This is the first Local Music Bonanza Podcast episode with an interview. On What's Goin' Down In Downtown J-Town we interviewed musicians, business owners, artists, and community activists. I'm going to start separating the music from the other stuff so that I can really archive local music.    In this episode Aaron Williams gives us his thoughts on the music industry on a local level. We find out a little bit about his Homegrown Arts and Music Festival in Lisle Illinois. I've been corresponding  with  Aaron  for a few years online. It was great to finally meet him.      Aaron is also A songwriter that heads his own band called the Aaron Williams Band. He’s been playing for years. You can find him playing somewhere most weekends. I have a section on my website that has links to every band that I’ve had on my five broadcast radio show. Head to zestysol.com and open the Bonanzanites tab to find over two-hundred local musicians.

What's Goin' Down In Downtown J-Town

Local Music Bonanza Ep3: Aaron Williams- Homegrown Arts and Music Festival

In this episode, we talk to Christine De Young-Nordstrom and Terry Eastham. They've produced some outstanding pieces of art in addition to owning a wonderful art gallery in Downtown Joliet. These two were part of The Burn Disrict Artists that created an exhibit called Art From The Ashes. It was on display at The Joliet Area Historical Museum. It is now under the name SURPLUS SCRAP at the Illinois State Museum-Lockport Gallery. The Strange and Unusual Gallery is known for transforming into a completely knew world each show.

Episode 67: The Strange and Unusual Art Gallery- Owners Christine De Young-Nordstrom & Terry Eastham

In this installment of The History of Joliet Breweries, John Bitterman gives us the full timeline of Joliet's Citizens' Brew Company. This Brewery had been around from the early 1900's to late 1950's. It began when a group of tavern owners decided it was time to band together and brew their own beer. Enjoy the musical break with local Blues legend Giles Corey with his song Time Flies (When You're Drunk). Go back and take a listen to part one of this series if you haven't already... 

Episode 64 Part 2: The History of Joliet Breweries-Citizens' Brew Company

Dave Francis has been killing it lately. He hasn't been around to help me host any of these new episodes because of the huge influx of new music being recorded at Joliet's Third City Sound. I was glad to catch up, and to hear him talk about some of the things he's been involved in over the years. Dave gave me the opportunity to start podcasting. He's given me a great deal of help over the last four years. There would be no What's Goin' Down In Downtown J-Town without this guy. Thanks, Dave!

Episode 66: Dave Francis- Sound Engineer, Musician, and Podcast Host

     In this episode Hudson Hollister talks with me about the benefits of Reg Tech. He's developing software to make it easier to accurately track data from energy companies that will also provide public transparency. This in turn will allow energy companies to become more efficient by tracking how much energy is produced annually. This could also then be applied to other types of agencies and businesses for the same purpose. This could be a game changer.     This ties into the theme of this podcast because his headquarters are located in Union Station in Downtown Joliet. He shares the same optimism and enthusiasm that Joliet is home to untapped greatness. He wants to bring this brand new industry to our city. He had a lot of great things to say about the musicians, artists, and business owners that give every once of themselves into what they do. Plus, he gave me a multitude of compliments. A large multitude.... it's a thing.

Episode 65: Hudson Hollister- Founder of H-Data

    In this episode we talk with Joliet historian, Mr. John Bitterman. It is the first in a series about the extensive history of Joliet Breweries. This an overview of everything we'll be discussing. I went down quite the rabbit hole with John. He could've gone on for hours as he normally does during his presentations at Joliet Junior College & The Joliet Area Historical Museum. 

Episode 64: The History of Joliet Breweries Part One

The year is 2020......    This is the first interview with my new home podcasting "studio". Dave is insanely busy so I'll be doing a few interviews solo. Maybe even more than a few. He and Third City Sound have been amazing these past few years. I would not have a podcast at all if it weren't for there knowledge and generosity. They had done every single episode for free because they wanted to bring some light to our community as well. I can't thank them enough. I hope to do more interviews than ever before with my new set up. I'll be conducting interviews over the phone until things settle down, if they ever settle down. Now, more than ever, I'd like to point out people in the community doing things to better our world.      In this episode, Craig Lichtenwalter had a few kind words we wanted to share about his enthusiasm for Downtown Joliet. He comes out to every event he can. He goes to all of the shops and restaurants. People like him give us all a boost when we sit and wonder, " Why am I still trying?"      Let this episode serve as a reminder that we aren't beaten. We can be strong when when we come together as a community. There are no heroes coming to save us. We are the heroes, and will save each other.

Episode 63:Craig Lichtenwalter- Downtown Joliet Superfan

This is a recording of the live broadcast of The Local Music Bonanza radio show. We currently are on the air Friday'sfrom 10am-noon. These are basically being recorded like the old days when we'd pop in a cassette tape and press record. Only now we use a thumb drive. I'll be trying to get better recordings as we go. There's a bit of music from the radio staion at the begining and ending from where we pressed record and stop.... Enjoy. Your Hosts, David Francis & Tom Maslowski Foresight- Our Old Robothttps://www.facebook.com/foresightedmusic4/ The Reaganomics- Dear Jaymez Dunzohttps://www.facebook.com/the.Nomics/ A Dozen Paces- Down So Longhttps://www.facebook.com/ADozenPaces/ JukeBots- WhoWeArehttps://www.facebook.com/jukebotshavelanded/ Cheryl Rodey- Torturehttps://www.facebook.com/CherylRodeyMusic/ Haunted Hare- Part Time Vampire(Bob Dylans Sister)https://www.facebook.com/hauntedharemusic/ Makena Hartlin- Picture Framehttps://www.facebook.com/makena.koszela Chicago Farmer- $13 Beershttps://www.facebook.com/chicagofarmer/ Andrew David Weber- Battleship Grayhttps://www.facebook.com/andrew.d.weber.7 Charlie Champene- Facebook Friendhttps://www.facebook.com/charlie.champene Pale Horseman- Tyranthttps://www.facebook.com/palehorsemanband/ Unto The Earth The Heraldhttps://www.facebook.com/untotheearth/ The Mound Builders- Hair Of The Dogmahttps://www.facebook.com/themoundbuilders/ Coyote Man- What Once Washttps://www.facebook.com/coyotemanband/ Dramaglider- Everything Is Redhttps://www.facebook.com/dramaglider/ Point A Pistol At The Sun- Old Friendshttps://www.facebook.com/POINTAPISTOLATTHESUN/ Saxquatch and The Bridge Band- Dirty Danhttps://www.facebook.com/SaxsquatchNBridgeBand/ The Secret Lives- Long Wayhttps://www.facebook.com/TheSecretLives/ The Bad Saddles- Times's Been Working On Youhttps://www.facebook.com/badsaddlesband/ The Mindful Music Experiment- Upon A Thorn Of Cactushttps://www.facebook.com/Mindful-Music-Experiment-493061924061153/ Mugzy- Understand Mehttps://www.facebook.com/OfficialMugzy/ Hotbreath Tea and The Invisible Branches- Town   https://www.facebook.com/localmusicbonanza/ https://www.facebook.com/whatsgoindownindowntownjtown/ https://listen.streamon.fm/wcsf

Local Music Bonanza WCSF 2-28-20

This is a recording of the live broadcast of The Local Music Bonanza radio show. We currently are on the air Friday'sfrom 10am-noon. These are basically being recorded like the old days when we'd pop in a cassette tape and press record. Only now we use a thumb drive. I'll be trying to get better recordings as we go. There's a bit of music from the radio staion at the begining and ending from where we pressed record and stop.... Enjoy. Your Hosts, David Francis & Tom Maslowski Wonky Tonk- I'll Turn My Radio Onhttps://www.facebook.com/wonkytonktunes/ Big Lagniappe- Feed The Dragonhttps://www.facebook.com/TheBigLagniappe/ Fat Hot- Kakken Me Uphttps://www.facebook.com/reallyfathot/ Fever Breaks- Human By Designhttps://www.facebook.com/feverbreaks/ Oter Finn- Replacerhttps://www.facebook.com/OtterFinn/ The Perks- Tyrantulahttps://www.facebook.com/ghoulishgardens/ Phoebe Hunt and The Gatherers- Pink and Bluehttps://www.facebook.com/phoebehuntmusic/ X-Ray Maryhttps://www.facebook.com/xraymarymusic/ Sleepersound- Slow Moonhttps://www.facebook.com/sleepersound/ Sons Of Ra- Two Something For Someonehttps://www.facebook.com/sonsofrachicago/ Nomadic Horizon-Nomadshttps://www.facebook.com/sonsofrachicago/ Broken Robots- Dimes and Quartershttps://www.facebook.com/brokenrobotsmusic/ Aaron Williams Band- Ashhttps://www.facebook.com/awband/ From The Start- Sorry Is For Suckershttps://www.facebook.com/FromTheStartMusic/ Kylah Eason- Paranoidhttps://www.facebook.com/kylaheasonofficial333/ Aaron Kelly- No Receptionhttps://www.facebook.com/aaron.kelly.39948   https://www.facebook.com/localmusicbonanza/ https://www.facebook.com/whatsgoindownindowntownjtown/ https://listen.streamon.fm/wcsf

Local Music Bonanza WCSF 2-21-20

What's Goin' Down In Downtown J-Town has teamed up with the Joliet Public Library to do a series of podcasts to bring you some insight as to what the library has to offer te community. There are many staff memebers who are memebers of various art groups and commitees dedicated to brightening the great City of Joliet. The library actually offers the public a recording studio where this series is being recorded. We at WGDIDJT has always tried to bring awareness to the hidden greatness of those building a positive environment. In this third installment we learn a little bit about The Art Movement Inc as well as The Joliet Art Commission. Our guests were Eryn Blaser, Dante Di Bartolo, Sue Regis, and Erick Deshaun Doris. These people are absolutely relentless in their efforts as artisits and community leaders. This information is very exciting to those of us who have made Joliet our home court for the performing and visual arts. It seems like we've been making enough noise to get the attention of those who can help get this to this next level. Your host, Tom Maslowski https://www.facebook.com/whatsgoindownindowntownjtown/ https://www.facebook.com/jolietpubliclibrary/ https://www.facebook.com/theartmovementinc/

JPL Ep.3- The Art Movement Inc. & The Joliet Art Commission

What's Goin' Down In Downtown J-Town is recorded at Third City Sound on the third floor above Chicago Street Pub in Downtown Joliet. Many of the Joliet musicians began meeting each other at this iconic music venue. Without the Pub, there may not be any of this magic that inspired us to preserve this era in music. In the crowd watching us play were other friends who were also doing great things. We thought it would be a good idea to document anyone giving their all to bring some sort of light and beauty to Joliet. We believe that any listener can enjoy our podcast no matter where you're from. We had an absolute blast on this interview with Death and Memphis founders, Paul Garcia & Steev Custer. These two are hilarious. Steev and Paul work so well together. It's no wonder they've been around as long as they have. We get to hear yet another perspective on the art of creating music from these two life long friends. We did goof around a little....Check out their in studio acoustic versions of some Death and Memphis tunes before and after the interview.  Your hosts, David Francis & Tom Maslowski https://www.facebook.com/events/594398051363823/ https://www.facebook.com/whatsgoindownindowntownjtown/ https://www.facebook.com/localmusicbonanza/ https://www.facebook.com/thirdcitysound/ https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-Street-Pub-Music-Food-Beer-205506299468892/ https://www.facebook.com/audiophilsrecords/ https://www.facebook.com/elderbrewingco/ https://www.facebook.com/drunkendonut/ https://www.facebook.com/blbicentennialpark/ https://www.facebook.com/theforgelive/ https://www.facebook.com/RialtoSquareTheatre/ https://www.facebook.com/JolietMuseum/

Episode 62: Death and Memphis- Joliet Punk

What's Goin' Down In Downtown J-Town is recorded at Third City Sound in Downtown Joliet on the third floor above Chicago Street Pub, the original hub for local music.   We hope to shed a little light on the great people of this city because it's easy to go unnoticed. We’ve also met a few people they aren’t from Joliet that come here to collaborate with us. These are the kinds of people that can help get the word out about the new wave of culture that’s begun to form. There are all kinds of opportunities presenting themselves that are exciting for entrepreneurs and consumers alike. In other words, there’s something for everyone, and we’ll be talking about it.   Our guest is a film maker from Aurora Illinois. Colin Parker came to Third City Sound to have a few of us Joliet musicians put together a movie score for his film Fish Eye. He’s got a brand new horror short that he’s working on called The Pleasure Matrix. He wants to let us know about what he’s up to with this psychological terror tale!   Your Hosts, David Francis & Tom Maslowski https://www.facebook.com/Fisheyeshortfilm/ https://www.facebook.com/ThePMShortFilm/ https://www.facebook.com/events/764070604114381/ https://www.facebook.com/whatsgoindownindowntownjtown/ https://www.facebook.com/localmusicbonanza/ https://www.facebook.com/thirdcitysound/ https://www.facebook.com/audiophilsrecords/ https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-Street-Pub-Music-Food-Beer-205506299468892/  

Episode 61: Colin Parker- Independant Film Maker

From the third floor above Chicago Street Pub, we bring you yet another podcast episode from Third City Sound. We have met so many great people along the way. It was inspiring to find so many like minds that wanted this renaissance to wash over The City Of Joliet. Our only hope is that we inspire you participate in some way. Whether it's listening to or sharing our podcast, coming out to some of these events, down loading music, buyin some artwork, or becoming someone in the community to add to the list of greatness taking place in Joliet. In Episode 60, we feature Otis Tapper. Otis is the man behind the upbeat OD Jo. He's also the bassist in the heavy surf rock called The Perks. Otis was a great interviewee, we think you'll agree. We had some fun on this! Maybe a little too much fun...Let's face it. We had some time off there. Maybe Dave and I were a bit rusty. We edited this episode. Even though I initially posted the wrong file. I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW IN THE HELL I DID THAT. Anyhow, enjoy! Your Hosts, David Francis & Tom Maslowski https://www.facebook.com/whatsgoindownindowntownjtown/ https://www.facebook.com/localmusicbonanza/ https://www.facebook.com/thirdcitysound/ https://www.facebook.com/audiophilsrecords/ https://www.facebook.com/Chicago-Street-Pub-Music-Food-Beer-205506299468892/ https://www.facebook.com/RialtoSquareTheatre/ https://www.facebook.com/elderbrewingco/ https://www.facebook.com/drunkendonut/ https://www.facebook.com/blbicentennialpark/ https://www.facebook.com/JolietMuseum/ https://www.facebook.com/theforgelive/

Episode 60: Otis Tapper of OD Jo and The Perks

What's Goin' Down In Downtown J- Town was started by David Francis and I, Tom Maslowski. We intended on interviewing the areas musicians. We felt there was some genuinely inspiring music being made. It deserved to be documented and somewhat preserved for future generations to discover. We moved on to interviewing absolutely anyone in Joliet working to make this city a better place. It actually is a great pace. We wanted to let the world know why. It was time for people to stand up and be proud of the culture growing here. There is, in fact, a renaissance taking place in Joliet. We are teaming up with The Joliet Public Library for a very special podcast series. There are so many things the library is doing to help usher this new era in. A lot of what they offer is an opportunity for you, citizen of Joliet, to contribute.  In this episode, we learn about Project Burnham. Anneta Drilling, the Local History and Genealogy Librarian, gives us a bit of background on Daniel Burnham’s life. We here all about Project Burnham from Head Library Director Megan Millen and Communications Director Mallory Hewlett. The library is getting a makeover! New technology, study/meeting rooms, the reopening of closed off areas, and much more. Discover what the library has instore...    Your Host,  Tom Maslowski  https://www.facebook.com/jolietpubliclibrary/ https://www.jolietlibrary.org/index.php/en/ https://www.facebook.com/whatsgoindownindowntownjtown/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7XebrUWB16DYYHcL9RDi2g?view_as=subscriber  

JPL Episode 2: Project Burnham

  For the last two and a half years, this podcast has been featuring interviews from musicians, artists, brewers, chefs, event organizers, and business owners. Our hope was to show everyone that Joliet isn't just a crime ridden city. There is a renaissance beginning here.  We are joining forces with The Joliet Public Library to bring you a very special podcast series. We’ll get to explore all that the library has to offer. Having this institution behind our efforts is one of the greatest victories to our cause. Join us in discovering the greatness of the JPL and the great City of Joliet.  In the first episode, Catherine Adamowski Deputy Director and Megan Millen Executive director fill us in on what we can expect in the near future of the Joliet Public Library.  Your Host,  Tom Maslowski   https://www.facebook.com/whatsgoindownindowntownjtown/ https://www.facebook.com/localmusicbonanza/ https://www.facebook.com/jolietpubliclibrary/  

JPL Series Ep.1- Something's Brewing At The Joliet Public Library

Take a listen to see why Downtown Joilet is the new place to be with tons of entertainment, art, food, and festivals. Our show interviews the people making this music and food to give you a little insight into why we think this town is great. Our show is recorded live to give a radio show feel. What's Goin' Down In Downtown J-Town is raw and uncut.

hubhopper

What's Goin' Down In Downtown J-Town

hubhopper