Celebrating the Blues in
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Celebrating the Blues
in Champaign-Urbana
Illinois
Celebrate 25 years with The Painkillers Blues Band this Saturday (January 24) at the Rose Bowl from 3:00-5:00! Yep, it was in January of 2001 when David Adcock and David Wilson, along with Ryan Woodson and several others started playing it loud on the King School stage on Sunday afternoons, and were self-branded with the name The Painkillers (long story!).
Not long after, along came Steve Errede and David Hertzog, and then the lovely Carolyn Johnson. They recorded one CD (“Done Me Wrong”) in 2012 at Pogo Studio, recorded and mixed by Mark Rubel, and mastered at Ardent Studios in Memphis. Their current line-up, in addition to Wilson and Adcock, includes Gerry Guthrie on guitar, John McMahon on bass, Tom Cullop on drums, and features Dawn Clark on vocals.
Over the years, they’ve loved playing many shows with Matt Stewart, Jack Brighton, Kathy Harden, Sarah Powers, Kevin Colravy, Dr. Bob McEntyre, Alfie Wilson, Zlatan Aksamija, and many other great area musicians. It should be a fun party at The Rose Bowl Bowl on Saturday! (see our CALENDAR page for a complete listing of all live Blues music).
Big thanks to the many Blues fans of Champaign-Urbana who came out on a cold Thursday night to support the Prairie Crossroads Blues Society fundraiser held at The Rose Bowl on January 15, 2026! Also, Big thanks to Bunny’s Tavern for donating the delicious appetizers for the guests at the fundraiser! Alligator Records artists Nick Moss and his band, featuring the acclaimed Dennis Gruenling on harmonica, wowed the crowd as they played without a break for a full two-hour show.
Become a member! Formed in 2010, Prairie Crossroads Blues Society helps promote Blues music in Champaign-Urbana and East Central Illinois through the promotion of local artists, as well as regional and national talents. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has offered many Blues in the Schools programs in CU public schools and libraries since 2012. We also produce the annual Annual Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest every year. Membership starts at $20 per year and benefits include advance notice of Blues shows & events, special discounts, and the chance to be a part of the community of other great Blues lovers! See our ABOUT page for more information on how to join.
David Lumsden and his band, out of Springfield, has had a long and storied relationship with the Prairie Crossroads Blues Society. In addition to leading his own band, for many years, he played guitar with Hurricane Ruth, and they performed at our 5th Annual Blues Fest in 2023. You have a chance to catch David out twice in the next week! He’ll be playing on Sunday, December 21 at 3:00 at Pop’s Place in Decatur. On Monday, December 22, he’ll be playing with Reggie Britton and the Happy Blues Band for the Blue Monday Show at 7:00 at The Alamo in Springfield. Do yourself a favor… take a Break from your holiday shopping this week, and sit back and enjoy some David Lumsden’s Blues before the holidays hit… you’ll be glad you did (see our CALENDAR page for a complete listing of all live Blues music).
Here's a video of Billy Galt and Michael Peloquin sharing some Blues at our FALL RELEASE PARTY (and new website reveal) on Monday, November 17, 2025 at Bunny's Tavern Backroom in Urbana, Illinois. We hope to see you again at our next event. Don't forget there's plenty of opportunity for you to catch some live music in our area. Just check out the CALENDAR for the latest information.
On the weekend before June 20, 2025, word started spreading that the Champaign-Urbana community had lost a friend, a long time WEFT air shifter, and most of all the president of the Prairie Crossroads Blues Society. Read Rich Cibelli's tribute to Bob Paleczny (1955–2025).
Our Corporate Member spotlight is shining brightly on Bunny's Tavern in the heart of downtown Urbana. Bunny's has been locally owned and operated since 1936, and they have consistently been strong supporters of the annual Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest (read more on our SPONSORS page).
Dates for the 2026 BLUES FEST has been announced. Go to our BLUES FEST
page to revisit the 2025 festival as well an archive of all past Prairie Crossroads festivals (pictures and videos coming soon).
