The last day of the Meadow City Music Festival began with a light audience. It was to be expected for a 10 am start on a Sunday morning in a church-going community.  The festivalgoers who came later missed a couple of really great acts.

This is a very big year for the Josh Abbott Band. The “Where’s the Party” tour is its largest to date, attracting new fans at every stop. The day after premiering the new single “Amnesia” on Sirius XM radio, the Texas band returned to Joe’s Bar in Chicago. The warehouse- sized venue, named the 2015 “Nightclub of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music, was packed to the rafters with country, Americana, and rock fans ready for a good time.

Multi-award winning bluegrass-folk-singer-songwriter Tim O’Brien greases the musical wheel with Pompadour set to release on October 30th on his label Howdy Skies Records. Produced and recorded by O’Brien, he continues to meld his love for the traditional sounds of bluegrass and country with his dash of modern that finds him in a new place in life.

The Heavy Pets have announced a 10th Anniversary ‪‎"Tour Da Florida” run with 11 shows in eight of their favorite towns including a performance at Dunedin's Oktoberfest, a two-night stand at the Funky Buddha Lounge in Boca Raton including the premier of Walrus: A Beatles Tribute, and a three-night run in Key West during Fantasy Fest. 

Bettye LaVette is worthy and so is her brand new record. The “Great Lady of Soul” earned her nickname the hard way, staying true to herself and her dream for decades before the world finally listened. She was on the verge of stardom at 16, but had to wait 43 years until the 2005 release I’ve Got My Own Hell to Raise for her career breakthrough.

The Labor Day weekend countdown is on. Won’t you please come to Chicago? Show your face and make “summer’s last stand” at North Coast Music Fest in Union Park. Single day tickets are still available at www.northcoastfestival.com for the all-ages sonic buffet of indie, EDM, jam-band, hip-hop, and house music.