A Birthday Bash of Blues and BBQ

Musically, there is just so much going on in the Quad Cities, I can’t possibly be everywhere at once. And this weekend was no exception. However, I had planned to spend my entire day Saturday at The Muddy Waters 3^rd Anniversary Blues and BBQ bash, so that’s what I did. Because I was expecting a long day, I didn’t hit any venues Friday night either.

No Reason for Cabin Fever - Live Music Every Day

It was a musical week in my world. Usually, I’m out on the weekend, with the occasional Thursday evening. However, good music doesn’t just happen on the weekend in the Quad-cities. Often it happens in the middle of the week too. In fact, you can pretty much find music happening somewhere every night of the week.  One thing led to another this week, and I found myself short on sleep but deep in music…

A Little Blues Here a Little Blues There

When Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday, the weekend sometimes begins early. Such was the case this week, as I headed down to the Redstone Room for a special V-Day concert with The Candymakers and Joe Robinson. This was a seated show, and I arrived early enough to secure a seat in the front row, although I didn’t stay seated for long.  The Candymakers began the evening with an acoustic set, adjusting their blues and funk sound to a mellow, yet soulful show. Their vocals were especially smooth with the acoustic sound.

The Candymakers mellowed nicely for Valentine's Day

A Birthday Bash and New Venues

A couple of weeks ago, Hal Reed celebrated his birthday. For those of you not in the know, Hal is the owner of The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf.  The Muddy Waters celebrates in grand style – with a weekend-long birthday bash!

I attended Saturday night’s party, as I spent Friday evening at 2 venues with 1^st Impression and Lee Blackmon. A few musicians from local bands got together and started out the evening with a jam.  With Hal on harmonica and vocals, and the likes of Jimmy VanHyfte and Curtis Hawkins, it was a memorable opening act. Afterwards the Kinsey Report took the stage for their set and made the evening complete.

I heard this week that a new bar has opened in Downtown Davenport. In the space that used to be the 811 Lockdown, meet… Zero to Sixty. Chuck Murphy posted on my timeline this week that he’ll be playing there tomorrow night from 10-2.  I also wanted to mention that I’ve been hearing rumors that The Firehouse on Hickory Grove Road is serving up live music every other Friday night – opposite the Fridays they have karaoke.  I’m going to be checking that out too – but I haven’t heard of any local bands that have played there.

 

This week:

Friday night – Barrel House 211 is running a double feature this week, with MER at 5:30 and The Blackstones at 10. Funktastic Five is at Rascals, Cobalt Blue is playing 11^th street Precinct, and Brady Street Pub has The Lowdown. Simon Says Uncle can be found at the Rusty Nail, and Grand Larsony is playing Purgatorys. Jason Carl’s band is playing Generations, and The Edje Nightclub has Smooth Groove.

Saturday: Smokehouse is playing a benefit Saturday afternoon and early evening at Racers Edge, and 1^st Impression will be following them at 9:30. The Karry Outz are playing Rascals, The Candymakers are at 11^th Street Precinct, and the Odeon in Clinton has Pash n Brew.  Curtis Hawkins band is at The Muddy Waters and Cosmic is playing Mulligans. Justin Morrissey can be found at Bleyarts and you can find Machine Gun Willie at Ducky’s Lagoon.

There’s plenty of live music this weekend – so get out and enjoy some!