MT. VERNON —
Well, spring is here. And now, things will once again thaw out.
We are only six months away from the fourth annual WolfStock, which will be held in September of this year.
As you know, WolfStock is a music festival like no other in Southern Illinois.
WolfStock began as a tribute to the Wolfman, Bob Trout, who was widely known as a supporter of local and area musicians. The event’s attendance has shown a steady increase every year.
You can still see a number of photos from the first three events on the Musically Speaking Web site. And you’ll be able to get more information as it becomes available at: wolfstock.mvn.net
Howl for the Wolfman!
As most of you may know, I write this column early in the week. I say that now to underscore the fact that I sincerely hope that those of you who were in attendance at Genkota last night (Friday, March 25) were entertained by my old friend (since 1971) Big Al Moutrey, who strives to make people laugh at him as well as themselves.
I’m hoping that Big Al was as entertaining as he was at our class reunion (MVTHS Class of 1975) last September.
I’m certain that I would have heard his many references to me, as “Gallagher,” “(David) Crosby” and “Ben Franklin.”
And if you didn’t like the show, I do have the ability to send you Al’s phone number and you can complain to him directly.
Either way, it’s all about you, the valued listener/reader.
This Sunday evening, you’ll be able to hear the first interview that I recorded with the legendary Farm, from November 2006.
Yeah, five-plus years later, I still sound very nervous, which I was. Imagine me at a loss for words!
After all, it had only been 33 years since these guys performed together, but they had never done a sit-down interview with all of the band there.
I recall at that point, the band had agreed to practice together, but they were still a full year away from actually playing in front of someone other than family and me.
Up until then, I had been working for about a year-and-a-half to get those six musicians to want to play together again. Just a few months after that interview, the Farm Web site www.farmforever.com came on-line.
But, as far as this interview goes, there is still what I like to refer to as compelling radio.
The stories are great.
Like the member’s recollections of the infamous Bull Island music festival. Or their thoughts about opening for Canned Heat at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Or how about the fact that the band had a caravan of vehicles following them to every show.
Or – just listen to the show.
This program will also be available at www.farmforever.com
Don’t forget to check out: www.musicallyspeaking.mvn.net.
Enjoy this weeks’ radio show and please be careful out there.
Don’t drink and drive or text and drive.
The Illinois State Police are counting on it.
- Jack Clark is the host of Musically Speaking, a local radio program heard Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. on 102.1 WIBV.
