Crossroads continues to be extremely busy setting up great shows in Northern Illinois.  Our Second Saturday Blues at the Hope and Anchor English Pub in Loves Park, IL.  The 2015 lineup is almost set.   January 10th is Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo and February 14th we have reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys.  The March show is pushed back a week because of a St Patrick’s Day Party and Sean Ehrhardt will be there on March 21st.  April 11th is Taildragger backed by the Rockin’ Jonnie Band and May 9th is the return of the Jimmy’s! In June we feature local artists the New Savages, Dan Phelps and Justin “Boots” Gates.   All shows are 8 PM to midnight with free cover before 8 PM ($5 after 8 PM).

We’ve added blues once a month to the Friday fish fry and steak dinners at the Lyran Society Club on 4th Avenue in Rockford.  1/2 is the return of the Blues Hawks, 2/6 is Birddog and Beck, 3/13 is the Basement Blues Band and on 4/10 it’s the New Savages.  No cover, all ages welcome at these shows!  7 PM start for these Friday shows.

The Rockford Ice Hogs AHL Hockey is featuring blues on Friday home games from 5:15 to 6:45 PM at the Blue Line Lounge (renamed the “Blues” Line Lounge for these events).  On 1/16 the Collins Grayless Band is up, the Hoodoo Rhythm Kings are there 1/30, Macyn Taylor is on 3/6, Dan Phelps on 4/3 and the Blues Hawks are there 4/17.

The annual Crossroads Blues Festival at Lyran Park is set for Saturday 8/29/15.  Albert Castiglia, the Mike Wheeler Band, the Terry Quiett Band, Stormcellar with Jo Fitzgerald and Jimmy Nick and Don’t Tell Mama will be on stage and Dan Phelps and Macyn Taylor will be featured in the Pavilion between acts.  $5 advanced tickets are on sale now; mark the date on your calendars!