Led by harmonica master and songwriter Pierre Lacocque, Mississippi Heat is a world-class Chicago Blues Band. Their motto is “Traditional Blues With A Unique Sound” as they present fresh yet vintage-based musical ideas.
MISSISSIPPI HEAT’s name reflects Pierre’s reverence for Mississippi’s blues culture and music. They have received worldwide critical acclaim, including from Living Blues Magazine: “MISSISSIPPI HEAT delivers its traditional urban blues with a freshness, energy and competence that makes them a treasure on today’s Chicago scene.”
Mississippi Heat are known internationally for their passionate blues delivery. Overseas and national touring have been an integral part of their work for decades. The band has appeared at many world-famous festivals, including many in the US (like the Pocono’s and the Chicago Blues Festivals), Scandinavia, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, Tunisia, Finland, Venezuela and Mexico, among many others.
Buddy Guy has gone on record saying that it’s “been a long time since I heard a good blues band like this.” And recently the band received this critical acclaim from Bonnie Tallman at the Billtown Blues Festival (Hughesville, PA): “Can’t find enough words to express how blown away everyone was with the Mississippi Heat performance! It was spectacular in every way.”
Saint Boogie Brass Band (SBBB) is a dynamic musical ensemble that was established in 2011. Comprising exceptionally talented musicians hailing from diverse backgrounds, SBBB shares an unwavering passion for music creation. The band’s distinctive sound is characterized by the fusion of horns and percussion, creating a lively and infectious party-like atmosphere. Drawing inspiration from various genres, including Hip-Hop, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues, and Funk, SBBB consistently delivers performances that captivate audiences and get them on their feet, grooving to the rhythm. SBBB’s signature sound revolves around the harmonious interplay of horns and percussion instruments. This distinctive approach sets them apart in the music scene and creates a vibrant, dance-inducing atmosphere at their performances. Saint Boogie Brass Band aspires to continue pushing the boundaries of musical exploration while maintaining their commitment to delivering high-energy, soulful performances. They aim to expand their reach, both nationally and internationally, and leave an enduring mark on the global music scene.
More than just a Chicago band, Gizzae is a musical tapestry woven from the diverse experiences of its members, hailing from across the globe. With over 35 years of grooving, they’ve earned Grammys, Chicago Music Awards, and shared stages with reggae royalty like Ziggy Marley, the Rolling Stones, and Toots & the Maytals. Their musical journey isn’t confined to just reggae. Collaborations with legends like Bruce Springsteen and Carly Simon have infused their sound with Soca, Calypso, and even jazz, rock, and blues. Expect unexpected twists and turns as they seamlessly blend genres, leaving you wanting more. If you crave electrifying live shows with guitar solos that soar and keyboards that mesmerize, Gizzae is your cure. Their jam-reggae style is guaranteed to get you moving, whether you’re a die-hard reggae fan or just looking for a night of good vibes. Our story began in 1992, rising from the ashes of Ziggy Marley’s touring band and Moja Nya. We quickly captured the heart of Chicago’s reggae scene, and almost 30 years later, we’re still rocking houses with our infectious energy. Gizzae is your cure for the ordinary. Their shows are electrifying bursts of energy, with guitar solos that soar and keyboards that mesmerize. Whether you’re a die-hard reggae fan or just looking for a night of good vibes and killer jams, they will get you moving.
CHUCK MEAD is a country singer with a rock ‘n’ roll heart. He’s also a renowned songwriter, producer, music director, musicologist and architect behind the rebirth of Lower Broadway and the Global Neo Traditional Country music movement.
This Kansas native has been at the forefront of what has come to be known as Americana Music for the better part of 25 years. Perhaps best known for co-founding the famed ‘90s Alternative Country quintet, BR549, whose 7 albums garnered a CMA Award for Best International Touring Act and three Grammy nominations, helped build an indelible bridge between authentic American Roots music and millions of fans worldwide.
Since then, he’s toured the globe, entertained thousands on the high seas, released 4 solo albums, made 137 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, co-produced critically acclaimed tribute albums to Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings, acted as Musical Director/Supervisor/Producer of the Broadway hit musical Million Dollar Quartet AND the companion CMT television show Sun Records.
With a deep connection to Memphis and a burning desire to keep building musical bridges, Chuck packed up the band and took time out of his crazy schedule last summer to record his fourth solo album with Matt Ross-Spang (Margo Price/John Prine/Jason Isbell/Al Green) at the legendary Sam Phillips Recording Studios, the result of which, ‘Close To Home’, was released June 21, 2019, on Plowboy Records.
Studebaker John Grimaldi was born in an Italian-American section of Chicago and started playing harmonica at age 7. Under the spell of music he heard on Maxwell Street, Chicago’s famed blues melting pot, Grimaldi began performing as Studebaker John and the Hawks in the ‘70s. The band referenced the Studebaker Hawk, a car Grimaldi still owns today, and was also intended as a tribute to his friend, J.B. Hutto and the Hawks. John began playing guitar after a life-changing experience of seeing Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers perform. “…Hound Dog started playing, hitting notes that sent chills up and down my spine. He was versatile and powerful and would play rhythm as well as leads. I left there knowing what I wanted to do. I had to play slide guitar.” Through the 70s and 80s John recorded several albums and was fast becoming a rising star in the Blues world. In 1994 he recorded the first of 4 albums on Blind Pig Records. John’s unique songwriting talents, and his blazing guitar and harmonica technique, create a new sound that transports the blues genre into the 21st century. His music can be heard in movie soundtracks, TV series and national TV commercials. Studebaker John & the Hawks have continued to perform at top venues and festivals around the world with their steamy blues and smokin’ blues-rock, incorporating Chicago, boogie, swamp, swing, and harmonica blues.
High velocity bluegrass ground out of Kansas City, MO. The new-found ensemble thrives on improvisation and genre-bending around core bluegrass instrumentation: guitar, mandolin, (bumpin’) upright bass and fiddle. At a live performance, expect to see them effortlessly step in and out of a mix of Americana, country, traditional, R&B, blues and psychedelic music. The group draws on their collective musical inspirations and aspirations to put together an energizing, unique and fun performance fit to turn any occasion into a once-in-a-lifetime party. The band is led by Billy Brady, who was given his nickname ‘Bluegrass’ by his close family and friends after hearing his killer guitar skills at a young age. Raised in Dearborn, MO. until his parents moved back to Kansas City when he was about 5 years old, Billy began playing guitar at age of 16, learning from his close friends in the neighborhood. The band also features award-winning mandolin player Johnny Gleason, thumpin’ stand up bass player Dan Perez and fiddling fool Stas’ Heaney.
Growing up in South Carolina, Mae Simpson remembers her mother wearing out the records of Tina Turner and Patsy Cline. You can hear their echo in the music of the Minneapolis-based artist. Turner can be felt in Simpson’s fiery soulful voice, stage energy, and rock and soul feel on songs like Tryna be Right and Why. The timeless lyricism of Cline finds its home in nostalgic ballads like Cap Guns and Monsters.
Simpson has been singing and creating music her whole life. It remained a personal passion as she bounced from South Carolina to Omaha in her teen years and then to the Twin Cities. In 2018, she formed a band and began to share her gift with the world.
End your week with the best line-up of music from downtown Sioux City’s premiere summer concert series, Downtown Live*. Now back on the best day of the week “Friday.”
Bring your lawn chairs because the weekend starts here. So get there quick…you don’t want to miss a beat.
*Formerly Fridays on the Promenade, which moved to Thursdays in front of the Sioux City Public Museum**. It’s still at the Sioux City Public Museum but now on Fridays. Sorry for the confusion, we promise not to change it again…unless we have to because of unforeseen circumstances but know deep down that we aren’t doing this because we want too, its just that things happen…but we digress. Just come and enjoy yourself. We promise you’ll have a good time.
**The name “Thursdays in Front of the Museum” just didn’t have the same emotional pull as “Fridays on the Promenade” so we just came up with something that sounded as fun and as exciting as “Fridays on the Promenade”. Honestly we’re glad we didn’t call it “Thursdays in Front of the Museum” now that we changed the day back to Friday. If you have a better name please feel free to call and let us know.10
Al Sturgeon Law Firm | Chesterman Co. | Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City | Sparklight
Stan & Amber Sherman Foundation | L & L Distributing | CMBA Architects | CW Suter Services
Hamilton Touchless | Kuchel Roofing | Ray’s Midbell Music | NAI United | Gateway Engineering
Chesterman Co. | Stan & Amber Sherman Foundation | Al Sturgeon Law Firm
American Pop Corn Co | Glazers | L & L Distributing | Aggies | Farrell’s Heating & AC
Nichols, Rise & Company | Northwest Bank | Prestige Collision Center | SuBSurfco
Jackson Street Brewing | Jitters | Roto Rooter | Bookspring