LOCAL SCENE: Canasta celebrates 10 years with anniversary concert

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Fresh from their successful tour of Mongolia for the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs earlier this year, Chicago music group Canasta is celebrating their 10th anniversary as a band with a return to the first …

LOCAL SCENE: United Way showcases local talent for charity

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Reality TV shows have become all the rage in recent years. The fever caused by "American Idol," "The Voice," "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Got Talent" has everyone getting into the act.

LOCAL SCENE: 'Explore the South Shore' offers free music and more

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Music plays a big part of the second annual 'Explore the South Shore' free family festival taking place rain or shine 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Indiana Welcome Center, located off I-94 on Kennedy Avenue.

LOCAL SCENE: Rockin' region sideman softens sound for solo career

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Concert producer Paul Braun, the man who began and resurrected the popular "One Night Stand" singer/songwriter series at Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso, has long been a champion of regional music artists deserving of a break.

LOCAL SCENE: Kouts mom gets by this weekend with a little help from her friends

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

3 Peace bassist Mike Vetromila fell in love with the notion of playing rock ‘n' roll music the night The Beatles invaded his parent's living room on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

LOCAL SCENE: The day Dick Clark changed my life

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Baby boomers have lost a little bit more of their collective youth with the death of "America's oldest teenager" Dick Clark, who suffered a massive heart attack on Wednesday.

LOCAL SCENE: Brit rock legends The Yardbirds still flying

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

When it comes to making a list of truly legendary rock groups who have impacted music most, close to the top of any list should be The Yardbirds.

LOCAL SCENE: Blues revue celebrates silver anniversary show

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Bud Monaco and Red Rose of SoPro Music Inc. once again present their Annual Easter Parade Blues Revue. But this Saturday's event is extra special as it marks the duo's silver anniversary show.

LOCAL SCENE: Eric Lowen loses battle with ALS

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

It pains me to report that Eric Lowen, half of the long-running musical duo Lowen & Navarro, died March 23 at the age of 60 following a long and determined struggle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

LOCAL SCENE: Local talent rockin' for good causes this weekend

By Tom Lounges Times Corespondent

Two fundraisers featuring live local bands will have the region rocking this weekend for some good causes.

LOCAL SCENE: Still want your MTV? The '80s live again this weekend in Hobart

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Remember Parachute pants, spandex, big hair and leggings?

LOCAL SCENE: Original Noodles set to boil again

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

For the first time in more than 20 years, the original members of The Dancing Noodles, reunite Saturday at the south west suburban rock haunt Phil McKracken's, 6602 West 111th Street, in Worth, Ill.

LOCAL SCENE: Region's Goat Motor revving with new CD

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Northwest Indiana rock trio Goat Motor is hosting a party tonight at the Cubby Bear Lounge in Chicago to celebrate and showcase their new CD, "Clean Slate," which will be officially released March 6 via CDBaby.com, iTunes.com and other digita…

LOCAL SCENE: Styx commemorates landmark tour with new releases

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Chicago rock icons Styx has released a 3–disc collection commemorating their landmark 2010 tour, which featured a stop at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.

LOCAL SCENE: Mavis Staples closes this year's blues fest

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Chicago music legend Mavis Staples — a member of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame who has been ranked as one of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" by Rolling Stone Magazine — has been pegged to headline the third and final day of the 29th A…

LOCAL SCENE: American English recreates 'Fab' time in music history

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

American English have accumulated glowing testimonials from British Invasion survivors and real-life pals of the Beatles — Eric Burdon of the Animals, Spencer Davis of the Spencer Davis Group and Joey Molland of Badfinger — giving credence to…

LOCAL SCENE: The Buckinghams — Hey baby, they're still playing our song

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

There was a time during the 1960s, when the British Invasion was waning and American rockers returned to favor. Leading the pack was a pop/rock group from the Windy City — the Buckinghams.

LOCAL SCENE: 'Rock'In Out' for region broadcaster John Baranowski

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

The Steepwater Band is headlining a benefit concert Saturday at Knights Of Columbus, 1400 Broad Street, Griffith, for longtime local radio broadcaster John Baranowski, a 1975 graduate of Lake Central High School.

LOCAL SCENE: 'Acoustic smart twang' of Emiily Hurd should be heard

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Emily Hurd is an amazingly talented singer/songwriter whose eighth and latest CD — "Long Lost Ghosts" — fell into my lap courtesy of an old music biz friend. Somehow, this regional gal had evaded my radar all these years.

LOCAL SCENE: Region rocker making the most of 2012

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

Chicago rocker Pete Berwick seems determined to make 2012 a banner year to remember.

LOCAL SCENE: Suggestions to strengthen region club shows

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

It's a new year and a time when we all resolve to improve ourselves, our lives and things around us.

LOCAL SCENE: 2011: The local music year in review

By Tom Lounges Times Correspondent

This past year has been an eventful one in regional and local music. What follows is a recap of some of the highs and lows of 2011 as reported in this column over the last 12 months...

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