Celebrating the Blues in
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Celebrating the Blues
in Champaign-Urbana
Illinois
Here's what's been happening in and around Champaign-Urbana and surrounding areas. Got some Blues news to share? Send us an email: news@prairiecrossroads.org
Gig Report: Bubble City Playboys @ Pipa’s Pub in Champaign
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 18, 2026 seemed like the perfect night to catch this band and was I in luck... READ MORE
CD REVIEW: JOHN LOGAN with THE LIX
If you like listening to some good Blues music with just a little bit of Jazz and Funk mixed in, then check out the new release from John Logan with The Lix. This 6 song EP times out at around 20 minutes and was recorded and mixed at Sawhorse Studios. John Logan gets credit for writing 5 of the 6 songs that appear.
This release is packed with plenty of music for your enjoyment and is available on most streaming platforms, so give it a listen.
Based in St. Louis, John Logan with THE LIX is a four-piece group that features John Logan handling Guitar and Vocals, Mike Graham on Bass, Benet Schaeffer on Drums and Frank Bauer on Saxophone... READ MORE
The Nick Moss Band played the REAL Blues for the Prairie Crossroads Blues Society fundraiser on January 15! 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.
The band included Moss on the guitar and vocals, Gruenling on harp, Rodrigo Mantovani on bass, and Pierce Downer on drums. They were a hot, very tight, band led by the very personable Nick Moss.
This fundraiser was designed as the first of several fundraiser shows for the Prairie Crossroads 8th Annual Blues Fest to be held August 7-8, 2026 in Urbana. Mark your calendars for the festival, and watch for our future events on our home page.
Check out a snippet of video from the show here:
International Blues Challenge (IBC) 2026 The 2026 International Blues Challenge was held in Memphis from January 14-17, 2026. This brought together talented Blues musicians and bands who won competitions sponsored by local/regional Blues Societies from all over the world.
These musicians and bands played out in clubs on Beale Street in Memphis on Wednesday and Thursday nights with panels of judges at each venue evaluating their skills and musicianship. On Friday night, only the winners advanced to the semi-final performances, and Saturday culminated the Challenge with the Finalists playing for an enthusiastic audience at the beautiful Orpheum Theater.
Winners of this year’s IBC were:
The Prairie Crossroads Blues Society did not sponsor an IBC Competition in 2025, although we are considering hosting a competition for 2026. In the past, we have collaborated with Blues societies in Springfield and Decatur to host an event and sponsor a band in the IBC in Memphis. Keep your eyes and ears open for those announcements later in the year!
Enjoy this video of the Weary Ramblers who won the Solo/Duo competition at this year’s IBC!
Have you got your tickets yet? For the Nick Moss Band, of course! You know they’ll be playing at the Rose Bowl on January 15, right? This promises to be a GREAT show and it’s for a very good cause. This is a fundraiser for the Prairie Crossroads Blues Society… and we are collaborating with the Rose Bowl to bring you some high energy Blues to Urbana. This show is working toward our goal of continuing to provide a high quality 8th Annual Blues Fest on August 7-8. The Nick Moss Band will be featuring Dennis Gruenling on the harmonica. Dennis is one of the top harmonica players in the world and he adds a ton to an already fantastic band. Enjoy this short video of Dennis as he wows the audience at the 2024 SPAH (Harmonica) Convention in Tulsa. This show is likely to sell out, so get your tickets now!
Duke Tumatoe Shared his Musical Wisdom at the Rose Bowl in Urbana On December 6, 2025, the Rose Bowl Tavern audience was delighted to have Dr. Duke Tumatoe back in town! Currently playing out of Indianapolis, The Duke has been a long-time fixture around Champaign-Urbana, for many years leading the All-Star Frogs. Duke Tumatoe is known as a creative and colorful songwriter, often with irreverent lyrical undertones. He’s also well-known for his ability to get the audience involved in call-and-response conversations that play into his songs. His show at the Rose Bowl was another of his classic appearances… his songs never get old, and his personal charm keep his fans coming back for more!
Prairie Crossroads Fall Release Party (and new website reveal) event On November 17, 2025, the Prairie Crossroads Blues Society hosted a FALL RELEASE PARTY (and new website reveal event) at long-time supporter, Bunny's Tavern in downtown Urbana. The party featured Billy Galt, playing the Blues, lots of very cool freebies and door prizes, and short informative presentations on our Blues in the Schools program and our NEW website (see video on our new Youtube Channel).
To conclude the Release Party, David Adcock led the group in a therapeutic SCREAM to release all of everyone’s negative vibes before the busy holiday season starts up. Check out our group SCREAM below (and also check out Scream Club of Chicago):
The Painkillers Blues Band to take the stage at The Wild Hare Bar in Fisher Join The Painkillers Blues Band, featuring Dawn Clark, for a brief return to Spring as we take to the stage at The Wild Hare Bar and Grill in Fisher on Saturday, November 15 from 7:00-10:00. The Wild Hare has a delicious food and drink menu, which is always a good mix with the Blues! Special guest, Chris Morrow, will be sitting in on drums with us on Saturday. And, Dawn promises to bring some "Down Home Blues" to Fisher so don't forget your feel-good shoes and a dancing partner! It'll be worth the short drive North to Fisher!
THE PCBS BOARD MEETS MONTHLY AT pO'bOYS The Prairie Crossroads Blues Society Board of Directors (and friends!) meets from 5:00-6:00 on the second Thursday of each month at Po'Boys restaurant, 202 E. University Ave., Urbana. There is usually live music starting at 6:00, so we like to mix business with pleasure (and great food and drinks!). Feel free to join our meetings if you are interested and/or would like to become more involved (read more ABOUT PCBS)
LOCAL LEGEND CANDY FOSTER JOINS THE TEMPTATIONS ON STAGE! On October 16, 2025, the legendary Temptations and the Four Tops played at the State Farm Center in Champaign. To everyone’s great surprise, they invited local legend, Candy Foster up to the stage to sing with them on one of his and their favorites, My Girl. He fit right in!!!
Skelton Park's Wall of Fame honors local African American musicians On September 28, 2025, The Champaign Park District held a Dedication Ceremony for Skelton Park's "Wall of Fame" in Champaign.
Skelton Park, at First St. and Washington St. in Champaign, is designed to honor the legacy of Champaign County’s many prominent and influential African American musicians. The Wall of Fame includes record-like plaques with the names of local African American musicians who have developed and shared their musical talents at the local or national level.
The newly renovated park also includes interactive musical instruments, a plaza for performances and small gatherings, and a seating wall and gentle slope for watching performances. The centerpiece is a steel sculpture designed by African American artist Preston Jackson that reflects the musical heritage of Champaign County’s African American community.
Dawn Clark, talented vocalist with Candy Foster’s Shades of Blue and The Painkillers Blues Band, poses with her plaque on the Wall of Fame in Champaign’s Skelton Park
Candy Foster Parkland College Scholarship fundraiser On September 9, 2025, Alto Vineyards hosted the annual Candy Foster Parkland College Scholarship fundraiser. Three bands provided the musical entertainment: The Fairchilds, the Bubble City Playboys, and Candy Foster and the Shades of Blue. 22 of these scholarships have been awarded over the years.
Brandon Santini at the Rose Bowl On July 25, 2025, Brandon Santini and his band rocked the Rose Bowl. Santini played at the Prairie Crossroads Blues Fest a few years back.
Blues Brews & BBQ Festival
On June 14, 2025, The Wild Hare Bar and Grill in Fisher, IL hosted their 3rd Annual Blues Brews and BBQ Festival with three bands playing: The Painkillers Blues Band, The Blues Deacons, and Andy Duncanson and Friends.
Anson Funderburgh and Mark Hummel at the Rose Bowl On August 22, 2024 The Rose Bowl hosted a fantastic show by two great Blues players: Anson Funderburgh and Mark Hummel. Prairie Crossroads Blues Society helped to sponsor this band by picking up their hotel bill.
