocalists and vocal groups.
Due to some scheduling conflicts and other issues, only 61 participants showed up out of 88 that signed up for today, maybe it was the weather or maybe it was cold feet that kept them away. Either way, there was still a lot of great talent.
Contestants were 12-years-old and up and from the tri-state region.
The judging criteria was:
Singing Ability
Originality
Stage Presence
Overall Rating
We saw every type of singer from Gospel to country to Broadway and more. After each of the 61 contestants sang in front of only two judges and no audience in a classroom, then 12 finalists were chosen. The 12 finalists then performed an entire song in the auditorium in front of an audience and the four judges, which besides myself, were Josh Houchins, Carrie Butterfield and Andreas Mannhardt.
Four winners were chosen to make the trek to the Chicago audition and skip the lines of thousands to perform in front of producers of “X Factor” April 26.
And the winners are:
• Jared Keim, 17, of Hannibal
His mother signed him up for the local contest and didn’t tell him until last night that he would be competing today. He plans to sing “When I believe,” by David Archuletta at the Chicago audition.
“I thank God for the opportunities that I’ve been blessed with and the family and friends that support me,” Keim said. “I hope I do good.”
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• Terry Russell of Quincy
Russell has previously won a local “American Idol” contest with WGEM and is excited for this opportunity.
“I was really kind of surprised when my name got called, because I was under the weather today,” Russell said. “A lot of good talent today, I could count six or eight contestants where I was like, I’m going home.”
He plans to take a popular song and arrange it to make it his own for the Chicago audition.
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• Thadd Gray of Milton, Iowa
His wife signed him up for the local contest a couple days ago.
“It is pretty wild,” Gray said. “To hear my name called and tell me I was going, it was cool. I’ve never done anything like this.”
He plays with a country band in Southeast Iowa called Midnight Blue. “I’ve done contests, but nothing of this scale,” Gray said. “I’ve never sang in front of that many people in my life that we are going to in Chicago.”
He is unsure of which country song to choose from, possibly Jamey Johnson, Johnny Cash or many others.
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• Aspen Gengenbacher, 12, of Quincy
“I was definitely scared and have never been so nervous,” Gengenbacher said. “When they called my name I teared up, I’ve never been so happy before.”
Gengenbacher’s vocal coach suggested she try out and she plans on singing the same song in Chicago that she sang today, which she sang in a jazzy tone, and was “Summertime,” saying “my grandma used to sing it to me when I was younger and it seems like good luck.”
“There was definitely people that I thought were going to knock me right out of the competition,” Gengenbacher said. “I’m really nervous about going to Chicago and if it is anything like the people who try out for ‘American Idol’ the first time around, it should be fun and maybe I can get a laugh out of it.”
Jessica M. Martin-Cate
MARTIN-CATE: Local Q Music Fest performers give a sneak peek on Quincy radio
Apr 15th
WGEM News/Talk Live 105 has been great about helping promote The Local Q Music Fest and has already had two performers for the Fest in to talk on the show and perform a song. To listen to Esther Moore and George Cate of Predawn Hour, click below. And for more information on the Music Fest, click here.
TO LISTEN to Esther Moore, a Local Q Music Fest performer, talk about the event and perform, CLICK BELOW:
Esther Moore on News/Talk Live 105 for The Local Q Music Fest
TO LISTEN to George Cate of Predawn Hour, a Local Q Music Fest performer, talk about the event and perform, CLICK BELOW:
George “Rick” Cate of Predawn Hour on News/Talk Live 105 for The Local Q Music Fest
Jessica M. Martin-Cate
MARTIN-CATE: Standing by a lineup
Apr 14th
Martin-Cate
I HAVE BEEN involved in live music for about a decade in one way or another and I love it.
I actually started off helping organize tours and things by interning with House of Blues corporate and then started leaning towards covering live shows when I went to school for journalism. However, I didn’t stop booking the occasional show or helping work out sponsorship for a large or underground festival.
What all of this brings me to, is that I have finally been involved from the very beginning on a large scale event that I am very proud of and it is The Local Q Music Fest. The Local Q has been talking about this event for some time now, but I hope the main message has not been lost and that is that WE SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC. And we want everyone to realize the talent that comes from regional acts and for that matter, acts that you may never have heard of.
I will put my name and anything else I’ve got on the lineup for The Local Q Music Fest and swear that it is diverse, talented and just plain good. If one act isn’t your favorite kind of music, just wait at the most an hour and a new one will take the stage and probably blow your mind. I am NOT just saying this, because anyone that knows me will tell you that I am unbiased to the point that I can make those closest to me mad by my truthfulness when I am asked that fateful question, “so what do you think of this song?”
I slaved over this lineup, of course not alone, but I did. We looked for bands that would appeal to a wide array of demographics, while not offending anyone. Our hope is to be seen as credible in choosing music, meaning that fans can see our name on an event and know we wouldn’t put it there for just anyone.
It is important for everyone out there to know that this is only the beginning and we plan to have many more events and support many other acts. One thing to remember is that due to those pesky issues with BMI, ASCAP and such, we do need to stick mostly with acts performing original music. (Read more on this here.) Although, who doesn’t love a great cover song? I do.
Long story short, I wanted to give everyone a chance to check out some videos of the bands that will perform May 7 outside and in Quincy University Stadium:
COPPERVIEW “YESTERDAY” (modern rock)
THE GRADUATE “DON’T DIE DIGGING” (pop/indie)
PREDAWN HOUR “HOME ROAD” (rock/alternative)
PEACH “RUINER” (thrash/rock)
THE HIPNECKS “SNI-A-BAR STOMP” (Americana/alternative)
You can check out the rest of the great lineup by clicking each acts name:
Cheeks McGee (singer-songwriter/loop/acoustic)
The Hong Kong Sleepover (hard rock)
Esther Moore (folk/acoustic)
Logan Kammerer (jam/acoustic)
PRITCHETT: Bassnectar sends crowd into cardiac arrest
Apr 13th
Bassnectar performing a show.
On Saturday, April 9, a sold out event at The Pageant in St. Louis was under way.
Pritchett
The 2,000 plus “Bass Heads” flooded The Loop in their colorful attire eager to be mesmerized by the distorted and unfathomable bass drops. The genre that entails Bassnectar is mostly dub step, and this music is not something you want to listen to while cruising down Broadway with your grandparents.
Charlie Sheen once said, “I have one speed. I have one gear. Go!” That would be the best contemporary description of what is Bassnectar. Lorin Ashton is the genius brainchild of the electronic phenomenon and has remixed everything from STS9 to Metallica.
Bassnectar requires two simple things from the crowd: have a good time, and dance till you go into cardiac arrest.
That being said, the show was the most unique evening I have ever spent at The Pageant. The balcony was bouncing to the pulse of the music along with synchronized dancing from the sold out crowd. The crowd’s energy was pure mayhem and Bassnectar fed off their restlessness the whole night.
The venue finally forced Ashton to finish his set around midnight, and the crowd was in disbelief that a show so incredible was over so soon.
MARTIN-CATE: Local X Factor contest to be held in Quincy
Apr 7th
There is a chance that you could be the next “American Idol,” oops I mean the next winner of “X Factor,” which is Simon Cowell’s new show on FOX. WGEM is hosting a local contest April 16 and I am so excited!
To sign up for the contest, click here: http://www.wgem.com/Global/story.asp?S=14389301
TO WATCH THE PROMO VIDEO FOR THE LOCAL CONTEST, CLICK PLAY BELOW:
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SIMON COWELL EXPLAINS X FACTOR:
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SIMON COWELL CALLS FOR AUDTIONS FOR SHOW:
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BRET MICHAELS: Watch video of the rocker performing in Quincy
Apr 4th
Bret Michaels performs at Johnny Bang Bangs in Quincy Sunday night, April 3. (H-W Photo/Steve Bohnstedt)
Bret Michaels rocked Quincy April 3, read the concert recap here and watch video from the performance and Michaels talking to the crowd below.
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BRET MICHAELS: Fans flock for the return of the rocker
Apr 4th
Dead Giveaway performs at Johnny Bang Bangs, formerly Backwaters, to open for Bret Michaels April 3.
Poison frontman Bret Michaels just couldn’t stay away from Quincy and its adoring fans, so the rocker returned in less than eight months after his previous performance in August 2010.
Michaels took the same stage at Johnny Bang-Bangs, formerly Backwaters, Sunday night to keep the promise he made to rock our worlds again and the fans showed up in droves. (To read the story of his return or watch video of his performance last year, click here)
Local looping artist Cheeks McGee performed once again as the crowd flooded into the venue after 5 p.m. and actually covered tween heart throb Justin Bieber to get the party started. The crowd loved it and the show had begun.
The first level of the venue was shoulder to shoulder and attendees crowded to the edge of the upper floors.
Next up was local band Dead Giveaway (Read the story of the band’s chance to perform here).
Dead Giveaway opened with a drum solo and then went right into “In the Heat of the Night,” an original from back when the group was active in 1992-94. Lead-singer Korey Haner had ladies screaming as he hit all the high notes and Matt Helms killed it on guitar.
Bret Michaels performed in Quincy April 3.
The group had some great covers with Stone Temple Pilot’s “Cracker Man” and Ozzy’s “Crazy Train,” and the crowd sang along.
Dead Giveaway ended with a Judas Priest medley as promised as the crowd was riveted and then roared with applause as the set came to an end. Someone in the crowd even mentioned he had chills.
Next, “Welcome to the Jungle” blared over the PA, the crowd went wild, knowing that Michaels would soon take the stage.
He started his set off with “Talk Dirty To Me” and everyone loved it.
In between songs, Michaels announced that he hopes to see everyone on tour this summer for Poison’s 25th anniversary and Motely Crue’s 30th anniversary performances.
Later after “Something to Believe In,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and more, he thanked the crowd for 25 years of rocking.
He threw in an encore of “Nothing But a Good Time” and then suggested another visit.
Michaels teased the crowd with more concerts saying “tonight is an awesome night, I would come to Quincy anytime.”
He kept his word before when he vowed to return for a show back in August, so stay tuned for the announcement of another pass through town.
Great turn out for Quincy on a Sunday, now sadly everybody will have to put away the glam outfits and wash out the extra hairspray for Monday morning, but the memories of the big show will undoubtedly run through their minds all day long.
Jessica M. Martin-Cate
