Local musicians Noah Gabriel and
Ryan Carney provided a night of
many memorable moments during their Nov. 12 show at Brother Chimp Brewing in
North Aurora. Gabriel is a singer-songwriter who writes honest, heartfelt
songs. And Carney and his cello helped to wrap his songs in another emotional
layer.
That was most evident on songs like "Powder Blue," which Carney helped send
into the atmosphere with his riveting finger work. Gabriel and Carney also
provided innovative versions of songs like "Black Hole Sun" and "All Along the
Watchtower."
Let's hope we will see more collaborations between the two, both on stage and
in the studio.
Dave Sills performs on Aug. 29 at the Peg Bond Center in Batavia as part of a tribute concert to the late musician Michael Heaton.
A few of Michael Heaton's musician friends performed Aug. 29 at the Peg Bond Center in Batavia as part of a tribute concert to the late musician. The concert capped a fundraising effort by family, friends and fans to
create a permanent plaque at the Peg Bond Center that will highlight Heaton's life, music and philanthropy, as well as create a Michael
Heaton musical scholarship, which will be awarded
annually to a local student.
The scholarship will provide the student
with a new guitar and a year of guitar and songwriting lessons. Rick Cremer of North Aurora-based Cremer Guitarworks is supplying the
guitars, and Jeff Matters of Music Matters School of Music in Batavia is
providing the lessons. The scholarship will be managed by the Batavia
Foundation for Educational Excellence.
Saturday, June 5, 2021
Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials to perform Saturday as part of grand-reopening concert at Mundy Park in downtown Aurora
Photo by Andy Lyons
By Eric Schelkopf
It only makes sense that Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials is playing Saturday at The Venue in downtown Aurora as part of a series of concerts these weekend celebrating outdoor concerts returning to Mundy Park, which is adjacent to The Venue.
Lil' Ed Williams and his bandmates were one of the last bands to play in front of a live audience at The Venue last year before the pandemic forced the music venue to switch to live streaming concerts. For those ready to hear live music again, Williams and his band will provide plenty of electricity.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets range in price from $20 to $25, available at The Venue's website, themusicvenue.org.
The grand reopening weekend will wrap up on Sunday with a musical tribute to two of The Beatles most beloved albums, "Rubber Soul" and "Abbey Road." More information is available on The Venue's website, themusicvenue.org.
Noah Gabriel and other musicians paid tribute to Michael Heaton as part
of "Celebrate the Big Life of Michael Heaton" on Feb. 15 at Two Brothers
Roundhouse in Aurora. Heaton passed away in December after a battle
with cancer.
By Eric Schelkopf
Hundreds of people came to Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora to celebrate the life and music of Michael Heaton. His former bandmates along with other musical friends performed his songs during the show. In a fitting tribute to Heaton's generosity, the night also served as a benefit for the family of toddler Wrenley
Rose Pavels, who died in late January after battling idiopathic aplastic
anemia.
Heaton's songs revolved around everyday themes. He wrote about the ordinary and made it extraordinary.
Singer Pete Lindenmeyer and other musicians, including the horn section
from the band Pawnshop, perform Michael Heaton's song "Smells Like
Gasoline."
Kevin Trudo performs the Michael Heaton song "We're Not Sleeping."
Singer Pete Jive and other musicians, including noted guitarist Pat Bergeson, perform Michael Heaton's song "C'est La Vie."
Pete Jive performs the Michael Heaton song "The Good Times."
Pete Lindenmeyer and Kevin Trudo lead the band in a version of The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again," which Heaton played on a regular basis at his shows.
