Scott Tipping, Phil Angotti and friends provide riveting night of music at The Venue in Aurora

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

Scott Tipping's CD release party on Jan. 2 at The Venue in Aurora for his new album "The Fade" – which also featured fellow musician Phil Angotti and a host of supporting musicians – was an example of what makes the Chicago area music scene so strong.

Here are a few highlights from the evening. More videos can be found at youtube.com/@ericschel12/videos.

Chicago musician Phil Angotti performs his song "Eye for an Eye" while opening for fellow musician Scott Tipping Jan. 2 at The Venue in Aurora.

Chicago area musician Scott Tipping performs his song "Stay" off his new album "The Fade" Jan. 2 at The Venue in Aurora as part of a CD release party for the album.

Chicago area musician Scott Tipping performs his song "The Flicker Of The Fade" off his new album "The Fade" Jan. 2 at The Venue in Aurora as part of a CD release party for the album.

 

Chicago area musician Scott Tipping performs his song "Slip By Slip" Jan. 2 at The Venue in Aurora.

 

Chicago area musician Scott Tipping performs his song "The Need" off his new album "The Fade" Jan. 2 at The Venue in Aurora as part of a CD release party for the album.
 

Chicago area musician Scott Tipping to celebrate release of new album with show at The Venue in Aurora

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

Anyone who has seen Scott Tipping perform live knows the excitement and energy that he brings to the stage.

 

Tipping will take the stage again on Jan. 2 when he performs at The Venue in downtown Aurora as part of a CD release party for his second album, "The Fade."  The show will double as a birthday celebration for Tipping, who is turning 52.

It is fitting that the CD release party/birthday celebration will take place at The Venue.

Tipping is talent buyer for The Venue and his band Album Covers – which pays tribute to influential musicians and bands – performs at The Venue on a regular basis. He has been involved in The Venue – which is run by the nonprofit organization Fox Valley Music Foundation – since it first opened in 2019.

 

For Tipping, the release of the album represents the start of new things. He started writing the songs for "The Fade" shortly after a severe car accident in 2023, two days after Christmas. 

 

He spent his 50th birthday in a hospital room.

Chicago solo artist Phil Angotti will open the show. The show starts at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at The Venue's website, themusicvenue.org. The Venue is located at 21 S. Broadway Ave. (Route 25) in downtown Aurora.

 

The band HOSS and friends entertain the crowd at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora while collecting toys for Hesed House

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

 

Music brings people together.

And it's even better when music brings people together for a good cause.

Such was the case when Pete Lindenmeyer and his band HOSS performed at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora on Dec. 6 as part of the band's 21st annual Hossmas holiday show and toy drive to benefit Hesed House homeless shelter in Aurora.

Joining the band on stage was the Pawnshop Horns.

Songs like Trip Shakespeare's song "Snow Days" – featuring special guest musician Dave Ramont – reminded us of how snow can be a magical thing.

 

And it wouldn't be Hossmas without the appearance of Santa HOSS, played by Wolfgang Holzl.

 

The night was also a reunion of sorts, with former HOSS drummer Jason Waggoner joining the band on stage for a couple of HOSS songs.

The night was filled with energy from beginning to end, including a blistering version of King of Leon's song "Molly's Chambers."

The energy level shot up even higher during the band's second set, when it performed The Police's album Every Breath You Take: The Singles.

 

 More videos from the night are at: https://www.youtube.com/@ericschel12/videos

Help Chicago music legend Holle Thee Maxwell as she recovers from knee surgery

By Eric Schelkopf

For decades, Chicago music legend Holle Thee Maxwell has been entertaining us with her fiery vocals and explosive stage presence.

Now we have the chance to help her after all that she has given us.

The Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee recently underwent major knee surgery.

"I am thankful the surgery was successful, but the recovery has been far more difficult than I expected," Maxwell said in a message. "I am in a great deal of pain, and I have been told I need extended physical therapy in order to stand, walk and regain my independence.

The challenge is that these treatments — along with my basic living expenses — are more than I can manage alone right now. I have always tried to be strong, but at this moment in my life, I must humbly ask for your help."

 

Her friends have created a GoFundMe page to support her recovery. Contributions will go toward additional physical therapy sessions, medical and mobility needs and monthly living expenses during recovery.

To give, go to gofundme.com/f/help-holle-walk-again.