WATCH: http://www.jillysmusicroom.live (7:30PM EST)
8/1: JIM BALLARD & THE STRANGS
Band members include: Tim Longfellow (keys), Bill Watson (bass), Joe Lang, and Wes McCraw. Learn more: jimballardmusic.net
8/8: MLS TRIO UNSCRIPTED
Marc Lee Shannon with Ed Davis (The Vindys) and Kevin Robert Martinez (The Speedbumps)
Marc Lee Shannon – Singer/Songwriter & Guitarist
Veteran studio and touring guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Marc Lee Shannon left Akron, OH at age 19 to attend the legendary Guitar Institute in Hollywood, CA. After 11 years of sessions and performances with many top country, rock, and soul artists, he heard the call and headed back home to turn the page and start a new chapter.
Through a friend, Shannon got a call from Northeast Ohio’s favorite son, Michael Stanley. Following that fateful conversation, and after playing on “Coming Up for Air” Shannon became a member of Stanley’s band, the Resonators, and has performed with him regularly since 1995. After 25 years and over twenty records later, he is still writing and making music with Stanley, providing electric, acoustic, baritone, and 12-string guitars, as well as mandolin, for one of Ohio’s top drawing acts.
In 2018, Shannon stepped into the limelight to release “Walk This Road”,
This solo album of new material for Marc, was his first in over ten years. Produced by The Shootouts Ryan Humbert, it featured members of other popular Northeast Ohio acts Welshly Arms, The Vindys, The Speedbumps, and Ray Flanagan and the Authorities. WSKU’s “Shuffle” rated this record as one of the top ten local releases in 2018 and the following yea it was also one of the most played on 91.3 the Summit and OWOW radio.
Marc plays solo and features songs from his own catalog, along with smart and stylish covers of songs that – in his own words – are “pull over to the side of the road” favorites. His soulful and melodic “Rustbelt” hewn voice and persona fit in everywhere from a quiet, cozy wine bar to a lively, rockin’ roadhouse.
8/15: KATHY JOHNSON GROUP
The group is Kathy Johnson on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Jefferson Rice on keys, sax, harp, and vocals, Jim Stone on bass and vocals, and Sam Curfman on drums. We do entertaining sets from our broad repertoire, including folk classics like “Both Sides Now,” old cowboy songs like “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” vintage country like “Hey, Good Lookin’,” Beatles tunes like “Hard Day’s Night,” other pop favorites like “Time After Time” and “On Broadway,” a few blues like “Bring It on Home to Me” and “Kansas City,” and Kathy’s well-written originals that range from songs like the hilarious “Well-Tanned, Hairy-Chested, Bare-Armed Men” to the inspirational “Follow Your Dreams” and the topical “A Little More Fair, A Little More Free.” Kathy and former group member Mary Starbbuck have also written some clever parodies about the hit PBS series, “Downton Abbey.”
8/22: SWIZZLE STICK BAND
The Swizzle Stick Band is an 8-piece Motown/Funk/R&B band, playing your favorites from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with some new popular songs mixed in. Lead singer, Ms. Vanda Johnson, has a beautiful voice and powerful stage presence, which does justice to the great music we play.
SSB Band Members:
VANDA JOHNSON – Lead Vocals
KEN BERLIN – Guitar, Vocals
KEN ERTEL – Bass Trumpet, Harps, Backing Vocals
ERIC WARREN – Bass, Vocals
MARK SMALLWOOD – Drums, Vocals
ANDY PLATZ – Trumpet, Backing Vocals
HARRY WITTBROD – Tenor Sax, Bari Sax
DOUG BARBER – Keys, Backing Vocals
The Swizzle Stick Band is a high-energy, dance party band, so be sure to strap on your best dancing shoes!
8/29: TRACEY THOMAS “My Roots Are Showing” CD RELEASE
Tracey’s album My Roots Are Showing is her 10th. She was a member of the legendary Akron Music Scene having fronted the band Unit 5. Tracey has worked with many established musicians from Melanie and Judy Collins to The Black Keys. She resides in Akron Ohio and is in 3 local museums including the Akron Sound display at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
She’ll be joined onstage by Benjamin William Payne (guitars, drums, bass, whistling and the vast majority of everything) Tim Longfellow (piano, accordion). and Tren Houseman (upright and electric bass). Tracey holds down the acoustic guitar, vocals and glitter.
Buy the album on Bandcamp here: https://traceythomas.bandcamp.com/releases?fbclid=IwAR2_LbA8tss9sXMn98Bqe1edA-zpAlZ83Lh5YB0PD7DF2Lr4M3FGGuyWxNE