Last March, I met Mike Frasca and he was the special guest star on the fourth week of our Macaroni and Cheese Tour. We had a great lunch and he told me about a music series he and his wife go to see bands at the North Branch of the Peoria Public Library where they have monthly shows called, Music in the McKenzie. He said I should join them for a show and last Sunday it happened!
The band Still Shine was performing and Mike invited me to join he and his wife, Jessica to their house for a Sunday Lunch and then we’d go to the show.
Sounds like a plan to me and so it’s off we go!
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Sunday Lunch
Mike and Jessica invited me to their home for Sunday lunch and they served up homemade Katsukarē; which is a Japanese curry dish with chicken cutlet and rice. There’s Mike serving it up and Jessica was there, but was a little-camera shy and preferred to stay out of the photos for the day.
We had a wonderful lunch at their house and then it was showtime!
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Music In The McKenzie With Still Shine
Here we are at the Peoria Public Library North Branch. The concert is taking place in the Michael J. McKenzie Room over here.
We got there a little early and there’s the featured band, Still Shine setting up for today’s performance.
Mike is a professional live music taper and it was quite impressive watching him set up his microphones and gear to tape today’s live show.
He keeps books with precise notation of the times, dates and set lists of each show he attends and tapes.
This is his online archival page and it’s one of the greatest live music archival pages I’ve ever seen.
If you’re a fan of live music and want to hear some of the best shows in and around Peoria and Central Illinois, click on this link or the above photo to check this amazing archival live music page out. Your mind will be blown, I guarantee it!
People are starting to arrive now and there’s Jason, who manages Still Shine and my friend Margo in the crowd. I didn’t know she was coming and it was a nice surprise to see her pretty, smiling face in the crowd on this Sunday afternoon!
It’s showtime!
Still Shine is a powerhouse of a band and I had never seen them live. They’re a wonderful and original sounding band and you should definitely check them out. You can follow along with them at their website and on facecrack.
They are from the top of these photos: Wes Duffy on mandolin, tenor banjo and vocals; Bruce Burton on banjo and vocals; Andy Passie on harmonica and vocals; Dave Frye on upright bass and vocals and Rob Bailey on guitar and vocals.
The band describes their sound as: “Americana, progressive newgrass, roots-based acoustic music” and it’s certainly a blend of different styles of music and a truly original and rousing style of music!
They have a unique sound and the crowd loved them!
This was such a wonderful and entertaining show and thanks to Still Shine for the fantastic music, The Peoria Public Library North Branch for hosting the show and to Mike and Jessica for lunch and inviting me to this wonderful event!
Click on this link for more information on Music in the McKenzie and dates for upcoming shows!
Here’s Mike’s notes from the show and the set list. You can hear the live show that he taped by clicking right here. Enjoy!
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Peoria Public Library North Branch
3001 W. Grand Pkwy.
Peoria
309-497-2100
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