MT. VERNON —
I will be the very first to admit that I do not know about everything musical that is happening in our area. I do, however, seem to find out enough information to regularly write this column.
Like the fact that a local singer/guitarist, known for excellent acoustic renditions of rock and country-rock tunes may be starting something different with a band mostly known around the area for classic rock.
Meghan Crain Barrow and the members of Tommy Gunn (Billy Kniffen, Greg Lundius, Dan Lynch) have been kind of seeing how it could be if the rock band had a female up-front.
Readers of this space and listeners of the radio show are already aware of Meghan.
Meghan was on the show in the summer of 2009 and again in 2010. You can hear both of those programs by going to www.musicallyspeaking.mvn.net
She has participated in the last two WolfStock celebrations, 2009 and 2010, as well as the Spring Thaw in 2010.
Meghan has been a regular performer at the GenKota Winery and has been a monthly performer at Jack Russell’s in Benton over the last couple of years.
She has also recorded her own originals and performed them on numerous occasions.
Tommy Gunn is an established rock act in Southern Illinois, with members who have more than 15 years of experience together.
TG also participated in WolfStock in 2009 and the Spring Thaw. Billy Kniffen can make an electric guitar absolutely scream for mercy. Originally from St. Louis, Greg Lundius on bass is the consummate professional, while Franklin County’s Dan Lynch on drums seems to be very much at ease singing while he keeps Tommy Gunn in the beat. The band has been previously featured on Musically Speaking.
This scenario came about in a very unique way.
Meghan opened the show for the Eye of the Needle at the Scheller Playhouse not long ago.
After Meghan completed her set, which included “All Along the Watchtower” and “What’s Goin’ On,” I introduced her to Lundius, who was taking in the EOTN show that night. The two talked at length while I felt like the fifth-wheel, since I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.
Last week, Meghan, Kniffen and Lundius held an impromptu “jam session” here in the King City. Lynch was unable to attend.
After talking with both Meghan and Greg, I can tell you that both thought exactly the same thing.
This might work — and then some!
Due to some unforeseen logistics problems, this weekend’s radio show was still up in the air as of the writing of this column on Monday.
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.
