Joliet’s Hopstring Fest welcomes back Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts

By Ted Slowik

Hopstring Fest  welcomes back Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts to the mainstage this year to perform a set from 6:20 to 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, in Joliet’s Silver Cross Field.

Tickets for the 12 and a half -hour celebration of live music, food and craft beer are $20 and are available through hopstringfest.com and at Chicago Street Pub, 75 N. Chicago St., Joliet. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts are a quintet fronted by Miles Nielsen, son of Cheap Trick guitarist and songwriter Rick Nielsen. The Rusted Hearts are Daniel James McMahon on guitar and vocal; Adam Plamann on clarinet, saxophone, percussion, keyboards and vocals; bass player Dave McClellan; and drummer Jeff Werckle. Nielsen also co-owns The Midwest Sound recording studio on the outskirts of Rockford, Ill., with McMahon. The duo composed the soundtrack for “Undefeated,” which earned the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature in 2011.

The band has shared stages on multiple occasions with such other Hopstring Fest mainstage artists as Cracker, Ed Anderson and The Steepwater Band. Nielsen attended Illinois State University for a time and struck up a longtime friendship with Anderson, a Bloomington, Ill., native, in the late 1990s.

“He was doing Backyard Tire Fire around that time that we first bonded, and then became even tighter,” Nielsen told the Bloomington Pantagraph in 2013.  “We both started at ISU playing in cover things that were not necessarily artistic. We both came out of a situation and began creating our own music as a way of life, and now I would say that we’re musical brothers.”

Nielsen has been performing in bands since he attended high school in Rockford. He released his debut album, "Miles," in 2009. The group released the album "The Rusted Hearts" in 2011 and posted a video on their website in February about writing and recording a new album at the Acorn Theatre in Three Oaks, Mich.

Visit www.milesnielen.com to learn more.

If You Go

What: Hopstring Fest

When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Where: Silver Cross Field, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet

Who: Local talent and headline bands like Cracker

How much: Tickets are $20 presale/$30 at the door

Web: www.hopstringfest.com

The Steepwater Band returns to rock Joliet’s Hopstring Fest Aug. 23

By Ted Slowik

Veteran rockers The Steepwater Band return to the Hopstring Fest mainstage lineup this year to perform a set from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, in Joliet’s Silver Cross Field.

Tickets for the 12-hour celebration of live music, food and craft beer are $20 presale and are available through hopstringfest.com and at Chicago Street Pub, 75 N. Chicago St., Joliet.

Jeff Massey

The Steepwater Band is a Chicago-based quartet founded in 1998 by guitarist/vocalist Jeff Massey, bassist Tod Bowers and drummer Joseph Winters. In early 2012 the longtime trio was joined by guitarist/vocalist Eric Saylors of Indianapolis.

The band’s signature sound is a nod to early British blues combined with a modern, raw and gutsy musical approach. Though they got their start as devotees of delta blues, they have since been expanding on their influences, absorbing everything from psychedelia to Americana, from jazz to ‘50s rock n’ roll music.

Joe Winters

The summer of 2014 has seen Steepwater return to Europe, where they first played in 2005. During July the group toured Switzerland, Italy and Austria. In early August the band is back in the United States playing West Coast shows in California and Washington. After returning to the Chicago area to play Hopstring Fest, the group heads back to Europe for late August/early September shows in the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland.

The Steepwater Band has released five albums, including the three studio recordings “Revelation Sunday” (2006), “Grace and Melody” (2008) and “Clava” (2011) and a live album, “Live at the Doubl,e Door” (2010).  Their most recent release, “Live & Humble,” was recorded in Chicago on April 20, 2013 at the now defunct Ace Bar on West Fullerton Avenue.  The band recruited Chicago music legend Timothy Powell of Metro Mobile Recording to record the show.

Tod Bowers

Powell has recorded all the 93XRT Concert Broadcasts, including such greats as Gov’t Mule, Los Lobos, Ben Harper, Wilco, The Civil Wars, Robert Plant and The Black Crowes. The Steepwater Band then handed Powell’s recordings to producer/engineer Colin Sipos, who has worked with the band since 2010.

The band’s infectious energy is equally evident in their live performances, as critics and fans hail their shows as forceful and intoxicating. It is their humble devotion to music, and a commitment to achieving their musical goals without compromising the integrity of their musical vision that make The Steepwater Band such a refreshing find.

Eric Saylors

The Steepwater Band has maintained a grueling schedule throughout the last 10 years, averaging about 125 shows per year. They have toured and shared the stage with acts such as Gov't Mule, Buddy Guy, Wilco, Taj Mahal, Marc Ford, ZZ Top, T-Model Ford, North Mississippi All Stars, Leon Russell, Drive-By Truckers, Robert Randolph & the Family  Band, Cheap Trick, Bad Company and Heart. In 2005, the band made its European debut, performing at the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. In the following years, the band has returned to the United Kingdom and Europe for multiple club and festival tours, increasing their loyal overseas fan base.

Visit steepwater.com to learn more.

If You Go

What: Hopstring Fest

When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Where: Silver Cross Field, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet

Who: Local talent and headline bands like Cracker

How much: Tickets are $20 presale/$30 at the door

Web: www.hopstringfest.com

Hopstring Fest offers plenty for kids on Aug. 23 in Joliet

By Ted Slowik

Hopstring Fest is Joliet's premier festival for live music and craft beer, though it's also an all-ages festival that offers plenty of activities for families with young children.

For starters, kids ages 12 and under are free! For adults, tickets for the 12-hour festival on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet are $20/presale, $30 at the door and available through hopstringfest.com. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

"Because there is re-entry with your ticket stub, parents can come in the morning with their kids, bring the kids home in the afternoon and then come back in the evening after dropping them off with a babysitter," says Mike Trizna, Hopstring Fest presenter and owner of Chicago Street Pub in Joliet.

This year's third annual festival is headlined by the rock band Cracker, known for such hits as "Get Off This," "Low," "Teen Angst," "Happy Birthday To Me" and "Euro-Trash Girl." Mainstage performers include The Righteous Hillbillies, The Steepwater Band, Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts, John Condron & the Old Gang Orchestra, Ed Anderson, Chicago Farmer, The Regressors, Alex Hoffer, Leadfoot and The Prairie Ghosts. All told more than 30 artists will perform on three stages.

For kids, there's a full playground within Joliet's spacious, 6,000-seat Silver Cross Field, home of the Slammers. As a ballpark for a minor league team, it's built to be family-friendly with plenty of clean restrooms, ample free parking in the area, and a lot of concession stands that keep the lines short for food and beverages. One or more of the Slammers' mascots will be on hand to entertain the kids.

Kids are allowed in the dancing area, and both kids and adults can get Henna tattoos from artists on site. Local businesses, including Giji's Sweet Shop located across from the Rialto Square Theatre, will sell treats for kids at Hopstring Fest including lemon shakeups and popcorn. Other food for sale will include hotdogs, hamburgers,  nachos and other stuff kids love!

The mainstage lineup this year is presented by Flipside Works. Red Betty IPA Side Stage performers include Dan Dougherty and the Tone Bone, Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen, Allison Flood, Chris Flood, the Matt Biskie Trio, Tom & Becky, Ernie Hendrickson, J Ross Green and Scott McNeil. Chris Flood is managing the lineup.

Performers on the Deschutes Brewery Side Stage include Charlie Champene and Eric Totherow, Brian Barry, John Narcissi, Chase Walsh, Ryan Olsson, Molly McKenna Batozech, Tim Streit, CottonHeaded Ninny Muggins, John Till and Pete Jive. The lineup is managed by Kristin Barry.

Lockport’s Chris and Allison Flood to perform Aug. 23 at Hopstring Fest

By Ted Slowik

Chris and Allison Flood of Lockport are both musicians who write and perform their own material, though they choose to perform separately.

Both will appear on the Red Betty IPA Stage at Hopstring Fest Aug. 23 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.  Chris performs from 5:55 to 6:20 p.m., followed by Allison from 7:05 to 7:30 p.m. Chris also is managing the lineup on the Red Betty IPA Stage, which showcases 10 acts this year.

This year’s festival is headlined by the band Cracker, known for such hits as “Get Off This,” “Low,” “Teen Angst,” “Happy Birthday To Me” and “Euro-Trash Girl.” Tickets for the 12-hour celebration of live music, food and craft beer are $20 presale and $30 at the door and available through hopstringfest.com.

This is the second year Chris is managing the entertainment on one of Hopstring’s side stages. He started Flood Management Group about four years ago and previously worked with the artists John Condron and Alex Hoffer, booking gigs, securing sponsorships and promoting them.

About two years ago the Orland Park native decided to cut back on artist management to develop his own songwriting and performing. “I love the management side but I love being a musician as well. Writing is an outlet, and I enjoy the art,” he says. “There are only so many hours in a day.”

Chris, 40, also is a firefighter/paramedic in Lemont and Homer Glen. “One of the biggest things I’ve learned from performing is confidence,” he says. “It’s helped me as a firefighter/paramedic, to be able to walk in and help calm down a situation.” He’s also performed previously at Hopstring Fest.

Zoran Orlic photo

Allison, 34, recently decided to resume her music career though she remains a full-time mom to sons Gabe, 14 and Aiden, 4 and daughter Rowan, 2. She’s been singing since she was a child and grew up in a musical family. She began performing while attending Andrew High School in Tinley Park and in 2002 began singing with the Joliet-based country rock band The Stone City Stragglers. The group performed extensively, recorded three albums and disbanded in 2008.

“After that there was nothing for me to do musically except by myself,” she says. She set aside her songwriting and guitar playing for a time while raising her kids. “I made a choice to pull back when we had children,” she says. Allison and Chris married in 2011.

But since deciding to resume her music career Allison has reconnected with artist friends and made many new ones. She’s also been recording her solo studio debut, a six-song EP of acoustic originals produced by John Condron and engineered by Bill Aldridge at Third City Sound in Joliet. It’s due for a fall release by Flipside Works.

“Opportunities like getting signed to a record label don’t come along every day, so whether I felt ready or not I decided it was time to go for it,” she says. “As a songwriter, what you do is very precious and very personal. It’s a whole other world than being an entertainer performing other people’s songs.”

If You Go

What: Hopstring Fest

When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Where: Silver Cross Field, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet

Who: Local talent and headline bands like Cracker

How much: Tickets are $20 presale, $30 at the door

Web: www.hopstringfest.com

Learn more about Flipside Works at www.flipsideworks.com and Allison Flood at www.allisonfloodmusic.com.

            

The Righteous Hillbillies return to Hopstring Fest Aug. 23 in Joliet

By Ted Slowik

We're just over a month away from this year's Hopstring Fest celebration of music, craft beer and family fun Aug. 23 in Joliet's Silver Cross Field. In the time we have together I'll be profiling some of the more than 30 artists performing at this year's festival.

The Righteous Hillbillies will make their third straight appearance at Hopstring Fest Aug. 23 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet.  The band will play from 8:40 to 9:25 p.m. on the Main Stage, just before this year’s headliners, Cracker, known for such hits as “Get Off This,” “Low,” “Teen Angst,” “Happy Birthday To Me” and “Euro-Trash Girl.”

Tickets for the 12-hour celebration of live music, food and craft beer are $20 presale and $30 at the door and available through hopstringfest.com.

The Righteous Hillbillies formed in 2007 when Kev Wright joined forces with lead singer/guitarist Brent James to create a band hailed for capturing the energy of blues, the soul of country and the rebel attitude of Southern rock. Drummer Barret Harvey and bassist Jeff Bella round out the lineup.

David Neesley photo/Naperville Ribfest 2014

The band has played hundreds of shows, usually for their large, loyal following of fans. They’ve released two albums, a self-titled debut in 2008 and “Trece Diablos” in 2012. In October, the band heads to Muscle Shoals, Ala., to record their third album at legendary Fame Studios.

Wright says the Hillbillies look forward to playing Joliet’s Hopstring Fest.

“We play a lot of festivals, and Hopstring is one of the best. It’s executed so well,” he says.

In addition to being the band’s lead guitarist, Wright composes about half the band’s original material. In addition to songwriting, he’s been teaching guitar lessons for about eight years. Two of his students—John Narcissi, 17, of Mokena and Chase Walsh, 15, of Frankfort—will perform at Hopstring Fest for the first time this year.

“They’re both very talented musicians,” Wright says.

If You Go

What: Hopstring Fest

When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Where: Silver Cross Field, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet

Who: Local talent and headline bands like Cracker

How much: Tickets are $20 presale, $30 at the door

Web: www.hopstringfest.com

Learn more about the band at righteoushillbillies.com           

A great time at the best ever Shindig At The Shanty!

By Ted Slowik

Tim Placher is a great musician and friend. We've performed together several times at the 30 Buck in Joliet. He teaches music to middle schoolers in Plainfield, but when I met him many years ago he was an attorney for the City of Joliet.

Tim has remained close with the friends he grew up with. A few years ago he organized and presented a reunion performance of classmates from the Cathedral of St. Raymond School who were in musicals like "Oliver" together. Many members of the 1975 class of St. Ray's turned out last Saturday for a great day of music, food and company in an idyllic setting.

Some years ago Tim and friends Scott Kinsella and Dan Wilson acquired a small "vacation" property overlooking the Kankakee River in Wilmington. The house isn't much but the setting on a bluff offers a beautiful vista. It's a great scene for a party, and for nine years Tim has staged a festival he calls the Shindig At The Shanty. There's a great deal of work involved with an event like this, and Dan and Scott and others do a tremendous job with food, drinks, preparations and cleanup.

The last couple Shindigs have been stormy, and the day of this year's fest started with heavy rain. The Taste of Chicago had to be canceled that day. But by the afternoon Wilmington was sunny and for the most part dry, though a bit on the humid side. Storms didn't return until after 10 p.m.

Tim first invited me to play the Shindig in 2012. I've come to know many of his friends, and they're great people! Very fun, welcoming and appreciative. In 2012 Tim introduced me to Cristina Seaborn, a professional violinist from Minnesota he'd met at a concert in Iowa honoring the 50th anniversary of "The Day the Music Died." She's fantastic, and the three of us performed together and separately that day.

Last year Cristina couldn't make it but Tim upped the stakes by booking The Michael Heaton Band. Michael's a very gifted songwriter, a wonderful performer and a real joy to hear. After my first Shindig I could tell I'd have to up my game too, so last year good friend Rich Westrick joined in on keyboards. Rich was unavailable this year, but drummer Ron Kostka was and played brilliantly.

Since Shanty co-owner Scott and I are neighbors, we see each other quite a bit. One day he expressed interest in playing guitar together sometime, so I took him up on that and invited him to perform a couple songs together at this year's Shindig. We rehearsed a couple times and he ended up setting aside the guitar and singing an old standard covered by Lyle Lovett called "Long Tall Texan" and a fun Toby Keith number called "The Taliban Song." Some of Scott's family were there and really enjoyed his performance! He's gifted with a sweet voice.

Opening the music at this year's Shindig was a great band from the area called Safe Haven. Tim had heard them at Chicago Street Pub and fortunately they were able to come down and play a while. Guitarist Patrick Lyons and drummer Tony Tabor are both great musicians and really nice guys, and they make excellent original music together and with various other musician friends. On Saturday they were joined by bassist extraordinaire Tom Maslowski!

It was a great time spent with well over 100 great people--the biggest turnout yet for a Shindig! It's fun to think about how next year's 10th annual could possibly be better!

Post by Tim Placher.

Musician John Narcissi of Mokena looks forward to Hopstring Fest appearance

By Ted Slowik

Mokena’s John Narcissi is building a name for himself as a talented young musician and budding songwriter who delivers entertaining live performances.

Now the 17-year-old Providence Catholic High School senior is poised to make one of his most high-profile performances to date at the third annual Hopstring Fest Aug. 23 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. Narcissi is set to play from 1:40 to 2 p.m. on the Deschutes Brewery Stage, one of two side stages showcasing local talent at this year’s festival.

Narcissi studies guitar with Kev Wright of New Lenox, guitarist for The Righteous Hillbillies, one of Hopstring’s mainstage performers. Hopstring is headlined this year by rock band Cracker, known for such hits as “Get Off This,” “Low,” “Teen Angst,” “Happy Birthday To Me” and “Euro-Trash Girl.”

Tickets for the 12-hour celebration of live music, food and craft beer are $20 and available through hopstringfest.com.

Narcissi says he’s always been interested in music and that his parents, John and Jane, played music around the house since he was a baby.  He discovered guitar at Axes Music in Mokena, which led to taking lessons there.

“The owner Clyde put a guitar in my hand and I said, ‘This is me,’” John says.

He remains a multi-instrumentalist who can play violin, cello, bagpipes and other instruments. He plays percussion with the Providence band and he was a finalist in the 2011 and 2012 Rialto Idol Jr., singing competition.

He often performs cover versions of songs by The Beatles and such other artists as Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, Jason Mraz, Tom Petty and Blake Shelton.

Last year during a visit to Tennessee Narcissi performed at the legendary Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville, sharing a stage with singer/songwriters Scotty Emerick and Marc Beeson. When the Breidert Green stage in Frankfort was torn down and replaced in 2013, Narcissi was the last to perform on the old stage and the first to perform on the new one.

Though he often performs covers Narcissi writes his own poetry, has been studying composition and has written a half dozen or so originals, including one called "Thank You." He’s also performed on several occasions with The Righteous Hillbillies.

“John’s a brilliant young musician,” Wright says. “He’s got so much going on musically as a multi-instrumentalist. And he’s very passionate about making music.”

If You Go

What: Hopstring Fest

When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Where: Silver Cross Field, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet

Who: Local talent and headline bands like Cracker

How much: Tickets are $20 presale/$30 at the door

Web: www.hopstringfest.com

Musician Chase Walsh of Frankfort looks ahead to Hopstring Fest appearance

By Ted Slowik

Frankfort’s Chase Walsh may only be 15, but he’s already an accomplished songwriter and performer who has just released his first collection of original studio recordings.

The Lincoln-Way East High School sophomore is set to make one of his most high-profile performances to date at the third annual Hopstring Fest Aug. 23 at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. Walsh is set to play from 2:45 to 3:05 p.m. on the Deschutes Brewery Stage, one of two side stages showcasing local talent at this year’s festival.

Walsh studies guitar with Kev Wright of New Lenox, guitarist for The Righteous Hillbillies, one of Hopstring’s mainstage performers. Hopstring is headlined this year by rock band Cracker, known for such hits as “Get Off This,” “Low,” “Teen Angst,” “Happy Birthday To Me” and “Euro-Trash Girl.”

Tickets for the 12-hour celebration of live music, food and craft beer are $20 in advance and available through hopstringfest.com. Tickets will be $30 at the door, but the fest could sell out and there is no guarantee tickets will be available on the day of the event.

Walsh’s discovered music at age 5 when his late uncle, Kevin Walsh, introduced him to guitar.  He wrote his first song at age 10 after his uncle passed away unexpectedly.

“While my life is full of positive influences, inspiring teachers, good friends and family, this was the first loss of someone so close and the emotions I experienced at that point of my life encouraged me to create a lasting melody in his honor,” Chase says. “From that point on, I used everyday life experiences to craft my ideas for my lyrics and music.”

Wright and fellow Righteous Hillbilly Brent James helped Walsh record his debut studio EP, “Your Friend the Robber.” The just-released collection of six originals showcases Chase’s accomplished guitar playing and earnest vocals and songwriting. The collection is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and more. Learn more at chasepatrickwalsh.com.

“Chase is a very talented young musician and songwriter,” Wright says. “We’ve been working together for more than three years and he’s shown real growth as an artist. His singing, playing and songwriting have come a long way.”

About Kev, Chase says, “Not only is he a talented musician, he is my friend, and my mentor. He believes in my abilities and my message. He is a true inspiration.” 

In addition to playing acoustic and electric guitar, Chase has learned to play mandolin, ukulele, banjo, piano and drums. With the Lincoln-Way East Strings Orchestra he is now studying violin, cello, and upright string bass under director Michelle Freeland.

“Training with the orchestra has opened my eyes to the fascinating world of classical music and now I try to find ways to adopt those unique sounds into my more core contemporary melodies,” Chase says.

Chase already has an amazing fan base both locally and throughout the world, with more than 37,000 followers on the popular video app, Vine. You can also find him on social media outlets like Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Chase’s vision for his own original tunes stem from classic songwriters like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix while incorporating the pop-punk acoustic styles of Never Shout Never, The Maine and Jack White. He has performed live to large audiences at Chicago Street Pub in Joliet, The Barn in Manhattan, Tribes Alehouse in Mokena and other venues.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Chase is also active in sports at Lincoln-Way East. He cherishes his time with family and friends and never passes up an opportunity to get their input on his latest songs and ideas. He also loves drawing, designing his own album covers, and writes poetry and short stories.

If You Go

What: Hopstring Fest

When: Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Where: Silver Cross Field, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet

Who: Local talent and headline bands like Cracker

How much: Tickets are $20/presale, $30/door

Web: www.hopstringfest.com

Local talent to shine alongside headliners at Joliet's Hopstring Fest Aug. 23

John Narcissi, left and Chase Walsh

By Ted Slowik

I'm starting to get really excited about this year's third annual Hopstring Fest on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet! In addition to the headlining national touring acts, Hopstring is a great showcase of local original music talent.

This year, a couple fellow students of my guitar teacher, Kev Wright of The Righteous Hillbillies,  will be performing at Hopstring. Mokena's John Narcissi and Frankfort's Chase Walsh are both talented young performers who have been receiving expert guidance from Kev. You'll be hearing more about John and Chase and other local Hopstring performers soon!

Tickets for the 12-hour celebration of live music, food and craft beer are $20 and available through hopstringfest.com and at Chicago Street Pub, 75 N. Chicago St., Joliet. Hopstring Fest is presented by Chicago Street Pub owner Mike Trizna.

Hopstring Fest 2014 is headlined by rock band Cracker and features mainstage performers The Righteous Hillbillies, The Steepwater Band,  Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts, John Condron & the Old Gang Orchestra, Ed Anderson, Chicago Farmer, The Regressors, Alex Hoffer, Leadfoot and The Prairie Ghosts. The mainstage lineup is presented by Flipside Works. 

I'll be performing first, at 11:35 a.m., on the 2014 Red Betty IPA Side Stage. The lineup is managed by Chris Flood and features Dan Dougherty and the Tone Bone, Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen, Allison Flood, Chris Flood, the Matt Biskie Trio, Tom & Becky, Ernie Hendrickson, J Ross Green and Scott McNeil. 

This year there's a second side stage, the Deschutes Brewery Side Stage. The lineup is managed by Kristin Barry and features Charlie Champene and ERic Totherow, Brian Barry, John Narcissi, Chase Walsh, Ryan Olsson, Molly McKenna Batozech, Tim Streit, CottonHeaded Ninny Muggins, John Till and Pete Jive.

So save the date Aug. 23, tell your friends and buy your tickets now!