April Show Updates

by Ray Anderes

As we head into what will be the Playlist Theater's busiest 2 week stretch ever, I just wanted to update the Uptown faithful about some very welcome additions to the shows.

For both of our Griffin House shows, Griffin has added Chris Farney. He plays drums and bass at the same time and also mandolin and guitar. Chris appeared with Griffin here several years ago. He is a very gifted musician. Griffin has also mentioned the possibility of a third. We will keep you posted.

Ray Wylie Hubbard has added his son Lucas, so this will now be a trio. Lucas performed with his father on this David Letterman appearance in 2013.

When booking, I never know what I am going to get... beggars can't be choosers! Most times, I am just happy to get the likes of a Chuck Prophet, Ray Wylie Hubbard, or a Griffin House - on a weekend no less. When we get add-ons like this, it is a bonus. For you as well as for us.

Chuck's appearance will also be very close to the Playlist Theater's 10th anniversary. Ray Bonneville was our very first show back in late March 2006, 10 years ago (minus a short 9 month retirement). Not in my wildest dreams did I think we would be sandwiching our shows around events at places like City Winery, The Ark, Space, Schubas, Stoughton Opera House, Shank Hall or Fitzgeralds - just to name a few.

It seems that very often now, many of these national acts love to stop in La Salle on their way to the major mid-sized Midwest venues. When we started, I never thought it possible that someone with the stature of a Chuck Prophet would stop here. I have been able to cross off almost everyone that was on my top 10 list of artists that I would like to see here. We have made so many new friends along the way, too.

Thank you to Tom Ptak and Bernie Victor for all the work and starting this with me. Thanks to Mario Data for all the great sound and advice. Thanks to my son Ryan, Jimmy Lannen and all my staff for the great service at every show. The quality of service is better than I have gotten at any other concert venue.

Most of all thank you to all of our patrons for making these artists feel so welcome that they want to come back time and time again.

As of posting this article, we only have a few tickets left for the upcoming shows. So last call is in order:

• Chuck Prophet: Friday, March 25th - Only about 6 tickets left
• Griffin House: Wednesday, April 6th - About 30 tickets left
• Ray Wylie Hubbard: Friday, April 8th - Sorry.... sold out
• Griffin House: Saturday, April 9th - Sorry.... sold out
• Bill Kirchen: Friday, April 15th - Only 50 tickets left

Purchase tickets online here.

Cynar Vindication

by Ray Anderes

I feel vindicated. A few weeks back, I came across this article in the food section of the Chicago Tribune. It is about is a liqueur we have had on our back bar since we opened in 1985. Not the same bottle... we might use one or two of them a decade.

Over the years, people have made fun of me for my insistence that this bottle of Cynar even occupies a space on our shelves, we sell so little. I have always said the bottle deserves a spot just for its simple beauty, an eye catching, bright red background with a giant angry looking artichoke dominating the label.

It is probably one the most asked about bottles on the back bar. Unfortunately, the interest usually ends there when you tell a customer it is a traditional Italian artichoke aperitif. The jury is out as to whether it is an aperitif, digestif, or a liqueur. Either way, it is my all time favorite.

I found it many years ago at a classic Italian restaurant. The bartender recommended it accompanied by an espresso. My preferred way of serving it is very simple - on the rocks with a twist. The combination is wonderful. It also has a way of soothing a stomach after dinner that I find unmatched. It is lower in alcohol, so it is the perfect way to end an evening out.

I do have friends who actually like it. They had to get past the initial pucker up, sour-faced reaction that most people get when describing it as an "artichoke aperitif." Whenever a restaurant has it, I am surprised, and it immediately gives credibility to that restaurant's liquor list.

With the craft cocktails garnering much more interest in the food world, I really get a kick out of how mixologists have rediscovered so many of these old world concoctions for adding depth to their creations. It might not make a lot of business sense that we stock and display so many of these, given how rarely they are used.

But recipes, history and traditions warrant they belong to any serious bar. That is why we stock almost 400 different items for any occasion.

Paul Cebar and Tomorrow Sound Return

by Ray Anderes

About a month back I was very pleased to see a full page article in the Chicago Tribune paying homage to Paul Cebar, one of the Midwest's best live performers. He deserves it!

He loves to play here. I am not sure why, but we love to have him. More so than anyone who has performed here multiple times, Paul and his spectacular band can get the room moving. In the past, we have had him here at some pretty odd times of the year. This time, with heading into summer, I hope we can get a room full swaying to his afro, reggae calypso beat. Sample the video for "Summer Starts Right Now" at right for an idea of his style.  I can promise you a very fun show.

Paul Cebar and Tomorrow Sound

Saturday, May 21st  |  7:30 pm

$20 General Admission

Tickets available by clicking here

We are expecting the same great band as we have had in the past. Drummer Reggie Bordeaux and keyboardist-saxophonist Bob Jennings have been with him 19 years straight. They are joined by percussionist Mac Perkins, a New Orleans native who was in the band early on, and bassist Mike Fredrickson.

Last Call for Kim Richey this Friday

by Ray Anderes

One of the hardest things when booking an act is bringing in new people. The easiest are the repeats... we are starting to realize that word of mouth has a lot do with selling shows. The next 3 artists Chuck Prophet, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Griffin House are all within just a few tickets of being sold out. The way things are going, just announced Bill Kirchen and Dustbowl Revival will also be sold out soon. All five of these artists have been here previously. Thank You!

For some convincing on first time shows, Margo Price (who was here in October for the first time) was just on The Late Show with Steven Colbert. Our show was a little less than half full, and hopefully next time she is here it will be sell out.

I say hopefully because sometimes these artists "catch fire" and are no longer available to small venues like ours. As Tom would say, "Trust the venue."  We love to bring new people in.

Well this Friday, also her first time here, we have 2 time Grammy Award Nominee Kim Richey. Her video for "Come Over" is shown above. Kim has been on my short list for a while. I have never seen her before. I remember a lot of her music from the nineties and the oughts. I am sure as the show goes on, there will be moments you will, too. But more importantly, she has a reputation for scintillating live performances.

Kim Richey

Friday, February 26  |  7:30 pm

$20 general admission
Tickets available at the door or purchase online here

Her music is so highly regarded that her most recent album features guests the likes of Jason Isbell, Wilco’s Pat Sansone, My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel, Will Kimbrough and Trisha Yearwood, who was, for the first time, returning the harmony-singing favor.

I can promise you a show that you will be glad to say you were there at her first Uptown appearance. Kim will be playing with Dan Mitchell on keyboards. We still have plenty of tickets.

From Wikipedia:

Kimberly Kay "Kim" Richey (born in 1956 in Zanesville, Ohio) is an American singer/songwriter. Though her work fits into the general country music category, her sound is not easily categorized. Her songs have been hits on both the country and pop charts.

Her 1995 self-titled debut album provided her first country hit, "Just My Luck", as well as the follow-up "Those Words We Said" (which was also covered that same year by Trisha Yearwood). Her follow-up album, 1996's Bitter Sweet featured a more pop-oriented sound.

In 1997, "Let the Sun Fall Down" (from her debut album) was featured in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode, "Never Kill A Boy On The First Date" (episode 1.05). Although Richey did not appear in concert in the episode (as Velvet Chain did), her song played over the episode's emotional climax, in the penultimate scene.

In 1999, "Come Around" (from her album "Glimmer") was used in the movie "For Love of the Game"[1] starring Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston and John C. Reilly.[2]

She has also had significant success as a songwriter for others. She collaborated with Radney Foster on "Nobody Wins" and co-wrote Trisha Yearwood's hit "Believe Me Baby (I Lied)".Maura O'Connell covered her song "Every River".

Richey provided backing vocals on "Come Pick Me Up" on the 2000 debut album Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams.

In 2003 her track "A Place Called Home" was featured in Dawson's Creek on season 6, episode 21, and also in 2004 in episode 16 of season 5, "Shells", of the Angel television series as well as the season 2, episode 6 episode of Alias television series, "Salvation". The song later appeared on the Angel soundtrack, Live Fast Die Never. Her album Chinese Boxes, was released on July 10, 2007 with her new single "Jack and Jill".

"Wreck Your Wheels" was released in 2010.

After living in England for three years, Kim Richey returned to the US. Richey continues to perform and released "Thorn In My Heart" in 2013.

Last Call for Andy Frasco

by Ray Anderes

Last Call!  Andy Frasco and the United Nations only have a couple dozen tickets left. Our next show is only a weekend away. It is a Friday, and it will be fun!

Andy Frasco and the United Nations

Friday, February 12  |  7:30 pm  |  Tickets $25

Click here to reserve your seats

A few official music videos that are worth the watch:

• Shakin Ain't a Crime
• Main Squeeze
• It's Been a Struggle (shown at right)

If you have been to any of the past shows, the cast of characters should be very familiar. It looks like we will have all of the main band including the saxophonist... the Asian Tom Cruise, Ernie Chang!

Still on the fence about this show? Real concert-goer reviews from when Andy made his first Playlist Theater appearance:

• "Ladies and Gentlemen the Andy Frasco show was lighting in a bottle. Truly magic."
• "The music of Andy Frasco is designed to make you feel young, exhilarated, and happy to be alive. There was so much motion and commotion from the patrons that the floors of the Playlist Theater took an absolute beating."
• "My thoughts exactly, comment above said exactly how I felt about the show and this venue."

Start your Valentine's Weekend off with a toe-tapping, party-blues rocking good time! Limited tickets remain, so get them while you can.

Would you spend $899/couple to eat at TGI Fridays?

by Ray Anderes

Not even on New Year's Eve? Neither would I! Even if it was at the "50 yard line."

I am always amazed at things I see restaurants do for New Year's Eve. Some of the places, as you see in the attached article, have been getting away with it for 10 years!  Maybe it's because they are in such a large market... perhaps the biggest market. It's as simple as some operators saying, "this is a chance to make money."

We take an opposite approach. This is a chance for us to make customers.

Ever since we have been in business - 30 years, 6 months, and 28 days - we have taken the approach that New Year's Eve is a time to build customer relationships, not tear them down. I've often thought of it as an opportunity to give back and say "thank you" to our customers for another year of allowing us to serve you.

Every year since 1985, we have done about twice the business on New Year's Eve than a normal Saturday. We more than double our efforts. With 3 times the staff and 4 times the planning and preparations, we are trying to put our best foot forward. We have even gone all out decorating our place with thousands of helium-filled balloons.

We do all of this without increasing a single menu price. It might not be smart business sense to some. To us it is. We can't make our year on one night. Anyone can fill up on New Year's Eve. We need you the other 364 eves.

We do add several celebratory dishes that people are looking for on New Year's. Besides our regular menu of entrees, we add several lobster dishes, surf and turfs and of course champagnes.

In the interest of full disclosure this year, we are making one big change. After reading what a harmful and precious commodity helium has become, we have decided to cut back on balloons. We will still be doing some decorating with them but we will not be as wasteful with them as we have in the past. We also remove sandwiches from our menu in order to allow the kitchen to optimize their setup so we can serve you promptly and efficiently.

If you have reservations here, you probably already know we take a $10 per person credit card "hold." If you cancel by the 29th, or if you show up for your reservation, it never gets processed. It had gotten to the point where we had a 30% no show rate and we just could not keeping guessing what the no-show rate was going to be each year.

On a positive note, you make your reservation and that is it. You show up, and we have your table. Just like how it is supposed to be every night of the year.

While I am blowing my New Year's horn, I would like to thank you personally for allowing us to serve you for yet another year.  We hope you can join us again in 2016.

HaPpY nEwYeAr!!!!!!!  

Sam Llanas Holiday Show

by Ray Anderes

While legalistically we have to refer to him as "Sam Llanas formerly of the BoDeans," he was the creative and driving force behind the BoDeans. The BoDeans could be considered one of the most influential bands ever to come from the Midwest. If you are anywhere near my range in age, you will instantly recognize the songs, the sound, and that famous signature BoDeans voice.

Last year, Sam and his band played for about 3 hours without taking a break. I can't promise you the same thing this year, but just like with all those old BoDeans tunes, he puts everything he has into his shows. We are honored to have him back.

Sam Llanas, formerly of the BoDeans

Saturday, December 26 at 7:30pm

  General Admission $30

Purchase tickets online

We started presenting these holiday shows several years ago. As a small, hometown type of community, we definitely feel the influx of people coming home for the holidays. We thought, "what a great time to have show!"

After being cooped up with the family all week and the challenges that one can have finding something to do in a small community, we decided to create a diversion.

The problem was that typically bands do not like to tour during the holidays. For a couple of years, we had some of our Iowa friends (Pieta Brown, Dave Moore, William Elliot Whitmore) perform around Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Then we ran into some even more local artists. Miles Nielsen is from Rockford, and Sam Llanas and his band are from Milwaukee.This is how we started having Miles on Thanksgiving and Sam between Christmas and New Years. We hope to continue this tradition.

This year when we looked at the calendar, the only day that could possibly work was Saturday, the day after Christmas. I was very pleasantly surprised when Sam said yes.

Tickets right now are over 3/4 sold, so if you have an interest I highly recommend grabbing these now, while you still can!

Loving Our New Lounge

by Ray Anderes

One of the most distinct remodel updates you'll notice upon entering our place is the lounge. With only a few weekends under our belt since completion, we could not be any happier with how it has been accepted.

It has been very gratifying to see it used like it has been. I was kind of nervous about this big change. 

When working on the floor plan and design elements for our remodel, one of the main things I wanted to accomplish was to make our bar experience a little more intimate... a place where adults can comfortably grab a drink.

The old layout had the main thoroughfare for the restrooms and banquet room traveling right down the middle of the bar. We felt there was a market for something that felt like a "hotel bar" with an area to lounge. We also felt that offering a bar to comfortably eat at was another important element. And of course, you almost have to have televisions for those special events... yet we did not want to become a sports bar. 

So far this Christmas season, the lounge area has been a favorite of groups before and after their events. We have seen groups of women -at all times during day - lounging it. On several occasions, I have been told that they like it because they can go out for a drink without sitting at the bar, and it offers just the right amount of privacy.

To complete our "lobby bar," we serve an assortment of free snacks that we rotate to anyone who is lounging it. Of course, you can get anything on our menu if you really have the munchies. The amount of people that have been eating at the bar so far has greatly increased. It's just a more comfortable bar to eat at. Our ultra HD televisions are hidden behind a one-way mirror. 

One more big change scheduled for later this winter is the addition of live music on the weekends. Instead of just "dining out," we want to become your "evening out." In laying out our lounge, we wanted to tie it to the dining room immediately to the north. We set things up so the last eight feet of this dining room could be elevated to create a stage. 

Our plans are to start the music around 8pm and be done before midnight. We will not be charging a cover. I would like to have the same band here for Friday as well as Saturday. The genre of music we will have will vary from jazz to blues to blue grass to anything around and in between. We will have our own house music system and lights to make it easy for artist set up and tear down. 

Since doing our shows, I have had hundreds of artists ask about playing here. Most of them I just do not think I could build a show around. Hopefully we can keep an interesting variety of traveling, as well as local, musicians. We are really hoping that we can make this an every weekend type of thing. 

To you musicians... we can promise you a top quality PA system, 16 channel board, and lighting all controllable from the stage. Our goal is to make it easy for you. I am presently looking to set up dates as early as late January. Please email ray@uptowngrill.com if you have any interest in discussing this arrangement or if you have an artist you would like to see here.

Thanks,

Ray

2015 Reno: The Great Reveal

by Ray Anderes

Well, the last nail has been driven. At times I thought it would be in my coffin. On Thanksgiving Eve, our fabricator came and finished all of the last trim work and touch up. For those of you at a distance or have not been able to check out our new digs, we have put photos from the entire place in a folder for your perusal. All we have left to do are some cosmetics and adding art work, which we are working on.

And, just in time....December is our busiest month. We are looking forward to the month and lots of Christmas cheer in our new surroundings. After the first of the year be on the lookout for some other new exciting changes we are making to our operation. We will keep you posted

And thanks to all my customers and employees for putting up with our mess, the noise, and the disruptions. I hope you think it was worth it.

View our full photo gallery.

Remodel Update + PhotosWe're in the Homestretch!

This computer rendering was done in April
of this year. Pretty close huh?

by Ray Anderes

Well it looks like we are coming down the homestretch. Within the next week or two, we hope to declare ourselves finished (with the remodel, that is).

Before we even think of a grand opening or anything along those lines, we're going to take this ship on a little shakedown cruise. And what better time of year to do that than December? Our busiest month!

Since the last time we talked about remodeling, we were pretty much living in a house without furniture. We had tables and chairs and the interior finishes complete.  But now the rest of the furniture has arrived. We hope to be 98% complete by this weekend.

If you study the photos (view more here), you'll see much of our new furniture - just installed! - which includes about 170 feet of booths and banquettes as well as bar stools and other furnishings. By this Friday, we hope to have our wall that separates the lounge from the main hallway.

Then all that's left is some art work and a few other last-minute adjustments. Next time we talk about the remodel, we plan on doing a recap of the entire project... not just for the newsletter, but more for posterity. 

A panoramic shot of our new dining room.

So come on in and check out the new elements we've added to our operation. In some aspects, it's like opening a brand new restaurant from scratch. And to be honest, it IS a whole new restaurant... one with 30 years of experience.

We hope you love it as much as we do!

The booths before being set in place

Another pre installation shot

Beer samplers being enjoyed in one of our new booths

Ray takes a well deserved nap at the end
of a long project.

Last Call for Tony Furtado

by Ray Anderes

We are trying to get the newsletter out a little early this week, just so we have one last chance to hawk our Tony Furtado show.

We know it's a Thursday night. We promise to take it easy on you, but he is one musician you do not want to miss.

Tony Furtado

Thursday, November 12th at 7:30 pm  |  $15.00

purchase tickets online

Tony has been on our playlist forever and is probably the king of, "Can you tell me who this is playing right now?"

He is probably one of the world's most revered banjo players. Besides the banjo, I'm sure we're going to hear some great bottleneck blues. Tom and I have both seen him before, and I can promise you a great show.

Our calendar for next year is filling in nicely as well. We hope to have many of the shows on sale in time for Tony Furtado this Thursday. Besides Miles Nielsen on Thanksgiving Eve (almost sold out) and  Sam Llanas (who also will sell out quickly) the day after Christmas, our calendar is going to include the following:

Andy Frasco, Kim Richie, Chuck Prophet, Griffin House, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Bill Kirchen.

Enjoy! Hope to see you at the show!

On Deck: Tony Furtado

by Ray Anderes

Tony Furtado....... A musician we have had on our playlist forever. It seems like about once a day on average, a customer asks, " can you tell me who this is playing this song right now?" I can honestly say that more so than anyone else, the answer comes back Tony Furtado. He is one of those musician's musician whose tunes just have a magical quailty to them. They just grab you. I have seen him before and I know that Tom has followed him to see him play live. I can say we are honored to have Tony appear here. He will be here promoting a brand new album " The Bell". It will be a solo show. Musicians..... please don't miss this show

Tony's Bio. 

Very few musicians of any stripe so personify a musical genre as completely as Tony Furtado embodies Americana roots music. Tony is an evocative and soulful singer, a wide-ranging songwriter and a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist adept on banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar and baritone ukulele who mixes and matches sounds and styles with the flair of a master chef (he’s also an accomplished sculptor, but that’s another story). All of the music of America is in Tony’s music. Relix hit the nail on the head when writing of Tony: “True talent doesn’t need categories.”

A native of Pleasanton, California, who now makes his home in Portland, Oregon, Tony Furtado took up the banjo at age 12, inspired by the Beverly Hillbillies TV show and a sixth grade music report. He first attracted national attention in 1987, when he won the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship in Winfield, Kansas. Not long after that, Tony opted for the life of a full-time professional musician, joining Laurie Lewis & Grant Street. A second victory at Winfield, in 1991, bookended his years with Grant Street.

In 1990, Tony signed a recording deal with Rounder Records, one of the country’s

preeminent independent record companies. Beginning with Swamped in 1990, he recorded six critically acclaimed albums for the label, collaborating with such master musicians as Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, Kelly Joe Phelps and Mike Marshall. During this period, Tony also performed and recorded with the band Sugarbeat and the Rounder Banjo Extravaganza with Tony Trischka and Tom Adams.

Beginning in the late 1990s—influenced by such musical heroes as Ry Cooder, David Lindley and Taj Mahal—Tony added slide guitar, singing and songwriting to his musical toolbox and began leading his own band. He is a tireless road musician who performs in a dizzying variety of formats: solo, in a duo or trio or with his full five-person band. He especially values the opportunities he has had to tour with such legendary musicians as Gregg Allman and with such esteemed slide guitarists as David Lindley, Derek Trucks and Sonny Landreth.

Tony has performed throughout the world at top venues and appeared at such prestigious music festivals as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, High Sierra Music Festival, Jazz Aspen, Kerrville Folk Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Sisters Folk Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival and countless others. “I love playing live,” he says. “All my energy is focused on the love of playing music and rolling with the moment. It’s a give and take from the audience to the stage, and back. And the music that is created is something that otherwise might not occur without that flow.”

Tony has recorded and produced almost a dozen CDs for various labels such as Dualtone, What Are Records and Funzalo Records. Tony enthusiastically describes his newest CD, The Bell, as “the most personal of my career.” To be released this summer on his own YousayFurtado Records, The Bell is an important release for several reasons: it represents a return to Tony’s banjo-playing roots, with the banjo and cello-banjo more prominent than in recent years; the original songs concern such weighty themes as the loss of his father, the birth of his son and his own creative rebirth with the move to a new record label and management team; his working band is featured; and, most important of all, this is the first album in a long time on which Tony had complete artistic control. It’s his music, done his way.

“Tony Furtado is a major musical force without a doubt. He has his black-belt in voice and bottleneck guitar and his banjo playing scares the crap out of me.”– David Lindley, musical adventurer

http://www.tonyfurtado.com/

Saturday, A Night of Firsts

by Ray Anderes

I'm not sure how many more times I can emphasize this, but the Uptown is all new.  New seating in the dining rooms, new bar and lounge area, new banquet room... even new restroom facilities.

All the renovation means a new and improved concert experience as well.  We took a brief hiatus from hosting shows in the Playlist Theater due to the remodel, but this Saturday we're back and better than ever!

October 24 will be a night of firsts you won't want to miss.

Margo Price, an Illinois native likened to the sounds of Loretta Lynn, Neil Young and Waylon Jennings, is slated to make her first appearance here. Margo and her band the Pricetags are one of the up-and-coming acts within the talented and competitive Nashville twang-country music scene. Last year, they were highlighted by Rolling Stone Country as one of the Top 10 artists that you need to know.

Margo and the Pricetags

Saturday, October 24th at 7:30 pm  |  $20.00

purchase tickets online

Along with seeing a newcomer to our stage, you'll be the first to see it in all it's new, remodeled glory.  Our intimate concert venue doubles as our banquet room on non-show days, and it was the first area of our remodel to reach completion.  It's been overhauled from top to bottom and features terrific new seating that we hope you'll find much more comfortable.

The restaurant itself will be about 95% complete. We're waiting on a few last minute pieces of furniture that aren't slated to arrive until early next week.  But we assure you, we've got plenty of seating for all who wish to wine and dine before (or after) the show.

For those of you that have never been here for one of our shows before, I would like to share with you an example of the types of shows we do here and a little bit of the quality of our artists. While this is obviously not Margo Price, this very well done video came to us via Ryan Foster and Michael Westerman. They are local students who do their own video production.

We have never been able to get any good video during a show, as we are reluctant to interfere with the shows in any way. This came to us since our final show last season, and we thought it was worth sharing. It provides a much better insight to what we do here.

Margo is a new act for us. New acts are a hard sell. Dustbowl Revival was a new act to us when we did this video. We don't want you to miss Margo. 

And in case you need further convincing... did I mention that anyone who attends the Margo show will also have first dibs on tickets to our (day after) Christmas show featuring Sam Llanas? We have him booked for Saturday, December 26 at 7:30pm. Unlike Margo Price, Sam Llanas is not a first-timer here.

Sam, formerly of and creator of the "BoDeans," will appear here for the fourth time. We are expecting the same band that played last time in which he played for over 3 hours! I am sure he will leave exhausted again. This one will sell out very quickly. We will have tickets on sale first at Margo's show and then to the general public afterward.

I urge you to take advantage of a chance to come see a terrific band this Saturday and get your hands on seats for an equally great show just a couple months away. Tickets for either one won't last long.

See you this weekend!

Meet Margo: Next Saturday

This is Ray. After 6 months on the rock pile, we are ready to start things up again.

When I booked this show mid-summer, I thought this would be a pretty safe date to start shows again... we are about a week and half under budget. (That's about the only thing under budget.)

Regardless, our part is done. Now all we are waiting on are some booths, banquettes, a divider wall and some other finishing touches. They might even be done by showtime next week.

We started the construction part shortly after our last Griffin House show in early June. Since then, I have not had a lot of time to finalize or market any shows. After all, this is only my hobby. But as we near the end of renovations and the beginning of our concert season, I might have some new shows ready to sell.

Besides our Thanksgiving Eve show with Miles Neilsen (already on sale), we've also booked the following for pretty solid dates:

• Tony Furtado
• Sam Llanas
• Andy Frasco
• Griffin House (2 shows)
• Bill Kirchen

We are also hoping for Ray Wylie Hubbard and David Lindley appearances as well.

Artists aside, you'll want to check out the venue... all new everything. Except on the sound, we did not miss anything. From the front of the house to the "banq" of house, this will be our first show in our new digs.

After Margo Price, our next show is Tony Furtado on Thursday, 11/12. This show is on sale now. It will be a solo show with the very low cover of $15.  I have seen Tony out west in a several thousand seat venue and can vouch that he is a great musician. More to follow on Tony... or visit his website.

Tony's show is an example of something I would like to do more of in the future. One of the things we made much easier with our remodel is the setup and tear down of our shows. So this makes the room change-over much easier.

I have plenty of chances to get national acts of Tony's stature on weekdays. They will play for a smaller guaranty and usually a lesser cover. My goals would be to do a few more shows a month. 

Now... on to next weekend's show:

Margo and the Pricetags

Saturday, October 24th at 7:30 pm  |  $20.00

purchase tickets online

Margo comes to us via the same channels that have brought us many of our newer acts the last few years. She comes highly endorsed by a couple other people we talk to also. Then Mario and I saw this video. We had to give this one a try. By the way, most of the cast in this video will be here.

We like to experiment with all genres of music. A female vocalist with the Nashville twang of an Iris Dement, Loretta Lynn or Tammy Wynette is not something we have tried before. We hear Margo is lots of fun, too. She has also recently signed with Third Man. 

After I booked her, I found out this Nashville-based artist is originally from Aledo Illinois. Tickets are just $20. For more, visit her website.

So please get your tickets today, and come check out all that is new!

Glad to be back!

Ray

Eilen Jewell - Thursday, 4/30

Eilen Jewell and her band will return here on Thursday, April 30th.

Here are 3 videos for you to taste. This is Eilen and the same band we are expecting. 

• Santa Fe
• Rain Roll In
• Rio Grande

When booking this show, I was faced with a decision between having this show on a Thursday or not having it at all. We would obviously prefer a weekend night, but when they travel from their native state of Idaho, it is take it or leave it.  I am thankful to have them on any day.

Eilen Jewell

Thursday, April 30th | 7:30 pm

$20 General Admission | Purchase Tickets

Eilen and her band are on the verge of going "big."  They are playing at City Winery on Friday and the Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday. These are two of the most reputable live music venues in the Midwest. It just speaks to the quality of their shows.  

Since it is a weeknight, I would just like to remind you that - except for an act of God - our shows start on time. We won't keep you late unless you want to hang around with the band afterwards. You can relax on a weeknight, grab a bite and a cocktail, and watch some really great music. To steal a line from my favorite music venue... bistro, bar and beats.

When she appeared here late Spring 2014, it was one of my favorite performances ever. Her band was everything they were purported to be. As tight a quartet as you will find. Even though she was about 7 months pregnant, she was still able to project those sultry tones for which she is almost famous . We are expecting the same great band that Eilen brought last time she was here.

From her website:

She’s a rock n roll mama from way out west in Idaho. After a brief hiatus last summer to welcome her first child into the world, Eilen Jewell is packing up her signature black dress, cowgirl boots, and guitar and is hitting the road again with a live double album release in tow and a new studio album due in spring, 2015. The past year has been one of reflection and incredible output for Eilen. The singer-songwriter gave birth to a beautiful girl named Mavis (after gospel great Mavis Staples). Jewell squeezed in a few tours in 2014 and somehow found time to honor a frequent request from fans to release a live album. The two disc set, titled Live at the Narrows, includes original songs and some of her favorite covers. This special self-release was recorded over two evenings in early 2014 and features artwork hand drawn by her bass player Johnny Sciascia. 2015 brings the release of Jewell’s fifth, full-length studio album, her first since 2011’s critically acclaimed Queen of the Minor Key. Sundown Over Ghost Town was recorded with Eilen’s longtime road band and special guests in her hometown of Boise, ID. The album is composed of twelve stunning, original compositions that feature some of her most personal stories yet.

Crafting a unique style that mixes her poetic ballads with swinging rockers, Eilen ranks among the best in the Americana genre today. As the reigning Queen of the Minor Key, Jewell leads a tight quartet who blend influences of surf-noir, early blues, rockabilly, and 1960s era rock and roll. Over the course of a decade, Eilen and her band have toured relentlessly. They have performed for legions of fans from Boston to Boise and Madrid to Melbourne at large festivals, theaters, rock clubs and coffeehouses. Eilen and her band have shared stages with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Loretta Lynn, Mavis Staples, Wanda Jackson, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Blind Boys of Alabama, Chris Smither, and Junior Brown. Eilen’s fans have marveled at her warmth, unique wit, and onstage humor alongside her beautiful songs and fiery performances. In addition to four of her own full-length albums, Jewell has released two albums with her country-gospel side-project, The Sacred Shakers, as well as a tribute album to Loretta Lynn.

The Los Angeles Daily News wrote, “Sometimes as darkly damaged as Lucinda Williams, at others as defiant and teasing as prime Peggy Lee and always authentically Americana in the Gillian Welch tradition…. She’s mighty good.”

To check out the buzz about Eilen and her band, click here to see a list of reviews and television appearances for her and her band.

Dustbowl Revival Review

Review of Dustbowl Revival - Friday, April 17th

One guest wrote the following critique:

This is a note to share a little bit what 120 patrons at Uptown Grill's Playlist Theater were able to experience on Friday April 17th. But first, an admonition. If you just looked at the name of the group, Dustbowl Revival, and decided this was a group you had never heard of, and therefore not worth your time, your effort, and your money, you made a very bad mistake. I apologize that it is very difficult to put into a few short words just how great this performance was. This talented group of artists served up a delicious musical gumbo. All of the parts were outstanding, but the sum was fantastic. Here is another to understand what happened. Nobody who only listened to a Bruce Springsteen record, would have any idea of just happens when he takes the stage. But once you go, you understand something deeper about the power of music. What this band did on the Uptown stage, was touch every person in the room, with the deep power of music.

Very well put. I am marking it down as one of my favorites of all time, anywhere.

I am sure many people had a hard time figuring out what to expect from a band named Dustbowl Revival. Band leader Zach Lupetin described it as "Jewish cowboy music." This genre is hard to describe and easy to love.

As they were leaving, they were already talking about coming back.  So if you missed them, you might be in luck... more to follow on this.

I also want to thank you, our Playlist Theater patrons. Three days before the show, we were less than half sold. You keep coming, and we will keep doing this. As Tom says, "Trust the venue."

Please check out Eilen next Thursday!  (Tickets available here.)

Just to give you an idea of what Jewish Cowboy music sounds like, here is a crude video from sound check. Not fully tuned yet but still great.

Dustbowl Revival This Friday & A New Show Announcement

Dustbowl Revival Friday April 17th at 730

Ok I am going to make one last plea. If you are a fan of the music we bring here we really don't want you to miss this show. As our emcee, Mr Tom Ptak says "Trust the venue". You get 8 pieces! Washboard, mandolin, fiddle, trumpet, trombone, stand-up bass, drums and guitar. I promise you a high energy, super-sensory experience. We only have about 40 seats left.

My source that hooked us up with Dustbowl has told me on several occasions, they are his absolute favorite live band. We had a patron here Saturday night that told us he saw them a few weeks ago and they almost brought down the tent. They were voted the best live band in Los Angeles by L.A. Weekly. I am really hoping that if they get a true taste of how great our audience is, they will be coming back forever. I probably don't tell you enough. Almost every artist says you are some of the best patrons anywhere and they always seem very sincere.

While they can jam in the van. Just check out their video page . I was very concerned about space. They told me they could make it work but I went ahead and purchased another stage section anyway. I want them to have enough room for that trombone to slide, to slap that stand up bass and to make that wash board smoke. 

It has been fun this week selecting and sending out a video to our daily email group everyday. Their stuff is amazing. I can not remember the last show I was looking forward to this much. Order your tickets now. 

A video taste of the band:

    Watch Video ~ It don't mean a thing

    Watch Video ~ John the Revelator

Tickets are on sale now click here

New Show Announcement  - Matthew Ryan and the Northern Wires 
Thursday May 21st -15$

Tom and I started following Matthews career about 20 years ago. His gravely tone and introspective subject matter were something very different at the time. He also was a favorite of Lucinda Williams as she was rising. One of my favorite songs of all time is a Matthew Ryan song sung as a duet with Lucinda. Their voices are so perfect together. click to listen - 

Matthew is touring with a new band and promoting a new CD, Boxers. I know he has played a few house shows in our area and wanted to play here. We were able to squeeze this show in on a Thursday and it is only 15$

Stay tuned, more about Matthew Ryan and the Northern Wires to come in next week's newsletter.

Watch Their Video - Boxers

Website - matthewryanonline.com

Tickets are on sale now - click here