Backyard Tire Fire's new album drops Friday. They perform at the Black Dirt Music Festival in Bloomington on Saturday. Wilco headlines the fest.

WGLT Music Podcast

First Backyard Tire Fire Album In A Decade Is A Rootsy Gem

Author John Milward connects American music legends like The Carter Family and Hank Williams with today's big stars including Jason Isbell and Brandi Carlisle.

Author Says 'Americana' Is Grown-Up Rock & Roll

Bloomington-based hip-hop artist Darius Williams says his new album was self-therapy during a difficult time. He says it's his most personal work to date.

Darius Exorcized Demons On New Album 'Left Alone'

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has many optimistic a return to something resembling “normal” is approaching. That includes a Bloomington Normal live-music scene gutted by the pandemic. Most music organizers in the Twin Cities said they are shooting for summer and fall performances.

Bloomington-Normal Music Planners Optimistic About Return Of Live Music

Rick Valentin says dreary central Illinois winter weather is why he began writing and recording new music in January 2020. But that exercise for his solo vehicle, Thoughts Detecting Machines, evolved into an album that acted as a coping mechanism when the pandemic hit.

Thoughts Detecting Machines Finds Coping Mechanism In New Album

Dominique Stevenson is a very visible Twin City activist who uses his music to spread a message of unity and encouragement. He was on the front lines of social justice marches last summer and even founded the youth-based advocacy group Next Gen Initiative.

V8 Vast Change Says Passion Is The Key To 'Life'

Bloomington singer/songwriter Brett Conlin said a three-month isolation at home with his family last spring became the fodder for his just released acoustic EP "The Great Divide."

Brett Conlin's New EP Explores Our Turbulent Year

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Joe Borbely said creating the debut album for the Bloomington-based Progressive Space rock outfit CAPS LOCK was almost literally a life-saver.

New Bloomington Rock Band Finds Purpose During Pandemic

Peoria may not seem fertile ground for birthing a Flamenco band. But a side jam during the making of a compilation CD among area musicians grew into one of Peoria’s newest outfits.

Peoria Unlikely Home For New Flamenco Band 'Tambora'

The pandemic has hit full-time performing musicians especially hard. There are very few places to perform and in-person audiences are sparce, at best.

How Central Illinois Musicians Have Adapted To The Pandemic

Singer-songwriter Leah Marlene's first full-length album is quite a curveball for those that came to her through her 2018 up-tempo, hook-laden debut EP “Arrows.”

Leah Marlene Defies Expectations On Debut LP

WGLT Hall of Famer and longtime blues host Gilbert Frank Black died Sunday of COVID-19-related complications. He was 79. Black served as a blues music host from 1985 until he retired in 2013.

WGLT's Blues Doctor Frank Black Dies At 79

Musicians and concert promoters are working their way back into larger live music events. Blackberry Smoke headlines one of two shows this weekend at the Corn Crib in Normal.

Blackberry Smoke Feeling Fantastic To Be Back On The Road

WGLT's Music Director Jon Norton interviews big names and emerging talent from the music world as their travels take them into Central Illinois. Discover eclectic music spanning blues, rock, jazz, and more.

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WGLT Music Podcast

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