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Bubble City Playboys

Bubble City Playboys @ Pipa’s Pub in Champaign (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)

 

 

What do you get when you mix some fine bubbly and a group of outstanding local musicians? The Bubble City Playboys of course!

 

And that’s where you’ll find them each Wednesday from 5-8 pm holding down the stage at Pipa’s Pub in West Champaign.

 

For me, Wednesday February 18th seemed like the perfect night to catch this band and was I in luck.

 

According to Bubble City Playboys drummer/vocalist Ron Phelps, the band got its start some two and half years ago. Back then it was just Phelps, Josh Walden on Bass and a guitar and harp player that now resides in Nashville, Tennessee named Joe Asselin.

 

But that was back them and now the band has its core members including Michael Peloquin who handles sax, harp and vocal duties, Mark Kalson on Fiddle and vocals and of course Phelps on drums.

 

And is the case most shows these days The Bubble City Playboys have other local musicians sit in.

 

This show was no exception as Andrew Duncanson of Take A Ride/Kilborn Alley fame and Tom Grassman whose band used to play for Chicago Blackhawks home games served as special guests.

 

Aslo playing this show (and ably subbing for their regular bassist Josh Walden) was Dan Henry, who you might remember from his days playing with Pork and The Havana Ducks.

 

Right on queue, like a well-oiled machine, Phelps hit his floor tom toms and the band kicked things off with “Back At The Chicken Shack.” This great song written years ago by Jimmy Smith gave Peloquin and Kalson plenty of opportunity for an opening solo each.

 

“Tulsa Time,” followed next and Fiddle player Kalson, who spent several years touring with Charlie Pride showed why he’s one of the finest fiddle players around.

 

Not to be outdone, Sax player Peloquin followed up with “Mamas Got the Know How’’ (with Mark Kalson on vocals). Originally from Illinois, Peloquin honed his skill traveling the world and playing with many of the great musicians of our time. Moreover, his harp playing is outstanding.

 

Besides The Bubble City Playboys, Peloquin is also a member of Andrew Duncanson’s current side project Take A Ride. Phelps and Kalson also play in other local bands including one called Whiskey Biscuit. So, there’s always opportunity to see them perform.

 

“Lovey Dovey,’’ was the next number for this show and once again this band showed why they are so good as one by one they each took a solo and just seemed to be lock in step with one another. In my opinion, nothing is beyond this group of musicians as they just seem to get better every time I get to see them.

 

And since this band can play anything, somebody called out “Anybody Going to San Anton.” Once again, the band seemed locked in for the many who made it out to hear some great music.

 

Tom Grassman, who plays in 90’s Daughter and several other local bands changed things up a bit when he hit the first notes of “Up on Cripple Creek.” If you remember this was a smash hit for AM Radio back when “The Band” from Woodstock, New York were in their glory days of performing.

 

I think you get the picture by now. The Bubble City Playboys are a must if you like a variety of songs and great talent to go along. So, make plans to see them one Wednesday coming up. I’ll guarantee they won’t disappoint.

 

— Rich Cibelli

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